Chapter 3

The day I was discharged, I handled the paperwork alone.

My phone, in my purse, kept buzzing.

I opened it to find a barrage of photos from Serena Wells.

She and Julian and Leo were all in matching outfits.

Lately, they’d gone on an expedition to Antarctica, seen the Northern Lights in Iceland, and watched dolphins leap from the water in Alaska.

Serena’s message read:

“Julian and I have known each other since childhood. If I hadn’t gone abroad, how would you and that short-lived sister of yours have managed to swoop in?”

“Everything that belongs to me, I’ll take back, little by little!”

The image of my sister’s emaciated face before she died flashed in my mind, and my heart felt as if it were being torn to shreds by a sharp blade.

These were all places my sister had longed to visit in her lifetime, but Julian Vance had held her captive, never allowing her to fulfill those wishes until her dying day.

I opened Ins, and the very first post was a photo of Leo Vance and Serena Wells.

He was nestled in her embrace, a joyful smile plastered on his face.

“Happy Birthday, Serena Mom!”

My nose stung. I stared blankly at the photo until my phone screen went dark, then snapped back to reality.

They had all forgotten. Today was also my sister’s death anniversary.

I suppressed the disappointment festering in my heart and took a cab to the Vance family cemetery.

My sister had loved freedom more than anything, but Julian Vance refused to honor her dying wish of having her ashes scattered at sea.

“Elara Davies will never escape my grasp, not in this life, nor in any other.”

Touching the necklace around my neck, my voice was hoarse.

“Sister, I’ll be able to avenge you very soon.”

Back at the mansion, I heard cheerful laughter from the living room before I even pushed open the door.

But the moment I stepped inside, the sounds abruptly ceased.

Julian Vance’s lips thinned.

“You’re back just in time. It’s Serena’s birthday today. As Leo’s mother, you should at least show some appreciation to his private doctor.”

“Though you’re useless in most regards, your cooking is somewhat presentable. You’ll prepare tonight’s dinner.”

But Leo Vance hurled a teacup at me from the table.

“This woman isn’t my mom! I only recognize Serena Mom!”

Warm blood trickled down my temple, and a sharp, stabbing pain shot through my heart.

When I first married into the Vance family, Leo Vance was quite fond of me.

But after he fell gravely ill at age seven, he woke up no longer recognizing me.

Serena Wells rose and walked towards me.

Still wearing her matching outfit, she subtly pulled my hand, a silent boast.

“Leo is still young and speaks his mind. I hope you’ll be patient with him, sister.”

I pulled my hand away, my voice cold.

“I only have one sister, and she’s dead.”

“If you want to be my sister, you’ll have to ask her in her grave if she agrees.”

A flicker of discomfort crossed Serena’s face.

She took two steps back, casting a helpless glance at Julian and Leo.

As she turned, I noticed the gemstone necklace around her neck.

I lunged, grabbing it. My voice trembled.

“My sister’s keepsake! How did you get this?!”

Serena cried out in pain.

Leo Vance immediately charged, knocking me to the ground like an enraged bull calf.

“This is something Mom left for me! Whoever I give it to, that’s my new mom!”

“I’ve been wanting to give it to Serena Mom as a birthday gift!”

“As for you, you scheming woman, don’t ever think I’ll acknowledge you!”

My heart chilled to the bone. I pressed my hand tightly against my chest, trying to relieve the suffocating despair that engulfed me.

“You only remember that today is Serena’s birthday.”

“But do you remember that today is your mother’s death anniversary?!”