Chapter 2

Alan believed Zoria's attending doctor and brought me home.

I went along with it, wanting to pack my belongings and leave the Dudley family.

I slowly climbed the stairs. Because I fled from the avalanche, my legs were unsteady, and I could only walk slowly.

From behind me, Zoria's whiny voice came. "Alan, my foot hurts a little."

Then there was another gasp from her before hurried footsteps passed by me.

I looked up. Alan was carrying Zoria, his tall figure completely hiding her.

I saw her slender calves, before suddenly meeting Zoria's gaze.

Her lips were curved as she looked at me provocatively, lightly wiggling her foot.

I realized she was pretending.

As I approached my room, I saw a slender figure through the ajar door, holding a bracelet.

My eyes narrowed. I rushed in, snatching the bracelet. "Zoria, don't you know not to touch other people's belongings without permission?

"And why are you in my room?"

Zoria wasn't annoyed. She just ran her fingers through her hair and scoffed, "Is a mere bracelet worth all this fuss?

"Besides, this is the Dudleys' residence. Everything here belongs to Alan. You don't have a room here. Once Alan gets tired of you and marries me, this huge house will be mine."

I was so angry I almost laughed. How could someone be so shameless?

I said, "I don't care whether you'll marry Alan in the future. I want you out of my room now."

Zoria's eyes instantly turned red, and her body swayed precariously.

She said, "Lea, I-I just wanted to come and see you and talk to you. If you don't like it, I'll leave now."

With that, she ran past me towards the door.

I sneered and turned around. Sure enough, I saw Alan.

He blocked the doorway angrily, glaring at me as he roared, "Lea, how long do you intend to continue causing trouble?"

Zoria patted Alan's shoulder, her tone dejected. "It's alright. Lea is still frightened and hasn't recovered yet. I'll come see her again tomorrow. I'm going back to the hospital now."

Alan stood firm and spoke softly to Zoria, "Zoria, stay here today. I'll arrange a room for you. Tomorrow I'll take you to the hospital."

After comforting Zoria, Alan turned to me and coldly demanded, "When did you become like this? Zoria only came to see you out of kindness, but you told her to leave.

"How could you be so evil? Apologize to Zoria immediately."

Although I had already decided to leave Alan, his words still stung.

Evil. I never expected Alan to think this way of me.

I looked numbly at Zoria and Alan. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

Alan's angry expression softened slightly, satisfied with my apology.

He said, "Lea, I'm glad that you know you were wrong. When Zoria is fully recovered, and you remain good, we'll get engaged."

However, I said calmly, "If you don't want to be engaged to me, I can call it off.‍"

Alan looked at me in disbelief, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes before he quickly calmed down.

He said, "Lea, you were clearly at fault. Shouldn't you apologize?

"How could you use our engagement to threaten me? Do you think I can't live without you?"

I replied, "Then let's call it off. I will-"

Alan interrupted me then, his entire body trembling, but I wasn't sure if it was from anger or fear. "Lea, what do you take me for?

"Do you think you can just call off the engagement? Even if it is possible, I'll be the one to call it off, not you."

He glared at me, then slammed the door and left.

I didn't care at all. No matter what, our engagement must be canceled.

Having made up my mind, I started to tally my funds.

Although I was just adopted, the Dudley family had never been stingy with money.

Even so, after starting university, I worked part-time and no longer spent the pocket money given by the Dudley family.

Now that I was moving out of the Dudleys' residence, I had enough money to live comfortably.

Satisfied, I started packing my belongings.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door.

A dignified and elegant woman, whose features resembled Alan's, stood at the door.

It was Lucia Dudley, Alan's mother.

Surprised, I urged her to come in. Lucia was a very gentle person and had always been kind to me.

Lucia placed the glass of milk she was holding on my bedside table, took my hand, and sat on the bed.

She said, "Lea, how are you feeling? I couldn't believe what Alan had done. He left you in the mountains for a week and hid it from his father and I. It must have been very cold and dangerous up there, right?"

As she spoke, Lucia's eyes reddened. She couldn't help but pull me into a hug, stroking my back with one hand.

Smelling the faint scent of laundry detergent on Lucia's clothes, my nose stung, and grievance spread from the depths of my heart.

Lucia babbled on, expressing concern for me and scolding Alan.

Being adopted by the Dudley family was probably the luckiest thing that ever happened to me.

Although I was adopted to bring good luck to Alan, his father, Melvin Dudley, and Lucia raised me as their daughter.

I would miss Melvin and Lucia when I left the Dudleys' residence.

After some hesitation, I decided to confide in Lucia and told her I wanted to break off the engagement.

Lucia stared at me with wide eyes, trying to find evidence that I was joking.

But my attitude was earnest and firm. I had decided to go abroad to study design a week later.

Once Lucia realized I was serious, she stroked my head affectionately.

She said, "You and Alan are both dear to me. I will talk to Melvin about this. Lea, I apologize to you for Alan; he went too far this time."