Part 2The Scale Was Never Weighted in My Favor

“Sister, what was it like inside? I heard it’s really chaotic, is that true?”

“Not chaotic. We could read books and newspapers daily, then return to our dorms after dinner.”

“Oh, that sounds pretty decent then. Not as tough as I imagined.”

As she spoke, a flicker of disappointment crossed Anna’s eyes.

Liam peeled a shrimp for me, chuckling softly.

“Now that you’re out, let’s not dwell on what happened inside. Just consider it an experience and move past it.”

Anna’s expression darkened, and she said no more.

A moment later, as if remembering something, she hurried back to her bedroom and returned with a small, elegant box, offering it to me.

“Sister, this is a gift I prepared for you. Congratulations on your release!”

I didn’t take it, just continued eating my meal.

She didn’t seem to mind, smiling as she opened the box.

A string of pearl necklaces lay quietly inside, looking incredibly opulent.

But one glance, and my pupils constricted, blood draining from my face, a sudden chill engulfing me!

Anna pushed the necklace closer to me, her face gradually twisting into a grotesque, chilling smile.

“What’s wrong, Sister? Didn’t you love this necklace the most? Enough to even steal it?”

“Now I’m giving it to you. Aren’t you happy?”

That pearl necklace was a gift Liam had given to Anna.

It was also the very thing that had sent me to prison for three years.

After Dad was killed in action, Mom took the bereavement benefits and ran off, leaving Liam and me to fend for ourselves.

He dropped out of high school, took countless wrong turns before finally succeeding in starting his own company.

Once he made money, he adopted Anna, who had also lost her father, and brought her home.

At first, I disagreed, but Liam persuaded me:

“Anna is just as unfortunate as us. At least you have me; she has nothing.”

“Anya, be more generous. It’s just one more plate at the table.”

But despite his words, Liam treated her even better than he treated me.

It was as if he wanted to raise a sister all over again, giving her everything he hadn’t had the chance to give me.

Jewelry, accessories, designer bags—whatever Anna wanted, she got.

In just two years, he spent millions.

That was money he’d earned through sheer effort, so many nights he had to go out for business dinners, throwing up until he was sick but still forcing himself to drink more.

I worried about his money and always urged him not to spend too much.

As a result, Anna resented me.

She hid the jewelry under my pillow, then cried to Liam, claiming I had stolen it.

Liam exploded in rage, making me kneel in the rain to admit my mistake.

“How could the Reynolds family produce a daughter like you? Dad was a soldier, and I’ve always been upright, never done anything wrong.”

“Of all people, why did you have to take after that mother who ran off with all the money?”

“Did I ever starve you or deny you clothes? Why would you steal?”

I developed a high fever, crying and explaining that I hadn’t stolen anything, but he refused to believe me.

The next day, he hired the best lawyer and sued me.

He was my own brother, yet in court, he argued vehemently on Anna’s behalf, acting as her witness.

Ultimately, I was sentenced to three years, branded a thief.

Before I went in, relatives, friends, and even the lawyer advised him not to be so serious. I was a girl, after all, and three years in prison would ruin my life.

But Liam was determined, choosing to alienate them rather than give up on sending me in.

“Anya won’t be ruined. I work hard to make money for her. Even if she is ruined, I can support her for the rest of her life.”

“But she stole, and she has to be taught a lesson!”

During those three years, he visited me every month, asking if I understood my mistake.

And I never showed my face, only relaying messages through the guards:

“I didn’t steal any money.”