When the village chief delivered the items for my wedding, my fiancé's adopted sister, who was the apple of his eye, suddenly burst into tears. She cut my wedding dress and smashed the wardrobe that my older brother made for me.

Every time I was about to lose my temper, my fiancé, who was also my childhood sweetheart, would immediately side with her. He claimed that she was still young and did not understand jealousy; she was just insecure.

Even my own brother defended her, saying I had a birth brother who doted on me. It would not hurt to give in to her.

When an earthquake happened, they both ran to her and protected her tightly beneath their bodies. Meanwhile, I was trapped under the ruins for three days and three nights. My brother and fiancé tried every possible way to cheer up her, leaving the villagers to rescue me instead.

When they looked at me with wounds all over my body, they only said, "Don't overthink it. Jenn is timid and frightened. We couldn't leave her alone."

I was on bed rest for a month, but not once did I see them. Only the village chief came to see me. He tried to persuade me, saying, "You're the first college student in our village. Are you really going to give up on your studies just to get married? This—"

I interrupted him, "I made my decision before you came. I'll report to the college on time!"

The village was remote and had been badly affected by the earthquake that took place recently. The village chief, Aiden Zigger, repeatedly reminded me that I had to set off within seven days.

After he left, I found the place where my fiancé, Quentin Larson, was temporarily staying to retrieve my ID. Unexpectedly, I saw three people lying on a bed when I parted the curtains.

My older brother, Lennon Young, clung tightly to Jenn Surrey's back, holding her in both his arms. Meanwhile, Quentin had Jenn's feet on his chest and was massaging them. Jenn, wearing a thin shirt that made her innerwear visible, lay feebly between the two. The area beneath her collar was faintly visible, and she seemed to be muttering something.

I thought I was alert enough and mentally prepared to face everything, but the scene before me still made the blood rush straight to my head. I had been wondering why these two men had not even visited me, who was injured in the earthquake, once in the past month. It turned out they were here, accompanying Jenn.

The moment Lennon saw me, he immediately pulled the quilt over Jenn and glared at me, looking furious. "Elise, where have you been? Many houses in the village have collapsed, and we're in urgent need of people. How could you just go into hiding? Has everything you read from books all gone down the drain?"

Quentin also looked displeased when he saw me staring at them. "You played your sneaky tricks again, huh? Jenn said she wanted to help you, and now, she's exhausted and has a high fever that won't go away. She's already in poor health to begin with. Her ankle got scraped and injured because she took your place!"

I lowered my gaze to the crystal shoes by the bedside. I had made them myself so that I could wear them on my wedding day. Quentin had even said that we had to treasure the shoes I made with such great effort and pass them on to our children and grandchildren.

However, they were now covered with mud and had been worn by Jenn.

Seeing that I was frozen in place without saying anything, Quentin seemed to finally realize that something was wrong. He carefully covered Jenn's feet with the quilt before standing up and explaining perfunctorily with a stern face.

"It's just a pair of shoes. You can just make another pair! The three of us didn't do anything. Don't overthink it and spread nonsense! It would be bad for Jenn's reputation if the villagers heard about this."

Jenn kicked restlessly with her eyes closed. When her feet felt empty, she woke up with a frown and looked at me provocatively.

"Quentin, I'm so cold! Every time I get sick, you two would stay by my side and take care of me. Elise is already a grown-up and is about to get married. Why is she getting more and more petty? She even came here to throw a tantrum."

Jenn's criticism made me furious.

If it were in the past, I would have swung a broom at Jenn's mouth. Now, I just looked at the three of them calmly. "You're overthinking it. I'm just here to get my ID. You three can continue. If necessary, I'll tie the curtains tighter for you when I go out."

After saying that, I took my ID and left. I was afraid that I would break down if I stayed for another second.

However, Quentin grabbed me, showing no intention of letting me go.

"What are you talking about? What's there to continue? Jenn is sick, and we're just taking care of her. Elise Young, I never realized that your mind could be so filthy. If this gets out, how will Jenn live her life? Can you bear the consequences if she can't take it?"

Before I could speak, Lennon also roared, "Hurry and apologize!"

Turning back, I glared at them. Even though I had warned myself not to be upset, I still failed at holding back my tears.

Sobbing, I cried out, "Even your own sister or your own fiancée isn't as important as an outsider! You all revolve around her when she has a fever. I was injured in the earthquake and was in bed for a month, but you guys never worried about me or even bothered to take a look. Won't you feel the slightest bit sad even if I died?"

Seeing my face covered in tears, Quentin became a bit flustered. Even his tone softened a little as he spoke.

"It's not that I wasn't worried about you. It's just that Jenn got a big fright from the earthquake and started having nightmares all night. We could only take turns staying by her side. Later, she helped everyone build the workshed and caught a cold. We really couldn't find the time to see you."

His words instantly froze my heart. I was already filled with self-deprecation to begin with. What else was there to say? I would only embarrass myself by arguing any further.

Jenn shivered again, hugging herself and shouting for Quentin non-stop.

Quentin gave me a meaningful look and said to me as if he were doing charity, "Enough. Watch your words from now on. You're a grown adult, but you keep getting jealous over a child. If word about this gets out, you'll be a joke!"

After saying that, he sat back on the bed and put Jenn's feet in his arms to warm them up.

Until I left, neither Quentin nor Lennon noticed that my right leg limped a little when walking.

After leaving, I returned home. My house was still alright. Only one wall had collapsed, and my previous room was still there. I climbed over the collapsed hole and crawled in. I simply packed a few clothes from my wardrobe and took a few books.

When I was about to leave, I saw the neatly folded quilt at the head of the bed. I had embroidered the patterns myself—all in pairs. But since the wedding was off, it was a waste to let him have it.

I found a rope to tie it up and was about to take it out, but Quentin rushed over right at this moment. He saw me throwing the quilt on the ground and seemed a little dissatisfied.

"What are you doing? Enough. Are you really going to break up with me over such a small matter? Besides, everyone in the village knows that you and I are engaged. Are you going to leave the village if you don't marry me?"

I wanted to tell him directly that I was leaving, but I held back the words at the tip of my tongue and only answered flatly, "There's rat poop on it. It's dirty!"

Quentin's expression relaxed a bit, but he kicked the quilt away in disgust. "Throw it away, then. Jenn is most afraid of rats. If she finds out, she'll have nightmares again! I plan to postpone the wedding by two months. You have plenty of time to embroider another quilt."

I lost my footing and was about to fall when I heard that. He immediately stepped forward to help me, but I soon heard Jenn's delicate cry from behind, and then I fell straight to the ground.

"Haha! Elise is so funny. She still falls even though she's a grown-up!" Jenn was leaning on Quentin as she pointed at me, laughing at me without holding back.

I rubbed my leg that had not recovered, stood back up, and limped away while holding the quilt.

"Elise, what happened to your leg?"

"Yes! As you can see, it's injured!"

Quentin seemed to have finally noticed what was off with me and wanted to help me, but Jenn, who was whimpering, refused to let go. Just as he had said, he could not get away from Jenn.

Lennon had come over at some point. Seeing my dusty face, he started lecturing me again, "If you're injured, rest. Why are you running around? If it gets serious, we won't have time to take care of you!"

After that, he stepped forward to support Jenn. The two men stood on either side of her, acting like they were a princess' bodyguards.

A gust of wind blew, and dust got into my eyes, making my tears flow again. They used to protect me like this back then. However, ever since Jenn came into the picture, everything changed. I was just stupid and did not realize it until now.

I followed behind, stepping in the mud. Suddenly, there was a bang, and the beams collapsed again.

I squatted down while clutching my head as if by reflex. The fear of being pressed underground for three days and three nights rushed back to me. I was so nervous that I stammered and desperately screamed for help, "Lennon! Quentin! Save me! Please don't leave me! I'm here!"

However, there was no sound of footsteps. I only heard them calling out for Jenn.

When everything settled down, I saw Lennon and Quentin holding Jenn tightly in their arms. They were only three steps away from me. The collapsed wall was right beside me, and all they had to do was turn around and give me a hand, but they had once again abandoned me and chosen to protect Jenn.

At this moment, I was truly disheartened and had no more lingering feelings for them. I pushed away the fallen beam in front of me with a lingering fear. Had I taken one more step, I would have surely been hit.

The neighbors who heard the noise rushed over and saw me hiding alone in the corner while Lennon and Quentin were protecting Jenn. They all looked at the three of them with looks of disdain on their faces.

Aiden was the first to arrive. "Elise, are you alright? You didn't get hurt, did you? In a few days, you'll—"

"Mr. Zigger! I'm fine!" I quickly interrupted, fearing that Aiden would let the cat out of the bag. I also secretly increased the force of my grip on him.

Aiden glanced at the three people not far away, shook his head helplessly, and walked away.

Having heard half of Aiden's statement, Quentin hurriedly leaned over, his face full of flattery. "Elise, didn't we agree that our wedding would be postponed to two months later? Jenn's illness probably won't get better in a short time. Just wait! But if you're really unwilling, we can get our marriage license first in a few days. I remember the items have already been delivered."

He seemed to have forgotten that Jenn had already destroyed the items on the very day they were delivered.

I was furious at the time and had a big fight with Jenn. She ended up smashing my wedding gifts in anger. Lennon and Quentin even called me ignorant for being angry at a child. I cried out of grievance back then, but I was now unbothered.

Before I could refuse, Jenn tugged at Quentin's sleeve and looked at Lennon, all teary-eyed. "Quentin, Lennon, my mother's death anniversary is in a few days. Can you accompany me back to see her? That place is too far away. I'm really scared to go alone..."

Quentin glanced at me awkwardly before pretending to knock her on her forehead. "You fool, why did you only mention such an important thing now?"

Lennon chimed in, "Yes! If you had told us earlier, we would've made preparations earlier. But don't worry. We'll accompany you back!"

Jenn's eyes reddened. "I'm sorry, I just remembered it. But I can go back by myself if you guys have something to do. I'll just leave early and come back as soon as possible in the evening!" After saying that, she wiped her tears and prepared to turn around and leave.

"No!"

"No!"

Lennon and Quentin retorted in unison.

Then, each of them held Jenn's hand. Lennon said first, "I'll be free in a few days. I have time!"

Quentin also looked awkwardly at me. "Elise, your brother has never been there before. He's unfamiliar with the route. How about..."

I sneered, "Are you worried that she'll go alone and never come back? You're both fighting to pay respects to someone else's mother!"

Quentin's expression instantly darkened the moment I finished speaking. "Elise, you've gone too far! I won't allow you to criticize Jenn like that! It's just a marriage license. We can get it anytime. Jenn's mother's death anniversary only comes once a year!"

Lennon also grew angry, pointing at my nose and gritting his teeth. "When did you become so heartless? You just have to wait two more days before getting your marriage license, but Jenn would have to wait a year if she misses this. I think you're getting more selfish as you grow older!"

I never intended to be nice to them in the first place. I met Lennon's ferocious gaze and slowly answered, "So, you're notifying me instead of discussing it with me, right? If you want to go, go! The wedding has already been postponed. What else can't be postponed? It doesn't matter anyway..."

I would be gone when they returned anyway, so it did not matter.

I gave the quilt to my neighbor. Then, I found Mary Barter, the matchmaker who introduced me to Quentin back then, and returned all of the wedding gifts in front of the matchmaker. Some of the ruined ones were compensated with cash.

After carrying my luggage and setting off, I met the group on their way back when I was resting behind a rock on the mountain road. Jenn and Quentin were sitting amidst the bushes that were as tall as a person, but Lennon was nowhere to be seen.

"Quentin, you're getting marriage license tomorrow. I know we can't be together, but I just wanted to give you all of me before you got married! Don't worry. I'll get together with Lennon after you get married. I won't bother you!" Jenn said.

I tried to hold back my disgust. Lennon was calling out to her in a hurry, and Jenn hurriedly walked out of the bushes alone. Quentin was nowhere to be seen for a long time.

"Why did you two leave so fast? You disappeared while I went to the toilet. It was so difficult to find you! By the way, where's Quentin?"

Jenn looked guilty as she stammered, "H-He said he was worried that Elise would be angry, so he's going back to comfort her."

I stood behind the rock, watching Jenn put her arms around Lennon's neck and give him a peck before leaning on his shoulder. She seemed to look right in my direction as she asked, "Lennon, are you going to always side with me if Elise bullies me?"

"Of course! You'll always be the first in my heart!"

My mind flashed back to when Lennon and Quentin still protected and cared for me. The mountain breeze blew over me, making my cheeks cold. I realized that my tears had wet my face at some point.

'Quentin, Lennon, we no longer owe each other anything,' I thought as I wiped my tears and strode away.

I seemed to see Lennon looking in my direction from the corners of my eyes, but Jenn dragged him away again while making a fuss before he could take two steps forward.

As soon as I arrived outside the train station the next day, I saw Lennon and Quentin guarding both sides of the ticket gate while looking around. I recalled yesterday's scene and was annoyed, so I quickly led all my classmates to the furthest ticket gate.

Just when I thought I had finally entered the station and gotten rid of them, familiar voices rang behind me.

"Elise!"

Lennon's and Quentin's anxious shouts caught the attention of the surrounding passengers.