Locked in Autumn’s Memories

Vivienne hung up the phone. “What were you talking about?”

Lucian held her hand affectionately. “I was just saying that Dorian’s clothes are worn out and I’ll pick a few suits I don’t wear and give them to him later.”

My tone was calm, flat. “No need. I don’t like dirty things!”

Lucian’s face instantly darkened with anger. “What do you mean by that?”

I lifted my eyes and stared straight at him. “You know what I mean, don’t you?”

If it weren’t for that accident back then, it should have been my sister enjoying her life now.

Seeing my sister reduced to a child in mind was a pain I couldn’t get over.

But life must go on. In the quiet of the night, I secretly felt grateful that my sister left me two family members who were not by blood, but felt closer than blood relatives.

The night I left for graduate school in another city, Vivienne repeatedly promised me that she would take good care of my sister.

In my despair, I clung to her like a lifeline and believed her.

At first, she truly did everything perfectly.

It was as if she wanted to give me all the love my sister never got to finish giving.

Every two weeks, she would fly to my city, afraid that I would feel wronged or alone.

“Dorian, when the first snow falls, we’ll have our wedding. We’ll be the happiest couple in the world.”

Norwyn City’s seasons are usually as warm as spring, but that winter was especially cold.

The weather forecast said there would be a once-in-fifty-years first snow on Christmas Day.

I used the money I earned from my part-time job to buy a diamond ring and secretly bought a ticket home, planning a surprise for them.

But when I opened the door, what met my eyes was… my sister, chained and emaciated. And before her… two naked bodies, tangled together.

I felt as if I’d fallen into an ice cave, trembling all over, unable to stop myself from wanting to vomit.

I didn’t know whether I was angrier at them for abusing my sister or outraged by their betrayal of me.

The two most important people in my life had both betrayed me.

My mind went completely blank—but my sister saw me first.

Always so clean and tidy, she was now covered in filth, her hair like a bird’s nest, holding out a dirty steamed bun to me.

“My little Dorian… eat…”

Tears instantly poured out. I went mad, rushing forward.

Screaming, I swung my fists with all my strength at Lucian’s face.

Lucian screamed and fell to his knees before me.

“Dorian, I know I’ve wronged you… wronged Selene. But I’m not even thirty yet. I don’t want to spend my whole life with a fool.”

But I had clearly wanted to let him go and he had promisednover and over that he wouldn’t leave. So now he wanted both?

“Vivienne and I truly love each other. I won’t fight you for being his love. I’ll take care of your sister, but please let me stay by Vivienne’s side. Won’t the four of us still be together forever?”

I used to have my sister shielding me from all storms. This was the first time I was forced to face the malice and ugliness of human nature head‑on.

I raised my hand high, but Vivienne slapped it away.

My sister burst into terrified wails and despite her weakness, she threw herself again and again against the iron chain.

She actually snapped her own ankle in the struggle and broke free.

Dragging her broken leg, she spread her arms wide and shielded me tightly beneath her.

The wooden stool Vivienne hurled came crashing heavily down on my sister’s head.

Warm blood seeped into my hands.

Panicking, I tried to dial for emergency help.

Vivienne pulled on her clothes and calmly crushed my phone under her heel.

I had seen her playful, happy and even guilty expressions before—but this was the first time I saw such cold, merciless eyes.

“If you want this idiot to live, then obey and shut your mouth!”