A Heart Gone Cold

I simply chuckled coldly and said nothing.

"Jolene, don't blame Douglas and Marcel. They were just worried about me," Mona said softly and meekly. "Douglas has already explained everything to me. Don't worry. I was an orphan to begin with. If you want me to take your place in marriage, I'll do it without hesitation. Even if you asked me to die, I would still do it…"

As she spoke, her eyes instantly reddened, and her voice became choked with emotions.

"Mona, don't say that. In my heart, you'll always be my sister." Douglas tenderly ruffled her hair—a gesture that had once been reserved only for me.

"That's right, Mona. We'll keep thinking of a solution. Don't worry. I'll never let you marry someone else!" Marcel declared with conviction, completely forgetting the promises he had once made to me.

Watching their affectionate display for each other, I felt a wave of nausea churn in my stomach. Once, I had been their cherished sister and sweetheart. Now, I was nothing more than an outsider, out of place in their world.

I took a deep breath to force down the anger rising up in me. "I'm tired, so I'll head up to my room first."

Not long after that, Mona's delicate voice sounded outside my door.

"Jolene, I made an ice cream sundae for you. Can you please open the door? I was only joking earlier. I never thought that Douglas and Marcel would actually push you—"

The knocking grew more urgent, followed by Douglas' impatient voice. "Jolene, open the door now. Mona has already apologized, so stop sulking! She has come to live with us, which makes her a part of our family! As her older sister, you should be more considerate toward her!"

His words sent a jolt through my heart. My gaze fell on the rosary bracelet by my bedside. Back then, Douglas had said that I was his only family. But now, he was someone else's brother.

"Jolene, not everyone can put up with your spoiled temper. Mona's health isn't the best, so can you please stop stressing her out?"

On the wall of my bedroom hung a painting Marcel had made for me. But now, he had forgotten his vow to protect me.

"Forget it. Let's leave her alone to cool down for now," someone muttered, and the noise outside gradually faded.

I gathered every gift they had ever given me and threw them all into the fireplace. The rosary bracelet Douglas had insisted I never take off, Marcel's love letters, the crystal shoes, and the princess dresses—all of it.

As the flames dwindled, my tears dried up, leaving only ashes and an empty heart. I didn't want Douglas or Marcel anymore.

When I woke up the next morning, the hallway was nearly blocked by a mountain of gift boxes. Apology notes from Douglas and Marcel were prominently pasted on top of them.

"I was wrong yesterday. I'll make it up to you with an even better birthday party. Douglas."

"Sorry, Jolene. Please forgive me for the sake of these gifts. Marcel."

My gaze dimmed briefly after reading their hastily scribbled words.

In the past, whenever I was angry, Douglas would wait outside my door with red-rimmed eyes, vowing that he wouldn't leave until I forgave him. Marcel would pitifully hold out boxing gloves, begging me to hit him instead of bottling up my anger.

But now, the two who had never let my anger last beyond a day were nowhere to be seen, and in their places were only these cold, impersonal gifts.

Whatever. It didn't matter. I was leaving in a few days anyway.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh and tossed everything into the trash. The trio coming down the stairs together happened to witness this scene.

"Jolene, what are you doing? These gifts are expensive!" Mona rushed forward as if to dig through the trash, but Marcel pulled her back.

"Mona, don't touch that. It's dirty! Some people are just spoiled princesses who'll never be as understanding as you."

Douglas' expression darkened. It was a rare sight. "Jolene, you're being unreasonable. I specially prepared these for you. How could you just throw them away?"

Specially prepared? Yet, inside those beautifully wrapped boxes were free samples and trial-size skincare or cosmetic products.

When I didn't respond, Mona quickly stepped in to mediate. "Jolene, don't be angry. Douglas and Marcel only lent me the full-sized products to try because they felt bad for me. I'll return them to you right away. You're a heiress raised in privilege, while I'm just an orphan. So it doesn't matter what I use."

"But I care!" Douglas blurted out. He gripped Mona by the shoulders and said emphatically, "Mona, remember this—you're my sister, and you deserve only the best!"

In the past, hearing my only brother say such words would have shattered me. I would cry and make everyone miserable. But now, I only gave a slight smirk.

"Fine. Then, from now on, let her have this entire family."

My indifferent tone seemed to catch Douglas off guard. Just as he was about to say something, Mr. Woodrow called to confirm my departure time.

"Sure. I'll see you in three days then." I kept my voice low and quickly ended the call.

When I looked up again, Douglas and Marcel stood right before me, blocking my path.

"Who was that? Where are you going in three days?"