Chapter 3

I looked at his eyes, which were turning red again.

Probably from anger.

He must be very surprised I was still alive. And me being alive was a threat to Fiona's happy life.

How did I survive?

Someone traded their life for mine.

But I didn't need to tell him that.

The old Una never did housework, like a flower in a greenhouse.

But the current Rhea had long stopped crying to others for support.

Seeing me silent, he grew anxious.

"What's with you being so tight-lipped now? Did that massive earthquake in Stonehowl Pack a few years ago scramble your brain?"

"Running to such a remote corner. You deserved to get caught in an earthquake."

At that moment, a neighbor walked by and greeted me. "Rhea, haven't cooked yet?"

I smiled. "I'm about to."

Airs froze.

"You should go now," I said.

But he held onto me tightly.

"Why did you change your name? Rhea?! Is that your new name? Why change it? No wonder I couldn't find you!"

"Whatever I change my name to is none of your business." I brushed off his hand, enunciating each word.

"What I'm called, how I'm doing, Airs, none of it concerns you."

Airs was a celebrity.

He couldn't possibly make a scene with me in public.

I went upstairs, picked up Amy, and through the hallway window, saw him still standing downstairs in a daze.

He had never cared about me before. His confusion now was probably just because he wasn't used to my cold attitude toward him.

After all, four years ago, when I learned of his musical dreams despite his poverty, I had exhausted almost all my connections just to find him a chance to perform on stage.

Even his current agency was the best one I had found for him.

He was my biological brother. He had suffered a lot. I wanted him to do well.

But that sincerity was ultimately twisted into me scheming to use him to isolate Fiona and make her miserable.

"Mommy, is that man your family?"

I was slightly taken aback, then smiled and touched Amy's head. "No, why would you think that?"

"Just guessing. You look alike."

Family.

Slater's face suddenly appeared in my mind.

I used to think that whether or not we were blood-related, Slater would always be my brother.

But four years ago, holding Fiona who had fallen down the stairs, he looked at me with fury.

"Una, you've truly disappointed me."

"From today on, I don't have you as a sister anymore."

"My only sister is Fiona."

I cried and clutched at his pant leg, saying I wasn't the one who pushed Fiona, begging him not to abandon me. But he kicked me away and still walked off carrying Fiona without looking back.

I shook my head. "That person isn't Mommy's family."

She looked a bit disappointed.

"I thought besides Uncle, Mommy had other relatives."

I smiled and tapped her nose.

"Having you and Uncle is enough for me."

"But Uncle isn't here anymore..." She pouted. "I miss him so much."

I understood her feelings.

But mere disappointment was better than gaining something only to lose it, depending on someone only to be torn away. That kind of heart-wrenching pain.

I had experienced it, so I didn't want my daughter to go through it again.

But I never expected it.

The next day, I would see Slater.