Inside the box were enamel dolls, foreign exchange pens, delicate gardenia hairpins, and scarves—scarves that he had clumsily learned to knit just for her.

Each item had once been a token of his love.

Now, they meant nothing.

Elara turned without hesitation, walked out the door, and threw the box into the trash can beside her.

Just as she dusted off her hands, a familiar voice rang out.

"What are you doing?"

Elara froze for a brief second before turning around.

Stellan stood a few steps away, his hand resting protectively on Juliet’s waist as they approached.

She met his gaze with icy indifference.

"Just tossing out some unwanted garbage," she said coolly. "Does Captain Pierce really need to concern himself with that?"

Her voice was as cold as a winter’s frost, sending a chill through the air.

Stellan’s brows furrowed even deeper.

"I let you stay here because you're Juliet’s sister," he said, his tone sharp. "You should at least contribute something to this household. You can’t expect to live here for free."

He deliberately stressed the last two words.

Before Elara could respond, Juliet let out a soft gasp and tugged at his sleeve.

"Stellan, how can you say that to Elara?" she scolded gently, then turned to Elara with a sisterly smile. "You’re my sister. You’re free to stay at the Pierce Mansion for as long as you like."

Beneath her words was a clear message: Leave.

Elara felt a wave of nausea just looking at her.

"Don’t worry," she said, her voice steady but firm. "I won’t be here for long."

Her words made Stellan’s expression darken, a heavy pressure settling in his chest like a stone.

---

That night, just as Elara was about to rest, a knock sounded at her door.

Assuming it was Aunt Celeste, she got up and opened it—only to be hit with the sharp scent of alcohol.

Stellan stood in the doorway, bloodshot eyes locking onto her with a terrifying intensity.

"You're moving out?" His voice was hoarse, edged with suppressed rage. "Which wild man did you hook up with outside this time?"

Before she could react, he shoved her backward, kicking the door shut behind him.

Trapped between the door and his overpowering presence, Elara’s breath hitched.

"Why," he muttered, voice low and dangerous, "can’t you ever just be content?"

"You're drunk."

Elara tried to push him away, but Stellan’s grip tightened around her wrists, locking her in place.

"Tell me," he demanded, his voice laced with bitter jealousy. "Where do you plan to move? Who is it this time? A battalion commander? A brigade commander?"

His fingers dug into her skin, sending a sharp pain through her arms.

Elara clenched her jaw, ready to tell him the truth—that she was leaving for the countryside to support the cause. But before she could say a word, a delicate, pitiful voice echoed from the living room.

"Stellan? Where are you? I'm scared being alone..."

Juliet.

The moment her voice reached him, the wildness in Stellan’s expression disappeared. In an instant, his grip loosened, and he shoved Elara aside.

His gaze hardened as he looked down at her.

"You’d better behave," he warned coldly. "You’re my sister-in-law now. Every move you make reflects on me."

With that, he turned and left.

Elara stood frozen for a moment before her knees buckled, and she slid down against the door.

Outside, Juliet's voice carried through the thin walls, soft and coy.

"Stellan, this isn’t good... Elara is still living downstairs."

"What are you afraid of?" Stellan’s tone was impatient. "She wants to stay in the Pierce Mansion—she’ll just have to get used to hearing these things."

"But I'm pregnant!" Juliet protested, her voice tinged with shyness. "The doctor said it’s best not to in the first three months..."

"Doctor?" Stellan scoffed. "Isn’t there a doctor living in this house? Since she hasn’t said anything, it must not be a big deal."

Elara didn’t listen any further.

She pulled the blanket over her head, shutting out the voices, shutting out the pain.

It didn’t matter anymore.

Her hospital transfer was complete. Her train ticket was already purchased.

Tomorrow, she would leave.

Tomorrow, Stellan and Juliet would be married.

"I envy Juliet so much! I heard Captain Pierce is throwing a grand Western-style wedding in a church, and even Juliet’s wedding dress was custom-made just for her."

"Captain Pierce is famous for doting on his wife. That Elara is really ungrateful—she left such a good man behind. I bet she must be regretting it now."

Elara walked silently beside the director of surgery, who was personally escorting her to the hospital gate. The idle gossip about Stellan and Juliet’s wedding trailed after her like a shadow, each word stabbing deeper than the last.

The director glanced at her with sympathy. "Elara, don’t let their words get to you. I know you’re a good girl. If you ever want to come back, just contact me anytime."

"Come back where?"

A deep voice suddenly cut in.

Elara stiffened. Stellan’s sudden appearance startled her.

"Captain Pierce, you don’t know yet?" The director hesitated, about to explain Elara’s resignation, but Stellan interrupted him coldly.

"I don’t care about her affairs. There’s no need to tell me."

The director swallowed his words, sighed, and returned to the hospital.

Without another glance at her, Stellan handed Elara a receipt.

"Go pick up Juliet’s wedding dress. I have other things to do."

Before she could respond, he had already driven off, leaving her standing there, gripping the receipt with trembling fingers.

Elara made her way to the bridal shop, collected Juliet’s wedding dress, and took it home. The house was quiet—Juliet wasn’t there. Taking the opportunity, Elara returned to her room and resumed packing her luggage.

But just as she was folding her last piece of clothing, a sharp sob echoed from outside.

Startled, she rushed out.

Juliet stood in the living room, clutching the wedding dress, tears streaming down her face. Beside her, Stellan frowned, his expression dark with concern.

The moment Elara stepped forward, Juliet lunged at her.

Slap!

The sharp sting burned across Elara’s cheek.

"Elara!" Juliet’s voice trembled with rage. "I’ve always treated you well, always protected you. How could you destroy my wedding dress the day before my wedding?!"

Elara pressed a hand to her throbbing cheek, her gaze falling to the wedding dress now shredded into unrecognizable pieces.

Her breath caught in her throat. "I didn’t do it. I swear, I didn’t."

"If it wasn’t you, then did Juliet destroy it herself?" Stellan’s voice was ice-cold as he pulled Juliet protectively into his arms, his gaze filled with nothing but disgust.

"You and Juliet were the only ones in this house. I never expected you to be so vile."

A lump formed in Elara’s throat. The helplessness, the injustice of it all, pressed down on her chest like a weight she couldn’t shake off.

"It really wasn’t me," she whispered. "Why can’t you trust me? Just once?"

She met his eyes, almost pleading.

But Stellan didn’t waver. His gaze remained distant, merciless.

"What about you is worth trusting?" His voice was devoid of warmth.

With that, he turned away, pulling Juliet along with him.

"Let’s go buy a new one," he murmured gently. "Tomorrow, I’ll make sure you’re the happiest bride in the world."

Elara watched as Juliet walked away, pride gleaming in her eyes. At that moment, whatever lingering hope remained in Elara’s heart crumbled into nothing.

By dawn, she left Pierce Mansion with her suitcase, not sparing a single glance back.

The streets bustled with life—cars honked, vendors called out, and pedestrians hurried along. From a distance, a convoy of wedding cars approached, led by a military jeep.

"Captain Pierce’s wedding is truly grand! He must love his wife so much."

"I envy Juliet. Finding a husband like him is a dream come true."

The murmurs of the crowd reached Elara’s ears, but she didn’t react. She didn’t even lift her gaze. With steady steps, she walked past the wedding procession, heading in the opposite direction.

Inside one of the cars, Stellan sat in silence, gazing absently out the window. For a fleeting moment, he caught sight of a familiar figure. A slender frame, a determined stride—then, just as quickly, she disappeared into the sea of onlookers.

A strange pang twisted in his chest. He didn’t understand it, didn’t want to. Yet, without warning, an image of Elara’s stubborn face surfaced in his mind, refusing to fade.

"Stellan, what’s wrong?"

Juliet’s voice pulled Stellan back to reality. He blinked, suddenly aware that they had arrived at the church. A sea of expectant eyes watched him, waiting for him to carry Juliet out of the car.

"It’s nothing."

His voice was light, almost distracted. He lifted Juliet into his arms, but his gaze instinctively swept across the crowd. He was looking for someone. Yet, no matter how much he searched, that familiar figure was nowhere to be seen. His brows furrowed.

Turning to his subordinate, he asked, "Have you seen Elara today?"

The man hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No, sir. Dr. Whitmore hasn’t been around since this morning."

Juliet noticed the flicker of discomfort in Stellan’s expression and smiled reassuringly. She held his arm gently.

"Maybe Elara is still upset about the wedding dress yesterday. I’ll apologize to her after the wedding. Don’t worry too much."

Stellan’s expression hardened.

"Who’s worried about her?" His tone was sharp, defensive. "I just don’t want people gossiping. If your own sister doesn’t attend your wedding, rumors will spread."

Hearing this, Juliet’s smile deepened with satisfaction. "Stellan, you’re always so thoughtful."

With the ceremony approaching, Juliet was escorted to the bridal waiting room. The moment she was out of sight, Stellan’s demeanor changed. His jaw tightened, and his voice dropped into a cold command.

"Find Elara. Tell her that if she dares to miss my wedding, she will never have to step foot in the Pierce Family mansion again."

His fingers curled into fists.

Elara, you will know what it means to have your heart torn apart, to feel pain that cuts through bone.

Just then, the housekeeper, Celeste, walked past, carrying a shawl. Stellan stopped her abruptly.

"Where is Elara?"

Celeste hesitated before replying, "Miss Whitmore left early this morning… with a suitcase."