She smiled brightly at the camera.
"Eva, thank you for giving me your room. The lighting here is so good—I really like it. I looked through your stuff. Nothing valuable, so no loss tossing it out. Oh, and those design drafts of yours? So ugly. I helped you get rid of them."
At the end of the video, she threw a stack of drawing paper into the burning fireplace.
The flames leaped up and swallowed my hard work.
I couldn't hold it in anymore and rushed into the bathroom to dry heave.
Nolan followed me and gently patted my back. "You'll feel better if you throw up."
Nothing came up—only sour liquid surging in waves.
After a long time, I finally straightened up and splashed cold water on my face.
In the mirror, my face was frighteningly pale.
"Nolan."
"Yeah?"
"What you said before—does it still count?"
"Which part?"
"Help me. Make them pay it back a thousand times over."
"It will always count."
He answered without a trace of hesitation.
I looked at him and suddenly smiled.
"Okay."
That afternoon, Emma called and said she wanted me to come try on a bridesmaid dress.
"Eva, you have to come. I specially picked the prettiest one for you."
I agreed.
Nolan and I arrived together at the custom bridal shop.
Emma, Nathaniel, and several of her socialite friends were already there.
When they saw Nolan, their faces showed undisguised mockery.
"Emma, this is your poor brother-in-law? He looks okay, but it's a pity he's a freeloader living off a woman."
"Look at that shirt—looks like something from a street stall."
Emma walked over with fake warmth. "Eva, brother-in-law, you're here. Hurry, the bridesmaid dress I picked for you is right here—go try it on."
The clerk brought over a formal dress.
It was a fluorescent green strapless gown with an old-fashioned cut and cheap fabric. The waist was made especially thick, like it was designed for a barrel.
"How is it, Eva? This color really makes your skin look pale."
Emma covered her mouth and laughed.
Her friends burst into loud laughter too.
"Emma, you're too mean. That dress is for the cleaning lady, right?"
"Put that on and stand next to the bride—perfect match!"
I didn't get angry. I calmly took the dress.
"Okay. I'll go try it on."
I walked into the fitting room, and Nolan came in too.
He closed the door, cutting off the mocking laughter outside.
"Don't pay attention to them," he said.
I didn't speak, just took off my coat.
Just then, the fitting room curtain was yanked open.
Nathaniel stood in the doorway. He thought I was alone, and a malicious smile spread across his face.
"Eva, changing clothes alone is so boring. Want me to—"
His words stopped short when he saw Nolan.
Nolan stepped in front of me, his expression going ice-cold.
Nathaniel shuddered under his gaze and instinctively stepped back.
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. Didn't know brother-in-law was in here too."
He smiled awkwardly and reached for the curtain.
But Nolan stepped forward and grabbed his wrist.
"What are you trying to do?"
Nathaniel's face went white.
"I... I wasn't trying to do anything. I just came to... to take a look..."
"Look at what?" Nolan's fingers slowly tightened.
Nathaniel's face twisted in pain, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"Ah! It hurts, it hurts! Let go! My hand's going to break!"
Outside, Emma heard the commotion and rushed over.
