My father seemed pleased with my "understanding" nature.

My stepmother also smiled, satisfied.

After they left, however, Cera stayed behind.

"Sister, let me help you pack."

She stood before me, the picture of innocence.

But as her eyes scanned the room, she couldn't hide the triumphant glint in them.

"I didn't think Father would actually agree to let us switch rooms."

"Are you angry with me, sister?"

"After all, I just stole Julian Russell from you, and now I've taken the bedroom you, the Moretti family heiress, have lived in for a decade."

I didn't want to deal with her. I turned to get my suitcase.

Suddenly, Cera let out a cry and fell hard onto the floor.

"Sister..."

Her arm hit the corner of the table as she fell, and a dark bruise instantly formed.

"Rosalie Moretti, what the hell are you doing!"

Julian had come upstairs at some point and saw the exact moment Cera fell.

His face was grim as he rushed over and carefully lifted Cera into his arms.

"Julian, I'm okay. Sister didn't mean to do it."

Cera was crying, but she forced a smile through the pain. "It doesn't hurt at all, Julian."

"It's already bruising, and you say it doesn't hurt."

Julian looked at the mark on her pale arm, his eyes filled with pity.

But when his gaze shifted to me, it turned ice-cold, as if coated in frost.

"Rosalie, if you have a problem, take it out on me."

"Don't hurt Cera. She's been through enough."

"She's not like you, born a princess of the Moretti family, never knowing a day of hardship in your life."

I thought my emotions were no longer under his control.

I thought I would never shed another tear for Julian Russell.

But in the end, I was just a girl.

I wasn't made of steel, and my heart wasn't unbreakable.

My childhood ally.

The man I was engaged to for three years.

In just a matter of days, he had fallen for a younger, more delicate girl.

And now he saw me as a venomous snake.

I didn't want to cry. I wanted to laugh.

But my eyes were already burning with unshed tears.

"Julian, we've known each other for so many years. Don't you know what kind of person I am?"

Julian frowned slightly.

His eyes met mine, and for a moment, his expression seemed to soften.