Chapter 1
After my parents died in battle at the border, my brother was diagnosed with post-traumatic amnesia.
Just because I slapped Alyssa Mendez, the fake heiress, he threw me and my cat out of the house for the tenth time.
I passed out in the snow.
My cat, who'd stuck by me for a decade, drowned in the water while searching for someone to save me.
On the day I woke up, one of my brother's buddies from the camp casually told me, "Clive is just sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.
"After he kicked you out that day, he didn't say a single word to Alyssa.
"He got wasted at the camp, drank himself sick, and kept calling out your name.
"Lucia, if you just say something nice to him, he'll bring you back home in a heartbeat."
I held my cat's body, already cold and lifeless.
This time, I was sick of hearing it.
That brother I had endured for ten years and that love that only ever existed in other people's words—I no longer wanted either.
I left home for good.
Later, I heard that my brother had recovered his memory and left the camp in defiance of military discipline.
In the heavy snow at night, he wandered around in a daze, asking everyone he met, "Have you seen my Lucy?"
*****
Just as my hand landed on Alyssa's cheek in a furious slap, my brother, Clive Woods, walked in.
Elarion had been hit with heavy snow for half a month straight.
He'd just rushed back from the camp, still in his military uniform, the chill of winter still clinging to him.
Just as I was about to slap Alyssa across the other cheek, my wrist was caught in a tight grip.
Pain shot up my arm, and when I glanced over, I saw Clive's face—cold and furious.
Clive's voice shook with anger as he snapped, "Lucia, you're really pushing it now."
Alyssa's cheek was red and swollen, and she protested angrily, "I-I just thought the kitten was cute and wanted to pet it.
"Lucia, if you were upset, you could've said something instead of hitting me."
I couldn't break free from Clive's grip, so I glared at Alyssa.
I said, "Don't even think about laying a finger on anything that belongs to me.
"Next time, I'll break that hand of yours."
Clive looked furious, like he couldn't stand hearing another word from me.
He cut me off, his voice booming with fury. "Enough!"
Esme Stephens, the nanny, let out a sigh.
She looked at me like I was totally losing it, as if I was some lunatic throwing a fit.
My cat was the only one who had my back, hissing and bristling right at my feet.
Clive looked absolutely disappointed.
He shot me a look, but as my brother, he was stuck—he couldn't really punish me.
His eyes swept the room and finally locked onto my cat.
He snapped, "If that wild thing hurts one of the kids here, what are we supposed to do?
"Esme, get rid of it."
He knew all too well what mattered most to me.
My mind buzzed for a moment, and I desperately grabbed my cat, clutching it tightly in my arms.
For ten years, no one had my back anymore.
Honestly, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
But I still squared my shoulders and glared at Clive.
I said, "Then throw me out with it.
"That way, no one will ever hurt Alyssa again."
Alyssa's eyes were teary and full of hurt.
She said, "Lucia, if you don't want me around, I'll just leave.
"You know Clive's always put you first. He'd never let you leave."
Clive and I had been siblings for over twenty years.
Alyssa had known him for ten years, so she understood him inside out too.
Clive joined the army at sixteen, and he was the type who only responded to kindness; he hated being threatened.
After Alyssa spoke, the brief hesitation in his eyes vanished.
He stared at me, his face cold as ice.
He said, "Take your cat and get lost.
"You really think I'd beg you to stick around, Lucia?"
I walked straight out, my cat in my arms.
Behind me, Clive's voice thundered with rage. "Once she's out, let's see if anyone has the guts to let her back in."
I didn't look back.
Esme hurried after me, sighing.
She said, "Lucia, Lieutenant Woods, has been through so much these years.
"You know deep down he cares about you more than anyone. Can't you try to be a little more understanding?"
For ten years, everyone kept saying the same thing.
But I couldn't feel any of that "care" Clive supposedly had for me.
As I walked out of the base housing, the soldiers and their families spotted me and, just like always, started calling out after me.
They said, "Lieutenant Woods lost his parents, you know.
"He's been holding the family together and taking care of you all these years.
"He just has a sharp tongue, but deep down, you're the one he cares about most."
Another echoed, "Lucia, can't you show a little understanding for your brother?"
They all shook their heads and sighed, looking at me like I was just some clueless kid throwing a tantrum.
I'd been listening to these lectures for ten years.
Every time people tried to talk me into forgiving him, my anger and resentment always ended up turning into pity and guilt for Clive.
But in that moment, a surge of resentment hit me.
I glanced sideways at the group of soldiers and their families.
My voice was rough and strained.
I said, "Clive isn't the only one who lost his parents."
I was just a teenager when I lost mine too.
When he was drowning in grief, I was just a kid, learning to stand on a stool and make him medicine and oatmeal.
I went from a spoiled little princess to someone who learned to endure and compromise.
Alyssa claimed my study and my brother.
No matter how much I hated her or yelled at her, she still stayed with us for ten years.
But no one ever listened to me.
All I got was more lectures and blame.
They said, "Your brother's a soldier; you know he's never been much of a talker.
"Come on, everyone here knows you're the one he loves most.
"Take my advice, Lucia. Just go make it right with your brother."