Chapter 3
Before I could climb the stairs, Tracie barked, "The second floor's converted into Everett's room. He doesn't like people touching his belongings, and your stuff is in the servants' quarters!"
I froze.
Since when did I even lose the right to a room in the house?
Forcing down the sting in my chest, I pointed upstairs. "Mom and Dad left me that room, so what gives you the right to hand it to him?"
"Forget it," I added. "I'm done arguing over that. Dad's paintings and my trophies are still in there, and I'm taking them with me."
Adeline's gaze nervously flickered before she started stammering. It was Tracie who answered and calmly told the truth. "Everett found that junk an eyesore and threw it out ages ago. There's nothing else you own in the room."
Fury erupted in my chest. The family photos, paintings from Dad, and trophies I had with Mom at the kindergarten fairs were some of the few tangible memories they had left me.
For countless sleepless nights, I had clung to these objects as I missed Mom and Dad, but to Adeline and Everett, they were just trash!
That was when Jayne texted to ask when I would be home, so I took a deep breath and decided that this wasn't worth delaying what actually mattered.
"Fine! If nothing's left, at least give me the five million dollars Mom and Dad had left me."
Adeline immediately looked guilty, while Tracie dared not respond either.
"What inheritance? Do you have any idea what three years in the hospital comes to? Everything's spent on your medical bills!"
"Exactly! Think about how much we spent on the caregivers! Everett never had that kind of luxury!"
That was when Everett smugly sauntered over. "Oh, inheritance? Are you talking about the five million dollars you all gave me for my birthday?"
Looking at his tailored suit and limited-edition watch, everything finally clicked.
"Did you give my share of Mom and Dad's inheritance to Everett?"
Tracie flared up with defensive anger and shot back, "So what if we did? Everett gave you his blood for three years! Without him, you'd be dead!
"How could you be this ungrateful, Aston? You deserved to be a vegetable for three years!
"This is the least you owe him as compensation!"
Adeline looked at me with the same disdain as if I were an ingrate.
They had probably forgotten that I had gotten into the car crash in the first place because I had been trying to save them, and that was how I ended up being a vegetable for three years.
My voice came out rough with bitterness as I shot back, "I paid him a million dollars three years ago, so what exactly do I still owe him?
"Do you think I wanted to be in a coma for three years?"
For a fleeting second, guilt flickered in their eyes before Everett sniffed and ran out the door.
"This is all my fault! I shouldn't have taken the money, even if my dad's surgery depended on it!
"I'll take it back, Aston! Even if my dad dies because of it, I won't owe you a single penny!"
The guilt in Adeline's eyes instantly vanished as she shot me a resentful glare. "Why did you have to say that in front of Everett?"
Then, she turned and ran after him.
Tracie stayed behind, but when I tried to leave, she blocked my way. "We do owe you for the car crash back then, but we can't change the past.
"Apologize to Everett, and the engagement can still happen. You'll be my husband, but don't expect to own my heart again."
I shook her off hard and coldly snapped, "I don't need it."
…
Adeline and Tracie waited all night for me to come home with an apology.
By morning, Tracie finally lost her patience. "He's probably out hiding at Azure Villas! I'm going to find him and drag him back to apologize to Everett!"
"I'm coming too!" Adeline added. "He's the reason Everett hasn't slept a wink all night!"
When they sped to Azure Villas, they were met with a massive convoy of Rolls-Royces delivering a bride, who stepped out and entered one of the villas.
Tracie panickedly pushed through the crowd and asked, "Who's getting married? This is such a grand spectacle!"
"The heiress of the Coopers and the Reeve family's son, Aston Reeve. I heard they fell in love at first sight and got registered for marriage even before hosting the wedding."
Both she and Adeline stared wide-eyed. "Are you talking about… Aston Reeve?"
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