Chapter 2

Edmund froze, then his eyes lit up with surprise and delight. "Didn't you say you already liked someone and would never agree to an arranged marriage?" Caroline forced a faint smile. "I don't like him anymore." He slowly got up from his seat, circled the desk, and stopped in front of her. When he touched her rain-soaked clothes, his expression darkened. "Did that brat hurt you?" A sharp ache stirred in Caroline's chest again when she recalled those filthy conversations, but she couldn't let Edmund worry anymore. She would handle her own mess. "No. This is my decision. I'm willing to marry David." After all, it was something she had once dreamed about when she was younger, though that dream had long since expired. Edmund studied her, his eyes filled with heavy sadness. "Alright. Go take a hot shower and get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow." Caroline nodded and returned to her room. As she passed the other bedroom, she heard the faint sound of someone crying. She knocked on the door softly and pushed it open. "Carol, do you think it's pathetic to fall in love with your stepbrother?" Bianca looked at Caroline through tear-filled eyes. "But I've liked him for a long time. He was the man I loved throughout my entire youth. How did he end up becoming my stepbrother? "Later, he found my diary and accepted me. I thought my dream had finally come true. But after one mistake, he just threw me away. Carol, please… help me get him back, will you?" Looking at Bianca's tear-streaked face, Caroline felt a pang of pity. "Bianca, maybe you're not the problem. Maybe he never truly cared for you." Bianca's voice rose, sharp and trembling. "He never truly cared? What do you know about that? Do you think being calm and perfect all the time means you truly understand love? You don't even know him!" Caroline smiled bitterly. She did know. After all, she had once made the same reckless, painful mistake. But Bianca was still in college and had a future ahead of her. She didn't need to be tainted by this filth yet. "Go back to Breycia and finish your studies. When everything settles, I'll tell you the truth. If you still like him, I won't stop you." "Really? You'll let me be with Bradley and even help convince Dad?" Caroline nodded. "As long as you promise to focus on school and not contact him until then." Bianca's face brightened through her tears. "Okay, Carol. I'll listen to you. I'll fly back tomorrow." Caroline stayed with Bianca until the latter fell asleep, then returned to her own room to shower. But the rain and exhaustion caught up to her. By nightfall, she was burning up with fever. Her whole body burned with heat, and in her hazy state, she could vaguely feel someone gently wiping her forehead with a towel. When she forced her eyes open, she saw Bradley's face hovering close to hers. She tried to turn away, but he pulled her into his arms. "Be good. Take your medicine." He held her steady and pressed the cup and pills to her lips. Warm water slid down her throat. Her voice was hoarse as she said, "I took it. I'll be fine after a good night's sleep. You should go—" "Hush." He cut her off, wiping the moisture from her lips with his thumb. "You've said that same line for four years. Did I ever once listen?" He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. "Sleep. I'm right here." The fever left her weak. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted into sleep. The next thing Caroline heard was the door slamming open. Bianca said, "Carol! I've been waiting all morning. Why are you still in bed? I'm about to leave—"