Chapter 6
Katie’s face turned pale with anger. Every word Emelia spoke was the truth, and every word cut straight to Katie’s heart. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to speak. “I lived here for over a decade and still got thrown out. What makes you think you’ll ever truly belong here?”
Done wasting words, Katie reached out to snatch the tiara away, but Nathan’s harsh voice suddenly rang out behind her. “Katie, did you swallow all the manners the Morley family taught you over the years? Who gave you the right to speak to Emelia like that?”
Katie turned, ready to defend herself, but Nathan’s slap came out of nowhere, making her stagger. “Apologize to Emelia!”
Katie stared at him, defiant. “She was the one who went through my-”
Smack! Another slap.
Katie’s knees nearly buckled, but she held her ground. “That’s my property! What gives her the-”
Smack!
The slap was sharp and cold, and Nathan’s voice was even colder.
“If you’ve forgotten, let me remind you. That night, at your coming–of–age party, I told everyone I wished for you–my sister–to have a life full of happiness, free from worry.”
He deliberately emphasized the word “sister.” “But look at you now. Do you still deserve that title? Do you really have any claim to these things?”
Emelia walked over and stood behind Nathan, her eyes shining with pride.
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and triumph. Even when she was overseas, she’d heard the story of this tiara–worth millions, and more importantly, a symbol of status and privilege.
She never imagined that, after breaking up with Nathan and returning, she’d find herself cherished by him once again.
She could already picture her future–filled with glory and admiration.
With a sweet voice, she said, “Nathan, don’t be angry. Let’s go to our room. I have a present for you.”
The night the Halden family was deported from France, she’d drowned her sorrows in a bar–only to run into Nathan. Sparks flew, and Nathan had taken her all night long.
Everyone knew Nathan had a thing about cleanliness–he’d dated her for a year before, and they hadn’t even kissed. Later, she’d asked around and learned that after she left, Nathan hadn’t dated anyone, not even once. That night had been his first.
Emelia was over the moon. She’d met enough men abroad to know–once a man got a taste, he’d want more. She was determined to use every means. at her disposal to win Nathan over while he was still hooked on her.
That’s why she’d bought several sets of new lingerie and robes to surprise him tonight.
The two of them disappeared into the bedroom, and soon, sounds that needed no explanation drifted out.
Katie’s room was right next door. Nathan had insisted on this arrangement back then, saying it would make it easier to take care of her.
Back then, Katie had been happy. Now, she just felt sick to her stomach.
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She looked around at the walls lined with purses and jewelry–gifts Nathan had given her over the years. He’d been so good to her, event buying a whole hillside of peach trees for her on Arbor Day.
But now, all of it felt like a distant memory, faded and meaningless.
If Nathan said she wasn’t worthy of being his sister anymore, then he wasn’t worthy of being her brother–or her beloved.
Katie looked again at the wall of gifts, memories flashing through her mind like a movie reel. The sounds from next door only made the pain. sharper. She whispered softly, “Nathan, I’m done with you. In a month, we’ll be strangers for good.”
Chapter 7
