Chapter 4

That night, Alexander took his anger out on me in bed.

His movements were rough and relentless, as though he needed to vent all the frustration he couldn't express elsewhere.

I gritted my teeth and endured it.

In my mind, I was already saying goodbye.

One last time. Just pretend a dog bit you, Claire.

When I woke up the following morning, Alexander was gone.

I didn't see him for the next week.

Honestly, I enjoyed every minute of it.

With Alexander out of the house, I had more freedom to prepare for my departure. I sorted out my paperwork, checked my finances, and made sure every detail of my new life was in order.

Then, one afternoon, Alexander finally returned.

And he wasn't alone.

Vivian came in with him.

She looked around the mansion as if she were already the lady of the house.

Then she casually waved her hand.

"Have the staff bring in the piano."

A few minutes later, several workers carried a beautiful grand piano into the living room.

I stared at it.

Once, simply touching a piano had nearly gotten me thrown out of this house.

Now Vivian could bring one through the front door without so much as a second thought.

And Alexander was watching her with an indulgent smile.

Vivian approached the piano and casually pressed a few keys.

"Oh, Claire! You're home."

She turned toward me with a sweet smile.

"I heard you used to study piano, too. Isn't that right?"

She tilted her head.

"Perhaps we can play together sometime. It would be fun to exchange a few techniques."

Alexander chuckled behind her.

"Claire only knows a little. She's nowhere near your level."

I lowered my eyes.

My fingers curled into fists, but I kept a pleasant smile on my face.

"That's right. I only studied for fun."

Alexander hadn't allowed Vivian to move into the master bedroom, and she was clearly unhappy about the arrangement.

Still, she accepted it.

At least, for the moment.

The following afternoon, I returned to my room to retrieve something.

The moment I opened the door, I froze.

Vivian was standing beside my dresser.

In her hand was my jade bracelet.

It was the only thing I'd kept from my grandmother.

The only precious possession of hers I had left.

My blood ran cold.

"What are you doing?"

Vivian slowly turned around.

A strange, playful smile touched her lips.

Then, before I could take a step toward her, she loosened her fingers.

The bracelet slipped from her hand.

It struck the floor.

A sharp crack rang through the room.

The jade shattered into several pieces.

For a moment, I couldn't breathe.

Then tears flooded my eyes.

"VIVIAN!"

I lunged toward her, consumed by an anger I'd never allowed myself to show in this house.

The commotion brought Alexander rushing into the room.

He took one look at me and immediately frowned.

"Claire! What the hell are you doing?"

Before I could explain, he shoved me away.

The force sent me stumbling backward into the dresser.

My right hand slammed against its sharp corner.

Pain shot through my wrist and fingers.

I gasped.

Vivian immediately threw herself into Alexander's arms, tears streaming down her face.

"Alexander, I was only curious and wanted to take a closer look. Claire suddenly came at me. I was terrified!"

She lifted her hand.

"The bracelet broke, and one of the pieces even scratched me..."

Alexander glanced at the tiny red mark on her skin.

Then he turned on me.

"You're going to hurt Vivian over some worthless bracelet?"

His voice thundered through the room.

"Get down on your knees in the living room! And don't you dare get up until I give you permission!"

Something inside me died at that moment.

I looked at him holding the woman who had deliberately destroyed my most precious possession.

He was gently blowing on the tiny scratch on her hand, as though she'd suffered some terrible injury.

I suddenly realized there was no point in explaining anything.

He would never believe me.

I quietly walked into the living room and knelt on the cold marble floor.

My right hand was already swelling badly.

I was terrified I might have broken something.

I needed my hand.

I still needed to play piano.

I still had a dream to pursue.

I couldn't let anything happen to my hands.

Hours passed.

By nightfall, I was dizzy and barely able to hold myself upright.

Alexander finally came downstairs.

"Have you learned your lesson?"

I lifted my head and looked straight at him.

"I did nothing wrong."

He seemed genuinely surprised.

Perhaps he hadn't expected his usually obedient little canary to talk back.

His expression twisted with anger.

"Get out!"

He pointed toward the door.

"Get out of the Whitmore house! And don't come back until you've figured out exactly where you stand!"

I looked at him.

Then, for the first time in four years, I smiled without pretending.

I stood up, walked over to the luggage I'd already packed, and picked up my suitcase.

I'd been preparing for this moment for a long time.

Without another word, I walked out of the Whitmore mansion.

I never looked back.

One month later, I boarded a plane bound for Europe.

And only then did Alexander finally remember his little canary.