I started feeling nervous, as if my heart almost skipped a beat.

It had been three years since we last met. Every time I dream back at midnight, Callum's face scared me.

At that moment, my worries were exposed to the public. Well, someone had bribed the maid beside me and created the whole drama.

Everyone knew the admiration I had with my brother.

At that moment, Callum already had a cold face. He frowned and looked at me with a distant and disgusted expression.

It felt like my admiration for him was filthy, something I couldn't bear to see. After that, he wouldn't even spare me a glance.

He said, "Vera, as the legitimate daughter of the Holden Family, you're too shameless. It's truly disgusting."

Even after three years, those words still felt like a guilty verdict, filling me with shame whenever I thought of them.

As soon as Callum approached me, my complexion turned pale.

Three years ago, when I felt too clean, he saw me as dirty and disgusting as hell.

"General Smith, this servant has realized my mistake. I have reflected on my mistakes in the army for three years. I have learned the rules for three years and know all the duties. I will never think of Xander again. Please forgive me, General," I said.

Hazel sighed, exclaiming in surprise, "Miss Vera."

She wanted to help me up, so Hazel added, "Why are you calling yourself a slave and calling your stepbrother the general? You are the legitimate daughter of the Holden Family. Please remember that."

With that, Hazel suddenly stopped and started crying.

I kept my head lowered, unable to bring myself to stand up.

However, Callum remained silent for a while. Then, afterward, someone chuckled from above me.

"It seems they have a good job enforcing the rules," he remarked.

"I am indeed much more obedient," I mumbled.

With that, Callum bent down and raised his finger to lift my chin. As soon as we met each other's stares, his eyes widened in astonishment.

"Vera, why have you lost so much weight?!" he exclaimed.

Callum had mixed feelings. He was shocked as if he had a headache and some that had pity.

However, I only opened my eyes, oblivious to what torture would bring me. Still, I remained silent. I didn't want to speak.

As expected, Callum didn't force me to retort back at him.

Right afterward, Callum chuckled and let go of my chin.

"The conditions in the army are tough. You must be selective about what you eat, so it's natural to lose weight," he remarked.

I swallowed the bitterness in my throat. Hazel helped me up only after Callum gave his permission.

Callum brought me back to the Holden Mansion this time because his mother pleaded with him and also because tomorrow was her birthday.

However, according to the servants in the mansion, there was another reason. That was that Callum would be married soon to someone.

As for who he would be married to, Callum had a childhood sweetheart named Fiona Gordon.

Even though Callum didn't know, three years ago, I was designed to make a fool of myself at a banquet.

It was the conspiracy of Fiona and my younger sister, Celeste.

I heard that during my three years away, Callum and Fiona became very close and they were about to get married.

"Miss, once the general gets married, he definitely won't drive you away again," Hazel said.

Upon listening to Hazel, I couldn't help but smile full of bitterness.

Did he think I would still have feelings for Callum and make me watch him get married? These three years, I've wished for death every day. I've been afraid for so long.

Callum sent two more female servants to me, asking them to serve attentively.

They waited for me to take a bath and tried to help me undress, but I pulled back like someone had poked me with a needle. During my three years in the army, I often dreamed that someone forcibly undressed me.

What scared me a lot was that after I woke up, I would be slapped by the realization that it wasn't a dream at all, but it happened for real.

With a sigh, I asked them all to leave. I did not have an illness that prevented me from moving freely.

"I'll do it myself," I insisted.

I asked Hazel to step back, worried that she might see the ugly scars winding across my body.

At the birthday banquet being held in the Holden mansion, Callum patiently waited for me outside.

As soon as I finished preparing and dressed myself more appropriately, I went out. Upon reaching there, I caught a glimpse of Callum, which made me panic, but I was suddenly forced to smile at him.

"Why did the general come in person? This servant…"

"Vera," Callum interrupted me, his gaze on my face. "In the future, you will reclaim your identity as the Miss of the Holden Family and no longer need to refer to yourself as a servant."

I shook my head and replied, "I'm afraid I can't."

Callum frowned upon hearing what I told him.

"You know what? I can admire being well-behaved, but being too reserved is a bit much," he remarked.

I was taken aback. I knew he believed I was pretending.

Suddenly, Callum took my hand and said, "Let's go. It's been three years since we last met. I'll introduce you to my father and mother."

As soon as he was about to touch me, I immediately reacted and took a step back to avoid his touch.

With that, Callum stared at me confusedly.

I fell to my knees, fighting to hold back the tears in my eyes. "Please forgive me, General. I…" I stuttered, unable to continue.

These three years of experience had made me afraid of men's touch.

Callum's gaze lingered on my face, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he turned around and walked ahead. I followed silently behind him.

A lot of people could be seen attending the birthday banquet.

Since I suddenly appeared here after being gone for three years, the visitors who happened to see me started gossiping about me. Some of them were familiar to me, but others weren't.

"I think she's the one, right? That legitimate daughter from the Holden Family," someone whispered to the others.

"Why does she look so pale and thin? She's not as pretty," the others replied.

"You better cut that crap! Remember how she did shameful things back then, three years ago now? I think now that she has learned some lessons, then I am still pretty sure she will do it again. Besides, a person like her cannot change despite whatever she has learned!" one woman from the side also shared her opinion.

That said, they didn't respond at all and remained muted, seeing our presence nearby.

That woman looked in Callum's direction with confidence, as if acting like she didn't mention anything about me. At the same time, I saw Callum's gaze at this point also was too sharp, as if it could kill anyone.

I was well aware Callum had that reaction not to defend me but also not to distract her mother's birthday celebration.

On the other hand, Nathan Holden, Callum and I’s father come out, holding Avery Holden, Callum's mother, my stepmother and the birthday celebrant's hands.

Upon seeing them, I immediately slightly bowed to show I respected them.

"Indeed, Callum was right. Learning some lessons made Vera more obedient," Dad said with a smile.

I continued standing with my head down and eyes on the floor while Avery looked sympathetic.

"Are you a bit too obedient? You don't even look like Vera," she said.

Later, Avery pulled towards the side, moved closer to me and whispered something in my ears before she left and entertained some of the guests.

With that, I continued standing at the side, too silent and feeling out of place.

I was minding my own business here when suddenly, someone poured water down from a basin above me out of the blue, sending a cold shiver down my spine.

Who the hell is that?! I wondered.

On the opposite side stood Celeste, who glimpsed at me and said, "Sister, I just made a bet with Fiona. Let's see how well you've learned the rules. Will splashing water on you make you furious, or will you just let it pass?"

Next to me stood Fiona with a gentle smile. They made me look bad at the birthday banquet on purpose and I ended up completely soaked. I stood there with my head down, feeling all their eyes turned to me.

Their intense stare at me made me shake my body like a left. I tried to stay awake, but everything went black around me.

"Miss!" I heard Hazel's voice. Then, I fell and was caught in someone's arms.