Chapter 3

Vivian knocked on my door and walked in.

"Sister."

I ignored her, continuing to pack Mom's diary into my backpack.

"Actually, I really didn't mean it," she sat on the edge of the bed, her voice sounding aggrieved. "Marcus told me to do it."

"He said he was worried you might have met bad people in prison, afraid you'd commit crimes again. So I thought I'd use this method to make you understand how unfriendly the outside world is to people with criminal records."

Vivian continued, "Marcus actually loves you very much. After you left, he often sat alone in his study until dawn. He said, 'Audrey is my only sister. The company will always belong to me and Audrey. That's Mom's dying wish.'"

A flash of hatred crossed her eyes, quickly covered by innocence.

"So sister, don't blame him anymore. He just doesn't know how to express his care for you."

"Vivian, your acting is pretty good."

She froze. "What?"

I leaned closer to her. "Three years ago at the hospital, you heard me say you should take responsibility. Now you heard Marcus say the company belongs to me. Do you think that if I disappeared, you could become his only sister?"

"I don't know what you're talking about—"

"Really? Then would you mind if I go downstairs right now and ask Marcus if he really said those things?"

Vivian suddenly grabbed me.

"Sister, don't misunderstand—"

Click.

She pressed the camera button.

What had she just photographed?

I quickly snatched her phone and opened the gallery.

In the latest photo, my backpack was open, and there was a USB drive inside.

But I had never put a USB drive in there.

"Vivian, what is this?"

The disguise in her eyes completely tore away.

"Evidence."

My blood instantly turned cold.

"You want to frame me again?"

"I didn't frame you," she smiled twisted. "You brought the evidence home yourself. Look, it's clear in the photo—your backpack, your USB drive."

"In a moment, I'll tell Marcus that I discovered you secretly copying company confidential files."

I understood her plan.

"Vivian, do you really think Marcus will believe you again?"

"He will, because he'll believe me, not you."

I looked at her, suddenly wanting to test something.

An hour later, Marcus's face was grim. The USB drive and Vivian's phone were on the table.

"Audrey, Vivian says she found these things."

I sat across from him, my expression calm.

"The bag is mine. The USB drive isn't."

"You're lying," Vivian quickly interjected. "I saw company financial files inside—"

Marcus's eyes flashed with disappointment. "So where did this USB drive come from? You just got out and—"

Vivian answered first: "I found it in your room. The password is your birthday, Audrey."

Marcus took the USB drive and plugged it into the computer on the spot. The screen indeed showed company confidential files.

He asked, "Vivian, how did you know the password?"

"I... I guessed..."

"Guessed?" I laughed coldly. "What a lucky guess."

Marcus looked at the USB drive, then at Vivian.

He finally said, "I believe Vivian."

My heart sank to the bottom.

Even with obvious holes in the story, even when the logic made no sense, he still chose to believe her.

Three years of prison life, three years of humiliation, three years of waiting, and at this moment—I was betrayed again by the person closest to me.

"Marcus, do you really believe this?" My tears started falling. "Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to use my own birthday as a password? Stupid enough to leave evidence in my own room?"

I grabbed his arm. "She's framing me! Just like three years ago! Why can't you see it?"

Slap!

The sound echoed through the room. My face burned with pain, but my heart hurt even more.

Marcus looked at his own hand, seeming unable to believe what he'd done. But the next second, anger took control of his rationality again.

"Do you know how I've spent these three years? Every night I wondered if things would have been different if I had chosen to believe you back then."

"And you—you actually—disappointed me again." He pointed at the USB drive, his finger trembling.

I covered my face, tears streaming uncontrollably. "Marcus, please believe me, I didn't—"

"Enough!" He was almost roaring. "I don't want to hear your lies anymore!"

"Fine." I cried until it seemed like all my tears had dried up.

I took off the sibling bracelet we had exchanged when we were ten—I had always worn it. "Marcus, I'm giving this back to you."

He looked at the bracelet, pain flashing in his eyes. "Audrey—"

"From today on," I placed the bracelet on the table, "I don't have a brother anymore."

I heard Marcus call my name.

But I didn't look back.

I sat in the corner café, browsing job websites on my phone.

Daniel said he still needed two weeks to finish handling his affairs. Before then, I needed to find my own way to survive.

Front-end Developer, requires bachelor's degree, clean criminal record.

I skipped that one.

Data Analyst, requires relevant experience, background check required.

Skipped that too.

Barista, $15/hour, welcomes people with work enthusiasm.

I could try this one.

I dialed the number.

"Hello, I'd like to apply for the barista position."

"Sure, may I have your name?"

"Audrey."

"Audrey... let me check... sorry, we've already filled that position."

I hung up and continued scrolling.

My phone rang.

"Audrey?" Marcus's voice. "Where are you?"

"None of your business."

Silence on the other end for a few seconds.

"Audrey, come home. You have a criminal record. No one will hire you."

"You told them, didn't you?" I suddenly understood. "You had people investigate the companies I applied to."

Marcus didn't deny it.

"I'm doing this for your own good. The outside world isn't suitable for you. You should come back home—"

"Your and Vivian's home," I interrupted. "Not mine."

"Audrey—"

I hung up.

Ten minutes later, Marcus's car stopped in front of the café.

He walked in and sat across from me.

"You won't find a job. Come back. I've arranged everything for you. If you're willing, you can start work tomorrow. I'll give you the best projects, the best team, the most comfortable office. You don't need to face those cold stares out there, don't need to work as a waitress for a few dozen dollars an hour."

He took a deep breath, his voice softening.

"Audrey, just now... I shouldn't have hit you."

"But you have to understand, everything I do is for your own good. Things haven't blown up yet. As long as you admit your mistake, we can pretend nothing happened."

"You're my sister. No matter what you do, I'll forgive you. Let's go home, okay?"