Chapter 3

After all, I had promised Bella that I would take good care of him, so I still went to the market.

Bella Harris, William's older sister, was a girl who grew up with us in the orphanage. Her life had ended at just twenty-three.

She had been drugged and assaulted while working a part-time job at a bar.

When we got her call, William and I rushed out of class without hesitation.

On the large hotel bed, Bella lay there naked and hopeless.

Blood poured from between her legs and her wrists, soaking the sheets in dark red.

I grabbed the blanket with trembling hands and quickly covered her, holding her close in panic. I felt like I was losing her.

"Paige, I won't be able to protect you anymore. What I worry about most is William. Please... take care of him for me.

"William, I know you have feelings for Paige. Treat her well. Or I won't be able to rest in peace, even after I'm gone."

I saw William's eyes turn red, brimming with hatred, his fists clenched, his face twisted in fury.

Bella died in the prime of her life, while the man who ruined her, protected by power, walked away unscathed.

William and I leaned on each other, working and studying harder than ever.

But I never forgot Bella's final words. I took good care of William.

I returned from the market with Coco and hurried to make dinner.

"William, William!"

As soon as Coco saw him, it called out his name. I didn't miss the faint smile that briefly flashed across William's face.

I thought, "William, do you still remember Coco?"

Back then, William had been preparing for the university recruitment exams. Worried he wouldn't have time for me, he had spent an entire month's living expenses to buy Coco from the pet store.

I thought, "William, do you still remember that month we lived off nothing but bread? We couldn't even afford noodles."

"Liar, liar! William is a liar!" Coco said again.

I was busy cooking and didn't notice how William's eyes turned cold.

That afternoon, I went back home to get Coco's food and supplies.

"Coco?" I called its name as I entered, but to my surprise, there was no response.

I didn't even bother taking off my shoes and rushed inside. Coco's lifeless body was lying in the cage, cold and stiff.

Panic surged through me. I reached out with trembling fingers to touch it, but its body was already rigid. My mind went completely blank.

"Paige, I saw it chirping nonstop. I thought it was hungry, so I gave it a little chocolate, but..."

Before Sarah could finish, I slapped her hard across the face. I told her. I told her how much Coco meant to me. It was family.

William stormed out and slapped me back, then quickly checked Sarah's cheek before turning to glare at me.

He warned, "It's just a damn animal. So what if it's dead? Paige, touch Sarah again and I swear I won't let you go."

I held my cheek, stunned, staring at him.

"William, that was Coco. Our Coco."

I searched his face, hoping desperately for a flicker of guilt, or sorrow. But all I saw was coldness and ruthlessness.

When I arrived at Bella's grave, I saw a bouquet of gardenias resting there. These were her favorite flowers. She loved them because they symbolized lifelong devotion.

"Was it William?" I thought.

I looked around with hope, but there was no one. Only my own lonely, stubborn figure in the empty graveyard.

Maybe I was wrong. Right now, William was probably somewhere comforting the fragile Sarah. I let out a bitter laugh at myself.

I buried Coco beside Bella.

"Bella, look. You won't be alone anymore. Coco will keep you company. And don't worry. I'll take care of William."

It wasn't until the sun dipped below the horizon that I turned and left. Only then did a man step out from behind the tall tree.