Dad was always busy with work, so it was my brothers who held my hand to and from school, who shielded me from every storm.
Aside from my dad, they were the closest family I had in the world.
But not long after Kelsey’s mother married into the family, rumors started spreading inside the house.
They said my dad’s first wife hadn’t died by accident—that my mother had set her up to die.
They said my mom had been a mistress who clawed her way into the family by stepping on a dead woman’s life.
Those words were like poison, seeping little by little into my brothers’ ears.
I wanted to explain, but the truth was, I didn’t know much about my biological mother either. I couldn’t even tell whether those rumors were true.
All my brothers felt was anger and regret. For them, all these years of doting on me felt like a betrayal of their late mother.
Kelsey’s arrival gave them the perfect outlet. A new sister they could pour their feelings into—someone they could favor, compensate, and indulge without guilt.
Me? I became the target of their resentment. Someone to take revenge on.
Worst of all, because I had no proof to clear my mom’s name, I never had the confidence to stand my ground in front of them.
The moment they saw me walk in, the smiles on their faces vanished almost simultaneously.
Suddenly, the air turned cold.
Damon, my eldest brother frowned, clearly annoyed.
“Why are you here?”
My second brother’s gaze swept over me, paused for a split second, then turned cold.
“Verity! You’ve got some nerve showing up! Perfect timing. I was just about to ask you. Did you pocket Kelsey’s allowance for this month?”
I didn’t even understand what he was talking about.
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb!”
Damon’s voice dropped, heavy with pressure.
“Kelsey just told us she hasn’t received a single cent this month.”
His eyes locked onto me, his tone severe.
“She just moved in and you’re already trying to put her in her place, huh?!”
I felt absurdly wronged.
“I’ve never touched her money.”
“Then did it just disappear on its own?”
My second brother, Damien, let out a cold laugh.
“Hey, is this because Kelsey moved in and took the position you used to have, so now you’re targeting her?”
Right then, Kelsey’s eyes suddenly reddened.
She looked startled, hurriedly waving her hands, her voice soft and trembling with carefully measured hurt.
“Damon… Damien… Please don’t be like this…”