Back then, my hands had already begun to weaken. The muscles wasted away, making it harder and harder to hold a brush. So, if I revealed my secret identity, I'd only be a fool.
That painting was my final masterpiece, a piece of my soul poured onto the canvas. It was priceless.
Yet she tossed it away.
But she did not discard the painting alone that day, but also my hope for our family to be connected.
"Don’t dwell on these things," Mom said, patting my shoulder. "Your father and I will always stand by you."
The cold metal of her new sapphire ring dug into my skin, and I couldn't help but manage a bitter smile.
She threw away the painting that took me six months to finish without a second thought.
But a ring Jed bought with the family's wealth? She treasured it like a priceless heirloom.
It took me a long time to understand.
They never loved me.
Maybe they never saw me as their child. To them, Jed would always be their one and only son.
Cade's POV
To them, I was nothing but an obstacle.
If that was the case, there was no reason for me to stay in this house any longer.