Chapter 4

Where’s your filial piety? ”

“Exactly,” Justin, standing nearby, chimed in, “It’s just a pendant, what’s the big deal, Skylar, you’re too petty. ”

“Justin, stop it. ” Eleanor tugged at Justin, then turned to me, “Your sister likes it, so just let her have it. ”

I looked at Liam, who had remained silent. Liam looked slightly uncomfortable under my gaze. His eyes shifted to the pendant in Aria’s hand. He had some recollection of that pendant. The first time he met me, I was holding that very pendant. But he owed Aria too much. Liam spoke indifferently: “It’s just a pendant. If Aria likes it, let her have it. ”

I looked at these people before me, feeling an extreme sense of alienation. “Just a pendant? ”

I suddenly laughed. My grandmother and I had depended on each other until I was sixteen; she was the only family I had in this life. “That was given to me by my grandmother! What right does Aria Vance have to take it?! ”

“I’m your sister! ”

I yelled with all my might: “No, you’re not! ”

Hearing this, Richard’s eyes widened. I didn’t give him a chance to speak. “Dad, for Aria Vance, you sent me away and ruined my future. Are you now going to take my pendant too? You owe your fellow officer, but I owe no one! ”

Back then, Aria wanted to study medicine abroad, and I wanted to go to college. There was enough money for both of us to attend school. But Richard, wanting Aria to have a good life, gave her double the living expenses. At that time, I had just passed my art entrance exam. But Richard told me to stop studying art. I begged him many times to let me continue painting. Richard remained unmoved. Stung by my words, Richard stood up from the sofa and slapped me hard across the face. “What are you doing! ” Eleanor pulled Richard back, then walked over to me. “Skylar, your father didn’t mean it. Be generous, apologize to Dad, and this will all blow over. ”

Eleanor always tried to appease everyone like this. Her actions always left me feeling utterly helpless. “You knew that was from Grandma, why did you give it to Aria?! ”

I grabbed Eleanor’s hand, forcing her to look at me, “Mom, that was the only thing Grandma left me! I’ve given up everything else, why do you have to take the last thing from me too? ”

Eleanor was at a loss for words. Aria spoke up from the side. “Skylar, don’t blame Mom, it’s all my fault. I’ll give it back to you. ”

6. “You brat! ”

Richard glared at me, “If you dare to take back that pendant today, I’ll pretend I never had a daughter like you! ”

“Skylar, you’re making things very difficult for Mom. ”

“Please don’t be angry. ”

Aria comforted Eleanor. “Skylar, don’t let Mom and Dad argue anymore. It’s rare for a family to get together; harmony in the home brings prosperity. ”

Aria came up to me, blocking the view of the others in the room. She dangled the pendant in front of me, her voice so low only I could hear it. “If I had known this was your grandmother’s relic, I never would have wanted it. ”

“What bad luck. ”

Aria’s finger twitched, and the pendant fell to the floor. The sound of the pendant shattering echoed in my ears. I was momentarily speechless. Aria feigned surprise, covering her mouth. “Oh dear, Skylar, I didn’t mean it. Why did you push me? ”

I knelt down, trembling, to pick up the fragments. As I stood up, I saw my family staring intently at me. As if afraid I would do something drastic. Liam even stood in front of Aria, shielding her. I had originally wanted to make a scene. But now, I was just so tired. Silently gathering the pendant fragments, I stared at Liam, speaking each word clearly. “Meet me at the registry office on Monday. We’re getting divorced. I’ll give you your freedom. And I wish you both, a reunion. ”

Liam’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. Could I… have found out? Without waiting for anyone to speak, I turned and rushed out into the rain. “Skylar, take an umbrella. ”

Eleanor stood in the living room with an umbrella, but Richard snatched it from her hand. “Take what? Is a little rain going to kill her? ”

“Because of a broken pendant, she even dared to lay hands on her sister. Look, this is your well-taught daughter. ”

Eleanor stood by the door, sighing repeatedly. Liam paused for a moment, then finally noticed a small amount of blood on the spot where the pendant had shattered. Just as he was about to chase after me, Aria suddenly grabbed his sleeve. “Liam, did I do something wrong? Skylar hates me so much. ”

Liam comforted her: “Aria, it’s not your fault. ”

By the time Liam turned back, I was gone. It was just a small injury. I should be fine. Thinking this, Liam helped Aria back into the living room. It took me over ten minutes after leaving the house to hail a cab. Once inside, the driver handed me a dry towel. “Miss, wipe yourself off. Don’t catch a cold. ”

I took the towel. “Thank you. ”

The driver drove, gently advising me. “In this day and age, there’s nothing you can’t get through. Just hold on a little longer. ”

The driver’s words brought a few tears to my eyes. I used to believe that too. But now, I couldn't hold on any longer. Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Mr. Davies. “Ms. Hamilton, your agreement has been drafted. Do you have time to meet tomorrow? ”

“Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Davies. We’ll meet tomorrow.