That evening, when Rex and Juliana returned home, they flicked on the living room lights and recoiled in shock to find me sitting on the sofa.
Juliana was the first to recover, her voice sharp. "What the hell is wrong with you, Aria?!"
"Sitting here in the dark like a ghost, trying to scare us?!"
I looked at her. "I thought you had agoraphobia. Weren't you afraid to go out?"
A flicker of panic crossed Juliana's eyes. "Where I go is none of your business!"
With that, she stormed upstairs without another glance.
Rex approached me, his posture stiff. "I took Juliana to see a psychiatrist."
"She needs to. Today, she forced me to smash the pocket watch. Again. She also said she wants Roxanne to be your wife."
Rex frowned, his voice sharp with impatience. "She's been through a lot. Her mental state isn't stable. Just be patient with her a little longer."
"Be patient?" I stood. "How much longer? She orders me around, forces me to slap myself, locks me out on freezing winter nights, I..."
Rex's face darkened as he cut me off. "Enough! Who do you think is to blame for her condition?!"
My nails dug into my palms.
-
Two years ago, we had just arrived at an art exhibition opening when Juliana called, demanding Rex pick her up.
My fingers were intertwined with his, and I leaned in to kiss his neck, pleading softly, "Today is a very important exhibition for me. Can you please stay with me… just until after the party?"
Rex hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
Before we even entered the venue, Juliana's call came again.
"I'll just explain it to her," Rex said, moving to answer.
I suddenly grabbed his hand, my voice tight with anger. "She always has a reason to call you away. She's an adult; you don't have to watch her every second. In your heart, she's always more important than me, isn't she?"
Rex looked at me and finally sighed. "My parents passed away early. It's just the two of us. Maybe… I am too anxious about her."
Halfway through the exhibition, a Soldato burst in. "Capo! A rival family took Miss Juliana!"
It wasn't until the next day that Rex found Juliana in an abandoned warehouse by the docks.
She had been tortured all night by the family's enemies, covered in wounds, her spirit nearly shattered.
-
"Yes, it's my fault she's like this…" My voice was hoarse. "But for two years, I've poured my soul into caring for her, and she has systematically crushed my dignity. Am I supposed to let her torment me for the rest of my life?"
Rex suddenly fell silent, unable to meet my eyes. Then, in a stiff, unnatural voice, he said, "The doctor said Juliana needs a close female friend around for emotional support, so Roxanne will be moving in tomorrow."
"What?" I stared at him in disbelief.
"Once Juliana gets better, I'll have her move out," Rex said hastily.
I looked at him. "Rex, I went to see Don Alaric today."
Rex froze, his fingers tightening involuntarily.
"They told me our engagement has been nullified," I said with a smile, though tears slid from my eyes. "You had this all planned, didn't you? Just waiting for me to step aside for Roxanne."
Rex lunged forward and grabbed my wrist, his voice tight with urgency. "It's not what you think! Juliana threatened suicide—I had no choice. Don't worry, Aria, once she stabilizes, we'll get re-engaged. I swear I'll make everything right, okay?"
"Threatened to kill herself?" I shook his hand off, my voice rising. "How many times has she used that trick? She uses it every time, and you fall for it every time!"
Rex's temper flared, the veins on his temples throbbing. "She's my sister! The only family I have left in this world! I can't gamble with her life! I can't afford that loss!"
"Aria, why are you always pushing me?! Do you have any idea how hard it is for me, caught between the two of you?! Can't you just be considerate for once?"
I looked into Rex's eyes and almost laughed. Hadn't I been considerate enough?
The first time I met Juliana, she shoved me into the cold swimming pool in front of Rex. He said, "Juliana's just spoiled. Let her have her way."
On our engagement day, Juliana not only didn't show up but also locked our bedroom door. I stood outside in my expensive gown, freezing for half an hour. We ended up spending our engagement night in a spare room.
Back then, Rex had said, "I'm sorry you have to go through this. Just give it some time. Juliana will come around."
After Juliana was kidnapped, she took her anger out on me daily. If she couldn't see me, she would throw a violent tantrum.
Rex begged me with red-rimmed eyes, "Help me, it won't be for long..."
Every single time, I endured.
But now, I was done enduring. "I'm tired, Rex."
Rex immediately pulled me into his arms. "Aria, I love you."
He held me tighter, his voice almost a plea. "For my sake, just hold on a little longer, okay?"
I went rigid in his arms, a silent, false agreement.
After all, our engagement was already over.
It didn't matter anymore.
