“Catherine-sister, you’re here!”

Isabella used to just call me sister when she lived with my family.

After I married Leo, she added my name in front of it.

Her cheeks were rosy with health, showing no signs of her illness.

It seemed Leo and his parents were taking very good care of her.

I was busy with the guests and had no time for pleasantries with her.

If anything went wrong at the party, the matriarch would scold me in front of everyone.

Humiliating me was her favorite pastime.

“Catherine-sister, you have so many people to deal with all by yourself. Let me help you,” Isabella said, walking over and theatrically picking up a tray of delicate pastries.

“No need. Go and chat with the guests.”

The moment I finished speaking, the matriarch’s voice boomed across the hall. “Isabella, it’s crowded and chaotic in here. Your health is fragile. Come over here and sit down. Don’t get bumped into.”

Isabella shot me a triumphant smirk and replied, “Okay, Mom.”

I handed her a freshly mixed cocktail, telling her to take it to an important guest.

She turned and immediately dropped the glass.

Shards of glass and liquid splattered across the floor.

“Oh!” she cried, bending down to pick up the pieces, and a sharp shard cut her finger.

Her parents and Leo rushed over instantly.

“I told you this kind of event isn’t for you. Let Leo see that cut. Is it deep? Should we call a doctor?”

“Catherine is here to handle things. You go rest.”

“Catherine, really, how could you let Isabella carry things? She can’t do this kind of work.”

“You got used to ordering her around when she was at your family’s house, didn’t you? Well, I’m here now, and I won’t let you bully her anymore!”

…

I just smiled.

What was his mother even talking about?

Back when my parents were still alive, she was always eager to help,抢着 doing chores to prove her worth.

She could do everything I couldn’t.

My parents always praised her for being so capable and considerate.

Now, she couldn’t even hold a glass steady.

“It was my fault. I wasn’t holding it properly. It’s not Catherine-sister’s fault.”

The more she played the victim, the more cruel I seemed.

It was as if I had deliberately made things difficult for her.

Maybe it was my naturally cold expression that made everyone think I was hard to get along with, always picking on her.

Or maybe, behind my back, she had been “unintentionally” complaining a lot.

The matriarch’s heart ached for her.

She had Leo treat the cut immediately.

A tiny, insignificant scratch was bandaged with a thick layer of gauze.

The party went on, and his mother held Isabella’s hand, murmuring, “Such beautiful hands, how did they get cut…”

She never noticed the gash on the back of my hand from when I cleaned up the broken glass.

All the core family members were seated at the main table.

There was just enough room for everyone, except me.

I gave the final instructions for the last course of the meal.

The back of my dress was soaked with cold sweat. A chill ran through me as the ballroom’s air conditioning hit my skin.

As I turned to eat in the side hall, Leo followed me in.

A tube of ointment appeared in front of me.

“Apply this three times a day. It won’t leave a scar.”

I glanced at it but didn’t take it. “No, thanks.”