Brandon grabbed my wrist, forcing me to look at him.

"Cheryl, since when did lying come so naturally to you? I know how much you love me. You wouldn't even allow a single woman near me before. How could you possibly wish us well?"

My eyes reddened as I shook his hand off with force. "I was immature before, but not anymore. Whether it's Melissa or anyone else, I won't care again."

"Stop saying things like that out of spite. I was worried you might actually leave, but now I'm sure. You're just throwing a tantrum. What can a spoiled young lady like you do besides cling to me? I'm used to you baring your claws and driving everyone away, yet now you're pretending to be noble and magnanimous?

"Be good. I'll make sure you're taken care of for the rest of your life. Just stop coveting things that were never meant to be yours."

He reached out and tucked the blanket around me, his movements gentle.

However, all I felt was a chill spreading through my body, a wave of nausea rising in my chest.

Brandon suddenly picked up a pearl hairpin from the table.

"Didn't you say that you didn't like me anymore? Why are you still keeping this little thing I gave you eight years ago?"

I did not know how it ended up there.

"Maybe Melissa thought it was fake and worthless, so when she threw my things out, this got tossed in too."

The words 'fake' and 'worthless' insulted both her and him at the same time.

Brandon's expression darkened instantly.

"Melissa isn't materialistic like that. You're the one who cares too much. Four years ago, you wouldn't let go of this hairpin even when you nearly got stabbed by a thief."

The fear from that moment still lingered in my memory.

However, back then, just thinking that it was the only gift Brandon had ever given me filled me with endless courage. I would have risked my life for it.

Everything he gave me, even if it was worth only ten dollars, I treated like treasure.

However, watching him spend lavishly on Melissa in luxury stores, I finally understood. When someone truly loved you, they would give you the best things in the world.

I snatched the hairpin from his hand and threw it out the window without hesitation.

Brandon instinctively reached out to catch it, but he missed badly.

With a soft splash, it fell into the fountain.

"Have you lost your mind? How could you throw away something I gave you?!" he shouted in anger.

"I don't like it anymore. I don't want it anymore, so I threw it away."

I looked at him calmly.

His face turned ashen.

His gaze flicked to the suitcase in my room, then he suddenly turned and walked out.

With a loud bang, he locked my door from the outside.

"You're not going anywhere. Stay here and reflect on your actions."

I rushed to the door and pulled at it, but it would not budge.

His voice came from the other side.

"You're my sister, Cheryl. There will always be a place for you by my side."

That place by his side... I no longer wanted it.

...

Dawn came.

I heard Brandon calling in every high-end bridal brand in the city, bringing dresses to the villa for Melissa to choose from.

I quietly opened the door, pulled my suitcase, and slipped out through the back garden.

Before getting into the car, I turned back.

Mary stood in the garden, wiping her tears as she waved at me.

It was my home after all. There was no way Brandon could actually trap me inside.

The taxi sped toward the airport.

I took one last look at the place that had imprisoned me for ten years.