Chapter 4 The next day, Ethan came to pick me up. I sat quietly by the car window. He glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "Eleanor... How about I find you a new place to live?" When I didn't respond, he cleared his throat awkwardly. "There's a new development in the North District. Close to the subway, half an hour to the manor-" Amelia's custom ringtone cut him off. "What? Your foot is swollen? Wait there-I'm coming." After hanging up, he seemed to remember I was still there. "Eleanor, Amelia sprained her..." "It's fine," I said, smiling faintly. "I'll go on my own." Ethan hesitated, watching my thin, lonely figure, suppressing his irritation. He told himself he'd make it up to me after Amelia's birthday. After all, in his eyes, I was easily satisfied with crumbs. When I pushed open the door of the dress shop, I froze. There at the counter was Amelia-with a pair of scissors, hacking randomly at a gown. It was the dress my mother designed for me before she died-my coming-of-age gift. The only keepsake I had left. All these years, I'd kept it wrapped in darkness, afraid of fading or snags. Now the wrapping was torn off, and the dress was in shreds. It felt like I'd been slapped. My head rang. "Who said you could touch my things?!" I shouted. Amelia backed away, startled-and with a rip, the scissors sliced straight through the bodice. My mind went blank. My hand rose instinctively, but before I could reach her, Ethan shoved me hard. I crashed into a display cabinet behind me. Ceramic ornaments fell, shattering against me and on the floor. This time, Ethan didn't bother pretending. He glared furiously. "Have you lost your mind, Eleanor? You'd hit her over a dress?" Chapter 4 50.00% त Amelia hid behind him, wide-eyed. "Sis, I just thought the style was outdated... I wanted to help alter it. I didn't mean to..." Then she winced, clutching her arm. Ethan tensed at the thin red line where a piece of ceramic had nicked her. His face darkened as he stared at me. "I should have known you'd bite the hand that feeds you. That's the thanks I get? After all I've done for you?" "Flying off the handle over nothing-you're not half the person Amelia is. Thank God I kept you outside all these years. If you'd set foot in Crawford Manor with that temper, our parents would've died all over again." Each word was a barbed whip, tearing open old wounds until I felt hollow. Amelia grabbed my arm, crying pitifully. "Sis, if you're mad, hit me-don't fight with brother!" Her nails dug into the sensitive rash. I jerked away instinctively. She screamed and fell hard-though I'd barely touched her. Ethan's palm struck my face sharply. My head snapped to the side, ears ringing. Through my hair, I saw his furious eyes. "Apologize to Amelia now, or you'll never set foot in Crawford Manor." I hung my head, numb. I didn't want to cry, but tears fell like broken strings. I wanted to ask, If you don't love me, why did you bring me back? But in the end, I only gathered the torn fabric, held it to my chest, and stumbled out of the shop. Behind me, Ethan's yelling continued, "I have no such disgraceful sister. Let her go home and reflect." The night before the party, he sent me a voice message-full of self-righteous fairness, "Eleanor, Amelia cried all day because of you. As an apology, I'm giving her the crown that was made for you. I smoothed things over-just come tomorrow, apologize properly, and don't make this harder for me. I almost laughed. Packing the last of my clothes, I replied, "Okay." His call came instantly, tentative. "Eleanor... You're not angry, are you?" "No." A pause. "And... ... you saw what was on the invitation?" Chapter 4 50.00% "Yes, I saw." I could almost feel his relief through the phone. He must have laughed at himself for worrying. But deep down, a thread of unease remained-my calmness was unusual. He told himself he'd make it up to me after the birthday party. The next day, all the guests had arrived. Ethan showed up with Amelia, dressed extravagantly-only for the driver to tell him he hadn't been able to find me. His heart dropped. Remembering my tone last night, a wave of panic seized him. Fumbling, he finally unlocked his phone and called me. He didn't even notice how badly his voice was shaking. "Eleanor, where are you? Everyone's waiting! I'm bringing you home today." Pulling my suitcase through the station, I saw a man waving energetically in the distance. "I am home," I said. Chapter 4 50.00% Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!