She wasn't fully lying. Michelle truly longed to reunite with her biological mother and never see Parker again.

Parker let out a faint chuckle but still coaxed her patiently, "Don't cry, my love. Seeing you cry breaks my heart."

Before Michelle could respond, the apartment's door suddenly swung open. A figure darted in and threw itself before them, "Michelle! Parker! I had a fight with Mom and Dad. Can I stay over tonight?" Janet's wide eyes brimmed with tears as she pouted pitifully.

The warmth that had just barely returned to Michelle's heart froze again. Her mind swirled with the images of the photos Janet had sent earlier.

Beside her, Parker's body went rigid and his face clouded with irritation, "No, you can't."

Janet's expression fell instantly and she turned her pleading gaze toward Michelle, "Sis, would you really let me sleep on the streets?"

Parker shielded Michelle, his brow furrowing deeply, "Don't guilt-trip your sister! Janet, what nonsense are you trying to pull now? You can leave, right this minute! This house doesn't welcome you!" He had once sworn that this home would bear traces of only one woman, Michelle.

Janet's face showed disappointment as her teary almond eyes darted toward Michelle, harboring a subtle hint of menace, "Michelle, if Mom and Dad find out you didn't let me stay, they'll come after you again. You wouldn't want to upset them, would you?"

Michelle moved Parker aside and replied evenly, "You can stay."

Janet's face lit up with glee, but it quickly froze as Michelle added, "There's just one correction I'd like to make. They're your parents, not mine."

The unnatural calm in her tone unsettled Parker. For the first time, he sensed that she had changed. She began to care less about the relationship between her and her adoptive parents and even ... she cared less about him.

That night, as they lay in bed, Parker instinctively leaned in to kiss Michelle, but she avoided him.

His panic flared instantly, reddening his eyes. Holding her tightly, he rasped, "Honey, did I upset you? Was it because we didn't take the wedding photos today?"

Michelle broke free from his hold, her gaze unwavering as she suddenly smiled, "Parker, my friend got cheated on. She found out her fiancé was sleeping with another woman. What do you think she should do?"

Parker frowned, "So you've been bothered about your friend's issue lately?"

"Yes," she said casually.

Parker heaved a sigh of relief, "What's there to think about? Why would any woman be foolish enough to marry a cheating man? She should break up with him right away! Once unfaithful, he's forever untrustworthy. Isn't that common sense?"

"Break up?" Michelle's heart clenched. "But they've been together for so many years. Is it really worth it to just end it?"

Parker shrugged, "It depends on your friend's awareness. Realizing the truth about someone after a few years is worth it."

"Mm," she responded.

Taking ten years to see someone for who they truly are was better than wasting a lifetime. Parker, these were your own words. Once unfaithful, forever untrustworthy.

In the dead of night, Michelle awoke with a start, only to realize she had noise-canceling headphones on. But they didn't block out the sound coming from downstairs.

Under the faint glow of the dim light, two familiar figures writhed together, lost in their own world.

The creaking of the bedframe echoed sharply in her ears, each sound cutting into her heart.

The man who had sworn just the night before to love her for a lifetime was now, before her very eyes, entangled in an intimate act with her sister. The scene churned Michelle's stomach with disgust.

"Parker, you're so bad! Sneaking into my room in the middle of the night to do this. Aren't you afraid my sister will find out?" Janet's voice quivered, broken by breathy gasps as Parker relentlessly continued, almost as if he wanted to drive her past her limits.

He replied, "Who came to my house to seduce me first? You changed your mind now? You wish!"

***

Michelle crouched on the ground, clutching her mouth to muffle her sobs as tears spilled uncontrollably down her face.

Her cries, filled with despair, tore at her throat until it felt raw and stung. Why did it still hurt so much after she had already decided to let go?

Parker, how could you treat me this way? At sixteen, you shyly wrote me a heartfelt love letter. At eighteen, you held my hand and promised to love me forever.

Did you forget all of that? Her weeping drained all her strength, leaving her collapsed on the bed, tears flowing silently until dawn.

Before the first light of day, Parker finally returned, his body carrying an overpowering scent of women's perfume, "Come on, sleepyhead. It's time to get up and head to the beach for our wedding photos," he said as if nothing had happened.

Michelle responded with a soft mumbling, but the redness of her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

Parker assumed her low mood stemmed from her 'friend's' issue and gently reassured her. He said, "Don't be upset, sweetheart. Some relationships are meant to end when the timing is right. But with the same timing, the right person will also appear." Michelle gazed deeply at him but remained silent.

Half an hour later, Michelle was ready to leave. However, she discovered Parker and Janet waiting by the door.

Janet flashed a pleading smile and clung to her arm, "Michelle, can I join you two at the beach for the photoshoot?"

Michelle's lips curved into a faint smile. Her eyes lingered on Janet's suitcase for a moment before she asked, "What if I say no? Will you not come?"

Parker hadn't expected her refusal and stumbled over his words in a panic, "I … I'm sorry, darling. I only agreed because she's your sister. If you don't want her to join, it'll just be the two of us. Don't be mad, okay?"

Janet's forced smile wavered, on the verge of tears. She began employing her usual pitiful tactics.

Yet, to her surprise, Michelle suddenly laughed aloud, "Why are you two so nervous? Relax, I was joking."

Her eyes narrowed as she added mockingly, "Unless you're feeling guilty about something you're hiding from me?"

Parker's demeanor shifted subtly, his eyes betraying his unease as he blurted out, "Of course not!" But Michelle ignored him, turning and walking straight to the car, leaving the two behind.

The drive to the beach was filled with silence as Michelle stared at the ocean ahead. The salty breeze lifted some of the weight off her heart.

Parker, however, fidgeted anxiously. Pulling her into his arms, he whispered, "Sweetheart, she's your sister in name. If we didn't bring her, I was afraid people might think you're jealous of Janet."

The excuse was so laughable that Michelle couldn't suppress a smirk. Jealous? How could he be so good at making excuses for himself! Michelle pulled the corners of her lips and said nothing.

Her silence pushed Parker into desperation. His eyes reddened with emotion as he asked, "Sweetheart, do you not love me anymore?"

"And do you love me?" Michelle's smile turned faintly amused, her gaze tinged with icy sarcasm.

"Of course I do! No one in this world will ever love you more than I do!" Parker's voice brimmed with conviction, his sharp eyes filled with what seemed like sincerity.

But Michelle knew she'd rather have never believed that sincerity shining in his eyes.

"I'm tired. Let me rest for a while," Michelle said.

Just as she expected, Parker and Janet wasted no time indulging in their inappropriate behavior, even on a boat.

The pain in her heart turned to cold determination as Michelle pressed the record button on her phone. It wasn't until the boat docked that their frenzy finally stopped.

While Michelle was in the backstage room preparing for the photoshoot, Janet handed her an ornate box and said, "Michelle, this is my engagement gift for you. I just know you'll love it," Janet said, her smile brimming with smugness before she walked off, looking as proud as a peacock.

Staring at the box for a long moment, Michelle hesitated. She couldn't imagine anything good inside, her heart aching faintly.

Summoning her courage, she opened it. An overwhelming stench hit her immediately, six used condoms and a tattered piece of vulgar lingerie. The revulsion was so strong that Michelle retched, her face turning deathly pale.

Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Janet: [Do you like the gift? Parker loved it.]

Eyes burning with unshed tears, Michelle let out a bitter laugh before anger overtook her, causing a mouthful of blood to spill from her lips.

At that very moment, Parker walked into the room, his face alarmed as he saw her, "Honey! Why are you coughing up blood?" Parker's voice was panicked as he swept her into his arms, carrying her towards the boat.

"We're not taking any photos! We're going to the hospital now," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Michelle resisted his hold, managing a faint smile, "I'm fine."

Parker's face darkened with rare seriousness, "Honey, I forbid you to neglect your health like this."

Under his insistent demands, she was taken to the hospital. It was only when the doctor's report confirmed that Michelle was unharmed that Parker finally relaxed.

"I told you there was no way something could happen to my sister," Janet said, tone sweet yet cloying, but her words were interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Smith couple.

the Smith couple looked worried and nervously checked Janet's body, "What happened? Why are you at the hospital? Janet, say something! Don't scare your mom!"

"Michelle! Is this how you look after your sister? She's ended up in the hospital under your care! What kind of older sister are you?" Adele scolded her.

***

Michelle stood silently, watching the trio's dramatic display. Her face was cold, but there was a trace of scorn in her eyes.

So that's how it was, ten years of being raised by them was worth less than one blood tie.

Parker stepped forward, unable to bear her being wronged, "It was Michelle who wasn't feeling well and she's the one who needed a check-up. What does this have to do with Janet?" he said icily, gripping Michelle's hand tighter, a gesture of support.

"Mrs. Smith, your blatant favoritism is truly shocking," he added, his words hitting their mark as embarrassment flashed across Adele's face.

Looking at them with icy resolve, Michelle spoke slowly and deliberately, "You're right, I've never acted like an older sister. And I'll say it clearly, I have no sister. Janet will never be my sister."

She continued, "Since you've found your biological daughter, don't come looking for me anymore. As for the gratitude I owe you for raising me, I will repay it soon."

Seeing her resolve, Adele softened her tone, "Michelle, dear, that was wrong of me just now, but you should've told us beforehand. That's why I misunderstood!"

"We're family, why bring up repaying debts? Janet will need your and Parker's help in the future. Your father and I can't always be here for her, after all …" she pleaded.