"Slap—"
Exposed, my eldest brother's anger boiled over, and he slapped me across the face.
I was stunned, staring at him in disbelief.
"I'm your sister!"
He looked at me coldly.
"You're disrespectful and selfish. You cling so tightly to a little bit of money and betray my good intentions."
"Take some time to reflect. When you've thought it through, come find me."
What exactly did I need to reflect on?
Fighting back tears, I rushed to my room, packed a messy bag, and stormed out.
I went to find Quentin.
Standing in front of him with red, puffy eyes, I startled him. He quickly pulled me into his arms, stroking my head.
"What happened, sweetheart? Who made you suffer?"
Through sobs, I told him about my brother's schemes.
Quentin's expression darkened.
He gently touched my reddened cheek and softly comforted me. "Don't worry."
"I'll make sure he pays for that slap."
---
Quentin arranged for me to stay at the Hawthorne family home with his mother. Every day, I tended flowers and watched the grass grow, living a leisurely, affluent life.
It was all fine, except for his sister, who constantly looked at me with disdain.
One day, she stopped me at the staircase, her voice icy with mockery.
"I don't understand what my brother admires in you. A pretty vase with no substance. Without the your, Montgomery family, you're nothing but a burden to him."
"My brother even fell out with Montgomery family for you... do you really deserve it?"
"Look at yourself. Without my brother, what do you have left?"
"Maybe just that beautiful face of mine."
I replied calmly, "Well, at least Miss Hawthorne, you don't even have that."
"You—"
She trembled with rage and lunged at me. I raised my hand to block her, only to hear her startled cry.
I swear I didn't use any force.
But Quentin's sister tumbled down the stairs, landing on the carpeted floor below, tears streaming down her face as she cried in pain.
Everyone believed I had pushed her.
Quentin's mother, the butler, and even his uncle subtly implied that for Quentin's sake, I should get along better with his sister.
Quentin was out of town, and no matter what I said, no one believed me.
Quentin's mother became noticeably colder, the servants looked at me with disdain, and I often overheard their muttered comments.
"Shameless. Hurt Miss Hawthorne and doesn't even apologize."
"The Montgomery family doesn't get along with her. Madam was going to call off the engagement, but Master Quentin refused... I really don't understand what he loves in her."
It wasn't until Quentin returned that things began to turn around.
He pulled me out from under the covers, wiped the tears from my cheeks, and gathered everyone together, bringing in a professional behavioral analyst to review the surveillance footage.
The final conclusion: "Miss Montgomery did not use any force. As for why Miss Hawthorne fell..."
The analyst tactfully left the statement unfinished.
Quentin's sister burst into tears, covering her face as she ran off.
Quentin's face was cold as he glared at the gathered servants.
"Stella Montgomery is the wife I chose. If you dare insult her, you're going against me.
"If you don't want to work here anymore, just say so. Leave now instead of staying to be an eyesore."
The servants trembled, thoroughly intimidated.
Quentin wanted to say more, but I stopped him.
I shook my head. "Let it go."
"Why?"
He looked at me, baffled.
"They weren't entirely wrong."
I stared at the screen, muttering to myself:
"Without you, I'm nothing. I have nothing."
