She Bloomed Before She Died

Synopsis

On my twentieth birthday, I carried the cake I'd set aside upstairs to give to my brother, Richard Rossi. But unexpectedly, outside the door, I heard the familiar voice of my childhood friend, Eugene Shields. "I want to break off the engagement," he said. I froze in my tracks. After a moment of silence, Richard's calm, deep voice rang out. "Are you declaring war on the Rossi family?" "No, Don Richard. Julia doesn't like the engagement either. It's a burden to her. I want to set her free," Eugene replied. My breath caught. Inside, the sound of porcelain shattering echoed, and then Richard erupted in fury. "That's because the doctors misdiagnosed her before, saying she wouldn't live past eighteen. She didn't want to drag you down. "If you dare to let Julia down, I swear I'll make your family pay a bloody price." I instinctively moved to stop Richard. Richard had fought so hard to keep the Rossi family together. I couldn't let it be thrown into turmoil again because of me. I pressed the doorknob. At the same time, Eugene's mocking voice rang out clearly. "What a hypocrite. Acting like some good brother. You're scared I'll snatch Wendy, your precious foster sister, away from you, aren't you?"