Chapter 2

Juliet nodded. In no time, she grabbed Curtis and my parents, practically bouncing as she led them to dinner.

The dinner cost a fortune, and my parents could barely hide how much it pained them.

But Juliet took it all in stride, like she was used to living in luxury.

After dinner, I tagged along as they headed back to the hotel.

Curtis brushed off Juliet's playful attempt to lure him with her pajamas. He wandered over to the window, zoning out as he smoked, lost in his thoughts.

I drifted over to my parents' room. They were still awake, probably still hurting over how much that fancy dinner had cost them.

They sat on the bed, shaking their heads and sighing again and again.

Mom tried to call me, only to realize my phone was switched off.

Their faces darkened even further.

In their minds, every time we had a falling out, it was always the same old pattern: they'd come down hard on me, then turn around and try to smooth things over with a little kindness.

As long as they were the ones to call first, that was their way of letting me save face, and just like that, everything would blow over. That was how it always went.

But this time, there was no one left to answer the phone.

Worry was written all over my mom's face as she looked at Dad. She said, "Maurice, Juliet's always spending money like it's going out of style. She never saves a dime.

"When we get old, we'll have to count on Harley to take care of us. But she didn't pick up our call just now. Do you think she's holding a grudge against us?"

Dad took a drag from his cigarette, snorted, and said in a hard voice, "We brought her into this world. We're her real parents.

"And Juliet is not in good shape. It's only right for Juliet to put her sister first. What right does she have to be upset?"

I stood silently in the corner, expressionless as I watched them. All I could do was mock them in my head.

For a moment, I was almost grateful I was already dead.

Half a month later, they wrapped up their sweet engagement trip and came back home.

Juliet flopped down on my wedding bed in my pajamas, acting all casual like she was the lady of the house.

Curtis glanced around the room, as if he was searching for a trace of me.

But after looking everywhere, it finally hit him. There wasn't a single trace of me left in the house.

He stood at the doorway of the study where I used to spend so much time, staring off into space.

"Curtis, I'm your wife now, so I don't want any traces of another woman left in this house," Juliet said.

She draped her smooth arms over Curtis's chest, leaning in close as she purred, "I've bought so many clothes lately. Why not turn this study into a walk-in closet for me?"

Her sweet voice was like a hook, tugging at Curtis's heart in a way he couldn't quite explain.

But Curtis gently brushed her hands away, keeping some distance between them, looking clearly torn.

"Juliet, Harley is still my wife. I'm only doing this to make you happy. Can we leave the study alone?" Curtis said, sounding unsure.

"No!" Juliet cut him off, her eyes welling up with tears, her voice both spoiled and stubborn. "I'm your real wife now. You can't keep anyone else in your heart."

In the end, Curtis gave in and agreed to turn my study into Juliet's walk-in closet.

"Put that over there," Juliet called out, her tone crisp and commanding.

"Throw this out," she said.

"And toss that one too," she added.

In the study, Juliet directed the workers, having them clear out my belongings piece by piece.

Curtis stood by, watching it all unfold, not saying a word.

He remembered clearly as day how many times I had told him that since I was little, all I ever wanted was a study I could call my own.

He knew how my parents always played favorites, all the crap I had to put up with as a kid, and how much I wanted him to stand by me.

But now, he was dead set on playing the hero for Juliet, like I never even existed.

This study was where I had chased my dreams, every win I ever had flashing before my eyes.

But now, it was getting wiped out, fading away bit by bit.

Before long, the study was gone, replaced by a brand-new walk-in closet.

Just like my whole life, Juliet was taking it all for herself.

In the corner of the study, my old fountain pen lay forgotten.

Curtis made his way over, crouched down, and picked up the pen.