Locked in Autumn’s Memories

It had nothing to do with the two of them.

Vivienne’s eyes swept over the photo in my hand with a complicated expression. “Dorian, if she were here, I’m sure she’d want the three of us to be happy together.”

Lucian looked away, unable to meet the gaze of the photo.

Vivienne walked straight in, took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves and picked up the broom behind the door.

“Lucian, go open the window and let some fresh air in.”

For a moment, it took me back many years. Back then, the four of us often gathered here.

My sister would cook, Lucian would help and Vivienne did the housework.

I was busy bossing everyone around.

Laughter echoed in the small house. Now, only silence remained.

I cleaned the table and carefully placed my sister’s portrait on it.

In the photo, my sister was smiling so gently.

I never expected that a reunion of the four of us would happen like this.

Lucian suddenly rushed over and slammed the portrait onto the table. “Why display this? Everything’s fine already!”

Seeing his flustered expression, I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

So, he felt guilty and ashamed to face my sister’s pure eyes.

“Dorian, Lucian is just worried about you. After all, someone died here before.”

“Don’t you know better than anyone how my sister died?”

The broom in Vivienne’s hands clattered to the floor.

The room fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the wind outside the window.

The second year after my sister married Lucian, we all began to change.

My sister’s business grew busier and she often traveled across the country.

The day she received angel-round investment, she was so happy she treated us to a big meal.

Halfway through the meal, my sister received a call from Vivienne, who hadn’t shown up.

“Selene, I got into trouble. They’ve cornered me at a bar.”

Without a second word, my sister put down her spoon and rushed out.

But after that trip, she never came back whole again.

In order to protect Vivienne, my sister was struck hard on the back of her head with a beer bottle.

By the time Lucian and I arrived at the hospital, my sister’s mind had already regressed to that of a five‑year‑old child.

She forgot everything—except me, her little brother.

My world completely collapsed.

I swallowed my grief while taking care of her and at the same time, I cruelly pushed Lucian away.

“When my sister was healthy, she loved you the most. She wouldn’t want you to ruin your whole life for her.”

“I’ll decide for her. The two of you should get a divorce!”

Lucian held my sister’s hands tightly, tears streaming down his face, utterly determined.

“I won’t leave Selene. Even if I die, I won’t.”

He chose to stay, without hesitation.

In his youthful passion, I was moved by Lucian’s unwavering devotion to my sister and I gave him full inheritance of her company.

Vivienne was wracked with guilt, shutting herself in her room and drowning in drink and despair.

Until Lucian kicked open the door and poured a bucket of cold water over her head.

“If you want to honor Selene, then take care of her company and this family properly.”

From that day on, Vivienne seemed like a different person.

She also joined my sister’s company and took on the responsibility of looking after us.

At that time, I was drowning in grief and uncertainty about the future.

Vivienne’s companionship and support became my only lifeline.

She and I registered our marriage, swearing by my sister’s bedside that we would care for her for life.

Vivienne’s phone rang, breaking my reverie.

It seemed eager to escape the grip of the past and Lucian’s words suddenly became unusually numerous.

“Don’t blame Vivienne. She’s now the CEO of a listed company and very busy.”

He rolled up his sleeves, deliberately showing the limited-edition vintage watch on his wrist.

“This was for my birthday last month. She specially went to an auction in France to get it for me.”