Part 3The Scale Was Never Weighted in My Favor

Every time he left, the guard would sigh and tell me:

“Your brother doesn’t believe you.”

One disappointment after another, slowly, imperceptibly, turned into despair.

I felt as if the whole world had abandoned me. I used to have my brother’s love, but now even that was gone.

Seeing that pearl necklace again, I completely broke down, overturning the box.

The pearls scattered onto the floor, the string snapped, clattering and rolling away.

Anna froze, flustered, and Liam’s face instantly darkened.

“Anna kindly gave you a gift, and she doesn’t even blame you anymore. What are you doing?”

I sat in the chair, trembling uncontrollably, my face frighteningly pale.

He pulled me up.

“Do you think just because you’re out, you can throw a fit? Pick up those pearls right now and apologize to Anna!”

How could I apologize?

I shoved Liam hard, pushed open the door, and ran out.

The biting wind outside matched the churning knot of injustice and sorrow in my heart.

I didn’t want to come home. If it weren’t for Dad’s belongings, I wouldn’t have returned with him.

I never wanted to be wrongly accused again, never wanted to suffer another shred of injustice!

Liam quickly chased after me from behind, grabbing my wrist.

His brows were tightly furrowed, and he spoke with a tone of reproach.

“Where are you running off to? Three years in jail and your temper hasn’t changed?”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I shook him off, my eyes red, and retorted:

“Whether she gave me that necklace out of kindness or malice, Liam, can’t you see it?”

“I’m your biological sister. You’ve already sent me away once with your own hands, what more do you want?”

“It was for your own good!”

His voice grew cold. “If you dare to steal, you must accept the punishment. Otherwise, how will you ever change this habit?”

“Am I supposed to watch you make mistakes without doing anything, just letting you go down the wrong path?”

His words felt like a heavy pickaxe, carving a deep chasm in my heart.

When had I ever stolen anything, growing up?

What reason would I have to steal a necklace from Anna?

Why couldn’t he just think, why wouldn’t he believe me!

Tears of injustice streamed down my face, the despair and pain of three years washing over me.

I gave up on explaining once again.

Liam looked at my buzzcut, then softened his voice, as if admitting defeat.

“Anya, everything I’ve done has been for you. Even though you spent three years in prison, I’ve still paved the way for your future.”

“My company will be yours one day. I truly just wanted to give you a small punishment, nothing serious.”

“Come home with your brother. Don’t run off like this again.”

He took my hand, leading me back toward the house.

I followed his steps numbly, not saying another word.

When we pushed open the door, Anna’s eyes flashed with surprise to see Liam bringing me back.

She hadn’t expected him to still be willing to let me come home, even after all this.

But I felt utterly exhausted, retreating into my bedroom and not coming out again.

Late that night, Anna crept into my room.

I sharply opened my eyes, but she thought I was still sound asleep.

She fumbled, lifted my pillow, and slipped something underneath.

I said nothing, nor did I take it out.

Anna was in such a hurry, repeating her old trick the moment I returned.

I wanted to see if Liam would choose to believe me this time.

Sure enough, the next morning, she cried to Liam, claiming I had stolen her necklace again.

“Sister, if you liked it, you just had to tell me. I even gave you the necklace yesterday, but you didn’t want it.”

“Do you just enjoy petty theft?”

Liam’s face was dark, his gaze fixed on me, teeth clenched.