”I didn’t take that necklace,” I said softly, once the situation had finally left only Javier and me alone in the corner of the upstairs balcony.
Javier didn’t answer my defense right away.
He stepped closer, then sat down beside me.
His gaze stared straight ahead at the wide view of the city from up high.
He seemed to know that this quiet spot had always been my most comfortable corner to calm myself.
“But the necklace was found inside your bag, Camila.” His voice sounded soft, yet every word that came out carried a weight that pressed heavily against my chest.
I turned quickly, staring at the side of his face with a look of disbelief.
My chest felt as though it had been struck by a huge stone.
Even though we weren’t blood siblings, we had lived together under the same roof for more than a decade.
Did Javier really not have even a little trust in me?
Didn’t he understand me at all?
“If I really were a thief, I would have done it long ago, Javier!” I exclaimed softly, tears beginning to well up in the corners of my eyes from disappointment that had already run so deep. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
“I have free access to come and go in this luxurious house. I could have taken things far more expensive than this, years ago. But what? I’ve never done it, have I? I’m not a thief, Javier! I swear I didn’t take Adriana’s diamond necklace!”
Javier remained silent and unmoved, hearing my fiery outburst.
Feeling so frustrated and hurt by his silent response, I chose to rise from my seat.
My heart ached painfully as I realized that in this world, not a single person stood on my side.
But just as I took a step to leave, a warm, firm palm swiftly caught my wrist.
“I’m sorry …”
I furrowed my brow deeply upon hearing the word “sorry” slip from his thick lips.
A sudden curiosity stirred my mind.
“Sorry? Why are you suddenly apologizing?”
Javier didn’t meet my eyes.
“It’s nothing. I just hope … you’ll never look for trouble with Adriana again,” he said quietly, then slowly released his grip on my wrist.
He rose to his feet, turned, and walked away, leaving me alone in a suffocating confusion.
I stood frozen in place, watching his broad back grow more distant.
My mind suddenly went blank, trying to make sense of what his words meant.
Look for trouble with Adriana?
On the contrary, it was Adriana who kept disturbing my peace and trapping me in this filthy situation.
With heavy steps, I began walking away from the balcony.
But just as my foot was about to descend the first step, Adriana’s figure was already standing firmly there, arms crossed over her chest.
The woman stared at me with a gaze filled with pure hatred.
Her appearance now utterly contrasted with, was the complete opposite of, the sweet mask she always wore in front of our adoptive parents and in front of Javier.
“See? I can do anything to you, Camila,” Adriana whispered, full of triumph, stepping forward one step at a time to intimidate me.
“I can even do something far crueler and more disgusting than just that little trap at the police station earlier. So never look at Javier with that adoring gaze again! And remember this well in that little brain of yours—never hope to have Javier!”
I could only stand there in silence, clenching both my hands tightly at my sides until my knuckles turned white, holding back a flood of emotion.
My chest felt unbearably tight, as if crushed by a cruel reality.
Yet …
I had never had even the slightest intention of stealing Javier from her embrace.
My reason always prayed and hoped that this forbidden feeling that had already grown wild in the depths of my heart could be eroded away and vanish without a trace.
I only wanted this insane longing that always craved Javier to leave soon and free my life from this suffering.