Chapter 2 These Things Are My Sincerity

Albert's mind swam, clouded by a strange haze.

After their parents' fatal car crash, the seven Seymour siblings had only had each other to lean on. Serena, the youngest, had been doted on and shielded relentlessly by her six elder brothers.

She'd once been a carefree, joyful little princess.

They'd sworn never to let her suffer a single grievance, shed a single tear, or bear a single wound.

Yet now, here she stood—bloodied, wounded, drowning in hurt and injustice…

A sharp twinge stabbed Albert's chest, but he quickly forced the memory of what had happened back to the forefront of his mind.

His features darkened instantly. "If you hadn't acted out of vicious malice and shoved Tina down the stairs, you never would've tumbled down alongside her."

"Right. It's all my viciousness," Serena muttered hollowly.

She'd already apologized, and still they wouldn't leave her be?

She swatted Albert's hand away with a cold, bitter laugh. "You wanted me to give a sincere, proper apology, didn't you? Will this suffice?"

Before anyone could react, Serena strode straight over to Tina.

Tina's eyes glinted with smug triumph, certain Serena would bow her head and beg for forgiveness.

Instead, Serena's palm cracked hard across Tina's cheek.

"Aah!"

Tina let out a shrill cry, stumbling sideways from the blow.

"Tina!"

Panicked shouts erupted from her brothers. In an instant, they swarmed around Tina, forming a protective wall between her and Serena.

Albert, who'd stood directly in front of Serena only seconds prior, had sprinted to Tina's side in a heartbeat. He stared at the bright red mark blooming on her right cheek, his gaze thick with aching sympathy.

"Serena! We only asked for a genuine apology, and you fly off the handle and resort to physical violence? Where is your upbringing?"

"Serena, you've grown utterly unruly. Do you think no one can rein you in anymore?"

"Serena, if you keep throwing these tantrums, don't blame us for setting aside our sibling bond. Mark my words—we will resort to harsh measures to discipline you."

Their furious rebukes rang loud in Serena's ears. She could clearly make out their contorted, enraged faces as they shouted.

Serena swept a cold, detached glance over all of them, then turned and headed for the staircase.

They were blind with favoritism, their world revolving solely around that so-called fragile Tina. No amount of explanation would ever reach them. Fine then—this lifetime, she wanted nothing more to do with this blood tie, nothing at all.

Upstairs, Serena locked herself in her bedroom and set about tending to the gash on her head and wiping the blood smudged across her skin.

Thankfully the cut was shallow and small. If it had been any longer, any deeper, and if she'd died right then, her six brothers would've merely dismissed it as another of her dramatic ploys.

Shortly after, she changed into a fresh gown and redid her makeup completely.

A knock echoed at the door, followed by their maid Laura's voice. "The gala is set to begin any minute, Young Miss Serena. Master Albert sent me to tell you to drop this petty tantrum, or else—"

Serena cut her off before she could finish. "I understand."

Her tone frigid, she crossed the room to her safe and emptied every last item stored inside onto her arms.

Carrying the pile of treasures, she stepped out of her bedroom and descended the stairs just in time to catch Albert making a grand public announcement of Tina's new standing in the family.

"Tonight marks not only Tina's eighteenth birthday celebration, but also an official welcoming ceremony for the Seymour household. As of this moment, Tina is a Seymour, our new younger sister."

Serena's gaze drifted down to the foyer, where Tina stood encircled by her six brothers, basking in their undivided adoration like a moon surrounded by stars.

A cold, hollow calm settled deep in Serena's chest as she descended the stairs one slow step at a time.

The sharp click-clack of her high heels cut through the chatter.

Every guest who'd been offering congratulations to the Seymour family on their new daughter turned their heads to stare at Serena.

She wore a floor-length scarlet strapless gown, her long hair swept up into an elegant updo topped with a delicate crystal tiara. Pearl drop earrings and a matching pearl necklace perfectly complemented her regal bearing.

Her skin was pale and luminous, her long, slender neck lending her the poise of a noble white swan.

The only jarring detail was the bandage wrapped around her scalp.

Serena walked steadily down the staircase beneath a storm of shocked, envious stares.

A faint streak of fresh red blood seeped through the gauze on her head as she moved.

A flicker of sorrow flickered across Chris's eyes.

As a doctor, he knew full well how serious a head wound could be.

Never once in all their years growing up had the six brothers allowed Serena to suffer so much as a scrape.

"Chris."

Tina's voice pulled him sharply from his thoughts. She'd caught him staring at Serena, and she could not abide it.

Chris's momentary pity faded at once, replaced by icy indifference.

Serena's injury was self-inflicted. If she hadn't let her malicious heart drive her to push Tina down the stairs, she never would've cracked her skull on the floor.

This was divine retribution.

He could not afford to soften toward her.

His little sister had once been gentle and sweet; he hated to see her twist into such a cruel, heartless creature.

"Today's both the Seymour family's adoption ceremony and Tina's eighteenth birthday," someone murmured from the crowd. "Do you suppose Serena's carrying a gift to welcome Tina?"

Another guest chimed in quickly after. "That Tina girl hit the absolute jackpot, what incredible luck!"

"I heard her parents sacrificed their lives saving Young Miss Serena. The six Seymour masters took pity on her, all alone in the world, and decided to adopt her as their sister."

Whispers brimming with envy rippled louder through the crowd. Tina's heart swelled with uncontainable elation—starting today, she would be the revered, beloved Second Young Miss of the Seymour household.

Albert and his brothers usually detested public gossip, yet none of them spoke a word to quiet the murmurs now.

The more guests chattered, the faster word would spread, cementing the truth for everyone present: the Seymour brothers cherished Tina above all else.

No one would dare mistreat her ever again.

Tina would live out the rest of her days safe and content, and they would honor the sacrifice of her late parents watching from heaven.

Serena held a silver tray stacked with her treasures and walked unhurriedly to stand before Tina.

At the sight, Albert's expression softened with relief. Their sister had finally come to her senses—she planned to offer Tina a heartfelt apology.

But the second he laid eyes on what rested on the tray, his countenance darkened completely.

"Serena, what is the meaning of this?!"

These were Serena's most cherished possessions, every last one a gift from her six brothers. She meant to hand them over to Tina?

"What's wrong? Didn't you demand I give a sincere apology? These items are my token of good faith."

Serena's voice dripped with scathing sarcasm as she lifted each treasure from the tray one by one.

"This custom figure skating costume was commissioned for me by Albert from the world's most renowned couturier, studded with a thousand flawless diamonds. Albert told me he hoped I would shine brighter than any star on the competition ice."

"This fancy colored diamond tiara is a gift from Brian. He said no gem matched my uniqueness, and wished I'd remain a happy, carefree princess forever."

This medal was awarded to Chris for his first breakthrough research. He once told me all his life's achievements would belong solely to me."

"This agate bracelet was hand-carved by Derek himself, every single stone etched with his personal well wishes for me…"