His secretary ushered me out,concerned that William would be kept waiting.I hadn't anticipated William's presence in the car.The sight of his vehicle filled me with dread.William's past words still haunted me.

He had abandoned me,sending me to River Mouth.The memories of his car were forever tainted.I cautiously entered his car while curling up and clinging to the door,feeling unworthy and occupying as little space as possible.

In River Mouth,I had been constantly reminded of my inferiority.I wasn't worthy of William Smith's attention.If only I had been content with a simple life,I thought.

I shouldn't have fallen for William Smith.Now,I vowed to maintain a safe distance.Standing at William's doorstep,I felt uncertain.

William towered over me.His displeasure was clearly evident.

"You're acting submissive now.Who's the show for?"he asked in a critical tone.

I apologized profusely.William's expression darkened.

"Remember your place and what to say."he warned me in a firm voice.

I understood.I mustn't reveal my painful past.William's eyes flashed with menace.

"I know my mistakes.I'll behave properly."I promised,trying to appease him.

William seemed satisfied.

"Izzy was right.Sending you away would make you obedient."he said while referencing his beloved.

I remained submissive,eyes still downcast.In William's eyes,Izzy was innocent and blameless.William praised Izzy's cleverness.I realized William still controlled me.As long as I didn't disrupt his life,I would be spared.

William led me inside Smith Estate and instructed me,"Remember,Mother misses you.Keep her happy."

I followed him while maintaining a respectful distance.William instructed me to lie about my whereabouts.He said,"Tell Mother you traveled abroad and got caught up in exploring the beauty of the world.That's why you forgot to contact her."

I nodded,still submissive.William seemed pleased.

"Good.You've improved."he said before patting my shoulder.

"As long as you know your mistakes,Smith House remains your home and I'm still your brother."He added.He then pressed his chest,a fleeting gesture.

I noticed but said nothing.I was still wary of his intentions.

I wasn't sure if Izzy had been freely entering and exiting Smith House over the past three years.

In Smith House,William's mother held the highest position,and his father doted on her,listening to her every word.Since his mother loved me so much,his father also grew to like me.I had been raised by them for many years.It was natural to develop feelings for them.However,Mrs.Smith disliked Izzy,and Mr.Smith disagreed with William's relationship with her.

I was well aware of this and used it to my advantage.Mrs Smith once told me she didn't trust her son with Izzy.She said that Izzy appeared fragile and innocent but had calculating eyes and a guilty heart.Mrs.Smith and William argued multiple times,but couldn't come to any conclusion.

So,I exploited this,acting recklessly and clinging to William,being empowered by his mother's support.As long as she stood by me,I believed I would succeed.However,I never targeted Izzy,knowing William's affection for her.I treated those he cared about with utmost care.

William never trusted me or considered me a good person.As a result,he reduced his visits home,avoiding his mother's criticism of Izzy.That period coincided with my relentless pursuit of William.

After moving out of Smith House,I settled next door to William.His attitude toward me deteriorated daily.Less than a year later,he sent me to River Mouth for"training."

During my three years in River Mouth,I realized my excessive clinginess must have driven him to it.

"Claire,my darling,you've finally returned.I almost died waiting."Mrs.Smith exclaimed while rushing to embrace me.

Mrs.Smith usually poised and elegant,was now visibly shaken.Her emotional state revealed genuine longing.She genuinely loved me.I could feel it.

Previously,she attempted to match me with William,but he refused.Each time William hurt me,she compensated with extra affection.

Mrs.Smith embodied maternal love,allowing me to be vulnerable.That's why,despite fearing William,I agreed to return to Smith House.For an orphan like me,Smith House felt like home.In River Mouth,whenever I suffered,I drew comfort from Mrs.and Mr.Smith.

Having devoted myself entirely to William,I had no friends or acquaintances.William controlled every aspect of my life.Friendships,studies,and even my wardrobe were arranged by him.

I grew dependent on him,hoping he'd never leave.This dependence fueled unrealistic expectations,leading to my downfall.Now,like a flower trampled in mud,I was stained and unable to escape.

This reality made me repulsive,even to myself.But knowing someone still care,I must persevere.

Living is painful,so I must distance myself from those who caused me suffering.

"Auntie,I traveled abroad,got caught up in the beauty,and forgot to contact you.It won't happen again."

I forced a smile while speaking lightly,trying to conceal my tremors.

"My poor child,did William withhold your allowance?You've grown so thin."Mother asked.She seemed shocked with my appearance.While embracing me she felt my frailty beneath my clothes.The Mrs.Smith I knew would never let me suffer.

"No,William provided for me.I just slimmed down.It's the current beauty standard."I explained hastily.

I couldn't let Mrs.Smith blame William.He might send me back to River Mouth.I ran my mind and immediately made up an excuse–reducing weight for looking thin.

"Nowadays,girls idealize slimness.I used to be slightly heavier.So,this is normal."I added.

Mrs.Smith made me sit down.Her concerns towards me were visible on her face.She explained,"Becoming this thin isn't attractive.Stay with me,and I'll help you regain your health."

I noticed Mrs.Smith's own weariness and newly gray hair.Three years ago,she was immaculate.There were no such wrinkles or gray hairs.Her transformation pained me.I longed for her vibrant past.

"I slimmed down for beauty,but seeing your gray hairs hurt me.From now on,I'll take care of you."I said gently.

While embracing her cautiously,I fought my deeply ingrained fear.William mentioned his mother's birthday wishes was my return.He brought me back to appease her.

I knew my role.It was'making his mother happy'.But I would have done so voluntarily,even if William hadn't shared her wishes.

"Darling,I'm thrilled you're back.You're the best gift I could ask for.With you here,I'll be like my old self again."Mrs.Smith patted my hand while speaking in a warm voice.

Mrs.Smith's gesture made me want to hug myself and apologize.For three years,any physical contact meant brutal beatings or humiliation.

Although I feared her touch,I couldn't avoid it now.I bit my inner cheek,fighting the urge to flinch.I mustn't make mistakes or raise suspicions or else William would be angry.

The consequences of his anger were unbearable.My trembling was subtle,but I feared Mrs.Smith would notice.Luckily,she was too joyful to notice.

Every beating was agonizing.Every humiliation left me with deep scars.Now,being in the home of the person responsible for everything filled me with a sense of despair.I accidentally glanced at William and saw him glaring,his anger palpable.

Fear told me to behave.My pale face likely raised Mrs.Smith's suspicions.

"Darling Claire,what's wrong?Do you not like that worthless boy?I'll chase him away if you want."Mrs.Smith asked,unaware of William's true actions.

As long as the past three years remained hidden,I could stay with the Smiths.I no longer sought love,but craved familial love and friendship.

These were my motivations for living.

"Get out,boy,and bring your father back.We'll dine together as a family.You can fend for yourself at the office."Mrs.Smith ordered William.

William's subservient demeanor was almost comical.I didn't want to see William

.His presence was terrifying me.Mrs.Smith's actions brought me unexpected joy.

"Aren't you ashamed to eat with us?Claire's weight loss is clearly for your sake."Mrs.Smith scolded William.

William stood silently,unable to retort.

"Mother,why don't I count as family?"William asked.His voice was laced with resentment.

"You're just a servant.You are suitable only for working.Claire is my princess.She is a true member of this family."Mrs.Smith replied.

William's humiliation was palpable.

"Leave now.You're ruining my appetite."Mrs.Smith urged.

William's departure left me uneasy.

Would he retaliate against me for Mrs.Smith''s words?

Mrs.Smith instructed the chef to prepare my favorite dishes.But my stomach being damaged from years of torture in River Mouth,couldn't handle spicy or heavy food.

In River Mouth,I dared not speak of my suffering.Now,I had no one to confide in.

"Claire,darling,don't worry.I'll throw you a grand welcome feast.Eat well and regain your weight."Mrs Smith said with a voice filled with concern.

Her words brought tears to my eyes.In River Mouth,they preserved my appearance,fearing William's wrath.But William's actions were contradictory.He sent me to River Mouth,yet instructed them to protect me.I couldn't understand his motives.

After dinner,I excused myself.I was afraid that my condition would raise suspicions.Weeks of malnutrition had taken its toll.

I guessed William hadn't gone to the office.He was probably with Izzy.Everyone seemed joyful except me.

After coming back to my room,I collapsed.I was overwhelmed by pain and fear.When I woke up,I felt slightly better.Mrs.Smith had assumed my frailty to excessive weight loss.

A plausible excuse.

I didn't want the Smiths to worry or suspect William's involvement.For now,this reasoning would suffice.