Chapter 2

My beloved books—each one holding countless memories and small passions of mine—were mercilessly torn apart in Wesley and Byron's hands, pages scattering and fluttering through the air.

In that instant, my heart felt as if it had been stabbed, a pain deeper than any physical blow.

Without a word of explanation, Wesley and Byron turned and pulled out their phones to video-call Larissa. "Larissa, look! We tore up Raeyon's books. Dare complete!"

My chest tightened so sharply that I could barely breathe.

I would never have guessed that the inexplicably ruined books were nothing more than a game Wesley and Byron had been playing with Larissa.

On the other end of the screen came Larissa's breathy, syrupy laugh. "Wesley, Byron, you finished the dare. I promise I'll eat properly today."

Wesley and Byron both let out a long, relieved sigh.

Only after they hung up did they come over, feigning concern and trying to pull me in.

Wesley said, "Raeyon, are you mad? I'm so sorry. Larissa said if we didn't finish the dare she wouldn't eat properly. She's just a little girl and not in good health. And she can't skip meals, so we had to put you out."

Seeing me stay silent, Wesley and Byron finally panicked and hurriedly tried to soothe me.

Byron spoke up. "It's our fault.Wwe'll buy you some better books next time."

But before their words had even finished, Larissa's call came through again. She cried, "Wesley, Byron, I just accidentally bumped into one of the garden pillars.

"I'm so dizzy I can hardly stand. Could you come to the garden and carry me back to my room?"

At once their faces changed; they hung up and bolted for the garden, leaving me completely behind.

Watching Wesley and Byron's retreating backs, I smiled coldly.

This kind of thing wasn't new. But I didn't care anymore; let them do as they pleased.

At breakfast the next morning, Larissa was once again the center of attention.

When she saw me, Larissa put on a look of hurt and guilt. "Raeyon, I'm really sorry. Yesterday was just a game. I didn't expect them to actually tear all your books to pieces."

Wesley and Byron glanced at me at the same time, their expressions unreadable.

Instead, they smiled and reassured Larissa. "They're just books; it's no big deal. Larissa, you're just too soft-hearted."

Hearing that, I lowered my head and ate in silence, not saying a word.

After breakfast, Wesley and Byron left first. Soon, it was just Larissa and me.

The sweet, well-behaved Larissa everyone knew had completely changed now; her face was full of sharpness. She said coldly, "Raeyon, haven't you noticed?

"They stopped liking you a long time ago. So what if you're the Aviir family's biological daughter? You're still under my feet.

"You can't even imagine how much Wesley and Byron care about me. Even if I casually say I don't want to eat, they freak out and will do anything to coax me."

At first, when she bragged like that, I felt quietly sad. But after it happened so often, my heart slowly grew numb.

"Wesley and Byron are nothing but two good-for-nothings. If you want them, go ahead. Take them all," I said, looking at her coldly.

Larissa froze, probably used to my silence and completely unprepared for my retort.

Then Larissa flung her plate down and, pretending to lose her balance, collapsed to the floor.

Hearing the commotion, Wesley and Byron immediately ran back in.

Before I could react, Larissa pressed a hand to her face, eyes rimmed with tears and said, "I was just trying to check on Raeyon's face.

"I didn't expect her to actually slap me. And she said she was getting even for something I did earlier."