While I Burned with Fever in the ER, He Was at the Game with His Little Sister Chapter 04
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
I rushed to the trash can and saw the silver oval photo locket broken into several pieces, buried among coffee grounds and takeout wrappers.
I stood frozen, my legs rooted to the floor.
Ethan’s indifferent voice came from behind me.
“Sophia didn’t do it on purpose.”
“She was drunk. It’s normal to toss and turn after drinking.”
“Besides, it was your own fault for putting the necklace under the pillow.”
Sophia leaned back in my gaming chair and crossed her legs elegantly.
“Erin, I really didn’t mean to break it.”
“I even looked it up just now. It isn’t expensive jewelry or anything. It’s only silver.”
“Oh my God, you’re not seriously going to lose your mind over something this small, are you?”
“I can go to the mall and buy you another one, okay?”
She spoke as though it meant nothing.
But to me, it had never been about the price.
Tears instantly filled my eyes as I stared at her.
Sophia’s smile slowly faltered. The fury in my eyes frightened her.
Ethan immediately stepped in front of her.
“Sophia already apologized, and she said she’d buy you a new one!”
“Do you really need to get this angry over it?”
“Replace it?”
I held the shattered locket up in front of him, my fingers trembling uncontrollably.
“Do you have any idea how much this means to me?”
Ethan opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Of course he knew.
My mother had placed this locket in my hands before she died. Inside it was the last photo we had ever taken together.
For years, no matter where I went, it had never left my side.
When Ethan remained silent, I pressed on.
“Do you remember what you promised me back then?”
Sophia let out a mocking laugh beside him.
“Ethan, just ignore her.”
“It’s only an old necklace. Why is a grown woman being so dramatic about it?”
“She’s always trying to control you. I can’t believe you’ve put up with her for this long.”
She put her headset back on and reached for the mouse.
“My match isn’t over yet. Whatever this is, it can wait until I’m finished.”
I walked over and shut down the computer.
Sophia froze for a second, then immediately put on a frightened expression.
“Oh my God!”
She turned to Ethan, her voice instantly turning wounded.
“Ethan, she obviously doesn’t want me here.”
“I should just leave. I’m honestly scared she might suddenly do something even worse.”
She stood up and deliberately acted as though she were about to go.
Ethan immediately grabbed her arm.
“You’re my sister. No one has the right to make you leave.”
Then he turned toward me, his eyes slightly red with anger.
“Erin, are you seriously trying to pick a fight right now?”
“You’re taking your anger out on her just because she’s here?”
I looked at him in silence.
My fever was gone, and I could finally see his choice clearly. I no longer expected anything from him.
“Yes. Because she’s here.”
“She destroyed the keepsake my mother left me.”
“And why was she in my bedroom, wearing my robe and sleeping in my bed?”
Ethan clearly had no answer, so he immediately raised his voice.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Half of this apartment will be mine soon anyway. What’s wrong with letting my sister stay here for one night?”
Watching him avoid my question while speaking as though he had done absolutely nothing wrong made me laugh.
“I bought this apartment.”
“I paid the down payment, I’ve made every mortgage payment, and my name is the only one on the deed.”
“What does any of it have to do with you?”
Ethan’s voice noticeably dropped.
“But we’re about to get married.”
“Once we’re married, this will obviously be our shared home.”
I couldn’t understand how he could stand beside another woman and shamelessly claim my home as theirs.
I did not argue with him again.
I glanced at the time, then turned and opened the door.
Three people were standing in the hallway, just about to knock.
Daniel, the real estate agent leading the group, gave me a polite smile.
They were the team I had contacted to handle the sale of the apartment.
“Good morning, Ms. Carter.”
I led them inside.
“Take photos of every room. Focus on the living room, the kitchen, and the primary bedroom.”
The photographer and assistant slipped shoe covers on at the entrance, raised their cameras, and began taking pictures.
Ethan walked out of the bedroom and stared wide-eyed at the people photographing the apartment.
“Erin, why did you bring a real estate agent here?”
I did not answer him. I only turned to Daniel.
“Once the photos are done, please prepare a market valuation.”
“If the suggested listing price is reasonable, put the apartment on the market immediately.”