Chapter 4
Early the next morning, I returned to my old apartment.
I hadn’t been back since getting married, and seeing everything draped in a layer of dust brought
tears to my eyes.
After a quick clean, I reached into the deepest part of the closet and pulled out a wedding dress.
This was the gown my mother had worn on her wedding day.
I’d originally planned to wear it when marrying Knox, but after he saw it, he insisted on buying me a brand new one.
Though that new gown had cost him his entire year’s salary, he’d been overjoyed to spend it.
At our wedding, when he saw me walking toward him in that gown, he’d broken down in happy
tears.
Back then, I believed his love was genuine and I thought we would spend our lives together.
Now, looking back, the past three years felt like some cruel joke.
Standing before the mirror in my mother’s dress, I looked years younger, and the sight left me feeling almost disoriented.
The simple, elegant design with sunflower patterns–my mother’s favorite–had stood the test of time, still looking fresh despite the years.
I realized that, finally, I could make my own choices this time.
As I carried the dress to the Thorne family home, I ran straight into Knox, who was out shopping
with Vanessa.
When seeing me, he froze, his eyes immediately drawn to the garment bag in my hand. His greeting came out awkwardly:
“Aria, what brings you out shopping so suddenly?”
I wasn’t surprised by his question. After all since his “death,” I’d become practically housebound,
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Chapter 4
with no interest in leisurely outings.
I didn’t want to engage with him and brushed him off with a vague excuse.
But as I passed by, he caught a clear glimpse of the dress, and his expression suddenly darkened.
Why was I carrying… that dress?
Watching my back grow distant, Knox stood rooted to the spot, until Vanessa impatiently demanded,
“What’s wrong with you?”
I didn’t look back, making a beeline for my son’s school. Unwilling to face those two, I took my son to
a restaurant for dinner before heading home. But no sooner had I stepped through the door than I
saw Knox, holding a new schoolbag in his hand.
The Gucci tag was still attached–clearly, he’d spent a small fortune on it.
“Jayden, Uncle got you this awesome backpack as a reward for getting all A’s on your tests. Do you
like it?”
My son glanced at me first, then shook his head at Knox.
“Thanks, Uncle, but I already have the backpack Mom patched up for me.”
Knox’s gentle smile suddenly crumbled piece by piece, his eyes betraying panic and unease.
I signaled Jayden to go to his room, then positioned myself between them.
‘We can’t keep taking advantage of your generosity. Please don’t bring gifts anymore.”
Hearing my words, he looked nervous and anxious.
, as your brother–in–law, isn’t it my duty to look after you both? Don’t be so formal with me.”
just laughed coldly at his act and didn’t say another word.
Seeing my expression, he frowned, clearly thrown by my attitude. “I am your brother–in–law, after all. Do you really need to treat me like this?”
I stared at him intently, as if trying to see through him, amazed at his audacity: “As you just said, you’re only my brother–in–law, not my husband. What right do you have to dictate how I should treat
you?”
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Chapter 4
Maybe the increasingly strange behavior from both Jayden and me finally rattled Knox.
Suddenly, he tried to grab my hand nervously, demanding to know why our attitude had changed overnight.
I took a step back to avoid his touch and snapped at him: “I’m only your sister–in–law. Please mind your boundaries.”
Then I went upstairs and shut the door firmly behind me, leaving Knox standing speechless at the doorstep.
For three years, even while assuming his brother’s identity, his life hadn’t changed much from when he was Knox. He’d continued caring for my son and me, maintaining our close relationship.
But now, hearing my warning, he realized we could never return to that intimacy–we needed to maintain proper distance.
So, that night, Knox rushed out and splurged on three boxes of imported snacks, blowing his entire month’s living expenses. He planned to deliver these gifts to us the next day, apologize properly, and do whatever it took to salvage his relationship with my son and me.
What he didn’t know was that tonight would be our last night in the Thorne family home.
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