Chapter 1
Tve made up my mind. Adrian.“[]
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the pale, frail reflection of myself:[]
It turns out that making one of the most important decisions in life wasn’t as difficult
Grane will you accept my proposal? ||
Adrian Cooper’s deep voice came through the phone:]
My heart suddenly felt a pang of hittersweet emotion.
As tears quietly slipp
slipped down my cheeks, I nodded lightly Yes, Adrian, I will:–||||
“Grace, I’m so happy.“||
“Did you know? I’ve been waiting for this d
day
rever since we were in rollege.
Unknowingly, a faint smile had already formed on the lips of the woman in the mirror||
“Adrian, gher me half a month. Let me take care of things here first“||
“Of course, Grace, I’ll be waiting for you.“||
The call had barely ended when my bedroom done was abruptly pushed open from the outside
“Grace,” my father cleared his throat awkwardly
“Your sister hasn’t been feeling well. Since your room gets more sunlight, why
y don’t the two of you switch rooms for a few days? I didn’t res
respond immediately. My gaze shifted to my stepmother and stepsister. Helen Rowen, standing behind him.]
My stepmother quickly interjected, “Oh, Mr. Winston, there’s no need to trouble the eldest daughter.”
Helen chimed in, looking pitiful, “Yes, Dad, I’m fine. Don’t upset my sister because of me.”
“What trouble? You’re my daughter too,” my father said firmly before turning to me with a ster
a stern expression]
“Grace, you’re the elder sister. He understanding.-
I stared blankly at my father.
1thought I would feel heartbroken, that I might cry for this man who loved his stepdaughter mate than his hiological daughter.||
But not a single tear fell.[]
Instead, 1 similed and nodded at them||
“Alright. 111 switch rooms with her.“]
After all, in just half a month, I would leave this place forever.||
which
room I stayed in no longer nuttered.||
My father seemed pleased with my compliance[]
My stepmother was also smiling in satisfaction.||
After they left. Helen remained in the room “Grare, let me
me help you pack,” she said sweetly, standing obediently before me
As her eyes swept across the entire room, a trace of undisguised glee fuckered within them.
didn’t expect Dad would actually agree to let us switch rooma. []
“Grace, are you mad at me?” she asked innocently
“After all, I’ve just taken Paul from you, and now I’ve taken the bedroom you’ve lived in for ten years-
I didn’t want to engage with her, so I turned to grab my suitcase
Suddenly. Helen let out a dramatic cry and fell h
and fell hard to the ground
“Grace
spread quickly
Her art hit the corner of the desk as she fell, leaving a large bruise that spread
“What are you doing, Grace!”)
Paul had come upstairs without me nobring
n time to see Helen fall.]]
He arrived just in time to see
His expression darkened as he strode over, carefully scooping Helen into his an
“Paul, I’m fine. Grace didn’t mean it. Helen said, tears streaming down her face. Yet she forced a smile, pretending to brush off the pain.
“It doesn’t hurt, Pail,” she added softly.||–
“jrs already britised, and you’re saying it doesnt hurt?”
T
Paul’s gaze lingered on the injury on her pain arm, full of concern ||
But when he turned to the, his eyes were ley, enla
“Grace, if you’re upset, take it out on me.¶
“Don’t hurt Helen, She’s already had it hard enough
“Not like you, born into privilege as a pampered young lady, never having suffered a day in your life.“||
1 had thought my emotions wouldn’t be swayed by him anymore.[]
I had believed I would never shed another tear for Paul
But in the end. I was just an ordinary girl.||
wasn’t made of steel, nor did I have an indestructible heart
The boy I grew up with, the man I loved for three years.
In a matter of days, he had fallen for someone younger and premier
To him, I was now a venomous and cruel monster.[
I didn’t want to cry, leven wanted to laugh.]
But my tear glands were already throbbing with pain
Paul, we’ve known each other for so many years. Don’t you know what kind of person I am?–
Paul frowned slightly, his gaze falling on my face. For a moment, his expression seemed to waver.
Helen suddenly started crying Paul, don’t argue with Grace because of me
Tm fine. If Grace is
angry with me, she has every right to he
Her sols were soft, like she was unerly wronged
Faul’s gaze on me turned completely coll
“You’re jealous that I love Helen.”
“Jealous that I treat her well.“]
“Jealous that everyone adores her.-]
“Grace, you’re not the person you used to be.
“You’ve become twisted now, haven’t you?“]
With that, he carried Helen in his arms and walked away
I watched their retreating figures.]
Suddenly, I realized that my tears had dried without me noticing.
