Chapter 3

At the auction, the new work by the sculptor I had long admired - the one he had arranged for me to purchase early on - ended up in Aria's hands.

Even the engagement necklace I wore daily, our symbol of love, was replicated exactly when Aria expressed her fondness for it. A perfect copy now hung around her neck.

Whatever Aria liked, Wylie made sure she got it, even if it originally belonged to me.

Aria barged into our lives, assuming the role of mistress with reckless abandon.

The household staff, who had always been on good terms with me, privately voiced their opinions about her behavior.

Those words never reached my ears, but somehow found their way to Aria's. She climbed to the rooftop, standing in the wind like a stubborn wildflower.

In the end, Wylie took her away, bringing her to the new house he had bought for her outside.

Later, when Wylie wanted to dismiss the gossiping servants, I stopped him.

He looked at me intently: "Elise, Aria's family just went through a crisis. She's still emotionally unstable. You shouldn't treat her like this."

I fiddled with the engagement necklace that had long since been removed.

But Wylie, four months ago, I had just experienced my family's bankruptcy, and my mother had only just passed away....

I retreated from the party alone, heading upstairs to my studio.

This workspace was specially prepared for me by Wylie. He said I could create freely here without any disturbances.

He certainly kept his word, never entering this room, which did provide me some convenience.

Otherwise, he would have long discovered what "Mr. Langdon's drained talent" truly looked like.

I swept aside a pile of discarded works stacked by the cabinet, opened the door, and pulled out a small locked box from inside.

Memories came flooding back as I bowed my head, caressing the small sculpted figures inside with the gentlest touch.

Two large and one small, the three figures embraced tightly, as if nothing could ever separate them.

Beside them lay a collection of oddly-shaped miniature sculptures: a sofa, coffee table, vase...

The taller figure held a teacup in its hand.

A drop of water fell from above, landing precisely in the cup.

The water's path through the air grazed the figure's face, and it looked at me as if crying.

Rain began to fall in the world inside the box, blurring my vision as well.

Dad, Mom, I'm homesick.The phone let out a soft "ding," and the text message displayed that my bank card had been frozen. My available balance was now just over a hundred bucks.

Right after came Wylie's message: "Elise, I don't blame you, and neither does Aria. But I hope you can take some time to reflect. Come down in a bit and apologize properly to Aria, and we can put this whole thing behind us."

I nonchalantly turned off the screen. It was just another of Wylie's self-righteous attempts to punish me.

Hugging my suitcase, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts, I finally got up and went downstairs.

The party downstairs had already dispersed, probably out of consideration for Aria's feelings. Not even a single servant was in sight.

I silently put on my shoes.

"Elise?"

"Where are you going?"

Wylie got up and walked over. He had been lounging on the couch, his back to the staircase. I hadn't even noticed him.

"I want to go home for a bit," I replied calmly.

Wylie's thin lips pressed into a straight line, but I couldn't read any concern or regret in his eyes.

He seemed to steel himself, adopting an awkward, submissive posture as he said, "Elise, I was wrong yesterday. I was too aggressive and hurt you in the process."

"But Aria... she really needs this opportunity.I turned to face him directly. "Didn't you say my Mr. Langdon days were over? Even if I enter the competition, how could I possibly threaten Aria?"

Wylie averted his gaze. "That's what I thought too, but Aria is a bit worried... After all, your relationship has never been..."

"Are you suggesting I'd sabotage her during the competition?" I cut him off coldly.

"......"