Chapter 4

The night before Jason left, I visited him at the detention center.

After this parting, I didn't know when my brother and I would meet again.

Seeing the wounds on Jason's hands, my nose stung. "I'm useless. I couldn't protect you."

He shook his head. "What kind of man needs his sister's protection? How embarrassing would that be?"

He was silent for a long time, then suddenly spoke. "My father and I failed to judge character and let a wolf into our home. How could I blame you? From now on you'll be alone. It'll be hard on you."

I wiped away tears. "Live well after you get out. Don't harbor any rash thoughts. Ethan now isn't the same as he was."

No one could oppose him anymore.

He looked at me with a smile, his messy hair unable to hide his handsomeness. "Sophia's all grown up."

Jason left.

He was restricted from leaving the country, his phone's location tracked 24/7.

He had to report to local authorities regularly and couldn't even find decent work.

My once-proud brother now struggled just to survive.

I begged Ethan to help smooth things over.

He agreed verbally but then arranged for Jason to go to the most remote small city, euphemistically calling it "lying low."

Ethan restricted my freedom.

I couldn't see Jason off.

I gazed into the distance, silently repeating: it's good he's gone, it's good he's gone.

Far from this place of conflict, to find his own vast sky.

I hoped Jason's remaining years would go more smoothly than mine.

...

After Ethan went public, only Charlotte and I were women in the company.

I was sewing a small bag when the secretary announced Charlotte's arrival.

He'd specifically permitted me not to bow to anyone, so to this day I hadn't met her alone.

She still wore a white dress, looking pure and flawless, beautiful beyond mortal women.

"I've been wanting to visit you, but I've been busy accompanying Ethan lately and couldn't get away. I've only come to see you today. Please don't blame me."

She sat down casually with a sweet smile, giving no grounds for criticism.

I studied my embroidery pattern carefully. "Charlotte, you're too kind. I can't accept being called that. I should be the one visiting you."

She propped her chin up. "You've fought alongside Ethan for years. That he lets you bow to no one - what respect that shows. Unlike me, I spent my days in my chamber before. Ethan felt sorry for me and didn't want me to live a life on the knife's edge with him..."

I paused.

The needle pricked my finger.

I heard the turbulent voice within my heart, though my face remained calm.

"When did you two meet?"

Charlotte smiled shyly, the picture of feminine charm. "Ethan and I? Three years ago, I suppose. My father greatly admired him. He promised to marry me, so my father invested to help him go public..."

Three years ago, three years ago...

So early...

Back then we were still the couple everyone in the company envied.

I looked at the pouch in my hands.

I used to dislike this detailed work, but Ethan's clothes inevitably came undone, so I learned to clumsily use a sewing needle to mend them.

Ethan wore pajamas, propping his head up under the lamp watching me with a smile. "Viewing a beauty by lamplight truly has special charm."

I blushed and glared at him. "We're an old married couple and you're still so improper."

...

My vision blurred.

My attendant Peach noticed something wrong and quickly came to support me.

I waved my hand indicating I was fine. "I'm not feeling well. Please leave. Come another day."

Charlotte pouted, looking bored as she left.

I instructed Peach to throw away all the needlework.

Peach looked regretful. "But it's almost finished. Why would you..."

I interrupted her. "No reason. I just never want to touch it again."

Something already dirty - why keep it for nostalgia?