Chapter 2 Could It Be Him

Gerard whipped his head around to look at Willa, his eyes wide in disbelief.

Willa-the sweet, innocent little sister he'd always protected-had said something like that?

Willa's heart skipped. Panic flickered across her eyes and she quickly tried to save herself. "Gerard, no! That's not how it happened! It's not true!"

But the recording didn't care about her excuses. It kept playing, clear and damning.

Next came Noelle's steady voice, calm but with a hint of warning. "Willa, are you sure you want to do this?"

Willa's voice followed-this time, sharp and cruel. "Even if you try to stop me, it's useless. You know Gerard will always take my side. He never believes you."

Then, her tone changed completely, becoming panicked and fake. "Waaah, Gerard, hurry! Noelle's trying to push me down the stairs! She said I don't deserve to be part of the Moss family, that I don't belong here. She's trying to throw me out! I'm so scared. Waaah, Gerard, help me!"

Gerard just stood there, everything finally clicking into place.

Noelle never pushed Willa. She was set up. Willa had gone to the edge of the stairs on purpose, faked fear, and used it all to frame Noelle. Noelle had been innocent from start to finish. And he-he'd fallen for it. He'd thrown accusations at his own sister.

Gerard looked away, guilt twisting in his chest. Then he frowned, his voice came out defensive. "Noelle... even if I got it wrong... why didn't you just explain everything earlier?"

Noelle's eyes flickered with cold, mocking amusement. Of course. Her brother had finally figured out he was wrong, yet somehow it was still her fault for not explaining it better.

"Gerard, looks like your memory's giving out before your age does."

"I..." He opened his mouth, but no words came.

It hit him all at once-just minutes earlier, Noelle had tried to speak up. She had clearly told him she didn't push Willa.

And what did he do? He cut her off, didn't give her a chance to finish, didn't believe a word she said. Instead, he lost his temper, grabbed a glass, and threw it at her in rage. Blood was still dripping from the cuts on her leg made by the shattered glass.

Shame and disappointment sizzled inside him as he slowly turned toward Willa.

Willa's eyes were brimming with tears now, her face pale and trembling. "Gerard... I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have lied about Noelle. I just... I just didn't want to lose you. Or anyone of the family."

His brow creased. "What are you talking about?"

Noticing that Gerard's attitude had softened, Willa sensed an opening. Maybe she could still fix this. Her expression grew even more pitiful, and the tears started falling faster, streaming down her cheeks without pause.

"I've lived in the Moss house all my life. I've always seen you as my real brother. I've always loved your parents like they were truly mine. But ever since Noelle came back, I've been scared. I thought you'd stop loving me. That all of you would push me aside because she's the real daughter... because she's more beautiful than me. I was so scared of losing you that I panicked and did something awful to Noelle. Gerard, I know I messed up. I swear, it won't ever happen again!"

The sight of her crying tugged at Gerard's heart.

Now, hearing her emotional confession, Gerard felt even more touched. How could someone like Willa mean any real harm? She just cared too deeply about their family. That was all.

He looked back at Noelle, his tone softer now. "Willa only lied because she was scared of losing her family. You didn't really get seriously hurt. Can't you be the bigger person, as her older sister? Just let it go and forgive her this once."

Noelle felt a bitter laugh building in her chest.

Her own brother had just learned the truth, and still, instead of defending her, he asked her to forgive the person who set her up.

It was absurd.

She couldn't take another minute in this house. The Moss family's double standards were unbearable. It made her feel sick.

Gerard, completely unaware of how twisted his thinking sounded, kept speaking like he was above it all. "Noelle, if you're going to stay stuck on this and refuse to forgive Willa, then don't blame me when I kick you out of this house!"

Noelle didn't react. Her face stayed blank, her beautiful features unreadable, but her eyes were cold.

"You don't have to kick me out," she said. "I'm done. From this moment on, I have nothing to do with the Moss family. I won't spend another second in this place."

Without another word, she turned and walked toward her room.

How ridiculous it was. She had spent two whole years under this roof, and she barely owned enough to fill a single suitcase.

She packed quickly, grabbing the few things that were hers, along with her documents. Then, ignoring the stinging pain in her leg, she used a tissue to wipe away the blood. There wasn't time to treat the cuts properly, so she just stuck a few Band-Aids over them. She changed into a long dress to cover the wounds, zipped her suitcase, and pulled it out of the cold, empty room she had once tried to call home.

When Gerard saw her come out with a suitcase, it finally hit him. She wasn't just angry. She wasn't bluffing. She was leaving for real, truly ready to break all ties with the Moss family.

His face twisted with rage. "Noelle, think carefully. If you walk out that door today, don't expect to come crawling back! You'll regret it!"

Noelle didn't flinch. She didn't even turn around. Her voice was steady. "I won't regret it."

Willa stood by, her heart racing with joy. Finally. Finally, Noelle was leaving! With her gone, everything that was supposed to be Noelle's would belong to her-the Moss family's love, attention, and Noelle's portion of the family wealth. All hers.

Still, she kept her face carefully controlled. Bubbling with excitement but putting on the worried act, she said, "Gerard, go after her! What if something happens to her out there? She's all alone-what if someone hurts her?"

"Let her go," Gerard replied with a snort, eyes full of disdain. "She'll be begging to come back in a few days. And when she does, I'll make sure she learns her place."

Just then, a bodyguard rushed inside, out of breath and wide-eyed.

He barely acknowledged Noelle as she passed him with her suitcase. Everyone in the house knew the truth-Noelle didn't really matter. She had no status here. She wasn't someone the staff needed to show respect to. Willa was the one they answered to.

The bodyguard's voice was loud and urgent. "Mr. Moss, Miss Moss! An important guest has just arrived! Their car is parked right outside. I think it's... from the Martin family!"

The Martin family?

Gerard and Willa exchanged stunned glances, their excitement growing in an instant.

The Martin family was at the very top of Cielrora's elite circle.

Sure, the Moss family had wealth and status, but compared to the Martins, they were small players.

The Martins had power that stretched back generations. They were the definition of true nobility.

For years, the Moss family had tried to connect with them, dreaming of a business alliance, but nothing had ever come of it.

And now-now, someone from the Martins had come to them?

"Quick, let's go welcome them!" Gerard said, voice shaky with excitement as he hurriedly smoothed his clothes and signaled the guard to lead the way.

Willa followed, fixing her dress. Her cheeks flushed slightly with anticipation as she followed. She couldn't help but wonder-who from the Martin family had shown up? Could it possibly be... him?