Chapter 2

"Today is my twentieth birthday.

Julian came to celebrate with me. I was so happy.

But Isabella kept inserting herself between us, preventing us from talking. She even pretended to stumble into him. It made me a little upset.

I'm being petty. My sister would never hurt me.

I remember the day they found her—the day she came home after being lost for ten years. Mom and Dad held her and sobbed. I stood to the side, silently vowing to protect her too.

But after that day, it felt like Mom and Dad stopped loving me. They only saw Isabella.

Then I went abroad to study ballet. They forgot about me entirely. Even when I burned my hand making them breakfast, they just had the servants throw it away without a word.

But with Isabella? They treasured even the smallest souvenir she brought back from vacation. They carried those trinkets everywhere, showing them off to everyone.

Still, she deserves all that love. She lost ten years with our parents. No amount of compensation is too much.

At least I still have Julian. No matter what, he'll always be by my side."

Silas's voice was flat, emotionless—yet somehow it made the words suffocating.

I never imagined there would come a day when Julian would leave me too. That I would be utterly alone in this world.

One day after our wedding, Isabella injured herself extreme skiing. Mom and Dad demanded I donate my right kidney.

It was during the critical selection period for the principal dancer position at the company. I was the top candidate. Becoming principal at a world-class ballet company was my dream. The surgery required months of recovery. I would miss my only chance.

I refused.

My parents begged. They threatened. They manipulated.

But in the end, it was Julian who strapped me to the operating table.

Julian.

Julian slammed his fist into the wall, teeth clenched.

"She betrayed me first. Now she's playing the victim. Shameless!"

"Isabella and your parents were so good to her, and this is how she repays them!"

In the corner, Isabella relaxed slightly.

She moved toward Julian, her hand gently sliding up his arm.

"Julian, don't be angry. She was just upset about not being able to dance anymore. She didn't mean it."

"If... if they hadn't found me that year, maybe Seraphina wouldn't have turned out this way..."

Tears streamed down Isabella's face.

Julian's anger intensified seeing her cry.

He wiped her tears, voice harsh with fury.

"This has nothing to do with you. You did nothing wrong."

"Stop defending her. This is all Seraphina's fault—that selfish bitch!"

The crowd, though they'd never even met me, nodded in righteous indignation.

Silas sensed something amiss. He continued reading.

"There's a thunderstorm tonight. I'm terrified. But Julian went to Isabella's.

After we married, he started staying at her place constantly. Every time, he tells me not to misunderstand.

Tonight, with the thunder and wind, I begged him not to leave me alone. I'm genuinely frightened.

But he said he's comforted me through storms countless times and I never seemed scared before.

He locked me in my room. Then he went to her.

Because Isabella had just called him, crying that she was afraid of the thunder.

Julian, did you ever consider that Mom and Dad are there with Isabella? I have no one."

"Today is October third.

I'm recording the date because I'll remember this day for the rest of my life.

I'll never dance again.

I fell today. I asked to be taken to the hospital. Julian refused.

He accused me of using it as an excuse to see 'that doctor.'

He keeps saying I betrayed him. I don't even know which doctor he's talking about.

He locked me in my room. Wouldn't let anyone treat my injury.

A day later, a house doctor finally came. By then it was too late. The damage to my leg was permanent.

I've been practicing harder these past weeks, preparing for my next chance at principal dancer since I missed the last opportunity.

Now there is no chance. Never again.

Julian, you always said you loved watching me dance. You said I looked like the angel on a music box.

Today, you broke that angel's wings with your own hands."