A Love That Fades

My childhood sweetheart and younger brother both fell in love with the underprivileged student who moved into our home.

After she took my family and fiancé away from me, I chose to disappear from their lives forever.

But after I left, the fiancé who once told me he wished I were dead went mad trying to find me.

"Mr. Langley, I've decided to turn over my patent to the government and join the National Medical Research Institute."

The principal, Edward Langley, stood up excitedly.

"That's wonderful, Miss Carter! Your patent will save hundreds, if not thousands, of patients.

"But this is a top-secret national research institute. You'll need to go incognito for at least three years. The journey starts in ten days. Are you sure you don't need to discuss this with your boyfriend or family?"

"That won't be necessary."

Selena Carter gave a bitter smile.

That place was no longer somewhere she could call home.

Last year, her family had been sponsoring an underprivileged student, Vanessa Johnson. After Vanessa's parents died in a car accident, Selena's father took her in.

Unlike Selena, who always kept to herself and focused on her work, Vanessa was good at winning people over. In less than a year, she had become the heart and soul of the Carter family.

Not only did Selena's father treat Vanessa well, but even Selena's fiancé, Ian Lowell, and her younger brother Ryan had fallen for Vanessa.

There was one time when Vanessa had broken Selena's late mother's portrait. Yet her father had dismissed it, saying the past should be left behind and ordered the entire memorial altar to be removed.

Even the patent Selena developed in memory of her mother—the cardiac stent she had spent years perfecting—Vanessa had wanted to take for herself.

To force Selena into giving it up, Ian had even threatened to break up with her.

Family ties and lifelong promises couldn't compete with sweet words and manipulation.

Selena was tired of fighting.

She just wanted to leave and set herself free.

When she arrived home, the contrast was stark. While she stood alone, the dining room was filled with warmth and laughter.

Her family was celebrating Vanessa's one-year anniversary of joining the Carter family.

No one had remembered that today was also Selena's birthday. Since her mother's passing, no one had ever given her a birthday gift or celebrated for her again.

She saw Ian and Ryan sitting on either side of Vanessa, their smiles warm as they handed her presents.

Selena's face was devoid of any emotion.

As she walked past the dining room, her father, Zachary Carter, called out to her. "I told you to talk to Mr. Langley and transfer the patent to Vanessa. Did you do it?"

Selena shook her head. "The patent isn't mine anymore."

Hearing this, everyone assumed she had done what they wanted and given it to Vanessa.

Ian was so excited that he hugged Vanessa. "That's great! This is a national-level patent! With this, your