Chapter 77  As Nicole was faced with Chase’s barrage of questions, I stood back with my arms crossed, giving Nicole a frosty glare. I couldn’t help but wonder how she’d wriggle out of this one.  “Chase” Nicole began, her voice shaky, “the last time I was here, I accidentally broke the picture of you and Amanda. You told me it was fine. Since I couldn’t find another one, I put up our photo instead. Didn’t you say you liked it back then?”  “And did you forget about those souvenirs? Some are from our trips abroad, and the others are gifts you got me from the island.”  Her voice was soft, laced with a touch of hurt  Chase rubbed his forehead as if just now realizing he’d allowed things to get to this point.  And it hit me too–about a year ago, I had rearranged my schedule to go on a trip to the island with him. But at the last minute, he told me he had to leave for an important work project  nly now did I leam of the truth. Chase took Nicole to the island using my itinerary. He stayed in the hotel I booked and visited the places I wanted to see–with her.  The thought made my stomach chum  Even though I didn’t physically retch, the emotional turmoil was unbearable. What else had they done behind my back all these years? No wonder Nicole flaunted those items here, they were her trophies, and of course, she’d place them front and center to mock me. Chase massaged his temples. “Nicole, you’re just Amanda’s sister. Stop bringing these things up. They upset her  See, how could he not understand the idea of boundaries?  He had become accustomed to Nicole’s sweet compliance–something he never got from me. He basked in it while making fun of me for overreacting. He knew what boundaries were; he just chose not to respect them.  h a selfish jerk.  this mess for such a se  I stood by the window, reaching for the sunlight, feeling a wave of pity for my past self. I was in Nicole, tears streaming, pleaded, “Chase, do you hate me now? I swear, I won’t interfere with you and Amanda anymore. I just want to be by your side, to watch over you. Is that too much to ask?”  What a so–called “small request.”  Her “small request” was like a thorn in my side, causing  g me p  endless pain and unrest.  Chase, lacking solid proof, looked at her with a cold expression. “Nicole, how old are you?”  “Im 23.  “You’re not a kid anymore. It’s time you settled down. You can’t keep following me around; you need your own life. We’re not blood–related, and when you get a boyfriend, people will talk.”  Nicole’s face fell, and her tears stopped. “So, you want to draw a line between us?”  Chase spelled it out, “Nicole, I’ve thought a lot about this. Because of you, I’ve neglected Amanda’s feelings, which led to this mess. When she returns, I want to make things right with her.”  Nicole dropped the act, still teary–eyed, “So, was your affection for me just a passing fancy? Did you ever love me, even for a moment?”  I turned from the window, curious to see how he’d respond.  Chase watched Nicole’s tear–streaked face but seemed lost in thought. It’s like he were seeing someone else through her. “Nicole, did you know? Amanda’s actually quite delicate. When she was little, even a tiny caterpillar would make her cry.”  Nicole stared, confused, “So what?”  “She’s afraid of the dark, thunder, little creatures, snakes. She gets seasick. Yet when she heard about the earthquake, she was determined to cross the ocean to find me. When facing a storm, she clung to driftwood for days, nearly losing her life”  “She didn’t cry when she finally arrived. I still remember her look of disbelief and heartbreak when I slapped her.  “Back then, no one stood by her Everyone praised you for being so brave and for overcoming obstacles to be with me. Who cared about Armanda’s feelings? She didn’t cry, so why are you crying?”  Nicole was at a loss. “Chase, I really didn’t know about Amanda’s journey I came back with you. Maybe she just lost her passport? Why don’t you believe me?”  “Nicole, I don’t have concrete evidence,  ce, but it se  seems every time you’re upset, you cry, and we all forget the truth to comfort you, ignoring that Amanda is the real victim. I owe her too much. I won’t hurt her anymore. Nicole, this is where it ends”  Nicole, stunned, managed to speak. “Chase, so you never loved me? Not even for a moment?  Crtise firmly stated, “No, I’ve only ever loved Amanda. From now on, you’re just her sister to me, nothing more.”  Chapter 77  “What about our past? Our trip to the island, our wishes at the wishing well, the love knot beneath the Love Tree. Have you forgotten all  that?  “I’m sorry.”