The heavy rain, the car accident, the dim and flickering lights in the prison. Edith’s small, trembling hand gripped tightly, and when she looked up, her father’s desperate, ashen eyes stared back at her—
Countless fragmented memories pieced themselves together into a nightmare Edith would never escape.
“Ah—!”
Her scream pierced the silence.
Earl quickly stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. Edith clutched at her ears, wailing in sheer panic, her body trembling as though the fear would tear her apart.
“What happened? What did I do?” Edith sobbed, her hands shaking uncontrollably. “I’m sorry—what happened?”
Earl shushed her gently, signaling her to stay calm as he carried her into the bedroom.
But Edith fought to free herself, her nails clawing at his arms, leaving three bloodied scratches. She scrambled onto the bed, cocooning herself in the quilt, trembling like a trapped bird.
Earl tugged at the quilt twice but couldn’t pull her free. Realizing her distress, he left to speak with Edith, the murmurs of their conversation drifting faintly through the ajar door.
“Her father gave her a birthday gift when she was nine…”
“…the next day, arrested… company financial disputes…”
“…his last gift… a happy family…”
“…she loved him so much…”
The whispers grew quieter, eventually fading away altogether.
Earl returned and shut the door, but not before Edith caught a glimpse of his face through the narrow crack—a profile steeped in pity, his gaze soft as he embraced Edith. Their two shadows, elongated and entwined, flickered briefly on the wall.
Yet, despite his presence, he didn’t meet her eyes. He didn’t turn back.
Even when Edith’s cries turned hoarse, reduced to choked sobs, he remained silent.
That night, Edith cried until her voice broke, just as she had when she first came to Earl’s house—a fragile child, her parents gone in the blink of an eye. Her only resistance against a cruel world was tears.
Earl had stayed with her then, cradling her small body all night, coaxing her out from beneath the quilt with infinite patience.
“Don’t be afraid, Edith. I’ll always be here for you. Always.”
But now, those scars—her scars—were merely a story he used to comfort another woman, all to excuse his sister’s rudeness.
Edith traced the red string jade pendant her mother had left her, its cold surface grounding her fleeting sense of reality. She longed to retreat into a dreamless abyss, where even memories couldn’t reach her.
Earl, you shaped my life, made it, so I had only you to hold on to.
But when others needed you, you left me behind without a second glance.
She couldn’t understand—truly, she couldn’t.
After seeing Edith out, Earl returned, letting out a sigh.
“You scared your Aunt Edith,” he said.
Edith stared at him, her voice trembling.
“Brother, why didn’t you care about me just now?”
Earl’s tone was calm but firm.
“Because she’s my girlfriend.”
Edith’s voice rose, frustration spilling out.
“Then why didn’t she apologize to me?”
Earl’s brows furrowed as he asked, “Why should she apologize to you?”
“She pities me, Brother. She looks down on me!” Edith’s voice cracked as her emotions boiled over. “I don’t need her sympathy or her self-righteous pity. She’s rubbing salt into my wounds! Does she think everyone’s life is as happy and perfect as hers? Does she think no one can see her sense of superiority? Who even wants her charity—”
She stopped herself, shaking with anger.
Edith—the woman who was a powerhouse in the business world but naive and soft-hearted in front of Earl.
She had everything. Two loving parents, a privileged upbringing, and a family that adored her unconditionally. She had grown up in a life of comfort and wealth, her path lined with opportunities—college, graduate school, and a finance career in the United States. Upon returning, she had become Earl’s most trusted partner.
Half of Edith’s expensive wardrobe was funded by her own success.
Smart, beautiful, and confident, Edith was like a flaming rose—vibrant and untouchable. But she always looked down at Edith, seeing her as nothing more than a child.
And now, she had effortlessly claimed the only person Edith had in the world.
“Enough!” Earl’s sharp voice cut through the room, his expression cold and unyielding.
Edith froze, stunned. She had never seen him so stern before.
“Edith,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “She’s your future sister-in-law. You need to learn to respect her. Do you understand?”
