Chapter 2
I kept feeding myself these lies, pretending I believed them, even though deep down I knew I was just fooling myself.
But all my self-delusions were blown apart the moment Vivian showed up.
When she saw my face looking almost perfect now, jealousy flashed in her eyes.
"Allison, just because you patched up your face, you really think Eric's going to marry you?
"Didn't you know? Eric set that fire so I could stay in the Todd family," she said coldly.
Her words shattered the last of my illusions.
"What do you mean?" I managed to ask, my voice trembling so badly I could barely get the words out.
"What do I mean? You're just a nobody who can't even show your face, and you actually think you can go up against me?" Vivian scoffed.
"Eric belongs to me, and that gold medal from the design competition? That's mine, too," Vivian said, her eyes burning with malice.
Her taunts and Eric's cold, dismissive laugh kept replaying in my mind, their scorn blending together in an endless loop.
My tears slid down my cheeks and into the corners of my mouth, tasting bitter and sour.
That was when Eric walked back in.
Vivian rushed over to him, her eyes teary and red, looking all sweet and innocent.
She looked just like a startled little rabbit, all sweet and harmless.
"Eric, I just wanted to borrow Allison's bracelet for a bit, and she got so upset," Vivian said, her voice all soft and innocent, totally putting on an act.
At her words, I froze for a moment, then looked up.
And there it was—my grandmother's bracelet, the only keepsake she left behind.
My grandmother was the only family I had before I was brought back to the Todd family.
She died three years ago, saving me.
That bracelet was the only thing that kept her memory alive for me.
"Allison, it's just a bracelet. If Vivian likes it, just give it to her.
"If you want, I'll get you another one later," Eric said.
His tone was so doting, and he didn't even spare me a glance—his eyes were glued to Vivian the whole time.
For a second, I couldn't even tell if he was talking to me or her.
"That bracelet was the only thing my grandmother ever left me," I argued, my voice raw and desperate.
As soon as the words left my mouth, there was a loud snap.
The bracelet splintered into shards in an instant.
I scrambled to the shattered pieces, eyes wild and bloodshot with grief.
Vivian met my gaze, then quickly hid behind Eric, acting all scared and innocent.
Eric immediately pulled Vivian protectively into his arms, his face soft with pity.
"She didn't mean to. Vivian, apologize to Allison," he said, his tone indulgent, barely glancing at me.
Vivian mumbled, "Sorry, I didn't mean to."
She pouted, putting on her best pitiful act.
Eric brushed Vivian's nose with a playful, intimate gesture.
"No more mischief next time, okay? I'll forgive you just this once," he said, his voice dripping with affection.
"I brought your favorite seafood chowder. Come try some." he coaxed, sounding so gentle.
He just set the food he'd bought for me aside on the table, barely glancing my way.
Then Eric began blowing gently on the steaming spoonful before lifting it to Vivian's lips.
Watching the two of them, I couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh.
Eric froze, an awkward look flashing across his face.
He stood up, dragged me into his arms, and whispered in my ear, "Vivian's been busy all morning and hasn't had a bite to eat.
"We grew up together—she's just like a little sister to me, that's all."
I dropped my gaze, hoping he wouldn't notice how much it hurt.
All I could think about were those moments when they'd acted so close, playing over and over in my head.
Eric had always made excuses like this, brushing me aside every time.
If I hadn't heard those vicious, humiliating things they said about me, I probably would've kept falling for his lies.