Chapter 2

The man before me gradually merged with the boy in my memory.

He'd shed his youthfulness and grown much more composed.

I stared at his face, feeling dazed.

I'd been on this island for seven whole years.

"So you destroyed me for that mistress's daughter."

He frowned, instinctively defending her.

"What mistress's daughter? Sienna suffered so much growing up."

"What her mother did has nothing to do with her."

"Jasmine, do you know how much it hurts Sienna every time you say that?"

I didn't know.

All I knew was that Sienna destroyed my family.

She was supposedly my foster sister.

But really, she was my dad's illegitimate daughter.

She was even born in the same month as me.

She could always play the victim.

She stole money from home and framed me for it.

Made my dad beat me senseless.

Bribed someone during the exam to frame me for cheating.

Then spread the news afterward.

Made the whole grade call me "Miss Cheater."

Cornered me in the bathroom with several people and threw dirty water on me.

Took photos of me soaking wet and humiliated, spreading them throughout the school.

Only my boyfriend Sebastian stood up for me.

I transferred schools later just to escape her.

But now.

She hadn't just taken my home.

She'd also conspired with Sebastian.

Sent me to a deserted island and destroyed my entire life.

I looked up, holding back tears.

"Why?"

He froze, then smiled lightly.

"When you dragged me along to confront your dad's mistress, I fell for her the moment I saw her."

"After you left, she came to find me. The little girl held back tears and called me brother. My heart melted completely."

His expression grew tender.

"Later, before you transferred, she played tricks on you a few times and asked me for help."

"I couldn't bear to disappoint her, so I didn't refuse."

I felt thunderstruck, my pupils contracting sharply.

So he'd been behind everything.

Sebastian and I had grown up together.

He'd always been so good to me.

I'd never considered anyone else.

He was my only choice.

At eight, little him saved me from human traffickers and took several beatings.

At fourteen, he secretly beat up all the boys who bullied me until their bones broke, getting hurt himself and not daring to go home.

At sixteen, he confessed to me for the first time, promising we'd go to the same university.

And at seventeen, he casually changed his heart.

Became her accomplice.

And pushed me into the abyss.

I collapsed to the floor, enduring the wrenching pain in my heart.

He crouched down and wiped my tears.

"You don't need to worry about anything staying here. Your mom died of illness last year."

"Your dad married Sienna's mom. She has high academic achievements now, doting parents, and me. She's living happily."

I stood up in disbelief.

"What did you say! How could my mom have died? She was so young, how is that possible?!"

His expression didn't change, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Your mom was good to me, Jasmine. I had no choice either."

"Cancer took her."

Seeing me frozen, he came over and gently embraced me.

"Jasmine, you were my first love. You have a place in my heart."

"We have a child now. Will you be good?"

His voice carried a coaxing tone.

"Be obedient, and I'll come visit you often."

"Tomorrow is my and Sienna's wedding anniversary. She's been begging me to take her on a romantic getaway at sea."

"Everyone on the island works for the Hayes family. They'll help me take care of you."

I stood there like a wooden statue, not responding.

My mother's gentle smile floated before my eyes.

She'd been dignified her whole life. When she found out her husband was cheating, she hadn't even blamed Sienna.

How could she possibly have died of cancer?

Did Uncle know?

Thinking of that man, I closed my eyes.

A gust of wind swept through the window, knocking a few withered leaves from the tree by the door.

I silently clenched my fists.

He would never have stood by and watched Mom get bullied.