Since that day, it felt like Jacob had utterly forgotten about me. He had yet to show up again.

I packed all my things. I dragged my weak body back to the Yales’s house. I didn't want to return here.

But I had no other place to go. I went back to my room.

My teacher gave me two weeks to finish everything, which was plenty of time.

I had a competition in a week. It's a design competition that's recognized throughout the industry.

Winning a prize in this competition would be a big boost for my future So, I took it very seriously.

I confined myself to my room for four days straight, only emerging for meals.

Jacob never showed up, either. I guessed he's sick of the Yale family by now.

On the morning of the fifth day, I finally completed my initial draft.

Then, someone knocked on my door.

When I opened it, I saw someone I hadn't seen in a long time standing there.

Jacob smiled brightly. "Mia, I heard that you have been locking yourself in your room. It's not good for your health."

"I asked someone to make your favorite dishes. Let's go eat together."

At that moment, I felt a bit dizzy. The boy I had held dear in my heart seemed to have returned to me.

I naturally placed my hand in his.

I let Jacob lead me downstairs.

Once downstairs, he served me a bowl of soup and piled my plate high with food.

"Mia, you need to eat more. You've lost so much weight."

"Don't let all that stuff get to you. I've got you, okay?"

He patted my shoulder, his tone full of pride.

Jacob was indeed a gifted child. He had never focused on studying, yet he was always at the top of the class.

After starting college, he took over his family's company. The company's performance increased several times in his hands. He was like a character from a novel—someone destined for greatness.

I lowered my head, trying to hide the loneliness in my bowl.

I smiled sweetly at him when I looked up again.

My attitude softened a bit. "Jacob, you should eat more too."

We sat on the couch and chatted after dinner.

Jacob hesitated momentarily before saying, "Mia, I'm sorry about last time."

"I forgot about your allergy and Catherine didn't mean to upset you."

"Let's just put it behind us, okay? We're all family anyway."

The words "family" dug a bloody wound in my heart. I tried to keep my expression steady. "Jacob, do you like her that much?"

I didn't know why I asked that. I just knew that when he answered.

I held my breath and looked at him expectantly. Part of me thought I was foolish, but another hoped he could see how much I cared.

I've poured my entire heart and soul into him.

Jacob paused for a moment. Then, his face lit up with pride. "Mia, you're too young to understand."

"Catherine might not be the prettiest, but I love her the most. She's kind, graceful, and no one could be a better wife for the future head of the Yale Family."

A bitter taste filled my heart as though all the bile in the world had churned in my stomach.

I stared into his eyes and spoke slowly, word by word. "So, you really do like her."

I was trying to remember how I made it back to my room. All I felt was an icy coldness spreading through me.

I forced a bitter smile. Would I always be the little sister?

I clenched my fists and buried those feelings deep in my heart.

I focused intently on finishing the design at hand. This time, I was designing a ring called "Secret Love".

I poured all my feelings for Jacob into this ring, hiding them within its delicate details.

After this, I had to let go of all my emotions for him. It was time to move on to a better life.

The next day, I went to the design competition wearing the ring. It was only during the presentation that I realized Catherine was also there. She was presenting right before me.

Jacob stood by her side, his gaze on me filled with an emotion I couldn't decipher.

Soon, it was Catherine's turn. She walked onto the stage with her design.

"Good afternoon, judges. Today, I am presenting my piece, a ring called Secret Love."

My mind went blank as I stared at Catherine in disbelief.

She opened the design the same as the one in my hand. Every single detail matched perfectly. She quickly finished her presentation.

Then, I heard my name being called from the stage. "Miss Mia Simone, please come up."

I was rooted to the spot, completely frozen.

How did my design end up in Catherine's hands?

The announcer kept repeating. "Miss Mia Simone, please come up."

I locked eyes with Catherine. Her gaze was full of smug defiance.

My fingers clenched the design tightly. I couldn't go up. I knew the difference between withdrawing from the competition and being accused of plagiarism.

Catherine, however, wasn't about to let me off. She walked over to me. "Mia, they're calling your name! Hurry up and go onstage!"

"Everyone may not know this, but Mia is the most talented designer. I'm sure she'll deliver a piece that everyone will love."

As she spoke, she grabbed my wrist tightly.

My face contorted as I violently shook her hand off. I suppressed the pain and approached the stage in my high heels.

Well then, Catherine. Please don't blame me for what happened next.

I unfolded the design and the audience gasped.

Catherine was the first to stand up. "Mia, what are you doing? That is my design!"

The people below quickly reacted, pointing at me and murmuring among themselves.

"Isn't this plagiarism?"

"How dare you present a plagiarized work? You're shameless."

"Someone like you dares to be a designer? Get out of here!"

Their voices flooded my ears one after another.

I smiled at Catherine. "You're saying this design is yours?"

Catherine held her head high. "Mia, I know we're short on time, but this really is my work."

Just then, Jacob walked over.

His face was grim as he snapped, "Mia, get down right now. You've embarrassed us enough."

I bit my lip, releasing it only when he finished speaking.

In that moment, I finally found peace.

The boy I once cherished deeply had long disappeared into the river of time.

Standing before me now was Jacob, the man who loved Catherine.

I gave Catherine a smirk. "You're the one who plagiarized, aren't you?"

Hearing that, Catherine's face turned pale. Her anger surged like a tide. Her eyes reddened with fury as she trembled, glaring at me.