Chapter 2

So, the truth about the car accident didn't matter to Houston at all. All he wanted was for me to stay out of the way and not cause any trouble at his wedding.

But even after the wedding was over, Houston never showed up.

Prison life wasn't easy. The other inmates tormented me nonstop. I got tossed into solitary almost every other day. And it was all because Charlotte bribed the warden to make my life hell.

If it hadn't been for that fire at the prison, when I risked my neck to save someone and ended up a hero, I'd probably still be rotting in that cell.

It took until now for Houston to finally say those words, "Elise, come home with me."

Home? I didn't know where the home he was talking about was, but we really did have a home once.

Houston moved me into a new place on my eighteenth birthday.

It wasn't as big as Bennett Manor, but Houston had designed every inch of it just for me.

He'd put in those starry ceilings I'd always wanted, throughout the house.

Houston wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin in the crook of my neck. "Do you like it?"

I couldn't help but nod. "Yes. But you are preparing for the SAT. Why waste your energy on this?"

He chuckled softly. "I told you, one day I'd give you the whole sky full of stars. Happy birthday, Elise."

But then Charlotte decided she wanted that place to be the home where she and Houston would begin their life together as husband and wife.

The starry sky that once belonged to me was gone for good.

As I thought of these, I shook my head. "Don't worry about it, I've already got a place to stay. I've got things to take care of, so I'm heading out."

Houston called after me, "Elise. Truth is, I've been searching for you all these years. Maybe there is a misunderstanding between us. How about we talk it out at the café across the street?"

But before Houston could finish, his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the caller ID, hesitated for a second, and then finally answered.

Charlotte's voice was all sweet and coy on the other end. "Houston, did you get the paperwork done? When are you coming home?"

Houston gave me a wary look and then said quietly, "Yeah, it's done. I've got something to deal with here, so I'll be back later."

I was hoping to make a quick getaway while Houston was distracted by his phone.

But as soon as I turned around, my vision was suddenly filled with white specks, like static on a broken TV.

The next thing I knew was that I was falling straight backward. When I came to, I was already in the hospital.

Houston must've been watching over me the whole time.

As soon as he saw my eyes open, he rushed over, sounding super relieved. "Elise, you're awake. Does anything hurt? Are you feeling alright?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine, just a bit of low blood sugar, that's all. Thanks for bringing me here."

My nonchalant attitude completely set Houston off. "Just low blood sugar? Do you even realize how dangerous that is?"

I didn't get why Houston was making such a big deal out of it. I was used to it.

I still remembered when I first got out of prison, I just couldn't get over Houston. But I didn't want to chase after him, so I went abroad and got back into jewelry design.

Jewelry design took a ton of inspiration and constant tweaking. So, I'd often shut myself in my room or studio for the whole day, just working nonstop.

I'd lose track of time and forget to eat. Sometimes I'd get so wrapped up that I'd end up fainting from low blood sugar.

Every time I woke up, I'd throw myself right back into creating, and, as always, I'd forget to eat.

I remembered the worst time. I was out cold for hours.

If my client hadn't shown up in person to chase me for the draft and found me collapsed at my studio desk, maybe I would've never woken up at all.

"Elise, are you even listening to me?" Houston's voice cut through my thoughts. Seeing me zone out only made him angrier.

I took a deep breath and looked at him, my expression calm. "Houston, thanks for saving me today, but I'm not your sister, so you don't need to meddle in my business.

"If there's nothing else, you can leave. No need for us to cross paths again."

Houston's face darkened for a moment, and then he suddenly burst out laughing. "You want me to go? Guess what? I'm staying right here today. Actually, I'm starving. I'm gonna order something. How about that pizza from that spot you used to love?"

He looked just like he did when we were kids, acting all stubborn, trying to start an argument, but deep down, he just couldn't walk away.