Chapter 4

Sophie's pretty little face appeared before me, her eyes full of concern.

This was her usual tactic.

She never played the villain in front of me, yet time and again left me mired in trouble.

In middle school, when local thugs cornered me in an alley demanding protection money, Sophie walked past the alley without batting an eye, completely ignoring me.

When I got home, I was beaten severely by my parents.

The reason was that Sophie saw me bullying classmates at school instead of studying.

That night, she cried and begged me to forgive her.

"I'm so sorry. I just saw it wrong that day and shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."

I thought it was really a misunderstanding and didn't take it to heart.

Later in high school, the night before tuition was due, she suddenly proposed wanting to study abroad on an exchange program.

My spot at the top city high school paved her way across the ocean.

She always cried saying she didn't know, she never expected it.

She always smiled saying, "I'll protect you."

Later still, my college application was secretly changed from the capital to this city.

She hugged me with understanding.

"It's okay. At least this city is close to the port. Sophie will fly back to see you whenever she has time."

So under her protection, I was left battered and bruised.

It wasn't until these past few years that I belatedly realized how foolish I had been.

Now, I had no interest in playing along with her act anymore and spoke coldly.

"No one's bullying me. I want to leave on my own."

"Please move aside."

In just an instant, her eyes filled with tears as she spoke pitifully.

"Do you hate even Sophie now?"

Hearing her crying, the whole family instantly rushed in.

Brian frantically began wiping Sophie's tears.

"Erin, are you sick? My sister shows concern for you and that's wrong?!"

"As expected, people like you were never meant to be loved!"

"My sister"—those two words instantly separated me from this family.

Or rather, I had never been part of it to begin with.

"Oh Sophie, don't cry. My precious daughter, it breaks my heart."

My mother lovingly wiped Sophie's tears, her movements as gentle as if handling porcelain.

My father's accusations arrived on schedule.

"Nothing good happens when you come back!"

My face was expressionless.

No more tears would flow from my eyes.

I spoke coldly.

"You're all right, so please move aside. I need to leave."

Just as I reached the door, my mother's weary voice came from behind.

"Stay one more night. We're attending someone's wedding tomorrow."

I didn't look back.

"You can go without me."

My mother's lips moved slightly as she spoke that person's name.

My shoulders trembled violently.

After a long moment, I made my decision.

"I'll stay at a hotel tonight."

Back at the hotel, I called my assistant.

"Bring me a formal suit to the York Hotel."

Her life event—I didn't want to treat it carelessly.

Looking at the things I'd brought from home, I added another sentence.

"Also, help me investigate something. As soon as possible..."

Inside the Grandview Hotel, Sophie held her mother's hand with a worried expression.

"Do you think he'll come?"

"Don't worry. For that person, there's no way he won't come."

Brian also chimed in.

"Exactly. He's obligated to come, Sophie. Stop worrying about him."

Indeed, I arrived at the banquet as expected, though my heart was filled with anxiety.

Would she still be willing to see me?

Was she doing well?

When that familiar face smiled and took my hand, all my nervous emotions finally relaxed.

"How have you been lately?"

Claire sat in her wheelchair, her warm body temperature transmitting from her palm.

"I'm really fine now. You really don't need to blame yourself for what happened back then."

If my adolescence was dark, then my cousin Claire was undoubtedly a ray of light in my dim times.

Back then, everyone said I was no good, said I was antisocial, said I was rigid.

Only she would smile and stroke my hair comfortingly.

"No, I think Erin is great, really great."

But later, the school equipment room caught fire for no reason.

I was trapped inside, and she rushed into the flames to push me out.

She herself was pinned down by falling shelves, crushing both her legs.

Later, she transferred away from my hometown, and I never saw her again.

All these years, I persisted in transferring money to her family every month to make up for my mistake.

The day after she transferred, I received a message.

"Erin, don't blame yourself. I don't hold it against you."

My thoughts returned to the present.

She was still as gentle and virtuous as she had been through the years.

I couldn't help but wonder who was lucky enough to marry her.

Unexpectedly, her first question left me dumbfounded.

"Erin, is the bride treating you well?"