I ended up staying in the hospital long-term. After a period of treatment, I regained a bit of strength in my hands and feet, but moving around was still a struggle. Joshua stayed by my side the entire time, taking care of me. I worried I was interfering with his work. After a lot of back-and-forth, I finally convinced him to return to the law firm—only after I hired a caregiver to take his place. Before I knew it, it was the dead of winter, almost Christmas. My condition was getting worse by the day. I kept thinking about it, and figured—while I could still move, even just barely—I should find a way to repay Joshua the money I owed him. I asked the hospital for a half-day leave. With the caregiver driving, I made a trip to a jewelry store at the mall, planning to sell the only thing of value I had left. It was a birthday gift from when I was sixteen. Shawn had been nineteen, just starting to work. He'd saved every penny he made to buy it for me. It was the same bracelet I once questioned him about—the limited-edition one he never gave me. He'd never forgotten that moment. I think he always hoped, deep down, that giving it to me would bring me back—to him and to my mother. I stood at the counter with the bracelet, trying to bargain with the store manager. "It cost quite a bit when it was new. Can't you offer a little more for it?" The manager looked annoyed. "This model's years old. Way out of style. 10 thousand dollars is the best I can do." Between medical bills and medication, I had almost nothing left. Thinking about the 17 thousand dollars I still owed Joshua, I pushed myself to ask again, "Could you go a bit higher? 12 thousand dollars, maybe…" Before I could finish, a cold voice cut in from behind me, "Mind stepping aside?" I turned around and saw Shawn standing there—with Adele at his side. He looked right past me, as if I didn't exist, and addressed the manager behind the counter, "Is it here?" The manager immediately brightened up with a grin. "Yes, the necklace came in this morning. I was just about to give you a call." As Shawn stepped up to the counter to collect it, Adele's eyes drifted to the bracelet in my hand. She probably thought it was pathetic—me, a former teacher, out of work, down to selling off jewelry just to get by. She tugged gently on Shawn's sleeve and spoke with hesitation, "Miss Wells, I think that bracelet is really beautiful. "Would you be willing to sell it to me? "I can pay… 12 thousand dollars you mentioned." I hadn't wanted to embarrass myself in front of Shawn, but given the state of my health—this might be the last time I could manage to come out. I nodded, ready to agree. But Shawn frowned. "Adele, don't ask for used junk someone else has worn. It's dirty." Adele's face flushed with embarrassment. The sales associate quickly ushered her away to try on the necklace. I was out of options. Pride didn't matter anymore. I took the 10 thousand dollars and let the bracelet go. Shawn stood nearby the whole time, watching me with that same cool, detached gaze. It made my skin crawl. I avoided his eyes, took the money, and left in a hurry. Once I turned the corner and was sure he couldn't see me, I leaned against the wall and called Joshua. I asked when he might have time to come by the hospital—I wanted to give him the 10 thousand dollars in person. If I transferred it, he probably wouldn't take it. After I hung up, I looked up—and there he was. Shawn stood right in front of me, face like stone, eyes burning. Just getting to the mall had drained me; now, I could barely stay on my feet. Not wanting him to notice anything was wrong, I tried to walk past him. But he suddenly grabbed my arm. His voice came low and furious in my ear. "You really enjoy handing money to Joshua, don't you? "That dog—who sent his own master to prison. You really think he won't turn around and bite you too?" Everyone in our circle knew—it was Joshua, the legal advisor, who'd kicked Stevie when he was down. He was the one who made sure Stevie was sentenced to life. I didn't answer. Shawn gave a sharp, bitter laugh. "Or what? Planning to beg Joshua to reopen the case and save your precious father, Stevie?" In his eyes, I was always a disappointment. Always the pathetic one. My legs were shaking. I just wanted to get away. I reached out and tried to push his hand off me. "This has nothing to do with you." Seven years since we last saw each other, and Shawn had only grown colder, more disgusted. But even now, with his hand gripping my arm, he wouldn't let go. He scoffed, "Maybe it doesn't. "But I've always found it satisfying when things go badly for the two of you. "Like, for example—did you know your brilliant lawyer, Mr. Mueller, just got fired?"