Chapter 3

"Oh, and one more thing," he said.

As Warren took my hand, my heart skipped a beat.

I turned to meet his gaze, a little surprised. "Yeah?"

"That emerald bracelet you're wearing was given to you by my grandma," he said, his eyes fixed on the bracelet on my wrist.

Back then, when Brynn gave it to me, she told me, "Just keep it. It's yours."

I had worn the emerald bracelet every day for the past six years.

Warren grabbed my wrist and ordered sharply, "Take the bracelet off."

His stern look sent a sharp pain through my chest.

I tried to remove the bracelet, but it seemed impossible. No matter how many times I tried, it wouldn't budge.

Warren sounded impatient. "Are you refusing to take it off or what? This bracelet was given by Grandma to my future wife. You've worn it for six years. It's time to give it back."

I wasn't refusing. It genuinely wouldn't come off.

That was strange. My hand wasn't large, so it should have slipped off easily.

"If you can't get it off, I'll have someone help you," Warren said, grabbing my arm and motioning for a servant to come over.

We tried everything, including lotion, oil, and soapy water. None of it helped.

Warren tightly, and the bracelet pressed against my bone.

Pain shot through me, making me tremble.

"Warren, stop. I really can't get it off," I cried out, my voice shaking.

My left hand had turned red and swollen, larger than the right, making removal even harder.

I'd heard that if an emerald bracelet couldn't be removed, it meant it had a strong connection to whoever wore it, and that connection shouldn't be cut off.

Warren frowned and let out a sigh, then grabbed an ashtray nearby and smashed it onto the bracelet.

There was a sharp crack, and the bracelet broke into three fragments.

The ashtray slammed into my hand, and I grimaced in agony. The broken emerald bracelet sliced my skin, and blood started streaming down my hand.

My eyes filled with tears as I gazed at Warren, stunned and hurt.

Did it really have to be so extreme? He'd rather destroy the bracelet than let me keep wearing it.

"You shouldn't be wearing it anymore. If you can't take it off, then smash it," Warren said, giving me a cold, scornful look.

I stared at the shattered bracelet, biting my lips. Pushing my suitcase, I walked out of the house, not even glancing back.

When I got home, my parents didn't ask me anything. They were strangely calm.

I could tell that they already knew what had happened.

The servant took my suitcase, and my parents just said, almost out of habit, "Anne, glad you're home.

"If you ever fall for a guy, just let us know. We'll arrange it for you and make sure you end up with a decent family."

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

All my life, my parents had favored Nadia. Even though we looked identical and were both their children, they preferred her. They liked her outgoing, carefree personality.

Me? I was the quiet, closed-off one.

"Don't bother. I just want to be alone for a while," I said.

I packed my things in my room. My plane ticket to Gorven was already booked, and I would be leaving in just three days.

Before I left, I wanted to be there for Brynn's birthday party.

After I finished washing up, I was about to go talk to my parents, but when I got to their door, I overheard their conversation.

"Good thing Warren's leg healed last month. That's why I hurried Nadia to break up with that foreign guy. It was always supposed to be Nadia who married Warren. She's the only one good enough for him."

"We didn't have a choice. I never wanted Nadia to marry a guy who couldn't even walk."

"Let's pick a proper time and get those two married."

It turned out that Warren's legs were fine the whole time. He even faked being disabled in front of me for a month, all for Nadia.

My parents knew everything from the start, and they kept me completely in the dark.

They didn't want Nadia to marry a man with a disability, so they made me take her place. Did they ever care what that would do to me?

I felt like I spent my youth for nothing.

A tear fell from my eye, and I laughed, bitter and incredulous.

Today was Brynn's ninetieth birthday, and the Dawson family had gone all out; the party was as extravagant as it got.

Over the past few years, Brynn had grown a bit forgetful, and she barely recognized most folks.

"Anne, I'm so glad you're here," Brynn said.

Brynn still remembered me. Even though Nadia and I were twins and many relatives couldn't tell us apart, she could always recognize us at a glance.

I crouched beside Brynn's leg and said softly, "Mrs. Dawson, I miss you so much."