Jessica's POV
"Thank you for just now," the words of appreciation effortlessly slipped from my lips.
"Why do you always thank me for every little thing?"
Our eyes locked, for a moment, I thought I saw something different in the depth of his eyes, but couldn't pinpoint what it was - It was unusual, unlike the doting or calm look he always gave me.
A smile crept onto my lips, turning my gaze away, I replied. "It comes naturally. I'm used to it."
Indeed, living with the adopted family, I was nurtured to always say those words, both when they deserved it and when they didn't.
"We picked you from the orphanage, where you had one disgusting meal daily, a place that isn't fit for living, so you should always say 'thank you'. Let it sink in, glue it to your tongue, Jessica. THANK YOU. Now, say it." My adopted mother had said, when they took me in. I was barely 4 years old.
A hand on my shoulder pulled me back from my thoughts. Turning my head in his direction, his face was dangerously close to mine. My heart skipped a beat but before I could pull back, his voice sounded, so tender and low that it sounded like a whisper.
"Don't turn away from me, Jessica. It makes me feel unwanted."
I swallowed, the closeness, the sudden softness in his voice, and the look of passion in his eyes made me want to create more distance. I could tell he wanted something strong, but I don't feel the same way. I knew what it felt like being the only one in a relationship. I didn't want to hurt him, he doesn't deserve it.
Politely, I pulled away, "Brother Kristen…"
"I'm not your brother," he retorted.
Right, he never appreciates that. Turning away from me, his voice sounded light with no emotions.
"Liam is stubborn and won't believe the lie I made up, unless he sees proof." he returned his gaze to me. "What do you say, we keep up appearances until he gives up on you…?"
Using him to chase Liam away feels wrong no matter how I looked at it, but before I could turn him down, he added.
"You're not forcing me to do anything. I'm offering myself, so don't feel bad."
What more could I say? The more I try to save his heart, the harder he pushes himself to me. Like a robot, my head bobbed. "Alright."
I'll be careful to not hurt him…to not take him for granted, I told myself.
The car came to a halt at one of his hotels. I wanted to live at my friend's place but then again, it wouldn't be nice to inconvenience Hilda. Moreover, my brother left me in his care like a child - the whole Silverwood family saw me as one. And I didn't want to steal that from them.
They didn't watch me grow up and couldn't spoil me, but now that they wanted to, I'm not against it. Deep down, I also wanted to be spoiled – to know how it feels to be genuinely loved and cared for, to be the missing piece that made others whole.
My coming back wasn't to throw my identity at everyone's face. No, if I did, my gold digging adopted family won't leave me alone, or show genuine remorse.
I wanted to see if my absence for two years meant anything to them - if they ever truly liked me or merely saw me as a tool for exploitation.
I wanted to know if they deserve a second chance. Although they weren't nice to me in the past, at least, they weren't entirely heartless the whole time.
Maddie stood up for me against my bullies on more than one occasion, even taking a beating in my place. But ironically, her defense came with a price I always had to pay: she and her mother would later unleash verbal assaults on me, leaving me emotionally wounded. Still, I didn't have to endure physical pain.
"This is my room, you can live here for as long as you want." Kristen's voice jolted me from my reverie. I looked around, it was undeniably the best room in the hotel, a penthouse.
"Thank you," I chuckled, earning a roll of his eyes. "Get used to it, big brother," I teased, darting up the stairs before he could unleash his trademark irritation at the familiar label.
"Better don't let me catch you, Jessica. Your brother won't recognize you by the time I'm done with you!" His voice carried a tinge of playfulness as they chased me to the stairs.
"Hahaha! You wish!"
…
That evening, I dressed up in casuals, rejected the Ferrari Kristen got me and took a cab to my old home.
If I pulled up in a Ferrari, even an enemy would want to become friends. My adopted family was like that.
Arriving at the white villa, situated in one of the most expensive estates in the city, I sighed. Nothing has changed much in those two years, except that the three luxurious cars that were usually parked in the parking lots had been replaced with a low budget car.
What happened? Did they stop getting support from my husband after I left?
It was understandable.
Standing at the door, I lifted my hand and sounded the doorbell. My heart was racing, thumping harder than usual.
Why? Why do I still like these people after how they treated me? Liam, Maddie, my adopted mother. Why do I still care about them? Why do I care about what they think about me?
"Mom! Go get the door, I have a mask on!" That was Maddie's voice.
"Don't bother me! I'm not your servant. If you don't answer the door, then let the person remain there! It could be your order or friends anyway."
"What friends? Those bitches have shunned me over the years that we lost favor with my brother-in-law… If Sister returns and mends her relationship with brother-in-law, or I manage to marry a wealthy husband, I'll seek my revenge, I promise."
"Stop talking nonsense. What family will marry you, with this extreme laziness you exhibit? Jessica found favor with Old Man Crawford because of how hardworking she was. Better start looking for a job. We've already sold the best things we have to maintain this lifestyle– "
"Mom, enough with your lies. You still have good things to sell. Only the cars were sold because they were mind and Jessica's. Watch out, if I lack money, pray I don't sell you along with your jewelry boxes."
The door suddenly creaked open. Standing before me was my adopted mother. Her eyes widened for a moment. "Why do you have that smile on your face? Are you tired of playing hide and seek? If you think I'll allow you in after two years, then you must be mistaken. Go back to where you're coming from."
"Mom, who is that?!"
"Who else, if not your runaway sister? She finally knows her way back home."
"Oh? Did she come back looking successful?"
"Why don't you come here and see for yourself?"
"I have a mask on, mom. Stop wasting time and let her in. It's been two years, not like I missed her though."
Why didn't I feel hurt after hearing those words? In fact, I was expecting a slap, accompanied by verbal assaults, pushes and shoves. But I got none of those, but instead, a weird welcome.
"What? Aren't you going to come in? Should I hold the door for you, or carry you like a princess?" she snapped when I didn't follow her in.
I suppressed a smile.
Why? Why was I smiling? Why was my heart not hurting like it used to? Why…
I couldn't help but feel disappointed in my own softness. I had vowed to repay their cruelty in kind, but standing at the entrance of the house that was supposed to be my dowry after marrying Liam, I found myself melting.
Countless memories flooded my mind, reminders of every time I'd stepped foot in this place, only to be met with coldness. Yet, my heart…