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    Connor had left in such a rush that his wallet slipped to the floor. Almost without thinking, Xylia bent down and picked it up.


    When they first got married, Xylia noticed the one Connor carried back then was all worn out. She scraped and saved for months and finally bought him a new one with her own money.


    Connor still kept that cool, detached look on his face, but he did say, “This is the first gift you’ve given me since we got married. I’ll keep it with me forever.”


    But the one she was holding now wasn’t the one she gave him. He had always carried that old wallet.


    Xylia opened it, and there it was–a photo of Tessa and Connor. They looked younger, like it was taken years ago.


    Tessa was wrapped around him, wearing a wedding dress, grinning right at the camera like she didn’t have <i>a </i>care in the world. And Connor, he actually had a soft smile on his face.


    Right across the middle, Xylia could see where the picture had been cut and pieced together. Connor had trimmed Tessa out of her own wedding photo and stuck her right next to himself.


    A wave of heaviness sat on Xylia’s chest. The smile on Connor’s face in that photo felt like a knife. All these years, not a single decent wedding portrait with her.


    Connor used to tell Xylia love didn’t need to be shown off. Now she finally saw it for what it was. He just never thought she deserved to be standing beside him in a wedding dress. To him, only Tessa belonged there.


    In the bottom corner, Connor had written “My One True Love,” followed by a date. It wasn’t random. That was the very day he and Xylia got married, the same day Tessa left the country.


    All the scattered pieces lined up in her head. Lying in bed, Xylia let out a soundlessugh.


    To the outside world, she was the lucky one, the woman whonded the perfect husband. But the truth was, all this time, Connor’s heart had belonged somewhere else.


    By dusk, Connor and Sonny still hadn’te back. The weight in Xylia’s chest grew heavier. The sad little marriage she had been holding together for years was already over.


    Watching thest of the sun sink down, she made a call. “I’ve made up my mind. I’lle


    home.”


    A year ago, she had picked up a call that changed everything. That was the moment she found


    out she wasn’t an orphan after all.


    Xylia paused a moment, then added, “But not until three months from now.”


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    Three monthster would be the anniversary of her grandmother Laurel Schultz’s passing.


    Out of everyone in the Schultz family, Laurel had been the only one who treated her with kindness. Before she left this city, Xylia wanted to stand by Laurel’s grave onest time.


    Three months would be long enough to get her strength back, end her marriage with Connor, and walk away.


    Meanwhile, at Mandé Manor overseas–the sprawling estate of the Sadler family, the richest family in the world–one man hung up the phone.


    Impably dressed, polished down to thest detail, he stared in shock for a second before turning to his three equally striking brothers. His voice carried a rare kind of excitement. “Our little sister finally said yes. She’sing home.”


    *****


    Once Xylia’s health picked up, she was discharged. Connor’s eyes turned red again as he watched her lean on a crutch.


    He helped her into the Ford house, sat her down on the couch, and pulled her into his arms. “It’s all behind us now, Xylia. From here on out, we’re a happy family.”


    In Xylia’s head, she scoffed. ‘Happy? After lying to me this far, you really expect me to buy that?‘


    Sonny came running over, practically bouncing. “Mom, happy discharge day.” Hended right on Xylia’s injured hand, making her wince.


    Sonny scrambled back up, his face not showing much guilt. “Sorry, Mom, you okay?”


    Xylia shook her head without a word. She didn’t want to pick a fight, but she was done pretending, too.


    While Connor and Sonny stayed in the living room watching TV, Xylia slipped back to her


    room.


    She wanted to pack up everything that was hers–or burn it if she had to. Except, once she looked around, there really wasn’t much that was hers to begin with.


    Xylia gave a half–smile. No surprise there. In this house, she barely left a trace, same as the ce she held in Connor and Sonny’s hearts. Disposable.


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    But then, she noticed something missing. The pendant she had handed to Connor before going to prison was gone. Laurel’s pendant. The only thing her grandmother had left her before she passed, and the only piece in this house worth taking with her.


    “Mom, Tessa’s here to see you.” Sonny’s voice rang from the hall, snapping her out of it.


    In the living room, Tessa was already sitting there, gift box in hand, grinning wide. She looked too at case, sprawled out on the couch, chatting like she owned the ce. The whole room felt lighter with her around.


    But the moment Xylia walked in, Tessa’s voice cut off. The air got thick fast.


    When Xylia stayed quiet, Tessa made a show of scooting a little away from Connor. “Xylia, don’t get the wrong idea, okay? Connor and I are just friends. Don’t be jealous.”


    Connor’s face flickered with impatience. “Tessa came because she heard you were out of the hospital. That’s all.”


    Xylia lowered her head, ignored them both, and sat on a stool across the room. She wasn’t about to argue. Acting blind felt easier.


    “Xylia, this is for you.” Tessa stepped closer, holding the box. “I remember you used to love this style.” She opened it. Inside was a dance outfit–exactly the kind Xylia used to adore.


    [Xylia’s breath caught. Her legs would never dance again.] “Ms. Schultz, I can’t use it anymore.” Her tone stayed t.


    Tessa pped a hand over her mouth, ncing at Xylia’s legs. “Sorry, I forgot. My bad, Xylia. I’m kind of rough, not as thoughtful as you girls. Don’t be mad, okay?”


    Xylia gave a thin smile and finally lifted her gaze. Staring straight into the malice in Tessa’s eyes, she only felt how bitterly ironic it was.


    Her voice stayed calm. “Doesn’t matter. I quit dancing a long time ago. Keep it for yourself.” The gift meant nothing. Same as the son and the husband she no longer wanted.


    Tessaughed and finally set the box down. That was when Xylia noticed the pendant hanging from her neck, swinging as she moved.


    Xylia’s stomach dropped. Her fist clenched tight. It was Laurel’s pendant.