Chapter 2

"Darren knew it was my birthday and took me there to celebrate. You're not mad, are you?" Lily asked. I remained silent, closing the door without a word. After that, Darren and I gave each other the silent treatment. This was a familiar pattern whenever we argued about Lily, but it usually only lasted three days before I would apologize. This time was different. Before I went to bed that night, there was a loud banging on the door. Then came Darren's angry shout, "Carrie Stark!" I opened the door, and he shoved his phone in my face. He accused, "How many times do I have to tell you? Lily is just my sister! Why are you always targeting her?" I was confused and asked, "What are you talking about?" "Don't play innocent! My mom says Lily's been acting strange since she went back. Now, her depression has flared up, and she's in the hospital!" Darren explained, showing me a photo of Lily lying weakly in a hospital bed, her wrists wrapped in thick bandages. "I didn't say anything to her," I replied honestly. After all, we had not even talked. But Darren did not believe me. He scoffed, grabbing my throat and snarling, "If anything happens to Lily, our wedding is off!" I wanted to call him crazy, but I couldn't speak. As I struggled to breathe while trying to pry his hand off, Darren threw me to the ground. He looked down at me coldly and growled, "We've been together for so long, and I still care for you. If you stop causing trouble for Lily, I might still consider marrying you." With that, he stormed out and slammed the front door behind him. I sat on the floor, coughing and gasping for air. My heart had shattered into pieces. Without any evidence, he blamed me and acted out violently. With trembling hands, I steadied myself against the wall. Then, I finally answered the phone that had been ringing non-stop. "Cassie, it's been so long! Let's meet up for a drink." It was Rae Wagner, my high school friend. She had just landed in Aureiville and would be leaving tomorrow after taking care of some business. I pulled myself together and agreed to meet her. Rae had chosen an upscale bistro for our get-together, and she invited a few other friends who happened to be in Aureiville too. The atmosphere was relaxed as we caught up on each other's lives and reminisced about the good old days. "Cassie, how are things with Darren? Are you married yet?" Rae asked, raising an eyebrow. Darren and I were high school sweethearts. Later, we attended the same college, so everyone expected us to get married. I pulled my turtleneck sweater higher, staring into my wine glass before downing it in one gulp. I replied, "No, and I don't think it's going to happen." Tracy O'Reilley frowned and asked, "Is it you or him?" "It's him," I answered quietly. Tracy slammed her hand on the table, causing the glasses to tremble slightly. "Is it because of Lily? I warned you that she'd always come between you and Darren, but you wouldn't listen!" I shook my head with a bitter smile. I remembered how I once thought Darren was just overly indulgent with his so-called sister. "Lily?" At the mention of the name, Emma Lowe seemed to remember something. She pulled out her phone and played a video for us. In it, Lily was frantically hitting a middle-aged man with her high heels. The man gripped her wrist tightly, telling bystanders, "Don't worry. She's my wife, and she's just throwing a tantrum. Mind your own business!" Lily's eyes were filled with desperation as she pleaded for help, "No! He's lying! Please, someone help me!" The video ended with a tall man stepping in and threatening to call the police. The man glared at Lily and whispered something threateningly in her ear before leaving. "This video went viral in our area. Everyone's saying the guy's a psycho and we should be careful," Emma explained, her eyes full of pity. "I thought the woman looked familiar." "It's her," I confirmed grimly. The woman in the video was unmistakably Lily, down to the clothes she wore. Darren had once vaguely mentioned that Lily was harassed as a child, leaving her with deep psychological trauma. I realized her suicide attempt was probably connected to this incident. "Enough about her! I've always said Darren was no good. When are you going to dump him?" Tracy interrupted, her face flushed from alcohol. She glared at me, as if ready to tear me apart if I said I still loved him. Outside, it was beginning to drizzle. For some reason, the bruises on my neck ached dully. I stared at the raindrops on the window and murmured, "Soon, I guess. In the next few days." Darren did not contact me again until a week later. Lily's story had made the news, and I learned there had been developments. The report stated that the man had been committed to a psychiatric hospital, and the woman was now under her family's protection. Darren must have learned the truth and realized he had wrongly accused me. Even so, he did not apologize when he called. Instead, he simply said he would be home for dinner that night. I simply replied, "Oh. Is there anything else?" The realtor stood beside me, waiting for me to sign the contract. After a final check, I signed my name. Darren paused before speaking again, "Cassie, about that day..." I waited silently for him to continue, but the apology never came. He simply said, "Let's get married, Cassie. I'll meet you at the courthouse tomorrow." I chuckled mockingly at myself, feeling a wave of sadness. His audacity made me wonder if I had been too lenient with him all these years. After hurting me like this, he thought he could make it up to me with marriage. Nothing about his actions showed that he actually respected me, not even the slightest. "No thanks," I replied firmly. Darren's voice turned irritated. "What do you mean?" I walked to the window, looking at Aureiville, the city I had called home for years. I moved here for Darren because his whole family lived here. I even bought this apartment, hoping Mom could move in after we married so that I could take care of her. Looking back, I felt like a lousy daughter. Mom was aging, yet I was planning to move her to a strange city for my sake. My thoughts were clearer than ever for the first time in my life. "We're done. It's over," I said decisively. As Darren tried to respond, I heard Lily's voice in the background, calling for him urgently, "Darren! Darren, where are you?" Darren hurriedly muttered, "Stop acting like this," before hanging up. The realtor pretended not to have heard anything and smiled as he said, "Ms. Stark, the funds will be transferred within 24 hours." I nodded, handing him the keys. "Thank you for your help."