Chapter 3

“I know Grandma Gloria asked you to help the Williamses, but…” Joe raised his eyebrows, wondering if Skylar thought the Williamses deserved preferential treatment. Although Jeffrey was unfit for it, Joe would agree to her terms if that was her condition for their marriage arrangement.

“I hope you’ll stop helping them,” Skylar said, dropping her gaze, fearing her malice would be apparent.

“Oh?” Joe was slightly taken aback but didn't question her further.

Seeing Skylar sign the documents, he glanced at his watch. “Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

The courthouse was uncrowded, so they obtained their marriage certificate quickly. Everything still felt unreal to Skylar as she left the courthouse and stared at the certificate.

Joe’s voice rang out beside her. “Let’s exchange numbers. I’ll send you my address; you should move in with me in two days.”

Before Skylar could refuse, he left. She had planned to move in with Gloria. Living with Joe hadn't even crossed her mind. However, she didn't oppose this arrangement. A harmonious façade of a loving marriage would reassure Gloria.

Skylar checked the time. It was 3:30 p.m., and she could still return to the Williams residence to collect her belongings. She wouldn't have gone back if not for the valuable items Viola had given her.

Her phone rang en route. Without checking the caller ID, she answered.

“Hello?”

“Babe, Maisy called. She said you fought with Jeffrey and Sadie at the hospital over her blood transfusion. It’s inappropriate. You’ll upset them, and Maisy needs your blood too. Your relationship with them will be strained if you leave them immediately. Where are you? I’ll come find you, and you must apologize to Jeffrey and Sadie! We’ll go to the hospital early tomorrow morning. Also, want to see a movie after you donate blood?” Christopher coaxed.

Skylar clenched her phone. She had loved Christopher deeply, her feelings unwavering from high school through college. The day he graduated, he'd declared her the love of his life and proposed marriage. Now, she concluded men's promises were worthless. The past year, since her paralysis, felt like yesterday.

Christopher, slightly enraged by her silence, said, “Babe, are you there? Bad signal? Should I text you on WhatsApp?”

“I’m breaking up with you, dumbass,” Skylar said, unable to bear his presence any longer. She hung up.

Her phone buzzed with notifications, but she ignored them. She hadn't blocked Christopher; it wasn't the right time.

Soon, Skylar arrived at the Williams residence. Jeffrey and the others hadn't returned due to rush hour traffic; they wouldn't be back for another 30 minutes. Having moved in only six months prior, Skylar didn't own much. One suitcase sufficed.

Descending the stairs, she saw an antique painting in a corner of the living room—hidden away. Skylar had spent three months restoring it for Sadie’s birthday, but Sadie hadn't been impressed, instructing the maid to hang it inconspicuously. Skylar had been disheartened; Sadie had seemed impatient, in contrast to her gleeful acceptance of Maisy's designer bag. Sadie didn't deserve the painting, nor Skylar's sincerity.

Skylar carefully removed the painting, rolled it meticulously, and packed it in her suitcase.

Forty minutes later, Jeffrey, Sadie, and Maisy returned. Noticing Skylar’s absence, Sadie frowned. “Lucy, has Skylar returned?”

The maid, Lucy Sanders, replied, “Ms. Skylar returned half an hour ago, then left with a suitcase.”

“Left with a suitcase?” Sadie shrieked.

“Yes, Mrs. Williams,” Lucy nodded.

Maisy was surprised. She’d expected a sheepish Skylar, apologizing. Hadn't Christopher said he would handle it?

“Did she run away?” Maisy asked.

Jeffrey was furious. “If she has the guts to run away, she shouldn’t bother coming back! Such insolence! I’m canceling her credit card!” Skylar had shamed him.

“I’ll check her room. Maybe she’s just trying to scare us. I bet she wants a car. She’s hopeless!” Sadie, furrowing her brows, dashed upstairs.

She rarely entered Skylar’s room. The empty, plain room startled her; uneasiness pricked at her.

“Mom, I’ll leave. I don’t think Skylar wants to see me. She’ll return once I’m gone,” Maisy said, noticing Sadie’s preoccupation. Maisy felt things slipping from her control. She should be the only pampered one! Skylar was always meant to be inferior.

Snapping out of it, Sadie said warmly, “Imagine if she were as sensible as you. Ignore her. She can go whenever she wants. She grew up in the countryside. It’s normal she lacks courtesy, considering her adoptive mother only finished middle school. She’ll become more sensible; she’ll respect you and Dad like I do,” Maisy chirped.

Sadie disliked hearing about Skylar’s past. “Skylar’s been in college for years! She should be mature. She’s a narrow-minded, ungrateful whelp! Don’t bother about her. Let’s eat.”

In the cab, Skylar watched the bustling streets. Everything felt like a dream—she’d been reborn.

“Miss, your phone’s ringing,” the driver said, glancing at her. He thought she was pretty, maybe in her twenties, but her sullen expression suggested otherwise. Her phone rang incessantly.

“It’s fine. It’s scammers,” Skylar replied, looking at her phone. Christopher was spamming her on WhatsApp. She imagined his agitation, but that image overlaid with him devouring Maisy. Her grip tightened; the ringing stopped. Another call came in. Skylar’s lashes fluttered; it was Joe.