Chapter 3 3

"I will, Grandma."

Chloe answered easily-but she didn't believe it.

No matter how kind Grandma Jones was, David was her blood. If a real conflict ever broke out, would the Jones family truly protect an outsider?

Chloe had seen this story before.

Before her sister married, her in-laws treated Kate like a princess. They praised her, spoiled her-so much that even their own daughter felt jealous.

But the moment the marriage certificate was signed, everything changed.

Now, whenever Kate argued with her husband, her mother-in-law was the first to scold her.

You're not being a good wife.

You don't know how to manage a home.

In the end, sons were blood.

Daughters-in-law were replaceable.

"You need to get to work, so I won't keep you," Grandma Jones said warmly. "I'll tell David to pick you up tonight. Let's have dinner together."

"Grandma, I close the shop late," Chloe replied gently. "Tonight might not work. How about the weekend?"

Weekends were slow-the only time she could breathe.

"That's fine," Grandma Jones said immediately. "We'll talk then. Go on."

After hanging up, Chloe messaged Sara, her best friend and business partner, telling her she'd be late for the morning shift.

Some things were more urgent than work.

She needed to tell her sister.

Fifteen minutes later, Chloe arrived at the apartment.

Her brother-in-law was already gone. Kate stood on the balcony hanging laundry, looking up in surprise. "Chloe? Why are you back? Aren't you opening the shop?"

"I'll head over around noon," Chloe said. "Is James awake?"

"If he were, you'd hear the chaos."

Chloe helped hang the clothes. The silence pressed in.

Eventually, Kate spoke. "Your brother-in-law didn't mean to drive you out. He's under pressure. And... I don't earn anything right now."

Chloe didn't respond.

Pressure or not, the message had been clear.

Her brother-in-law earned a high salary as a manager. He and Kate had been college sweethearts, once inseparable. After marriage, he had held Kate's hands and promised, I'll support you. Stay home. Rest. We'll have a baby.

Kate believed him.

She quit her job.

A year later, James was born.

Between childcare and housework, Kate lost time, energy, and herself. Three years passed. The bright, beautiful woman Chloe once admired became tired, overweight, and invisible.

Now, with no income, her husband demanded they split every expense.

Not because he needed the money.

Because he wanted control.

Chloe clenched her fingers.

She was five years younger than Kate. When she was ten, their parents died in a car accident. Since then, it had always been the two of them-no one else.

The insurance money should have secured their future.

Instead, their relatives carved it up.

The sisters survived on what little remained, scraping through school, renting tiny apartments, relying only on each other.

Kate married.

Chloe moved in.

And now, even that shelter was gone.

"Sis," Chloe said softly, "I'm sorry. I've become a burden."

"Don't say that," Kate replied immediately. "I'm your older sister. I'm supposed to protect you."

Chloe's throat tightened.

When she was small, Kate shielded her from the world.

Now-it was her turn.

She reached into her bag and pulled out a red booklet.

"I got married this morning," Chloe said calmly. "I came to tell you... and to pack."

Kate froze.

"You-what?"

Her voice shot up as she snatched the booklet. The photo inside showed Chloe standing beside a man she'd never seen before.

Handsome.

Cold.

Dangerous.

"Chloe! You don't even have a boyfriend!"

"I've been seeing him for a while," Chloe said smoothly, the lie already prepared. "His name's David. He's busy, so you never met him."

"He proposed. I agreed. We registered today."

She smiled. "He's good to me. Don't worry."

Kate's mind spun.

Suddenly, everything clicked-the argument last night, Chloe's silence.

Tears welled up. "I told your brother-in-law you pay your share. You don't have to leave. You don't need to rush into marriage because of us."

Chloe squeezed her hand. "It's not because of that. I'm happy. You should be happy for me."

Kate broke down.

After she finally calmed down, Chloe added gently, "I'll visit often. His place is in Square Garden-ten minutes by e-bike."

"What about his family?" Kate asked quietly.

Chloe paused.

She didn't actually know much.

"He works for a major group. Owns a car and a house. His situation is stable."

Kate's expression shifted instantly. "The house is his pre-marital property, right?"

Chloe nodded.

"Then you need your name on the deed," Kate said firmly. "That's your protection."

Chloe didn't answer.

The red marriage certificate felt suddenly heavier in her bag.