Chapter 2

I wanted to get up, but my legs felt like they were frozen in place, refusing to cooperate.

Someone gently pushed the door open from the outside. Noticing something blocking the way, they shoved harder.

The force made me pitch forward, my knees crashing painfully onto the floor.

"Emelia?" Daniel switched on the light, saw me, and hurried over. He picked me up and gently placed me on the couch, his brows furrowed with concern. "Why are you on the floor? Didn't Jack say you weren't home?"

I didn't respond to Daniel, my gaze fixed in disbelief on Anaiah, who was standing behind him.

He actually brought her into the home that was meant for just the two of us.

Anaiah cradled a massive bouquet of tulips in her arms, her smile looking casual, but there was a smugness hiding underneath.

"Hi, Emelia." Her voice was overly sweet as she offered the flowers to me. "Dan asked me to help pick these out. Not sure if you like them."

Every word carried a challenge and a sense of pride.

Daniel heard her and immediately forgot about me and my sore knees.

He got up, walked over to Anaiah, and playfully tweaked her nose. "Is this what you were making a scene about the whole way here?"

Anaiah snorted softly and tossed the bouquet straight into his arms.

Daniel gave Anaiah an indulgent, resigned smile and then turned to me with a half-hearted grin. "I remember tulips are your favorite. Anaiah really took her time picking them out for you."

The red tulips burned bright, almost showing off, just like the old me.

When I didn't take the flowers, he casually dropped them onto the table, rubbed his temples, and started explaining to me in a weary tone, "I should've told you about the livestream beforehand. Don't let your mind run wild.

"Anaiah's been through a lot overseas. Her health isn't great, and she only came back because she suddenly got sick."

He tried to explain, but there was barely any apology in his tone. "I just thought the necklace fit her style better, that's all. The livestream was to help her settle in, so she can hold her own in the scene."

My heart twisted with bitterness.

He never even brought up that I was the one who picked out the necklace first, and today was the anniversary we had planned together.

To him, my feelings and what I liked always took a back seat to Anaiah.

Daniel paused mid-sentence, his eyes flicking over to me, like he was checking to see how I'd take it. "Emelia, Anaiah's not doing so well. I can't let her live out there all alone.

"So, she'll stay here for a while. It makes it easier for me to take care of her."

Anaiah coughed a couple of times, tugged at Daniel's sleeve, and asked quietly, "Dan, will I be bothering you and Emelia if I stay here?"

Daniel shook his head firmly. "Of course not. Emelia's always been the most considerate and big-hearted."

My hand, rubbing my knee, paused. So much for being the considerate, big-hearted one. That was just me kidding myself.

Anaiah snuck a barely noticeable glance toward the master bedroom. "Dan, I don't mind staying in the guest room, but could I have one that's really sunny?"

Without a second thought, Daniel said, "Then stay in the master bedroom."

Anaiah looked startled, shooting a glance my way. But as soon as she tried to say something, she suddenly burst into a harsh coughing fit.

Daniel's expression shifted instantly. Without a second thought, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her straight to the master bedroom.

He glanced back at me over his shoulder. "Emelia, Anaiah's sick. You won't mind it, will you?"

He took it for granted, not a trace of guilt in his voice.

I nodded silently.

Of course, I wouldn't mind.

In three days, I'd be out of here. Anaiah could stay wherever she liked, and Daniel could do whatever he wanted.

The night felt endless. I couldn't sleep a wink. I propped up against the headboard, lost in thought.

Out of nowhere, my phone started ringing. It was a number I didn't recognize.

My gut told me this wasn't good news, but I answered anyway.

Anaiah's syrupy, flirtatious voice instantly filled the line. "Dan, I need to see if you've really kept yourself pure for me."

Daniel's deep, pampering laugh came through, full of indulgence. "Of course. My heart and body are all yours, Princess. Emelia is just some girl I brought in from the small town, so my family would stop bugging me about getting married.

"Anaiah, if only Dad and Mom hadn't adopted you."

A dull pain rippled through my heart. I clutched at my chest, struggling to breathe.

Then, the phone was filled with intimate noises, so explicit that I could barely stand to listen.

Instinctively, I held my breath, my fingers clenched as I hit the record button.

I remembered how carefully I'd chosen that bed, and now my boyfriend was shamelessly hooking up with his adopted sister right on it.

Everything was tainted.

It was so filthy that I felt sick to my stomach.