She was so mad she bit down hard on his tongue, making him hiss in pain as he pulled back. Just then, the lights flickered back on, leaving the room dark for less than ten seconds.


    Rose turned to the maid next to her, "What happened?"


    “Just a little electrical glitch, ma''am,” the maid replied.


    Rose nced up to see her son, Nick, loungingfortably, one hand propping up his head, the other covering his mouth.


    "Nick, what''s so funny?"


    Scarlette tried to stay calm, but her heart skipped a beat when Rose turned her attention to Nichs.


    Nichs raised an eyebrow, still covering his mouth. "Nothing much, just fed my sister a piece of orange."


    Rose shifted her gaze to Scarlette again.


    Scarlette knew Nichs loved to stir up trouble. The Greenard family had spoiled him from day one, and even she couldn''t resist. He was the little prince, fearless and untouchable.


    Rose picked up an orange. "These were just pickedst night. If you like them, take some when you go."


    Scarlette stood up. "Mom, I''m heading out for a week-long business trip. I should be back just in time for Christmas."


    "Where are you going? You''ve been so busy with work and barely keep in touch. I know it''s because of those rumors..."


    Scarlette quickly cut her off, "It''s close by, just an hour''s flight. I''m leaving in the morning. I should get some rest now."


    Tradition dictated that she stay with the Greenard family on Rose''s birthday.


    She headed to her childhood room. Nothing had changed, but as she grew up, she realized that no matter how well the Greenard family treated her, any drama involving Nichs meant she, the adopted daughter, would be the first to go.


    In the Greenard family, Nichs was everything.


    She grabbed some clothes from the closet to take a bath, her mind drifting back to moments with Nichs.


    She was six years older than him. From the day he was born, she was both his sister and his caretaker, more attentive than anyone.


    After losing her parents, she stayed with rtives for a year, learning the harshness of the world. To stay in someone else''s home, she had to eat less, work more. Her aunt made her wash clothes by hand to save on electricity. She cooked, cleaned, and when she joined the Greenard family, she was on edge for the first two years.


    A child under someone else''s roof, she was heartbreakingly well-behaved, waking up at five every morning to help the family''s chef. When Rose found out, she insisted Scarlette sleep in and go to school, a kindness Scarlette could never repay.


    When Nichs was born, one night she overheard a servant suggesting to Rose that she be sent away, and she quickly understood her precarious situation.


    She had to take care of this little brother, had to spoil him, to secure her ce in the Greenard family.


    She showed extreme kindness, terrified of being sent back to her aunt or to an orphanage.


    Once, a servant nearly spilled hot water on a one-year-old Nichs. Scarlette shielded him, getting burns that left blisters and a ten-centimeter scar that remains to this day.


    Rose rushed downstairs, clutching Nichs and crying. She saw the whole thing and was visibly shaken.


    Because of this, Scarlette''s ce in the family was secured, but she always knew Nichs was the priority, and she had to keep indulging him.


    Sometimes, she envied Nichs'' carefree childhood, born with a silver spoon, never understanding why she studiedte into the night.


    Scarlette rubbed her temples, feeling more pained the more she thought about it. Although she initially cared for Nichs with mixed motives, her feelings had be genuine over time.


    As she pondered, she started to feel sleepy, and then she heard the handle of her bedroom door being turned.