Chapter 3

But I knew that neither the fireworks nor Adrian belonged to me alone anymore.

"Ella, Adrian put so much effort into this for you. You absolutely can't let him down."

I laughed coldly. Who was letting whom down?

In front of others, he always played the model boyfriend. Even when we fought, people would only think I was throwing a tantrum.

Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, I replied in the comments: "The fireworks are beautiful. Hope you guys have fun."

In the blink of an eye, that comment disappeared.

Adrian, so you do have some shame after all.

The nurse came in to tell me it was time for nebulizer treatment. Before she could set up the equipment, my phone rang urgently.

"Ella, Vanessa was just starting to feel better. Why did you comment that? Are you deliberately trying to upset her?"

I coughed heavily a few times, my voice bleak: "I was wishing you both well. What more do you want?"

He paused for a few seconds before his voice came through again, "Fine, I can let this slide."

"But you have to apologize to her. Vanessa didn't do anything wrong."

I let out a muffled laugh, closed my eyes, and my voice returned to calm.

"Apologize? I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize? Why should I take the blame for something I didn't do?"

I had already compromised to the extreme, but in Adrian's eyes, I was still the one at fault.

Choked by my words, Adrian was momentarily speechless. After hesitating for a few seconds, he still put down harsh words with a firm attitude.

"Ella, I used to tolerate your tantrums, but Vanessa is different. She gave me her first time—I have a responsibility to protect her."

"If I catch you deliberately bullying Vanessa again, I won't be nice about it!"

He hung up. I lowered my eyes mockingly, my heart desolate.

She gave you her first time—but didn't I spend my best five years with you?

My phone vibrated. Vanessa had posted something new: "Thank you for protecting me. Giving you my first night made me so happy."

In the photo, the two of them were lying in a trailer. Vanessa's bare shoulders showed little red marks, her face flushed as she nestled in Adrian's arms.

What had happened was obvious.

I fought down my nausea and blocked both Adrian and Vanessa's feeds.

I thought I'd feel terrible like before, but now I actually felt somewhat relieved.

After leaving the hospital, I went home and packed my things, planning to move back to the Hayes house.

Adrian walked in holding Vanessa's hand. The jade necklace my father left me was hanging around Vanessa's neck.

"Vanessa, who gave you permission to touch my things!"

Blood rushed to my head instantly. I tried to grab back the necklace, but Adrian blocked me with his hand.

"Ella, what are you yelling about? Vanessa just borrowed it temporarily. Is this reaction really necessary?"

He frowned impatiently, shielding Vanessa behind him.

"Adrian, you know how important this necklace is to me. Why did you take it without asking me?"

My voice trembled uncontrollably. This was my father's last keepsake, my final spiritual anchor.

Adrian froze for a moment, his eyes evasive.

"Ella, it's all my fault. I'll return it to you right now."

Vanessa carefully removed the necklace. As she handed it to me, she whispered in my ear: "Ella, guess who Adrian will side with?"

Her hand shook, and the necklace fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

Vanessa's eyes glistened with tears as she frantically tried to pick up the necklace.

"Don't touch it!"

My sanity finally snapped. In rage, I raised my hand and slapped Vanessa across the face.

"Ella, you've gone too far! It's just a necklace—what are you so crazy about!"

Adrian tenderly cupped Vanessa's swollen face and pushed me away.