Chapter 2

At dawn, I went out alone to reapply for my passport before anyone else woke up. When I returned home to say goodbye to my foster father, he looked genuinely delighted. "Not bad. You really are our precious princess. The fiancé your parents arranged for you when they were still alive happens to be in Newton as well. You should meet him once you're there." I didn't dare to tell him about what had happened between me and Daniel, so I could only nod. "Alright, Dad. I'll go meet that man." "Man? What man?" I heard a sharp, mocking voice behind me. I stiffened as I turned back, trembling. Daniel stood in the doorway, looking at me with amusement. There was even a woman beside him. I lowered my head, avoiding his gaze as I said softly, "Dan." Daniel made a noncommittal sound in reply before pushing the woman forward. "This is Sheryl Henke, the girlfriend I mentioned before. We're getting married in a week, so she'll be staying with us until then." After he finished speaking, he immediately looked toward me. I knew he was waiting for me to throw a fit—to cry and beg him to break up. After all, I'd done that before. But he didn't know that I would be leaving in a week. I would head to Newton City and pursue my dreams. At the same time, I would cut all ties with him. Swallowing the bitterness in my heart, I nodded. "Alright, Dan. Congratulations on your wedding. I wish you happiness." After that, I turned around and walked away. However, Daniel caught up to me before I reached the stairs, pulling me into his arms. "What's this? Why are you so obedient today? You don't seem jealous at all." He pinned me against the wall, one hand gripping my waist while the other slid behind me to unfasten my bra with practiced ease. He had undressed me like this countless times in the dark of night. I froze as I shoved him away in a panic. "Daniel, are you insane?" "What? Am I not allowed to touch you anymore? Did you get yourself another man outside?" Daniel sneered and pulled me even closer. He had once charmed me with his words, but now, all I felt toward him was disgust. I didn't want to argue with him, so I made up an excuse. "Your girlfriend's staying with us these days. We need to keep our distance." "Keep our distance?" Daniel let out a low, mocking laugh. However, his grip softened slightly. "So you really are jealous. I told you before that she's just a cover. You're the woman I really love. But I guess I do need to make the act convincing for the next few days, so let's do as you say." The moment Daniel let me go, I turned around and bolted back to my room. I immediately ran into Sheryl, who sneered at me. I ignored her and went straight in. The cat I'd raised by myself, Cloud, leapt into my arms. It had been a gift to me from Daniel. I stared at it for a long time before I started to pack away everything he had ever given me. Since I decided to end things, I wanted to cut every last tie we had. A household staff member knocked on the door, and only then did I realize it was already dinner time. At the table, I saw Daniel holding Sheryl close, letting her lean against his chest. They looked every bit the part of a doting couple. My foster father looked overjoyed. "Miranda, this is your brother's girlfriend. Your future sister-in-law." I nodded politely and said nothing. Sheryl lowered her head pitifully. "Miranda doesn't seem to like me. I don't think she sees me as her sister-in-law." Daniel wrapped his arm tighter around her and looked at me with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Miranda's always been attached to me. I guess she's just not used to seeing me with someone else." I lowered my head and withdrew my gaze, missing the flicker of surprise in his eyes. After dinner, I returned to my room, only for Daniel to follow me inside. He pulled me into his arms. His familiar scent enveloped me, with his warm breath brushing against my neck. He used to love doing this, holding me in secluded corners of the house and stealing moments of passion. And I used to love it all as well. But now, all I felt was panic. "Let go. We're at home. Aren't you afraid Dad will find out?" Daniel chuckled softly, tilting my chin up and stopping just short of kissing me. "What's wrong? Are you still feeling jealous? She's just a junior from my school that I asked to help put on a show." I said nothing. He had no idea that I had seen her name in that chat group. From the very beginning, he had been conspiring with others to deceive and degrade me. Daniel suddenly leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "I've got it all planned. On the day I'm supposed to marry her, you'll come in wearing a wedding dress and steal me away. What do you think about that?"