Chapter 2

Dad seemed pleased with how understanding I was. Even Portia smiled in satisfaction. They eventually left, but Evelyn remained.

“Let me help you pack your things, Ruth.” Evelyn innocently and affably stood before me.

Her gaze swept past the entirety of the room. Yet, there was an unconcealable hint of smugness in her eyes.

She taunted, “I never thought Dad would agree to let us switch rooms. Are you furious with me, Ruth? After all, I just stole Jon from you, and I’m taking the bedroom you’ve lived in for ten years from you now.”

I didn’t want to pay her any mind, so I turned to grab my suitcase.

That was when Evelyn cried out and dropped to the floor with a loud thud. “Ruth…”

She hit her arm on a corner of a nearby desk while falling, bruising her skin.

“What are you doing, Ruth?” Jonathan bellowed. He had come upstairs without me noticing and happened to witness Evelyn’s fall.

A stormy expression shrouded his face as he raced over. Then, he gingerly lifted Evelyn off the floor, carrying her in his arms.

“I’m fine, Jon. Ruth didn’t mean to do it…” Evelyn wiped her crocodile tears while acting like she was enduring intense pain. A soft smile curved across her face. “It doesn’t hurt, Jon.”

“How can you say that when your skin’s already bruised!” Jonathan stared at the bruise on Evelyn’s arm, pity and concern brimming in his eyes.

Contrarily, his eyes turned ice-cold when he looked at me. It was as though he was unleashing a snowstorm my way.

He snapped, “You can take whatever resentment you have out on me, Ruth, but don’t hurt Evelyn. She’s miserable enough, unlike you, who was born as a respected, upper-class lady. You’ve never experienced any difficulties in life.”

I thought Jonathan wouldn’t have any control over my emotions anymore. Likewise, I thought I would never cry another tear for him.

That said, I was still an ordinary girl; I wasn’t made of steel, nor did I have an unbreakable heart.

Jonathan was my childhood friend and boyfriend of three years. Yet, it took mere days before he fell in love with a younger woman and saw me as a malicious, detestable monster.

I didn’t want to cry; I wanted to laugh at the situation. However, my eyes were hurting and tearing up.

“We’ve known each other for many years, Jonathan. Wouldn’t you know what kind of person I am by now?” I asked.

A frown marred Jonathan’s face. His vision settled on my face, and his tough demeanor seemed to falter a little.