Chapter 3

"Brielle, you'd only be devastated. Do this for me, alright?" Nicholas's eyes held a poorly concealed panic.

I had a pretty good idea what was going on.

He had probably given my studio to Melanie.

I'd founded the studio around our first anniversary and had given him half the shares.

Now that I was 'useless,' he had the final say, and he was naturally handing everything over to the woman he truly loved.

I said, "I just want to see it one last time, to say goodbye to that part of my life. Don't worry, I won't make a scene."

He was silent for a long time but eventually nodded.

Nicholas almost eagerly got up to start gathering my artwork.

I called Maria over. "There's one last design draft in the studio. I need you to add a few strokes to it, exactly as I describe."

*****

I had anticipated that Melanie would make changes at the studio.

But facing the reality was different, and I desperately wanted to slap her.

The clothes I designed had been cut to shreds, and a few people were in the process of throwing them out.

I wanted to confront them, but Nicholas held me back firmly.

"Brielle, don't be like this. The studio has many new staff now; it's normal for design philosophies to differ. They're not one-of-a-kind pieces anyway, just let them throw them out."

It felt like my throat was stuffed with cotton soaked in chili water; every breath was painful.

Nicholas lowered his head before me, with the shame of a child who knew he had done wrong.

He knew this act always worked on me.

"Brielle, I brought Melanie into the studio. Her results are decent, she's my sister, and you know her, so it's a safe choice. With you injured, I was afraid it would upset you, so I didn't tell you. Please don't be angry, okay?"

"Okay. I'm not angry. I'd like to look around by myself. Wait here for me." Ignoring his expression, I walked further in.

Every inch of this place was meticulously designed by me, but now more than half of it had been altered.

I stood behind a wall and overheard some employees talking.

"What do you think Mr. Flores means by bringing his sister in? Melanie's skills are terrible, not just compared to Brielle, but even to the average student."

"Keep your voice down! Didn't you hear Melanie yesterday? Brielle's hands are useless now. Mr. Flores is clearly setting up his sister. We're just small fry; we follow the boss's lead."

I didn't want to hear more and walked away in the opposite direction.

But as I reached the lounge doorway, I saw an even more painful scene.

The door was ajar. Nicholas stood before Melanie.

He held an ordinary cup, flipped it twice, and it transformed into a rose.

Melanie accepted the rose with delight. The petals fell the moment they touched her hand, revealing a diamond ring nestled in the center. "Nicholas, you..."

"Didn't you say you wanted a ring? Your wish is my command."

"You're the best, Nicholas!" Melanie threw her arms around his neck.

I felt unsteady on my feet.

I had wanted a ring once, too.

"Those things are just marketing scams. I can't believe you'd fall for that." Nicholas had reacted with unusual sharpness.

Afraid of angering him, I never mentioned it again.

So, he had been saving it for her all along.

Melanie said, "Nicholas, if you give this to me, won't Brielle get jealous?"

"Her hands are about to be useless. She won't even be able to wear rings anymore. What would she have to be jealous about?"

Nicholas's eyes were full of Melanie as he effortlessly, with a mocking smile, laid bare my deepest wound.

"What are you two doing?" I asked.

Nicholas abruptly let go of Melanie.

"Brielle? You're back so soon?"

I stared fixedly at him.

"Brielle, why are you looking at me like that? You've misunderstood, haven't you?" She slowly hid behind Nicholas. "Nicholas, Brielle seems angry."

"Brielle, it's not what you think. There's nothing wrong with me hugging my own sister. It's natural. Don't make a scene. You'll frighten her," Nicholas said to me.

Melanie said, "Nicholas, I left my bag in the office. Could you get it for me?"

Nicholas hesitated, looking between Melanie and me.

Melanie added, "Nicholas, Brielle isn't going to eat me. You'll hurt her feelings if you act like that."

"It's not that. Brielle, wait here for a moment. I'll take you home soon."

After Nicholas hurried off, Melanie's mocking, scornful gaze slowly traveled to my hands. "How does it feel? To have your hands broken?"