Chapter 10

"I'm coming back now." Whether her parents could see it or not, Valery always tried to give the impression that she was doing just fine. What surprised Valery was that the call was to urge her to come home for her birthday. But she wasn’t happy, especially when she saw that watch sitting on the table. She felt physically sick. Bryce had gifted her that watch because Hanna didn’t like it. Was he intentionally trying to disgust her? “What are you standing there for? Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?” Maybe it was because she had been behaving well lately, but Bryce gave her a gentle nudge, urging her to put the watch on. “No need. I think this watch suits Hanna’s style better.” Valery gave the mildest refusal. Anne sneered, "At least you know your place. Someone as pathetic as you doesn’t deserve to wear something this nice.” Anne tossed the watch straight into Hanna’s lap, sparing Valery from further awkwardness. This time, Valery felt a bit grateful to her. “Alright, let’s blow out the candles.” Bryce stepped in to smooth the situation. He knew how much his sister despised Valery and chose not to escalate things. He figured he could just send Valery another gift later. That was Bryce’s plan. But in the days to come, he would regret this decision endlessly. Day after day passed. Finally, it was the day of the Dobbs family gathering. During this time, Valery had managed to sell off her belongings, and the payments had gradually come through. She deposited the money, along with the proceeds from selling the old house, into the bank account Bryce had set up for her. She was just waiting to hand it all over. Ten million dollars. To the Dobbs family, it wasn’t a lot, but it was enough to repay everything she’d spent over the years. With that, she would no longer owe the Dobbs family. Valery exhaled deeply as fireworks bloomed again outside the house. This time, she could have gone outside to enjoy the festivities, but she didn’t want to. “Valery, my brother’s looking for you.” Anne impatiently knocked on her door. If it weren’t for the crowd of guests, Valery had no doubt she would have hit her again. “I’ll be there right away.” With her flight just two hours away, Valery replied unusually agreeably. After Anne left, Valery pulled her suitcase and slipped out through the back door. Standing outside, she caught a glimpse of the scene inside the house. Bryce looked genuinely happy as he introduced his fiancée to everyone and even brought out a painting. It was one of Valery’s masterpieces, a gift she had once given Bryce. Now, it was being used to add to his fiancée’s glory. Compliments drowned out Bryce’s voice, but Valery’s heart ached. Even so, she wished him well—wished her brother, who had sheltered her for over a decade, a happy marriage. She would never love him again. From their first meeting to her adolescent infatuation, all her love had been for Bryce. But at this moment, she truly decided to let go. Because his eyes had never held her. She no longer wanted it. She no longer wanted to love him. Devoting herself entirely to one person had been exhausting. As for all the hurt, she would count it as a debt he owed her. “My fiancée is, of course, amazing. As for those false rumors online, just wait. I’ll soon have Valery apologize. She was in the wrong, and I’ve already taught her a lesson.” “She’s just been spoiled by me all these years. A little discipline will fix her.” Even as Valery walked far away, she heard those words. She stiffened her back, lifting her head high, and didn’t wave goodbye. In her heart, a wave was a farewell. And she, Valery, never wanted to love Bryce again. It would be best if they never saw each other again, not in this lifetime, not in any lifetime to come.