Chapter 3
When Calista first arrived at her new home, she was a timid child, an easy target for bullies.
Ken had recognized her vulnerability immediately. He became her protector, always ready to defend her against neighborhood troublemakers. His devotion ran so deep that even a small scratch on her hand would fill him with
concern.
Uncle Johnson would often tease that Ken, once known as quite the handful, had transformed into an overprotective guardian the moment he had a sister to cherish.
Now, back in her room, Calista applied Hydrogen Peroxide to her bruised wrists, whispering reassurances to herself. “Just a few more days until we leave.” Soon, she told herself, Ken and Viola’s opinions wouldn’t matter
anymore.
In another room, Viola watched as Ken tenderly dabbed Neosporin on her supposedly injured ankle. Her heart swelled with satisfaction.
“Ken, there’s a new movie coming out. We should go see it together!” But Ken’s thoughts were elsewhere, haunted by the image of Calista fighting back tears. His expression softened.
“Could we get an extra ticket? For Calista?”
Viola’s smile flickered, but she maintained her composure. “Of course.” She produced a ticket from her pocket, but her expression quickly turned somber. “Ken, maybe we should delay the wedding a bit. I’m worried Calista won’t accept it. Your devoted brother is getting married–she must feel like I’m taking you away from her.”
Ken’s jaw clenched, his fingers curling into fists. After a frigid silence, he spoke. “I’ll make her understand where she
stands.”
The next morning, Calista went to work, transfer papers in hand. She had grown fond of her colleagues at the communications company and wanted to bid them farewell properly.
Hardy, her supervisor, seemed both surprised and impressed by news of her transfer. “Your dedication to your career is admirable, Calista. But a satellite research base means complete isolation. Is your brother really okay with
this?”
She remembered how Ken had insisted on escorting her to work daily after a local troublemaker had harassed her when she first started. Everyone knew about her doting brother. What they didn’t know was that he was about to marry someone else.
Calista forced a smile and kept quiet. After briefing her boss, she distributed candies she’d bought to her colleagues. Someone joked, “What’s the occasion, Calista? Wedding sweets?” She could only manage a weak smile in response.
As she prepared to leave work, a colleague called out, “Calista, your brother’s waiting at the entrance!” Ken had always turned heads with his striking appearance. There he was, sitting in his car, one hand resting casually on the steering wheel. The back seat was laden with designer bags–Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and more.
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Chapter 3
In the past, Ken had regularly picked her up bearing gifts, but since Viola’s arrival, these gestures had
