Chapter 4
Chapter 4:
Gerard looked away, guilt twisting in his chest. Then he frowned, his voice turning defensive. “Noelle… even if I got it wrong… why didn’t you just explain everything earlier p>
Noelle’s eyes flickered with cold, mocking amusement. Of course. Her brother had finally realized he was wrong, yet somehow it was still her fault for not explaining better.
“Gerard, looks like your memory’s giving out before your age does p>
He opened his mouth, but no words came.
It hit him all at once—just minutes earlier, Noelle had tried to speak up. She had clearly said she didn’t push Willa.
And what did he do? He cut her off, refused to listen, and didn’t believe a single word she said. Instead, he lost his temper, grabbed a glass, and threw it at her in rage. Blood was still dripping from the cuts on her leg, made by the shattered glass.
Shame and disappointment burned inside him as he slowly turned toward Willa. Her eyes were brimming with tears now, her face pale and trembling.
“Gerard, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have lied about Noelle. I just… I just didn’t want to lose you or anyone in the family p>
His brow creased. “What are you talking about p>
Noticing that Gerard’s tone had softened, Willa sensed an opening. Maybe she could still fix this. Her expression grew even more pitiful, and tears began to fall faster, streaming down her cheeks without pause.
“I’ve lived in the Moss house all my life. I’ve always seen you as my real brother. I’ve always loved your parents like they were truly mine. But ever since Noelle came back, I’ve been scared. I thought you’d stop loving me, that all of you would push me aside because she’s the real daughter… because she’s more beautiful than me. I was so scared of losing you that I panicked and did something awful to Noelle. Gerard, I know I messed up. I swear, it won’t ever happen again p>
𝘙𝘦𝖺d f𝗿𝗈𝗆 𝘺𝘰ur 𝗉𝗁оո𝗲 oո
The sight of her crying tugged at Gerard’s heart.
Hearing her emotional confession, he felt even more moved. How could someone like Willa mean any real harm? She just cared too deeply about their family—that was all.
He looked back at Noelle, his tone softening. “Willa only lied because she was scared of losing her family. You didn’t really get seriously hurt. Can’t you be the bigger person, as her older sister? Just let it go and forgive her this once p>
Noelle felt a bitter laugh rise in her chest.
Her own brother had just learned the truth, and still, instead of defending her, he asked her to forgive the person who had set her up.
It was absurd.
She couldn’t take another minute in this house. The Moss family’s double standards were unbearable—it made her feel sick.
Gerard, completely unaware of how twisted his words sounded, kept speaking as if he were being fair. “Noelle, if you’re going to stay stuck on this and refuse to forgive Willa, then don’t blame me when I kick you out of this house p>