Chapter 3

Winter jasmines, occupying almost half the yard. They were Aria’s favorite flowers. That spot used to be where I had planted red camellias to please my father. Now, all traces of them were gone. Noticing my gaze, Justin said. “Aria likes winter jasmines. Dad had them planted. ”

It sounded like an explanation, but it was really just an announcement. After all, nothing of mine ever mattered at the Hamiltons’. I averted my gaze. “Oh. ”

Justin looked at me strangely. Before, I would have been heartbroken to hear such a thing. Why was I so calm today? Justin tried to discern any sadness on my face, but found none. Before I even stepped into the living room, laughter reached my ears. My mother, Eleanor, held a finished designer gown, measuring it against Aria. “Richard, look, how do you like the gown I embroidered for Aria? ”

My father, Richard Hamilton, nodded admiringly. “Beautiful. The yellow winter jasmines are exquisitely embroidered. ”

Aria smiled, linking her arm through Eleanor’s. “Mom’s clothes are the prettiest. I love all of them! ”

Eleanor looked at Aria with loving tenderness. “You’re such a sweet talker. ”

Aria loved to wear handmade designer gowns. Eleanor felt the store-bought ones weren’t good enough, so she had personally made them for her for years. Aria, in her thirties, still acted like a child, playfully clinging. She held the dress and twirled. “Liam, does this dress look good on me for the New Year? ”

Only then did I see Liam, hidden by the wall. Liam sat on the sofa, looking up at Aria with a smile. His misty blue sweater made him appear especially gentle. Not a trace of the man he was in front of me. “It looks beautiful. ”

Listening to Liam’s warm, spring-like voice. My heart throbbed faintly. He had never told me I was beautiful. Not once. The scene before me was warm and touching. Like a real family. Justin cleared his throat. “Dad, Mom, Skylar’s here. ”

Everyone’s smiles froze. Eleanor turned her head and met my gaze. Eleanor’s eyes darted away, then she spoke awkwardly. “Skylar’s back. ”

Her tone was distant and polite, completely lacking the intimacy she showed Aria. Richard sat up straight, not even glancing at me. “What are you doing here? ”

His tone made it sound like I was the outsider. Well, it was true. Aside from the last name Hamilton, I was nothing like them. Aria twirled the gown and smiled at me. “Skylar, my godmother made this for me. Don’t overthink it. ”

Richard snorted at her words. “Your mom can make whatever she wants for whoever she wants. It’s not up to you to approve. ”

Aria’s eyes flashed with triumph. It was always like this. Aria’s few words always managed to make my family despise me. Before, I would have argued, but now I had no strength left to say more. Liam looked at my silence, a flicker of doubt in his heart. I used to never be this cold. What was wrong with me today? Suppressing the ache in my heart, I stepped forward. “Dad, Mom, I didn’t mean to interrupt you. ”

“What nonsense, how could Mom think you’re an interruption? ”

Eleanor reached out to take my hand, but I avoided her. Eleanor’s smile froze on her face; she awkwardly withdrew her hand. I didn’t want to be polite and went straight to the point. “I came today to retrieve the white jade pendant my grandmother left me. ”

5. Aria was my honorary sister. She was the orphaned child of my father, Richard Hamilton’s, deceased fellow officer. When Aria was three, my father’s fellow officer died saving Richard from an accident on duty involving explosives. His mother followed suit, taking her own life. Richard felt immense guilt and took it upon himself to raise Aria. He brought Aria into the Hamilton home. The Hamiltons weren't exceptionally wealthy, but they had more than enough to raise another child. However, Aria found it difficult to get along with me. So, they sent me to my Grandma Rose’s farm out in the countryside. The white jade pendant my grandmother left was specifically for me. At the time, my mother was heartbroken over her mother’s passing, crying as she clutched the pendant. I felt sorry for my mother and gave the pendant to her. But Eleanor had also said that I could have it back whenever I wanted. Eleanor nervously smoothed her hair. “Skylar, why are you asking about the pendant as soon as you arrive? Why not spend some time with everyone? ”

Before, every time I came back, I would ask about them. But did they ever appreciate it? Once Aria returned, their attention never even flickered my way. They were the ones who squandered my concern, not me who withheld it. Eleanor’s expression made me feel uneasy. “Mom, where is the pendant? ”

Eleanor wouldn't meet my eyes. Aria’s clear voice cut through the air. “Skylar, are you talking about this pendant? ”

Aria pulled out a pendant from around her neck. “I didn’t know it was your grandmother’s. I thought my godmother bought it for me. ”

My body trembled as I looked at Eleanor. “Mom, that’s Grandma’s pendant for me! ”

Eleanor tried to explain. But before she could speak, Richard cut her off. “What’s yours or mine? Skylar, are you being unreasonable? It’s just a pendant. If Aria wants it, are you going to fight her for it too? ”

I felt a tightening in my chest, making it hard to breathe. I could give up everything else. But this was Grandma’s pendant! Grandma and I had lived together, depending on each other, for over a decade. The pendant was the only thing she left me! Richard remained aggressive. “Just a pendant makes you yell at your parents like this?