Our Love Died Alongside My Sister

After his female assistant crashed her car into my sister, my CEO fiancé, the man who once adored me beyond reason, swore he would make her pay. However, instead of punishing her, he promoted her to my position at work. He claimed that the higher she climbed, the harder she would fall. He spent millions at an auction to buy her a bracelet and even bought her dog a luxury mansion as a kennel. Every time, he told me the same thing: it was all part of his revenge plan and that I needed to endure it a little longer. My sister suffered a brain hemorrhage caused by complications from the accident and urgently needed surgery. Desperate, I begged my fiancé to return the salary he had managed for me over the years. He agreed and told me to get his assistant's approval for the withdrawal. When I submitted the request, she rejected it for incomplete documentation. After I finally gathered everything she asked for, she smiled, said office hours were over, and told me to come back tomorrow. My sister died before tomorrow could come. Only then did my fiancé call to comfort me. “Tell Dolly to wait a few more days for her surgery. Everything I’m doing is to get revenge on Sylvia and avenge Dolly. During her celebration banquet the day after tomorrow, I’ll take back everything I gave her and ruin her completely. After that, we’ll get married. You and Dolly will finally be happy.” By then, I finally understood. His so-called revenge was nothing more than an excuse for the way he indulged and favored his assistant. When my sister died, whatever remained between us died with her. Chapter 1 Before my fiancé, Grayson, could finish feeding me another empty promise, I hung up without another word. Seconds later, my phone exploded with messages. [Jade, what are you throwing a tantrum for now? I already told you. Indulging Sylvia is just part of my plan for revenge.] [We’re only delaying the surgery for three days. Your sister isn’t going to die. Besides, I already promised that I’ll marry you once I’m done ruining Sylvia. I’m putting myself on the line here. Why can’t you and your sister endure it a little longer?] A bitter laugh escaped me. Over the years, the phrase Grayson had said to me most often was, ‘Endure it a little longer.’ A year ago, after Sylvia crashed her car into my sister on the way to bring me an umbrella at work, Grayson swore he would avenge Dolly for me. However, he promoted Sylvia and gave her my managerial position instead. After that, he spent millions at an auction to buy her a bracelet and even bought a luxury villa for her dog to live in. Every single time, he told me the same thing: it was all part of his revenge plan, and I needed to endure it a little longer. He said that once Sylvia climbed to the very top, he would strip everything away from her and destroy her completely. I believed him. I watched Sylvia rise higher and higher and their relationship grow closer and closer. However, the revenge I kept waiting for never came. Instead, I received news of Dolly’s death. I came back to my senses when the crematorium staff put the urn in my hands. I thought it would be heavy. Instead, it was terrifyingly light. The little sister I once struggled to carry with both arms could now be lifted easily with one hand. Only then did I truly realize that the girl who used to smile and call me Jadie was gone forever. If Sylvia had not deliberately stalled my salary withdrawal request, Dolly could have survived. The surgery had a near-perfect success rate. However, Dolly was taken from this world forever just because I could not gather the money in time. I would never be able to forget the bluish tint of Dolly’s face as she struggled to breathe before she died. Nor could I forget how, even in unbearable pain, she still forced herself to smile just to comfort me. She had been so heartbreakingly thoughtful… My chest tightened with grief. I was about to arrange Dolly’s burial when reality hit me. The cremation had drained most of my savings, so I could not even afford a cemetery plot now. I unlocked my phone, intending to borrow money, only to realize that the only name left in my contacts was Grayson’s. Chapter 2 Grayson disliked the smell of alcohol, so over the years, I turned down one gathering after another. Little by little, I lost touch with my friends. I spent every day with him only, and in the end, I did not even have a single person left to borrow money from. I was left with no choice, so I brought Dolly’s ashes back home first. I stood in the doorway and looked down at my worn-out socks and shoes, their soles peeling and paint flaking. I looked painfully out of place in this lavish, gilded villa. For years, Grayson had claimed he was saving up for our marriage by holding on to my salary and tightly controlling my spending. Whether it was using a frayed toothbrush or my clothes coming apart at the seams, I never complained. I even turned down an overseas offer from a top tech company, choosing instead to stay by his side and carry this burden with him. In the end, I lost everything. Sylvia stole my career, and now, she had taken away my sister, my only family. It was time I started planning things for myself. With that thought in mind, I called the overseas tech company. “I accept your offer. Give me three days. I’ll start working abroad after that.” They agreed immediately, almost too quickly, as though they were afraid I would change my mind. Just as I hung up, a voice came from behind me. “What’s this about going abroad?” Grayson had returned at some point. I did not even look up and brushed him off. “My friend is going abroad and asked for my opinion on something.” He let out a cold laugh. “Stop lying. Who else do you have, aside from me?” Realizing he had gone too far, he patted my shoulder. “Don’t be childish. I’m only making you and Dolly wait for now because of my plan for revenge.” Then, he took out his phone and transferred $100 to me. “Use this to buy Dolly some nutritious food and toys. Just don’t let Sylvia find out. She’ll make a fuss again.” He complained about Sylvia, but the affection in his eyes was impossible to hide. We were supposed to be the real couple, yet I felt like the one who did not belong, like a rat hiding in the shadows. At first, Grayson truly had been set on avenging Sylvia. Every time a plan succeeded, he would turn to me with a tender, knowing look. I played my part well too, putting on the act of being devastated, believing we were one step closer to revenge. However, slowly, something changed. The way Grayson looked at Sylvia grew more and more admiring, even affectionate. His indifference and impatience toward me no longer felt like an act. He did not seem to realize that his so-called revenge had long since gone off course. I sent the money back to him. My throat burned with bitterness. “Grayson, we…” Should break up. Before the words could leave my mouth, I heard the electronic door lock’s code being keyed in from outside. Sylvia walked in and froze when she saw us. “Grayson, didn’t you say you came back to get my birthday gift? Is this it?” She strode forward and shoved me aside. Her voice was sharp with disgust. “Jade, how can an ex-girlfriend like you have the nerve to keep living in your ex-boyfriend’s house like some parasite? Have you no shame?!” The air turned suffocatingly awkward. Grayson broke the silence. He opened a drawer, took out a scarf, and handed it to her with a gentle expression. “I didn’t lie. I did come back for your gift. I didn’t expect Jade to be here, asking for money.” I had once believed he had the scarf custom-made for me. In the end, it was just another illusion I had mistaken for Grayson’s love. Chapter 3 Sylvia refused to take the scarf. She raised her hand arrogantly. “Don’t think you can brush me off. Give me your phone!” Grayson let out a helpless sigh and handed it over. Sylvia caught sight of the transfer he had just made to me. Her expression twisted in anger as she knocked the scarf to the floor. “Grayson, you’re secretly sending her money? If you still can’t let go of the past, why did you come to me at all? “You put me in charge of your finances, so you’re supposed to trust me. If you don’t, I’ll resign right now!” She stormed out. Grayson, who was usually so calm and composed, immediately lost his composure and chased after her. After a few steps, he seemed to remember something. He stopped abruptly, turned back, and grabbed my hand, gently shaking it like he always did when he was coaxing me. “Just wait a little longer. Everything will end in three days. I’ll make it up to you properly then.” He left in a hurry. It was the same way he always coaxed me, soft and familiar. Once, it had been enough to make me yield every time. However, I felt nothing but disgust now. I wiped my hand over and over with a tissue, as though I was trying to erase his touch. I let out a cold laugh as I watched him from behind. He still did not know that I would be leaving this country the day after tomorrow. He also did not know that the moment my sister died, whatever we had died with her. … After Grayson left, I put Dolly’s ashes away properly and bought a flight ticket to Freedonia, departing the day after tomorrow. Then, I turned on my computer and submitted my resignation to his company online. After that, I started packing. While sorting through my things, I accidentally came across an old photo. In it, Grayson and I looked young and carefree, standing on either side of Dolly and holding her hands. We were all smiling like we were on top of the world. We met in university. After my parents died unexpectedly, Dolly and I were left alone. I once planned to drop out and work to support her. Grayson stepped in, offering to fund our education and even sending us our monthly living expenses. I was grateful to him. When his family went bankrupt, I stood by him and helped him rebuild everything. Those days were hard, but we were happy. He was not just good to me. He adored Dolly too. He would queue for her favorite toys, and when he learned she loved dancing, he enrolled her in classes himself. However, everything changed when Sylvia came into our lives. A year ago, Sylvia hit Dolly with her car. Dolly suffered permanent damage to her leg and could no longer dance. Six months ago, Grayson removed me from my position as part of his so-called revenge plan against Sylvia. This morning, Dolly saw him buying a car for Sylvia. She tried to stand up for me, but Sylvia shoved her to the ground. It triggered a brain hemorrhage, and because Sylvia refused to approve the emergency salary withdrawal, my sister died. He promised to ruin Sylvia. In the end, I was the one who lost everything. I let out a cold laugh and tore the photo into pieces, tossing it into the trash. After packing, I was about to sleep when Grayson sent a message. [Sylvia’s throwing a tantrum. I need to calm her down tonight. I won’t be back.] Ever since Sylvia joined the company, he had stopped updating me entirely. I only felt a brief flicker of surprise at him letting me know this before putting my phone away and turning it off. I slept until I naturally woke up the next day. It was already late afternoon. I was about to go to the company to resign when I opened the door and saw Grayson’s bodyguards standing outside. “Miss Lowe, Mr. Shaw is looking for you.” Without giving me a chance to refuse, they took me straight to City Hall. Chapter 4 When I got out of the car, Grayson immediately came up and took my hand. “Jade, I know I was wrong to leave you alone yesterday to comfort Sylvia, but it was all part of my plan for revenge. “I initially wanted to register our marriage today as compensation. Look, I even prepared everything, but we still arrived too late. City Hall is already closed. Next time, I’ll definitely marry you.” I had lost count of how many times he had said something like this. Next time, there would be no next time. If he truly wanted to marry me, he would not have deliberately chosen a time when it was closed. “Grayson, honestly...” I pulled my hand back, about to tell him it was not necessary anymore, when he cut me off. “Even though we didn’t get the certificate, don’t worry. Our revenge plan will end tomorrow. I’ll make her lose everything and pay the price for her sins at her celebration banquet. “I’ll treat you to a big meal tonight to make it up to you, all right?” He smiled as he spoke, already reaching for the car door. The next second, his face went pale, and he froze completely. “Sylvia, what are you doing here?!” … Sylvia was already standing behind us. Her eyes were red, tears trembling at the corners. “So you’ve been lying to me all along, Grayson. Everything you did for me was fake! “Jade told me you were going to register your marriage with me, so I even dressed up for it. In the end, it was just another part of your plan for revenge. “I trusted you so much. How could you do this to me?! Take back everything you’ve ever given me. I don’t want any of it. It’s all disgusting!” In a fit of anger, she ripped off the bracelet Grayson had once spent millions on at an auction and hurled it in my direction. She also tore off the scarf he had given her and stomped on it hard. I could not dodge in time. The diamonds on the bracelet scratched across my cheek, leaving a bright red line. However, Grayson did not even look at me. He was wholly focused on comforting Sylvia. “Sylvia, listen to me—” “I don’t want to hear it! Stay away from me! I don’t want to see you! If you hate me that much, then I’ll just die to atone for Jade’s sister!” She shoved him away and ran toward the traffic. Panic finally broke through Grayson’s composure. He rushed forward and pulled her into his arms. Even though he reacted quickly, she was still grazed by a passing car. Grayson held her tightly. His eyes were full of distress, but they turned cold as he looked at me. “Why did you call her here? Were you trying to provoke her? You couldn’t even wait a few more days?” “I didn’t—” “If anything happens to Sylvia, I won’t let you get away with it!” He cut me off sharply, then carried Sylvia straight to the hospital without looking back. I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood. Of course. Between Sylvia and me, Grayson would always choose her. At that moment, I noticed Grayson had already approved my resignation. He really did hate me that much. I took a taxi back to the office. After finishing the handover, I packed up my desk and carried my box of things as I prepared to leave. I heard mocking voices from my colleagues behind me. “So what if she was the CEO’s fiancée? She still got kicked out.” “She already tried to leech off Mr. Shaw’s money before getting married. What a parasite. She deserved it!” Ever since Grayson started this so-called revenge plan, Sylvia had used his favoritism to make things difficult for me. My coworkers followed suit, throwing obstacles in my way to please her. I had long grown numb to their cold words. They no longer hurt me. Chapter 5 Night had already fallen when I walked out of the office. My phone buzzed. Sylvia had sent me a provocative message. In the photo, Grayson had taken over the entire hospital and gathered all the top specialists for her treatment. [Jade, the one who isn’t loved is the true third wheel. You two aren’t even married yet. I still have a chance!] As I looked at Grayson’s anxious expression, something in my chest tightened. That expression was all too familiar to me. Back then, when I accidentally cut my finger slicing fruit, he had looked at me exactly like that. He had also booked an entire hospital and summoned specialists just to treat my small wound. That tenderness, which was once exclusive to me, was now entirely given to Sylvia. This time, I did not spiral into jealousy like before. I simply ignored her message in silence. I took a taxi home. As I was about to go rest, Grayson came back. As soon as he entered, he instinctively ordered, “Jade, give me a massage. Also, run a bath for me.” Previously, I would have obeyed without question. Now, I could not be bothered to respond. I simply closed my eyes and rested. Grayson frowned, feeling irritated. “I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” “You’re not disabled. Can’t you do your own things?” My words made his anger flare. He slammed the takeout he had brought home onto the table. “What’s with your attitude? “I even specially brought you your favorite dish because I was worried you hadn’t eaten. I shouldn’t have bothered!” A flicker of expectation rose in me. I opened the box. My face turned cold. There was barely anything left inside besides a few lone strands of spaghetti. I did not like spaghetti. Sylvia did. He had brought me her leftovers. I let out a cold laugh and threw the box straight into the trash. “I’m not a garbage bin. I don’t eat trash.” Grayson’s face darkened, and he yelled, “So what? I just comforted Sylvia a little, yet you’re still holding a grudge? “If you don’t want it, fine. I wasted my good intentions on the wrong person!” In a fit of anger, he kicked the cabinet beside him and knocked over the urn I had placed on top. Crash! It shattered on the floor, and the ashes scattered everywhere. I shoved him away. My eyes were burning red. “Grayson, are you insane?!” Grayson looked unconcerned. “It’s just a case. I’ll get you another one! Was that really worth yelling about?” My nails dug deep into my palms. Each breath I took felt painful. “This is Dolly’s ashes!” He froze for a moment, then frowned. “Jade, enough already! You’re so jealous that you’re even cursing your own sister. Have you lost your mind?!” I felt exhausted, so I did not bother explaining. It would not matter anyway. He would not believe me. I had already cried all my tears dry when Dolly died. I no longer had tears left to cry since then. I found another container and carefully gathered her ashes bit by bit. Grayson noticed that my grief did not look fake. His furrowed brow eased, and his tone softened. “Jade, the revenge plan is almost complete. Wouldn’t it be a pity to ruin everything now? Why can’t you understand my efforts? “Stop using Dolly as an excuse. It’s not funny anymore.” I remained silent. Left with no choice, Grayson pulled out his last resort—a doll—and pressed it into my hands. “Look, I bought this specially for Dolly. “Stop being upset. After tomorrow’s celebration banquet, we’ll take Dolly for surgery, then we’ll get married. Everything will go back to how it used to be. All right?” Chapter 6 I slapped Grayson’s hand away and said coldly, “It’s over. Grayson, let’s break up.” Grayson’s patience finally snapped. “Break up? Just because I comforted Sylvia? “Or is it because she didn’t approve your salary withdrawal, so you’re using this as an excuse?” I nodded. “Yes. That’s exactly why.” His expression darkened completely. “Your sister is still alive. Is this grudge really worth holding onto?” To him, that money meant nothing. To me, it was Dolly’s life-saving money. I let out a cold laugh and held out my hand. “Exactly. I’m that petty. So, give me back the salary you’ve been holding for me all these years.” Ever since his bankruptcy, Grayson had become extremely sensitive about money. The moment I mentioned it, he went into a full rage, pointing at me and shouting, “Money, money, money! Are you obsessed with money?! “I was helping you keep it safe, yet you’re blaming me for it? Fine! Take it all back. I won’t manage anything for you ever again!” He threw a supplementary card at me and stormed off, slamming the door so hard that the whole room shook. This time, I did not apologize like before or chase after him. I simply picked up the card, went into the study, and slept there with a pillow. Just as I was about to turn off the light, Sylvia sent me a provocative video. In the video, the scarf that she had once thrown away was now back around her neck. Grayson, the man who was always so proud and untouchable, was kneeling in front of her. “Sylvia, I really did start it to get revenge on you, but I ended up falling for you. Please forgive me. I can’t live without you. I’ll go crazy!” I did not react at all. I turned off my phone and slept soundly through the night. The next morning, I woke up early, dragged my suitcase out while Grayson was still asleep, and went straight to the airport without looking back. … When Grayson woke up and did not see me, he assumed I had gone to work. He drove to the office and only then learned I had not shown up. He immediately called me. “Jade, why aren’t you at work? You don’t have any leave!” I laughed. “I already resigned. Didn’t you know?” He thought I was just being dramatic. “The celebration banquet is about to start. This isn’t the time for tantrums. I may not have brought Sylvia down yet, but I’ve already convinced her to give back your managerial position. Just wait a little longer. I’ll get justice for you and Dolly sooner or later. “I’ve already sent a driver to the hospital to pick Dolly up. You should come back too—” Before he could finish, I cut him off coldly, “I’m not going back, and you won’t be picking up Dolly either.” He asked, confused, “What do you mean?” The next second, the driver who had gone to the hospital rushed back in a panic. “Bad news, Mr. Shaw. The hospital said Miss Dolly passed away the day before yesterday. Miss Jade has already bought a plane ticket and left the country!”