Chapter 2

After my parents passed away, I moved into the family manor.

Grandpa was always busy. Aside from the butler and the maid, my only constant companion was Julian, who was seven years older than me.

When I was little, he held my hand to teach me how to write, telling me that a person’s character should be as straight as their brushstrokes.

As I grew older, I hated when he smoked, so I would hide his cigarettes.

He was never angry when he found them. He would just pinch my cheek and say, "If you don't like it, just tell me. I’ll quit."

On my eighteenth birthday, he took me up to the roof of our old house, pointed at the stars, and said, "Every star has its own orbit."

But I was busy staring at his moonlit profile, secretly wishing our orbits would cross.

Love comes from nowhere, yet it runs incredibly deep.

I didn't go back to the Forbes manor. Instead, I drove to the riverbank.

The early winter wind was bitingly cold, slashing against my face like knives.

In my past life, this was where Julian had jumped.

I had jumped in after him, swimming desperately in the freezing water to save his life.

The baby was lost, my ears were ruined, and all I got in return was his deeper hatred.

He had screamed at me, "Fiona, why didn't you just let me die? You and your grandfather are exactly the same—you both just want to control my life!"

Later, when he took over the Forbes estate, he drove Grandpa to a stroke, sending him to the worst nursing home to die in misery.

And me? He sold me to an underground club, leaving me to suffer endless humiliation.

Before I died, I dragged my broken body and shoved him right into the path of a speeding truck.

The sensation of that bloody collision still felt fresh at my fingertips.

I sat in my car all night, returning to the Forbes manor only when the first light of dawn broke.

The living room lights were still on. Grandpa was leaning on the sofa, clutching his old pocket watch.

Hearing the door open, he jolted awake. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw me.

"Fiona! You’re finally back! Where is that rascal Julian? Why hasn't there been any news from either of you all night? He isn't answering his phone!"

Looking at Grandpa’s white hair and worried eyes, my own eyes welled with tears.

I threw myself into his arms, my voice cracking. "Grandpa, my phone died. Julian probably got busy with something."

Grandpa gently patted my back. "As long as you're safe, as long as you're safe. Why are your eyes so red? Did that brat bully you again?"

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "No, I just stayed up late reading."

I coaxed Grandpa back to his room to rest, but I couldn't sleep at all.

Standing in my familiar bedroom, looking at my young but exhausted face in the mirror, I took a deep breath.

"Fiona, this time, you’re going to live for yourself."

The next morning, when I went downstairs for breakfast, I was surprised to see both Julian and Chloe.

Chloe was wearing a high-neck sweater, but it still couldn't hide the red marks on her neck.

She sat next to Julian, sipping her milk with a sweet, obedient look.

Grandpa’s face was incredibly dark, his hands tightly gripping the morning paper.

"Julian, care to explain?" Grandpa’s voice carried a dangerous, suppressed rage.

Julian glanced at me, his eyes unreadable.

"Dad, Chloe and I are truly in love. Last night was an accident, but I will take responsibility for her."

"Responsibility?" Grandpa’s voice raised. "How? Are you planning to marry her?"

"Yes."

The dining room fell into a suffocating silence.

After a long pause, Grandpa waved his hand tiredly. "I don't care about your personal life anymore."

"But don't dream of throwing a grand wedding. The Forbes family cannot afford to be embarrassed like this!"

Chloe’s nails dug deep into her palms, but she still nodded submissively. "I understand, sir."

"You aren't qualified to call me that!" Grandpa snapped without hesitation.

The breakfast ended in an incredibly tense atmosphere.

As soon as Grandpa left, Julian blocked my path.

"Fiona, we need to talk."

"We have nothing to talk about."

I tried to walk past him, but he grabbed my wrist.

His grip was incredibly tight, causing a sharp pain.

"Was the drug last night really not your doing?" he whispered, his eyes sharp.

I shook off his grip with all my strength. "Julian, aren't you overestimating your charm? I have absolutely no interest in you."

I glanced over at Chloe, who was standing not far away, practically straining her ears to listen.

"Your beloved put in quite a lot of effort to get into your bed. Why don't you ask her where the drug came from?"

Chloe’s face turned pale instantly. "Fiona, how can you lie like that! I know you’ve always loved Julian, but you can't slander me!"

"I loved him?" I laughed, as if I had just heard the funniest joke in the world. "That was back when I was blind."

I looked at Julian, pronouncing every single word clearly: "Julian, looking back at my feelings for you makes me feel absolutely disgusted."

His pupils shrank, and all the color drained from his face.

Without another look, I turned and walked away.