After Separating from Them, My Life Become Happier

Sure enough, Virginia spoke up, “That's right, Paulina, you can't go back on your word after promising Gedeon.”

“Uncle Martin was a soldier. His body is in good health. What he got should not be a serious illness. There is no need to rush. Just wait until tomorrow morning after watching the sunrise, then go visit him.”

“Uncle Martin loves us so much, surely he won't blame us.”

“Scholastica, what do you think?”

Scholastica didn't say anything, just nodded. Then the four of them talked and laughed as they walked towards the villa, never looking at me again. It seemed that their father was far less important than Gedeon in their eyes.

My eyes were a little sore and swollen and I secretly smiled bitterly. When did my relationship between Scholastica and the others turn into like this?

It probably started after Gedeon lived in the manor. Gedeon was the son of the driver, Herodion Morales. When he first stepped into the estate five years ago, he was still a shy little boy.

That day happened to be my birthday party. When the three people, including Scholastica, who were originally around me, saw him, their eyes immediately became different.

Gedeon Morales was fair-skinned and good-looking. His lips were red-rosy and his teeth were moist. He spoke in a delicate voice. He easily stirred women’s maternal instincts and protectiveness.

They left me behind, clinging to Gedeon and calling him ‘brother’. Their eyes were full of undisguised affection. I was very unhappy to be left out and casually said a few words. The driver, Herodion, rushed forward to take his son away.

Gedeon was not happy. And in the struggle, he knocked over the champagne tower in the centre of the banquet hall, not only drenched me into a drenched chicken but also ruined the nine-layer cake.

I was so angry that I pushed Gedeon, but I did not use much strength. He violently knocked on the corner of the table and immediately dripped blood.

My family’s driver, Herodion, was in a hurry to help me wipe my clothes and asked repeatedly if I was alright.

Scholastica and the other two not only ignored me but also helped Gedeon while scolding me, “If the champagne tower is broken, we can build it again. If the cake is destroyed, we can make it again. Gedeon didn’t do it on purpose!”

“What right do you have to hit someone? Do you rely on yourself as the birthday boy?”

That was the first time I was scolded by them. From that time on, they became more and more distant from me.

***

Looking at the backs of the four of them, I threw the shopping bag in my hand into the trash can. “Love that is no longer pure is like this crystal watch stand that originally belonged to someone else. It is as disgusting as it can be.

“The garbage dump is the most suitable place for it.”

At night, I was alone in the hospital room, watching over my father. Looking up at the clock, it was already one o'clock at midnight. Scholastica and the other two never showed up.

I smiled to myself. My chest felt a little stuffy. Although I didn't expect anything from them in the first place, looking at my father on the bed, my heart was still like a stone blocking it and it was very uncomfortable.

On the side of the pillow was my father's cell phone. The screensaver picture was of him standing with Scholastica and the other two smiling brightly.

My father was once a special forces soldier. Once he was ambushed while on a mission abroad and his three comrades-in-arms sent him an important intelligence back to the border with their lives.

The father was very guilty. After retiring from the army, he adopted the orphans of the three comrades and vowed to be good to them for the rest of his life.

From childhood to adulthood, Scholastica and the others received far more love than I got. After knowing the reason, I became sensible and cared for them like a real brother, loved them and never let them suffer half a bit of grievance.

No matter which one, I love them from the bottom of my heart. More than once, I was torn over who to choose as my lifelong partner. My father had publicly stated that the future daughter-in-law of the Vandoeuvre family could only be one of the three of them.