Chapter 4 Sister

Katie didn't rise to her position without cunning.

I never expected her to bring my sister, Dayna Walton, into this.

After our family went bankrupt, I married Kade, and Dayna's lifestyle-her clothes, expenses, tuition-remained as lavish as before.

I did everything to support her, ensuring she could finish college and pursue her studies without worry.

She often said, "Jolie, thank you and Kade. Without you, I wouldn't know how to go on."

Her words carried fear and uncertainty about the future.

I couldn't return to the past, so I wanted to preserve her innocence, to keep her carefree, as if it brought me a moment's comfort.

Her freedom felt like my own.

"Jolie, once my internship here ends, I'll come back to see you and Mom. How's Mom doing in the care home? Does she still not remember anyone?"

She went on and on.

"Thanks to you, our family hasn't fallen apart."

"Jolie, I miss you so much. When I'm back, I've got good news to share."

"These years must've been tough for you."

I always kept the bad news from her, handling Mom's care alone so she could live worry-free abroad.

But I never imagined she'd return and go to the Fullers first instead of me.

At Katie's arrangement, we met at a bistro.

Dayna walked in, arm in arm with Katie's nephew, Eric Fuller, her face flushed with shyness as she looked at me. She let go of his arm and hurried toward me.

We sat across from each other. Eric took another table, smiling at me as he closed his menu.

I looked at my sister, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. I could tell she was head over heels for Eric.

She grabbed my hand across the table, playfully whining, "Jolie, I'm getting engaged to Eric! We met abroad, hit it off, and came back together. We've already met his parents."

I slowly pulled my hand back, took a sip of lemonade, and smiled. "Congrats. Is this the good news you wanted to tell me?"

Dayna beamed with excitement. "Yeah! I wanted to tell you over the phone, but Eric said we should keep it a surprise. He didn't even know we were sisters at first, and when he found out, he didn't care about our family's situation. His parents are so kind. If I let him go, I doubt I'll ever find someone this perfect again."

I could hear it in her voice-she craved a marriage that would keep her in the luxurious life she once knew.

Eric was handsome, well-off, and she was clearly love-struck.

After Kade fell ill, her support dwindled. When he passed, the Mitchell Group's leadership changes, stock dividends, and funds all went into review, freezing accounts. I couldn't keep up her expenses anymore.

Katie was using this moment to manipulate me, hoping to get rid of me and Vince for good.

Eric was likely Dayna's idea of the perfect match.

Even though she knew Katie disliked me.

As Dayna rambled on, I suddenly asked, "Have you visited Mom?"

She froze, then quickly said, "I was planning to go today. I thought we could go together after lunch."

I nodded. "He likes you, and you like him. That's great."

I didn't say more.

I used to want to protect Dayna's innocence, but looking at her now, I realized innocence was useless.

Hearing my words, she seemed relieved and said slowly, "But the Fullers have a condition. They want you, as Jase's sister-in-law, to stop seeing him. The Mitchells are planning a marriage with the Higgins family. You being in the middle hurts their reputation. It's not proper. If you inJoliet on staying with Jase despite the scandal, the Fullers might call off my engagement with Eric..."

She glanced at my expression and continued, "Honestly, you're in the wrong here. Kade's barely gone, and you're getting so close to his brother. It's indefensible. Even as your sister, I can't justify it. Jolie, don't be mad. I'm thinking of everyone. If you stop seeing Jase, it's better for all of us. Eric said he'll talk to Katie for you. He's doing this for me, and it breaks my heart to see him in this position."

It broke her heart for him.

But she never spared a thought for the sister who shielded her, funded her lavish life, and helped her finish school.

She didn't ask if I had struggles or how I was faring with the Mitchells.

She stood by Katie's side, walked in with a man, and told me your heart ached for him.

I couldn't help but smile, my eyes crinkling with amusement.

It was almost too funny.

Maybe we'd been apart too long, but this sister felt like a stranger. Was I sad?

Not really. More disappointed.

All those years of education, and she couldn't see through people's schemes.

She didn't realize she'd walked into a trap carefully set for her.

I knew she'd crash and burn with Eric, but if I said a single word against their relationship, she'd think I was sabotaging her happiness.

I looked at her patiently and asked, "So what do you want me to do? If I listen to you and leave the Mitchells, Vince will die. I must've told you Vince's illness depends on the Mitchells' special medicine. I went to Jase because Katie won't let us stay under their protection. I had no choice. This is a delicate time. Think of a way to help me protect Vince, and I'll do whatever you say."

Dayna faltered, stammering, "Jolie, are you misunderstanding? Katie doesn't have that much power. She told me Jase runs the Mitchell Group now. I've met her, and she's kind. Not narrow-minded like you say. You just lost your husband-how could she treat you like that? Maybe there's a misunderstanding."

She kept praising the Fullers, and I grew tired of it. "You've met her a few times. She's Kade's stepmother. Why would she want Vince to be okay? I can't take risks. I have no options. If you and Eric are solid, I believe you'll make it work." I stood to leave.

Frantic and angry, she grabbed my wrist. "Jolie, you used to care about me most. Are you choosing Vince over me?"

I sighed inwardly. "Dayna, don't you get it? If the Fullers truly valued you, they'd make Katie back off. If she did, I wouldn't have to beg Jase for help. Today, you're here because Katie wants to humiliate me and tear us sisters apart..."

Dayna didn't believe me. She held my hand, her eyes searching, then pushed me back into my seat. "Wait here!"

She pulled Eric over from the other table. Standing before me, she said to him with complete trust, "Eric, my sister's in a tough spot. There might be a misunderstanding with your aunt. You know my nephew Vince has been sick since he was little and needs the Mitchells' medical care. But Katie seems to want to stop Vince from staying at their hospital. Can you talk to her for me? If she lets Vince stay, my sister won't need to ask Jase for help, and they'll naturally part ways. Okay?"

Vince was Kade's son. Katie would never tolerate that threat.

It wasn't as simple as Dayna thought.

Eric agreed readily, holding her hand. "There must be a misunderstanding. I'll ask about it when I get back."

Dayna didn't catch the brush-off in his tone. She clung to his arm, touched. "I knew you'd do anything for me."

She turned to me. "Jolie, just wait for the good news. Eric and I have plans, so we'll catch up another time!"

She left with Eric, forgetting her plan to visit our mom with me.

That night, I sat by Vince's hospital bed, watching his face grow healthier. My anxious, heavy heart finally calmed.

No matter the cost, as long as Vince was okay, it was worth it.

Rain fell outside. In the quiet room, the nanny stepped in softly and said, "Mr. Mitchell is outside. He wants to see you."

Hearing Jase's name, I paused, then got up and went to the hallway.

He stood there in a suit, as if he'd just come from the office.

When he saw me, he impatiently stubbed out his cigarette, strode over, and grabbed my wrist, his eyes flashing with anger.

He opened his phone and played a recording. "If she lets me go, I won't have to grovel at Jase's feet-"

After it finished, he sneered, "Must've been tough, groveling at my feet all this time."