Aubree’s voice trembled as she said, “Emery, do you know how cold winters get in Rithol City? That kind of cold, I’ll never forget it. It felt like the chill seeped into my bones, running through every inch of me. I was so cold, so, so cold…”


    Emery’s lips went pale and trembled slightly. He couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze.


    It was Aubree’s first New Year back with the Wilson family. Yet it seemed everyone had forgotten about their newest addition. Each family member had carefully prepared a New Year’s gift for Carmen, and Emery was no exception.


    The Wilson family’s original n for that day was to have a big dinner together, then take the kids and Aubree around to visit some important friends and rtives, a way to make up for not throwing her a proper wee party when she first came home, and to finally introduce her to everyone.


    While the entire family was busy with New Year preparations, Carmen identally deleted the new collection designs that Alice had saved on theputer. It was the worst fiscal year for Alice’s brand, which was why she had personally created this exclusive holiday collection, with no backups. Panicked at her mistake, Carmen turned to Emery for help.


    Emery’s solution was to pin the me on Aubree. He handed her the freebie perfume that came with Carmen’s gift, pretending it was a New Year’s present.


    He still remembered the look of surprise on Aubree’s face as she held the gift. “Emery… is this really for me?”


    Emery remembered how Aubree’s face had lit up with pure, radiant joy. Now, just thinking about it, all he felt was a deep, burning shame.


    **


    A bone-deep chill seized Emery.


    What he did back then was absolutely disgusting, not only did he pass off a cheap freebie as a special New Year’s gift, but he even had the audacity to use that so-called favor to pressure Aubree into taking the me.


    Not only that, while Aubree was being harshly beaten by their furious mother and locked in the basement as punishment, Emery was too busyforting Carmen to even spare her a thought.


    While Carmen was being introduced to everyone by her parents and receiving a flood ofpliments, Aubree was locked away in the basement,pletely forgotten. If it hadn’t been for Wendy, who kept worrying about her and sent Alice a message, they might not have remembered her until the next morning.


    It suddenly dawned on him just how deeply he’d hurt her, far more than he’d ever allowed himself to acknowledge.


    All he could recall was muttering some half-hearted words offort. Had Aubree not brought it up, that memory would likely have been buried deep in the recesses of his mind.


    All along, he had never truly cared. All that mattered to him was making sure Aubree took the me to spare Carmen from their mother’s wrath. He never once considered just how brutal the punishment would be for Aubree, already the family


    outcast.


    Emery felt as if his heart were being crushed in a vice, he could barely breathe.


    “Aubree, I… I’m sorry.” The words were so empty and powerless.


    Aubree curled her lips in a mocking sneer. “Emery, didn’t you say you wanted to make amends and help me? Giving me people and resources means nothing. If you’re really serious, I dare you to sign over the entire Apex Squad to me!


    “Didn’t you say you named this club so that when the team finally reached the top, I’d be able to find my way back home?” Aubree’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “If that’s really the case, then just hand the whole team over to me.”


    ???


    Chaptcy 05


    Emery’s face dedined of color in shock. Apex Squrd was his life’s work, bent over decades with blood, sweat, and tears. Over the years, he’d apum off numerous ventures from the star power of his yers. He could not possibly just hand it all over to


    “So you can’t bear to part with it, right Aubree’s expression turned icy in an instant. “Then shut the hell up! Take your phony affection and get out of my bice! Of course, she knew Emery would never agree.


    Aubree thought binerly, I was willing to sacrifice everything for the Wilson family!


    She did exactly that, only to pay with her very life.


    Aubree turned on her heel and started to leave. Behind her, Emery reached out, trying to grab her.


    Just as his fingertips brushed against her sleeve, Emery’s vision suddenly cked out. His tall frame stiffened, then copsed straight to the ground.


    Aubree turned to see Emery copsed on the ground, unconscious, his cheeks flushed an unnatural crimson.


    Hesitating for a brief moment, she reached out and pressed her hand against Emery’s forehead. “Running a fever?”


    Aubree thought with a hint of irony, ‘Emery’s burning up with a fever, and yet no one even noticed?’


    Aubree let out two gleefulughs, looked down at him for a moment, then kicked him hard. “Serves you right!”


    With that, she turned and walked away without a backward nce.


    As for Emery lying on the ground, it was none of her business. She couldn’t care less.