"What is wrong with her now?" Lauren asked, snapping out of it, her voice unsteady.

Archie shrugged. "How would I know? She's capricious, and her mood swings are getting more unpredictable! We've spoiled her too much."

"Outrageous!" Jorge's face darkened with anger.

"She got burned earlier. Maybe it's still hurting. I'll bring her back another day so she can apologize," Brenton said with a frown before quickly going after Arabella.

Fabric lifted, exposing Arabella's bare abdomen.

Angry red marks spread across her skin where the burns had taken hold, and two deep scars cut through the area, stark and impossible to ignore. Against the scalded flesh, those scars stood out even more, harsh and unsettling.

Four years had passed, yet the scars still looked as severe as ever, a reminder of just how serious the injury had been.

Back then, it wasn't just about nearly losing her uterus. If she hadn't fought her way out of that dark alley, she wouldn't have survived at all.

Without hesitation, Arabella turned slightly, making sure her parents and brothers could see her stomach clearly.

Silence filled the room.

"Why did everyone stop talking? The injury I went through wasn't minor. I've been preparing myself for a child, and the doctor told me not to go hungry. Is asking for a bowl of soup before dinner really that unreasonable?"

As Arabella spoke, her eyes moved from one face to another, watching closely.

Jorge's expression stayed rigid, while Lauren covered her mouth. Their eyes shifted, and unease showed through despite their attempts to hide it. Brody glanced briefly before quickly averting his gaze, his breathing turning uneven.

Arabella knew this family would never suddenly feel sorry for her. If they were quiet now, it could only mean something else. In that instant, she understood. The truth behind the severe injuries Brinley had put her through wasn't something only Archie and Brenton knew. The whole family had known all along. Every single one of them had kept quiet and helped Brinley cover the crimes. They weren't innocent bystanders. They were all accomplices.

"What are you doing? Put that down!" Brenton grabbed the hem of Arabella's shirt and pulled it back into place, refusing to let anyone else see the scars on her body for another second. Those marks only reminded him of the nasty rumors he had tried to ignore for years.

All Brenton cared about was covering Arabella up. He didn't stop to think that pulling the fabric down would press against her burns.

Pain surged through Arabella, draining the color from her face. She struggled against him and pushed him away. "Let go of me!"

"Come with me. You need to rinse it with cold water," Brenton suggested, tightening his grip around her wrist as he tried to pull her along.

Right then, the large screen lit up as the video call finally connected.

"Good morning, Mommy, Daddy, and my handsome brothers. Oh, Bella and Brenny are there too? Did you miss me?" Brinley's delicate face appeared on the screen, her voice soft and bright.

Dressed in a soft white pajama set with rabbit ears, she sat by a sunlit window inside a penthouse, a carefully prepared breakfast laid out in front of her.

Her smile came easily, bright and gentle, while her eyes shone with life. The slight lift of her brows gave her a playful edge. She carried an air that felt both pure and self-assured, with a hint of pride that showed without restraint. That was Brinley.

Facing the camera, Brinley lifted her hand and waved, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere on the other side.

The tense silence in the dining room broke apart in an instant. No one looked at Arabella anymore. Every gaze shifted toward the screen, and smiles appeared across their faces as they greeted Brinley.

"Good morning, Brinley."

"Did you sleep well last night, Brinley?"

"Why is there so little food? Don't start dieting while you're over there by yourself."

"I checked the forecast. The weather is about to change. Remember to dress warmer after breakfast."

Even Brenton, who had just been about to pull Arabella away, let go of her wrist unconsciously. His attention settled on the screen, focused in a way Arabella had never seen before.

Arabella stayed where she was, feeling out of place. She had already told herself not to care, that none of this mattered anymore. Yet when the people she once relied on all turned away from her, the pain still pressed down on her chest.

A sharp ache surged through her, as if the wound on her abdomen had been torn open all over again, the pain spreading deep inside. Her fingers curled tightly into fists, holding back the urge to smash the screen in front of her.

Cold eyes fixed on Brinley's bright, harmless-looking face, Arabella didn't look away.

"Why are you standing so far back, Bella? Why aren't you saying anything? Brenny, did you make my sister upset? If you don't treat her properly, I won't let it slide when I come back!" Brinley turned toward Arabella with a playful tone, even raising her fist in a teasing gesture toward Brenton.

Brenton placed his arm around Arabella's shoulders. "How could that be? We're doing just fine. We've even started preparing for a baby, haven't we, honey?"

He lowered his gaze toward Arabella, his expression soft and full of warmth.

A small smile appeared on Arabella's lips as she lifted her brows. She linked her arm with his and then looked toward Brinley with a gentle, cheerful expression. "That's right. By the time you return, our child will already be talking."

Brenton's body tensed for a moment.

On the screen, Brinley's smile faltered slightly, and the light in her eyes dimmed as she glanced at Brenton.

Lowering her gaze, Arabella let out a faint, knowing smile. She understood Brinley too well. Brinley thought she was the center of everyone's attention, adored by all.

In truth, Brinley craved everyone's attention too much, and her urge for control ran just as deep. Even though she didn't care for Brenton, she would never allow someone who once admired her to move on and build a life with another woman. That was even more unacceptable when that woman happened to be Arabella.

Arabella smirked to herself. Now, neither Brenton nor Brinley remained as composed as before.

"Brenny, Bella, let me offer my congratulations early," Brinley said, forcing a smile that looked natural on the surface.

Brenton kept his eyes on Brinley, his throat tightening slightly before he responded in a distant voice, "Thank you."

Something in the air shifted, though no one spoke of it.

A wave of sickness settled over Arabella. She quietly pulled her arm away from Brenton and turned to leave, heading toward the room she used to stay in.

As soon as she walked off, the laughter behind her picked up again. No one stopped her. Nobody asked about her injury. She had to take care of herself. The burn on her skin still hurt, and she had no intention of letting it turn into something worse.

When she reached her room and pushed the door open, she froze. The space had been completely changed. What used to be her room now held rows of airplane models, arranged neatly as if it had always been meant for that purpose. Across from the door, Brinley's photo hung on the wall.

In the picture, Brinley wore a stylish outfit with sunglasses resting on her nose. Her hands rested on her hips as she lifted her chin, a carefree smile on her face, with the State Aviation Academy standing behind her.

A cold laugh slipped from Arabella's lips.

"Forgot to tell you. This room has already been remodeled. Anyway, you're married now and rarely come back. Just use one of the guest rooms if you need to freshen up."

Archie's voice came from behind as he stepped forward. He reached out and shut the door, as if even her presence inside would leave something behind.

Turning to face him, Arabella lifted a brow, her expression calm. "So now that I'm married, I don't even deserve a space here? Not even something as small as a servant's room? When Brinley gets married one day, will you take back her bedroom, her dance room, her music room, her art studio, her study, her walk-in closet, and this model room too?"

Within the Rogers estate, an entire floor belonged to Brinley alone. Yet when Arabella came back, she had been given a small servant's room. Now, even that had been taken away.

The Rogers family never wanted Arabella to return in the first place. Still, they acted as if she were the one being distant and ungrateful, always insisting she come back to strengthen family ties. The thought was ridiculous.

Under her mocking gaze, Archie felt a flicker of discomfort. But that unease didn't last. It quickly turned into irritation, and his voice dropped. "Arabella, you don't dance, you don't play instruments, and you don't paint. Why do you always compare yourself to Brinley? If you want to compete, then try being more thoughtful and understanding. Mom's birthday is coming up. Brinley has been preparing something for a while now. What have you done for Mom?"

A faint, mocking laugh escaped Arabella. Was it really that she didn't paint or play instruments, or had no one ever asked? They had already decided she was lacking and placed her beneath Brinley without a second thought. Still, none of that mattered anymore.

A thought crossed her mind, and she pressed her lips together, forcing her expression into something hurt. "Of course, I prepared something. I bought Mom a manor. I came back today to get the papers. Archie, give me the folder of deeds and identification. I'll transfer the manor to Mom as a surprise."

She held her breath, anxiety creeping in as she waited, worried he might catch onto her little plan.

But her image-trying too eagerly to please despite their indifference-was too solid, and Archie nodded without hesitation. "That's more like it. Come upstairs. I'll get it for you."

Not long after, she tucked the relevant documents about the apartment her grandmother had left her into her bag.

She had no intention of staying any longer. Without hesitation, she moved toward the stairs and headed down quickly, ignoring Archie calling after her.

Her steps didn't slow as she descended, but Brody came rushing out of the dining room when he heard Archie's voice. He reached out and stopped her. "Everyone is waiting for you to eat. Where are you going?"

"Eat? Fine." Turning around, Arabella walked to the dining room.

Seeing that she wasn't making trouble, Brody followed behind her with a sense of relief.

But the moment she reached the table, her hand shot out and grabbed the tablecloth.

With a sharp pull, everything came crashing down. Plates shattered. Glassware hit the floor. Lauren screamed, and Jorge's voice rose in anger.

A cold smile appeared on Arabella's face. "You asked me to come back for dinner, yet none of the dishes suits me. Since you make me unhappy, let's all skip dinner."

Without another word, she turned and stormed out. She had reached her limit and refused to endure her discomfort any longer.

Brenton pulled up behind Arabella and hit the horn again and again, but she didn't respond. Instead of reacting, she dropped her gaze and walked faster.

Brenton's brows tightened as he brought the car to a stop. He got out without delay and caught up to her in a few steps. "Get in the car!" he snapped and grabbed her wrist.

"I'll feel sick if I ride. I want to walk," Arabella replied, waving him off. She couldn't pretend otherwise. There were things she simply couldn't force herself to tolerate.

The image from earlier still lingered in her mind. During the video call, the looks Brenton and Brinley exchanged had been obvious to everyone present, even without words. How did others stay so unaffected? How could they move on like nothing mattered?

Her mind kept telling her to let it go, yet her emotions refused to follow. She was trying to recover and pull herself together, and she needed Brenton to stay away from her.

"Let go! Don't touch me!" she hissed as she struggled against him.

But the next second, he lifted her off the ground, his movement impatient and rough. He shoved her into the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and shut the door with force.

Inside the car, silence settled in, broken only by their uneven breathing.

"Bella, what's wrong with you?" Brenton finally broke the silence.

Arabella turned her face toward the window and gave no response.

His hands tightened around the steering wheel, his expression showing his irritation.

Arabella kept her gaze away from him.

With a restless motion, Brenton loosened his tie, then reached over and caught her wrist, pulling her closer. "Arabella!"

When she finally looked at him, Brenton went still.

Her face had lost all color, her eyes dark and seemingly veiled by a mist, making it hard to gauge her emotions. A faint redness lined her eyes, with a slight flush at the corners.

Tears gathered in her eyes, though she kept them from falling, and it looked like she was barely holding herself together.

A tight ache spread through Brenton's chest, and concern showed across his face.

"Let go!" Arabella said as she struggled against his grip. "What do you mean what's wrong with me? I'm burned. My whole body hurts. Can't I be angry? Brenton, answer me. Do you even still care about me?"

Uneasiness filled Brenton's gaze as he reached out and patted her back. "Honey, I'm sorry. This is on me. I didn't pay attention. I thought the soup had cooled down. Let me check the burn, alright?" he said as he leaned in, trying to lift her shirt.

Arabella's hand struck his away, but he didn't react with anger and instead tried to calm her. "We're going to the hospital now."

He leaned closer, intending to kiss her forehead, but she turned her head aside. He ruffled her hair and then started the car.

They hadn't gone far when his phone began ringing over and over.

Brenton cut the call twice, but in the end, he put on his Bluetooth earpiece and answered.

The same man who had rushed to take her to the hospital suddenly changed his tone. He said there was something urgent at the company and asked her to get out of the car, his voice carrying an apology.

Without a word, Arabella opened the door, stepped out, and shut it behind her.

"Stay here. I'll have Cade come get you," Brenton said through the window.

Arabella stood still and looked at him without any expression.

The wind lifted the hem of her dress, while her face remained distant and cold.

At that moment, Brenton felt as if she were something he couldn't hold on to anymore, slipping away from him.

He paused, torn for a second, but Sallie's voice from the call came back to him, filled with tears as she spoke about a car crash.

He thought about how Arabella had followed him since she was young, how she left the Rogers family at eighteen just to live with him in that basement, how she had always stayed by his side.

After some thoughts, Brenton stepped on the gas and drove off. Arabella loved him too much. She wouldn't leave him. He had all the time in the world to make things right, so there was no need to hurry.

Arabella stayed where she was and watched the Maybach disappear from sight. A faint, mocking smile curved on her lips. She would definitely divorce Brenton. Did he really think a brief tenderness and a few soft words would be enough to bring her back?

The Rogers family estate stood in a quiet hillside area, far from the main roads. Only private cars could reach it, so getting a taxi wasn't an option.

After calling Madisyn, Arabella started strolling down the slope.

As she rounded a turn, three children came into view. They were gathered under a tree, shouting and jumping, while a little boy around ten struggled to climb up.

"Careful. Come down from there!" Arabella called out.

The tree stood beside an artificial lake, and the little boy, unable to climb higher, nearly slipped down the slope.

Arabella hurried over and reached out to stop him.

"We have to get up there. Our drone got stuck in the tree. Can you climb up and bring it down?" a little girl asked, tugging at Arabella's clothes.

The little girl looked about five, blinking up at Arabella with wide eyes.

Arabella bent down and patted her head. "I can't climb trees."

The little girl's lips turned down, and Arabella pointed at the controller she was holding. "But I know how to fly drones. Give it to me, and I'll get it down for you. Alright?"

Another boy came closer. "That won't work. It's caught in the branches. It can't fly out."

"I've already tried so many times. If you can't climb, don't get in the way," the boy on the tree said with a scoff.

A small laugh escaped Arabella. "If I fail, I'll buy you a new one. But if I get it down, you'll all say, 'Ms. Sullivan, you're the best.' Deal?"

"Deal! Let's see how you handle it. Carole, give her the controller."

Arabella grinned confidently. "Watch carefully."

Her gaze fixed on where the drone was stuck, and her fingers moved over the controller without hesitation.

The boy gave a dismissive snort, already expecting it to crash. But in the next instant, his eyes widened.

The drone, which had been stuck in place moments ago, suddenly shifted direction and moved with control. With a steady hum, it slipped through the branches and came out smoothly, rising into the air.

"It's out! It's flying again!"

Cheers broke out as the children jumped in excitement. Arabella stepped back while guiding the drone, sending it through a quick turn, lowering it toward the lake, and then pulling it up again.

The children clapped and shouted without stopping.

With her head raised, Arabella watched the drone move through the fading light, and the weight in her chest eased.

Another step back, and a smile spread across her face.

Then, she bumped into something behind her. She paused. The surface she hit didn't feel like a wall. It was solid, warm, and it shifted slightly.

Arabella turned at once, and a breath brushed past her ear.

Realizing she had run into someone, she panicked and twisted to move away. Her footing slipped, and her body fell backward, landing against him and pushing him back a step.

There was nowhere for him to move, and his back met the stone wall behind him.

Trying to steady herself, Arabella reached out and grabbed his tie, inadvertently pinning him against the wall.

Her eyes followed the line of his neck, from his jaw down to the collar of his shirt.

His throat moved slightly, and the small mark above it shifted with the motion.

A low sound came from above her, and she suddenly realized she had been pulling on his tie, leaving a mark at his collar.

She let go at once and stepped back in a hurry, just as the children shouted behind her.

"It's going to crash!"

"Oh no!"

"The drone!"

Arabella lowered her gaze to the controls, unsure what to do next.

Just as she lifted her head to look for the drone, a hand covered hers and guided her grip.

The drone moved with a steady buzz as it came closer.

When Arabella looked up, she saw the drone drop, turn, brush past the branches above her, then move forward and rise again.

The branches shook, and petals fell.

At the same time, as the twilight faded, surrounding lights suddenly illuminated.

With the sound of the drone still in the air and the breeze carrying the scent of flowers, Arabella met a pair of calm eyes.