They rolled down the windows, exchanging awkward glances. They tried to explain but couldn’t come up with a convincing excuse.

“It’s fine. I’ll drive my own car.”

Hearing this, they both sighed in relief, though they still seemed puzzled by my unusual behavior.

“Amelia...”

I rolled up my window, unwilling to hear their empty excuses. But as I drove, the scenery outside stirred up countless memories.

The three of us had grown up together as childhood friends.

For as long as I could remember, both families had been eager to see me marry into theirs.

But fate had other plans.

After my parents passed away in a tragic accident, the once-vibrant Nicolas family was reduced to just me and my grandmother, depending on each other for survival.

An elderly woman and a young girl, surrounded by wolves in sheep's clothing, struggled to keep their crumbling family afloat.

Because of this, I pushed myself to the limit, studying day and night to take on the family responsibilities as soon as possible.

Sandy, on the other hand, came from a poor background and was often ostracized at school.

When I learned she was also an orphan, I felt sympathy for her and took the initiative to befriend her.