Landing Before Dawn

"Come on, put it back on," Parker said.

Michelle feigned a yawn, her tone listless, "Tomorrow. I'm getting ready to shower and sleep."

The next morning, when she woke up, Parker seemed to have forgotten about the matter entirely. Together, they drove to the Smith Family home.

Having proposed the day before, today was naturally the time to visit his future in-laws. As soon as they arrived, Janet cheerfully pounced on Parker.

Instinctively, he caught her, but after a brief pause, he tossed her to the ground, "How improper! Do you still think you're a little kid?" Parker frowned darkly and reprimanded her in a deep voice.

Janet, rubbing her bruised bottom, looked aggrieved and pitiful, "I'm sorry, Parker. I just got home and feel insecure. Seeing an old playmate, I couldn't help but get close."

Parker remained unmoved, his tone cold, "You're an adult now, stop using childhood as an excuse. Michelle might misunderstand." The hand that held Michelle's suddenly tightened, causing her pain.

Her eyes flickered with faint mockery. He had shared such intimacy with her behind her back but insisted on acting righteous in front of her. How absurd!

Hearing the commotion, the Smith's couple arrived to see their biological daughter upset and immediately turned their anger on Michelle, "Janet just reunited with us, it's understandable she might not know better. Michelle, as her older sister, you should let things go. How could you make her feel wronged?"

Adele said, "Don't forget what the Smith Family did for you. You can't turn your back on our kindness just because you've found someone influential!"

Lowering her gaze, Michelle concealed the disappointment in her eyes. She had heard such words no fewer than a hundred times this past month.

Ever since Smith's couple found their long-lost daughter, Janet, their favoritism had been glaringly obvious. They seemed to forget the vows they made when they adopted her from the orphanage, that they would treat her as their own, loving her like a biological daughter.

Parker's face darkened like a storm brewing. Pulling Michelle behind him protectively, he snapped, "Enough! This was Janet's fault to begin with. Why blame Michelle?" His thin lips curved into a sarcastic smile.

Sensing his displeasure, Janet quickly stepped in to mediate, her eyes brimming with flattery, "Parker, don't be upset. This is all our fault. My sister is so magnanimous, she won't mind, right?"

Adele glared sharply at Michelle, her gaze filled with implicit threats.

Forcing a bitter smile, Michelle shifted the subject, "I'm hungry. Let's eat first."

At the dining table, Janet seized the seat next to Parker and clung to his arm.

Looking up, she coyly said to Michelle, "Michelle, Parker and I haven't seen each other in years. I want to sit close to him. You don't mind, do you?"

Parker frowned and was about to refuse. But under the cover of her thick clothes, Janet secretly pressed a sensitive trigger point.

Parker's expression immediately turned subtle. His body stiffened and he didn't dare to move.

Michelle's face went pale, her nails digging deep into her palms. Forcing a weak smile, she said with great effort, "I don't mind." But how could she not?

To see her fiancé openly flirting with her younger sister was enough to enrage anyone. Even more so for someone like Michelle, who still harbored some hope for Parker.

The meal felt tasteless to Michelle. As soon as it was over, she couldn't wait to leave that suffocating house.

On the drive back, she sat silently, staring out at the passing scenery.