"The Prism Room," as Jade referred to it, was the private screening room Wesley had lovingly built for me when I first arrived at the Hawthorne residence.

At that time, my mother and Francis were buried in work. Being three years my senior, Wesley was entrusted with the responsibility of looking after me.

He gifted me nearly every beautiful thing life could offer.

He called me his little princess and had the screening room designed just for me.

That night, as the credits rolled, he gazed at me tenderly and promised, "Savannah, this room is yours alone—and so is all my love."

For twenty years, we cherished that secret refuge, shaping our dreamlike home side by side.

Gradually, my heart quietly turned toward Wesley, but every time I tried to confess, Nathan would interrupt, causing a scene that shattered every opportunity.

Now, both of them had moved on with new people, leaving me behind in the past.

But it no longer mattered.

I took a deep breath and turned to leave.

I didn't need either of them anymore.

As I stepped away, Jade suddenly grabbed my wrist with a harsh, painful grip. She hissed, "Ms. Lockwood, why won't you hear me out? Do you really think I'm not worth your attention?"

I struggled to pull free, and in the scuffle, she lost her footing and tumbled to the floor.

"Wesley, help me!" she cried out.

Wesley's face paled as he hurried to her side, pulling her close into his arms.

Before I could respond, his hand suddenly connected with my cheek in a sharp slap.

Nathan stormed over, shouting, "Savannah, why did you push Jade? Remember, if your mother hadn't pleaded with my dad to look after you, you'd be dead just like your unlucky father! And this is how you repay kindness—with nothing but hatred!"

My ears rang loudly.

It was the first time I'd ever been hit, and in that moment, it felt as though my whole world was falling apart.

Wesley looked at me blankly, as if suddenly aware that he had lost control.

"Are you okay? I—"

"It's fine."

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, holding back from blaming Wesley. That slap was the closing chapter of all we had once shared as childhood sweethearts.

From this point on, all debts and feelings between us were settled.

Just then, Nathan stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "You're not leaving until you apologize to Jade!"

His gaze was sharp and unyielding—so different from the boy who used to trail after me with wide eyes.

I looked toward Jade, who stood there wearing a smug, victorious expression. I swallowed the fury rising in my chest, expressing, "I didn't do anything wrong. I won't apologize."

I wasn't afraid. Whether they forced me out or not didn't matter—my decision to leave had already been made.

Nathan was filled with rage, but Wesley seemed weighed down by guilt.

He stepped forward, gently holding Nathan back, his voice softening. "Forget it. I lost my temper. Don't take it personally. How about this—after work tomorrow, I'll treat you to some buffalo wings.

"But you have to promise me one thing—no more picking on Jade."

A slap paired with kind words was Wesley's typical way of keeping me in check. Yet, he seemed to forget I had a weak stomach. I couldn't handle spicy food.

Back then, Wesley and Nathan spared no effort in consulting nutritionists. They took turns, meticulously overseeing my diet to aid my recovery.

Now, it seemed all that care had been completely forgotten.

A cold breeze swept past, sending a shiver down my spine.

That was when I noticed my clothes were still drenched. I was likely running a fever.

Just as I was feeling unwell, Nathan abruptly shoved past me. "Stop acting," he sneered.

The shove threw me off balance, and I fell hard to the ground.

Wesley looked back, hesitation flashing in his eyes, but ultimately, he sided with Nathan and led Jade away.

After a long, agonizing struggle, I managed to stand before calling for an ambulance.

The doctor was my former physician, and upon seeing my condition, his expression darkened with anger.

"Do you realize what your body has been through? How could you walk around in wet clothes in this weather? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

I said nothing in reply and simply followed his instructions, remaining in the hospital for several days under observation.

Only once my fever broke was I allowed to be discharged.

Because of the setback, I had no choice but to hasten the rest of my plans.

When I returned to the office to finalize my resignation paperwork, Wesley and the others were nowhere to be found.

After waiting outside for most of the day, I learned they had taken Jade on a business trip.

They'd gone to Yathenfall, my favorite place. Their itinerary also included Duskwater Lake, a destination I had long dreamed of but never had the chance to visit.

I forced a bitter smile and handed in my resignation.

I had once been conflicted about whether to stay or leave, but now it was clear that my presence no longer mattered to anyone.

All that remained was to bid farewell to my mother and Francis.

After that, I could walk away without anything holding me back.

Francis and my mother had canceled an important meeting just to wait for me.

As soon as she saw me, my mother gave me a once-over and sighed. "You've lost weight again, haven't you?"

Francis nodded. "She's right. You look thinner. But since you've accepted the engagement with the Grant family, I won't press the issue. From this day on, you're officially my daughter. If they ever mistreat you, don't be afraid. Your mother and I will always be here for you."

I smiled gently and handed him the bank card I had prepared.

"I'll be sure to visit you and Mom often. Thank you for welcoming me when I had nowhere else to turn."

Francis let out a warm laugh. "I always hoped you'd stay in the family as my daughter-in-law. Even though that path didn't work out, you're still family to me.

"And keep your money—what kind of father would ask his daughter to pay him back? You're marrying into the Grant family on our behalf. If anything, I should be giving you shares in the company as a wedding gift."

My mother sighed quietly. "You don't owe us anything. Just live well—that's all I ask."

I blinked back the tears welling in my eyes and offered a grateful smile.

I knew Francis—his warmth was always tucked beneath a calm, sometimes distant exterior. Yet all these years, he had treated me like family.

Feelings simply couldn't be forced.

I understood that—and so did he.

Just as I was about to leave, Wesley, Nathan and Jade came in.

The moment their eyes landed on me, their expressions hardened.

"So, you're here to snitch, huh?" Wesley sneered.

Nathan quickly stepped in front of Francis. "You can't trust anything Savannah says. She always goes after Jade!"

However, Francis raised his hand to silence him, his gaze fixed on both of them, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Dad, you can't believe Savannah's made-up stories," Nathan complained. "When Wesley and I proposed to Jade, we weren't joking.

"Jade may have come from a small mountain town, but she worked hard to put herself through college. When we asked her, she didn't say yes right away. In fact, she made it clear she wouldn't accept just because of our family's wealth.

"She's nothing like Savannah. She's smart and strong-willed. Honestly, she's the most remarkable woman I've ever met."

Jade stood quietly behind Nathan, a soft blush coloring her cheeks.

She looked up at him shyly, her eyes warm with affection.

Wesley spoke evenly, "Jade might be just an assistant, but she's full of valuable ideas for our projects. Savannah, however, only knows how to use her power as vice president to bully others. I just wanted to teach her a lesson.

"She came to complain to you, didn't she? I knew it. Dad, just stay out of this."

Furious, Francis slammed his cup down, the porcelain shattering loudly across the floor. "I should have known why Savannah agreed to the engagement with the Grant family. You two—take this young woman away. Our home doesn't welcome those who don't know their place!"

After they stormed out, it took me quite some time to calm Francis down.

My mother didn't try to hold me back either. Instead, she quietly slipped a bank card into my hand. "Here, take this—it's the wedding gift I've been saving for you."

I walked away, carrying the last bit of warmth they'd given me.

My heart was heavy, tangled in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

…

Just as I was stepping down the stairs, someone grabbed my arm. The unexpected pull knocked me off balance, and I fell hard against the steps.

Wincing from the pain, I looked up—and there was Nathan. He yanked me toward Jade and snarled, "Savannah, apologize to her!"

I couldn't believe it. I was already leaving—wasn't that enough?

I bit back my frustration, but even my patience had limits.

Finally, I snapped, "I didn't do anything wrong!"

As soon as the words left my mouth, Nathan's hand lashed across my face.

The impact sent a jolt of pain through me, and my cheek burned, already beginning to swell.

"Savannah, remember this," Nathan growled. "Hurting Jade comes at a cost. That slap was your warning. I'm nothing like Wesley. Next time, you won't get off so easily."

Without hesitation, he drove his foot hard into my chest.

An intense, stabbing pain overwhelmed me, making it feel like my bones were about to break apart.

I curled into a tight ball on the floor.

As my awareness faded, only one thought lingered. "At last… we're even."

After twenty years, the bond between us was finally severed.