Chapter 2

I gave her my most sincere look.

"Probably just an allergic reaction. But hey, a little rash seems like a small price to pay for marrying a millionaire, right?"

"Can you give me a hand? I can't move him alone," I called out.

Vanessa seemed convinced. She grabbed my arm, her sharp nails digging in. I yanked free.

"Clara, what's wrong?" she asked.

She looked puzzled, sensing my dislike.

I forced a smile, though my face felt like cracking.

"It's nothing, Vanessa. I have a night shift. You can take him home, right? Wouldn't want anyone else taking your spot as leading lady," I said casually.

I began to walk, then paused and looked back.

"Things have been crazy, so I'll crash at the hospital dorm," I said, hoping she'd believe me.

I won't live with a guy who has syphilis. I'll find any excuse to move out before I catch it.

Before I could leave, Vanessa grabbed my arm.

"If you leave, who will cook and do my laundry? Don't be selfish. Are you really choosing your job over your sister?" she complained.

I froze, realizing I'd raised Vanessa for over a decade. She was a total adult toddler—couldn't cook, couldn't clean, couldn't even pay for her own coffee. Every expense went on my card.

Vanessa and I lost our parents as kids. Our grandparents refused to take us in because we were girls.

We lived in our parents' old, shabby apartment. I was three years older than Vanessa, so I had to care for her while keeping up with school.

Almost all our living expenses came from the small compensation our parents left.

By college, all the money was gone. I struggled through senior year, working and studying, while Vanessa barely entered junior college, obsessed with showing off.

She'd amassed huge debt from online loan apps.

I got it. She grew up starved for love. So I caught every fall, swallowed every sharp word, never once raised my voice.

But I never expected to raise such an ungrateful brat.

Vanessa acted entitled, making me furious. I slapped her hand away.

I shouted, "You're in your twenties! Do you expect me to be your maid forever? If I hadn't worked, who'd pay your loans, give you this life, feed you, and buy your clothes?"

"What's your problem? It's just a few meals! We live off our parents' money, so don't act like a saint. Who knows how much you've skimmed? You should be grateful I'm not asking for it back!" she snapped angrily.

Her words froze me. She thought I was just spending our parents' money. A cold emptiness filled my chest.

I laughed, the kind that comes when you're too pissed off to be mad.

"Fine, I'll show every expense tomorrow and prove who's been skimming off their money," I said coldly.

I turned and left, Vanessa's angry yelling behind me.

"Clara, if you walk out, don't come back!" she yelled, furious.

I didn't look back or speak.

The hospital shift was just an excuse. When I returned, I cut off Vanessa's access to my family bank card.

I watched Vanessa drag that man, Marcus Slade, into the living room. He asked for water, and after hesitating at her cup, she took mine.

My stomach churned. I couldn't believe she was this shameless.

She held out my cup to him, keeping distance, her face twisted in disgust.

I smirked and turned off my phone.

Nothing at home is worth keeping, so I'll leave it all. Luckily, I took my important stuff on the business trip and won't risk returning and catching syphilis.

Lying on the tiny dorm bed, I finally felt at ease after ages.

I never caught a break. In school, I balanced classes, babysitting Vanessa, and part-time jobs to survive. Life should've eased after she graduated, but she quit her job in two days, so I kept working and covering for her.

I never got more than four hours of sleep, ever.

Right now, I just wanted to crash and sleep.

At night, my phone buzzed nonstop. Half-asleep, I answered, worried it was urgent from the hospital. The voice cut through my grogginess.

"Clara, why did you shut off the payment card you set up for me? Are you trying to starve me?" Vanessa shrieked.

Of course it was Vanessa. Time meant nothing to her. Sleep? Work? Didn't matter. Her problems were always the only problems.