Chapter 3
Once, I thought everyone might betray me except James.
We used to have a long-distance relationship across countries.
Back then, he would video call me every day like clockwork.
But at some point, he got busy. Our calls became random, his texts short and few.
He used to check the weather to send me warm things when it got cold.
He'd always have everything ready for me, from the newest jackets to the smallest things like socks.
When I noticed us growing apart, I felt lost. I teasingly asked him why he was always so busy.
He probably got annoyed by my constant questions, shooting me a text: [Two lives are gone. How can you stay so cheerful every day?]
I tried to explain, but he blocked me.
His last message read: [We need some space.]
Those few words killed what little hope I had left.
He must have forgotten.
Back my family basically kicked me out, he'd flown all the way back from overseas.
He'd waited downstairs my dorm in the winter cold just to say, "Ada, they'll realize it wasn't your fault soon. I'll always be here for you. Don't be scared."
I couldn't understand how someone who loved me so much changed so fast.
Back then, when I went to Claire's school to confront her, he showed up in a hurry.
I thought he came to look out for me.
Instead, the first thing he said was, "Claire's parents are dead. If you cared about her, you'd know how bad her depression is."
His scolding pushed my already fragile mind over the edge.
I looked at him through tears. "She's depressed. Am I supposed to be fine? She has no family, but I haven't been home in two years because of her."
He frowned, "That's temporary for you. But losing her parents is forever."
Suddenly, it dawned on me. "Have you two been talking privately?"
He froze.
At that moment, I finally understood why he got annoyed with my affection.
While Claire was pouring her pain out to him, my "carefree" attitude looked cruel.
All he could think about was Claire.
He never stopped to think I wasn't allowed to go home, so I had no way of knowing how Claire was doing.
He never knew I smiled simply to put him at ease.
The deaths of Uncle Matthew and Aunt Selena weighed on me too, almost crushing me.
We couldn't get through to each other and ended up arguing.
He said, red-eyed, "Claire didn't seduce me. I pity her, and I already agreed to marry her."
Everything I stood on was that I was his real fiancée.
But that day, he told me I wasn't anymore.
*****
I didn't have dinner that night.
James helped me up, but I threw up all over his clothes.
Then I spiked a high fever.
When I finally came to, it was the next day.
The smell of disinfectant told me I was in a hospital.
Sounds of an argument came from outside the door.
Claire's voice was dripping with anger. "Get it straight. You're married to me now. Why are you hugging her?"
James sounded tired. "We agreed that marrying you was only to help you get better.
"You know better than anyone. Ada isn't doing right."
Claire got furious. "How she's doing is none of my business. If you cared about her, you never would've married me."
Her eyes welled up with tears. "I shouldn't have let her come home. Ever since she came back, all of you have felt sorry for her.
"I'm her older sister. I should've been the one engaged to you. Mom had Ada so she could be adopted by Uncle Matthew.
"If she hadn't been born sick, Aunt Selena never would've taken me instead.
"Why am I the only one suffering? I've loved you since we were kids. You could've loved anyone but Ada. How am I supposed to accept that?"
Time seemed to freeze.
Everything made sense now.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out outside.
"Claire, stop!" shouted James.
Claire nearly threw herself off the tenth floor.
*****
Michael smoked cigarette after cigarette in my hospital room.
Finally, he said, "Ada, I want you to go to Sheriston."
He came clean.
"Back then, a rival company lost a bid against Dad. To get back at him, they tried to run me over with a car.
"Uncle Matthew got hurt trying to save me, and that's why he can't have kids.
"Claire didn't just take your place with Uncle Matthew and Aunt Selena; she's repaying a debt for me.
"You've been spoiled for 18 years. Now it's Claire's turn to be looked after.
"Losing Uncle Matthew and Aunt Selena was a huge blow for her.
"When she's better, I'll come get you, okay?"
I gripped the sheets and begged him, courage finally surging. "I can't see a thing. I'm scared to go anywhere else. When I was in that small town, I wanted to come home."
Michael snapped, frustrated. "Can you act your age? Why are you so spoiled?
"Dad only sent you to the small town to work a little so you wouldn't upset Claire. You had to run off and end up like this."
It wasn't work. Those men hurt me the whole time.
My mouth opened, but no words came out, only tears pouring down.
"Please," I begged, "let me stay. I promise I won't get in her way."
Michael didn't speak for a long time.
I felt scared, wiped away my tears, and forced myself not to cry.
Just as I was about to spill everything, he said, "If you don't listen to me, I'll ship you off to the small town."