"Your father? That bastard sold you for ten million after going bankrupt. Don’t tell me you forgot. Who saved you, huh?"
I froze. My entire body stiffened. That one sentence cut deeper than anything else he could’ve said.
Ten years and yet, the pain was still fresh.
I could pretend it didn’t affect me, as long as no one brought it up. But Stefan’s voice, so casual, so cruel, made it all come crashing down.
He knew how much it destroyed me. And still, he said it. Just to make a point.
I shot up from my seat, ready to walk away. But before I could take a step, he yanked my wrist and forced me back down.
His fingers were cold as he picked up the diamond bracelet and clipped it around my wrist like it meant something.
Then he barked at the servants, “Keep an eye on Nadine. She’s not going anywhere. Jaylene’s arriving in two days, I don’t want any screw-ups.”
I was trapped, literally.
Servants kept me under surveillance like I was some fragile object. The guards at the door sealed the deal, there was no way out.
I didn’t see much of Stefan. He was always gone.
When he did show up, he barely looked at me. And when he did, it was quick, like even looking at me was a burden.
Then, on the third day, he brought her home. I was reading on the sofa when he walked in with a woman at his side.
He gave her a gentle smile. “Jaylene, meet Nadine, my friend’s daughter.”
Stefan glanced at me again, his voice sharper. “This is Jaylene. She saved my life abroad. Be kind to her, treat her like a sister.”
I met her eyes, sensing the coldness behind her smile. Her bracelet gleamed, clearly more expensive than mine.
I looked away and kept my tone neutral. “I’m an only child. I’ve never had a sister.”
Stefan’s expression instantly tightened, but before he could say anything, Jaylene gave a sweet laugh. “Oh, Nadine, right? Then I’ll be your first sister.”
She walked over, undoing her bracelet. “Stefan gave me this, but I found it too plain, so I didn’t wear it.”
Then, Jaylene added, “I didn’t think he’d hand it off to you. But, this one I’m wearing is a newer model, you can keep it.”
I frowned, confused by her sudden generosity.
Just as I tried to pull my hand away, both bracelets broke apart. Diamonds spilled onto the floor with a loud clatter. Jaylene’s hand froze midair.
Then her face changed. Her eyes welled up as she whispered, “Nadine… How could you? This was a gift from Stefan… If you didn’t want it, you could’ve said so. Why destroy them both?”
I stared at her in disbelief, then it clicked. She had planned this all along.
But just as I was about to expose her, she suddenly clutched her chest and started gasping for breath.
Stefan’s expression changed. He rushed over to support her, his voice full of concern. “Jaylene, what’s wrong? Is your heart acting up again?”
I frowned and tugged at his sleeve. “Don’t fall for it, she is faking it!”
Before I could finish, Stefan turned and slapped me across the face.
His eyes burned with anger. “Nadine, in ten years, this is the first time I’ve ever raised a hand to you.”
