Chapter 2

The counselor lit up instantly. "That's wonderful, Bella. I'm proud of you. This country needs more young people like you, who are willing to give of themselves. But the program is tough. Remote locations, difficult conditions. Will your uncle even agree to let you go? He's always been so protective of you."

Bella tightened her grip on the phone. Her voice came out steady, no room for doubt. "I don't need his permission. I can decide for myself."

The moment she ended the call, the strength drained from her. Her legs felt weak. She wanted to lean against the wall and catch her breath.

But when she stepped back, she collided with a firm chest.

Startled, Bella's body tensed. Seth frowned.

"Who were you on the phone with? What were you talking about joining?"

Bella hesitated, then replied calmly, "Oh. A teacher asked if I wanted to join a school club."

Seth didn't press her. Instead, his tone shifted, firm and impersonal. "The surgery is scheduled for next week. In the meantime, I'm bringing Faye home."

There was a beat of silence. Then his voice turned cold. "And I don't want to see any strange letters in my study that might give Faye the wrong impression."

Bella turned her head to the side. Her fingers dug into her palm as she answered bitterly, "Okay."

Ever since she had kissed him that one time, Bella had taken to writing Seth a long love letter every week, trying desperately to express what she couldn't say aloud.

But every single letter ended up in the trash.

Still, she kept writing. She hadn't realized that what to her were heartfelt confessions were to him strange, unwanted, and inappropriate.

Seth said nothing more. He gave the driver a few instructions, then turned and walked into Faye's hospital room.

An hour later, Bella saw Seth's car pull up at the hospital entrance. He helped Faye into the car.

She hurried downstairs, rushing to the roadside, just in time to reach for the door.

The car pulled away before her fingers could touch the handle, trailing exhaust in its wake.

Frozen on the spot, she stared blankly after the receding vehicle. Then her phone buzzed with a message.

[Faye has a cleanliness obsession. She doesn't like unfamiliar smells. Take a taxi home.]

Her eyes dimmed. Slowly, she lowered her phone, flagged down a passing cab, and got in.

She didn't say a word. Just stared out the window in silence.

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror, concern in his voice. "Miss, your face doesn't look so good. Want me to stop by a pharmacy?"

She shook her head. Her eyes grew even darker.

Not one word of concern from her so-called family. The only person who'd shown her any kindness today was a stranger.

How ironic. How pathetic.

Eventually, the cab stopped in front of Seth's villa. Bella got out and pushed open the door.

Inside, there was no sign of Seth. Only Faye, idly toying with a necklace.

Bella looked closer. Her heart clenched.

It wasn't just a necklace. It was the pendant she had locked away in the safe—her parents' only keepsake, the one she treasured so much she hadn't dared to touch it for years.

And now it was in Faye's hands.

Her expression turned cold. She stepped forward and held out her hand. "Give it back. Faye, you entered my room without permission. Is that what you call proper upbringing?"

Faye's expression soured. But before she could respond, Seth's voice came from upstairs. "I told Faye she could go in. She'll be the lady of this house sooner or later. She's free to enter any room she likes. In fact, even if she wanted to live in your room, you shouldn't have a problem with it."

He descended the stairs and stopped in front of Bella, his face expressionless, his gaze sharp.

Her face went pale.

Faye, emboldened by his presence, scoffed. "It's just a cheap old pendant. You want it back? Fine."

She held it out, then let it slip from her fingers.

It hit the floor.

Crack.

"No!"

The sound of it breaking cut through the air like a blade.

So did Bella's heart.

That pendant—her only link to her parents, her only keepsake, her only memory of them—was now shattered on the floor.

Her eyes turned red.

She shoved Faye aside and dropped to her knees, no longer caring about appearances.

Her hands moved desperately, trying to piece it back together, but the cracks ran deep, and nothing she did could make it whole again.

Faye stood awkwardly to the side, taken aback by the intensity of Bella's reaction. She hadn't expected this.

Seth's brows knitted slightly. After all these years living together, this was the first time he'd ever seen Bella lose control.

But seeing Faye so shaken, he still frowned and tried to soothe her.

"That's enough. Faye didn't do it on purpose. I'll pay you back for the pendant."