Chapter 3

I wore the bracelet Richard gave me every single day. It was like a part of me.

But about six months ago, when I found out I was terminally ill, I started wasting away. My wrist got so skinny that the bracelet just wouldn't stay on anymore, so I had to take it off. Even though I really didn't want to.

Richard knew exactly how much that bracelet meant to me. However, he gave it away to Chana.

Richard just stared at me, completely unmoved, like I was something filthy that made him sick.

I stared him down, once again repeating my demand, my voice shaking with desperation. "Richard, give me back my bracelet."

My voice was so shrill and desperate that Chana looked absolutely terrified, clinging to Richard and shaking like a leaf.

"Richard, I'm so scared. Maybe I should just give the bracelet back to Angelina," Chana whispered.

Richard gently tapped Chana's nose, his tone full of affection. "No need. It's just a bracelet."

After making sure Chana was okay, Richard turned to me, impatience clear in his voice. "Angelina, whether it's the bracelet or the house, if Chana wants it, just hand it over.

"She's just hormonal right now. Cut her some slack. If it really bothers you, I'll pay you back or something."

Just like that, Richard brushed off everything those things meant to me.

Richard and I owned plenty of properties, but this little two-bedroom place was the only one I ever truly called home.

"Angelina, I'm giving you one day. If you're still here after that, don't blame me if I have to get tough," Richard said.

That was it. Every last bit of love I had left for Richard just vanished.

"Richard, I don't want the bracelet or the house anymore," I said.

I pushed my hair out of my face, forcing myself up from the floor, every muscle screaming in protest.

With my body threatening to give out with every step, I dragged myself back to my room to grab the papers that actually mattered.

As I walked past Richard, he instinctively reached out to stop me, his brow furrowed. "Angelina, you forgot to take our wedding photos."

He paused, his voice heavy as he added, "And you left your wedding ring behind, too."

"I don't want them anymore," I replied.

I shoved his arm away. "Richard, I don't want any of it. Not the photos, not the ring, not anything."

For a split second, I caught a flicker of panic in Richard's eyes, but he quickly pulled himself together.

"Yeah, Chana just wants to crash here for a few days. It's just a whim. Once she moves into the new villa I just got, this place will go back to being ours," he said.

When I didn't respond, Richard's voice softened. "Angelina, I know this isn't fair to you. Just try to behave, alright? Stop giving the girl such a hard time."

Just then, the wind started howling outside, and in an instant, rain came pouring down in sheets.

Richard went inside, grabbed an umbrella, and pressed it into my hands. "Angelina, you're not in good health. Don't get caught in the rain."

I gripped the umbrella tightly and walked straight into the storm, not looking back.

I'd spent my whole life in the rain.

But the fiercest, coldest downpour of all was brought to me by the man I once loved with all my heart.

I booked a flight to Southvale and left by myself that night, finally heading back to the only place I ever called home.

Richard was right. Every last one of my family was gone.

But I still wanted to go back to the place where I was born and raised, just to see it one last time.

I can still picture the soft, sickly look on my mom's face.

Back then, she'd always be lying under that old locust tree in our yard, just staring up at the sky, lost in thought for hours.

And on her good days, she'd call me over and keep reminding me of the same things, again and again, like she was afraid I'd forget.

"Angelina, you know I'm not in good health. Promise me you'll look after yourself.

"Your brother's fate is his own. Don't let his troubles become yours," she'd say softly.

Meanwhile, my goofy little brother, just five years old, would squat by the wall, totally absorbed in watching ants move their home.

Besides that, he was always my little shadow. Wherever I went, he'd be right behind me, tagging along without fail.

It was one of the few warm memories I had in an otherwise desolate life.