Forever, Day and Night

Rosetta Murphy cherished two childhood sweethearts who meant the world to her. The three grew upand lived together as the boys showered her with boundless love and affection.

Until one day, their attention and affection were shifted to another girl.

After being wronged and wounded more than she could bear, Rosetta finally decided it was time to walk away.

Yet after she left, her childhood sweethearts came back, one after another, pleading for her to stay. They begged her forgiveness, hoping to regain the place they once held in her heart.

However, she no longer desired them, for she had already chosen to marry another man.

"Rosie, have you really decided to return to Northbridge? After all those years refusing to come back, my husband and I can hardly believe it."

Her sister's excited yet hesitant voice came over the phone. Rosetta gripped her phone tightly, remaining silent.

"My husband told me that he has a friend who is just two years older than you. If you're open to it, would you meet this friend of his when you return here?"

Still, Rosetta did not respond. Moments passed in silence before Riley spoke up, her voice now cautious.

"Well, if… if you don't want to..."

"Riley, I do want to," Rosetta's soft voice interrupted, steady but gentle.

"What? You really want to?"

"Yes," she confirmed, taking a deep breath and saying calmly, "I have one last performance in Springdale soon. Once it's over, I'll come back for the blind date."

"Wonderful! Then I'll be waiting for you at home."

"All right."

After exchanging a few more words, Rosetta hung up the phone. Her gaze drifted to the lively crowd nearby, where Elliot and Edric were chatting with Sierra. Their expressions were gentle, while Sierra looked a touch shy.

Elliot Sinclair, the president of the Sinclair Group, held a level of influence that could stir the entire Springdale business circle with a single word.

Edric Sinclair, director of Lunaris Hospital in Springdale, was already a renowned cardiac surgeon at a young age.

These two exceptional men were her beloved childhood sweethearts. Once, they had been her devoted admirers.

As if sensing her gaze, Sierra looked up and walked toward her, with Elliot and Edric following closely behind.

"Rosetta, why are you standing here all by yourself?" Sierra stopped in front of her. Her tone was gentle and a bit flattering. "I brought you some coffee, Rosetta. Here, you can have it."

Rosetta looked down, glanced at her briefly and turned to leave without saying a single word.

However, Sierra unexpectedly tugged on the corner of her clothes. Seeing her perform this pitiful gesture, Rosetta felt a surge of irritation.

She pushed Sierra away and moved to leave, but Sierra stumbled, spilling the coffee and ending up on the ground, looking utterly helpless and embarrassed.

"Ack! It hurts!"

Sierra exclaimed. Instantly, Elliot and Edric rushed forward with concern etched on their faces.

Elliot crouched down anxiously, holding Sierra's wrist. "Sierra, where are you hurt?" He raised his head, his gaze cold as he looked at Rosetta. "Sierra kindly brought you coffee. How could you push her?"

Edric hurriedly knelt beside Sierra, then added in a disappointed tone. "Rosie, you really let me down this time."

"Don't blame Rosetta, Edric. It's all my fault and it has nothing to do with her," Sierra interjected with a choked voice as if she was truly concerned about Rosetta.

"Let's get to the hospital first," Elliot said, lifting her up.

"Yes, the hospital first," Edric echoed, standing up as well.

Rosetta stood there alone, watching as they left until they disappeared completely from her sight. Reflecting on everything that had just happened, a wave of sorrow settled over her, so intense it left her almost numb.

If someone had told her three months ago that Elliot and Edric would someday abandon her for another girl named Sierra Harris, she would never have believed it.

Rosetta was the eldest daughter of the Murphy Family in Northbridge, but when her parents passed away, her older sister was struggling to manage the Murphy Group alone and could hardly take care of her as well.

So at a young age, she was sent to the Sinclair Family in Springdale and was entrusted to the Sinclair Familyfor care and guidance. There, after joining the Sinclair Family, she met Elliot and Edric and from then on, her life became closely intertwined with the twin brothers.

From childhood to adulthood, Elliot and Edric treated her with the utmost kindness.

During thunderstorms, when she was afraid to sleep, they stayed by her side, telling her amusing stories to ease her fear.

When she was hospitalized with a severe cold, they cared for her day and night, neglecting their own health until both fell ill themselves.

When Riley said she would bring her back to Northbridge, they cried and pleaded with Riley not to take her away.

Everyone knew that Elliot and Edric both had feelings for her and wished to marry her someday, yet neither brother was willing to step aside.

Even Rosetta had considered it more than once. If she really had to choose one of them to be her husband, which one would she choose?

Well, it seemed that she did not need to make a choice after all now.

In Elliot and Edric's hearts, the person they wished to protect at all costs was not her anymore. Now, it was Sierra Harris.

Rosetta could still clearly remember the first time she met Sierra.

Sierra came from a poor family and carried a difficult background, yet her love for the violin was undeniable. She worked hard, studying art with passion, though she could not even afford a decent violin.

The first time Rosetta met Sierra was in a bar. She had just completed a tour and Elliot and Edric insisted on holding a celebration banquet in her honor. Sierra had come to their private room to promote a product and was being harassed. Rosetta could not stand by and intervened to help her.

From that day on, Sierra seemed to always appear around her.

She cooked meals for Rosettaor and bought her small gifts. Over time, Rosetta also felt that Sierra had a good personality, so she helped introduce many resources in the industry to her.

Sierra's number of commercial performances increased and she gradually gained fame as a violinist, although she still had a long way to go compared to Rosetta's established reputation.

But despite this, Sierra gradually replaced her in the hearts of Elliot and Edric.

Even now, Rosetta could not fully understand how the bond she had shared with Elliot and Edric since childhood was overtaken by someone so seemingly ordinary.

However, that no longer mattered. She had already promised her sister that after her final performance, she would return to Northbridge.

This time, she was the one choosing to let go.

Rosetta returned to the villa alone and the butler, Dante, seemed surprised upon seeing her arrive by herself.

"Miss, didn't Elliot and Edric come back with you?"

Rosetta looked up and forced a smile that barely hid her pain."No, they took Sierra to the hospital."

"What? They left you to go home alone?"

The butler's shock was understandable, though. In the past, Elliot and Edric had never once let her come home alone. The brothershad always been deeply concerned for her safety. Whenever Rosetta was not working, they would stay by her side, watching over her at all times to make sure she was wellprotected.

"Dante, it is fine. I'm just going upstairs to rest." Not intending to explain further, Rosetta briefly greeted the butler before heading back to her room.

There were still a few details of the upcoming performance she needed to discuss with her manager, so she made some calls as soon as she settled into her bedroom.

She had barely hung up when she noticed that Elliot and Edric had not returned home.

With nothing else to do, she absentmindedly scrolled through her social feed until a recent post from Sierra caught her eye.

The caption read, [For the first time, I could feel that going to the hospital was such a happy thing to do. Thanks to you, guys!]

The post included a photo, just shadows of three people. However, Rosetta could immediately tell it was a picture of Elliot, Edric and Sierra.

So, they would not come home tonight. They stayed at the hospital to keep Sierra company.

If it had been in the past, seeing that would have hurt deeply and she might have questioned Elliot and Edric right away. But now, a calmness washed over her.

So, she simply set her phone aside, washed up and lay down to sleep.

Early the next morning, Rosetta went to the company. With plans to return to Northbridge, she needed to end her contract with her current agency.

Her sister, Riley, had already helped her find a new agency and once she had finalized things here, she would be able to sign up for the new one.

When she told her manager about the contract termination, he seemed baffled. "Wait, why are you ending the contract all of a sudden?"

"It's nothing. I just feel a bit worn out. My contract is nearly up, so I thought I would take a good break."

"Did the Sinclair brothers suggest that you stop working?"The manager glanced at her cautiously."Well, actually, I suppose that makes sense. They've always thought your tour schedules were too grueling. They really care about you."

His words brought a brief silence. It was true. In the past, Elliot and Edric never wanted her to endure any hardship, even a bit of it.

Even if it was just an ordinary tour, they would worry shewould exhaust herself. Elliot, as the heir to the Sinclair Group and Edric, already the deputy director at the hospital at such a young age, often reminded her that with them by her side, she could go her whole life without working. She needed only to relax and remain their little princess.

Past memories drifted through her mind and Rosetta found herself momentarily lost in thought.

Her manager sighed. "If you're really set on terminating the contract, I won't pressure you. I'll get it sorted as quickly as possible."

Rosetta thanked her manager and left the company.

When she arrived home and entered the living room, the sight of familiar figures inside made her pause.

"Rosetta, where have you been? We didn't see you anywhere when we got back."

Sierra stood between Elliot and Edric, a bright smile on her face, looking pleased and triumphant.

Rosetta glanced at her briefly, then looked away before replying in an icy tone, "What I do has nothing to do with you."

Sierra's expression fell and she lowered her head, murmuring apologetically, "I'm sorry, Rosetta, I didn't mean to pry. I shouldn't have asked."

Long accustomed to her act, Rosetta turned and walked away.

Elliot frowned, looking at Rosetta and said in a low voice, "Sierra genuinely cares about you. There's no need to be so cold."

Edric added, "Yes, she has good intentions, Rosie. You shouldn't act like this."

Both spoke up on behalf of Sierra, as though Rosetta was some sort of a villain in a story that had done something unforgivable.

This was not the first time she had seen such a scene, though.

Once, whenever anyone bothered her, Elliot and Edric would support her unhesitatingly.

She remembered a dinner party when the Sterling family's son, ignoring the fact that she had a cold, persistently pressured her to drink.

Elliot had arrived and, without a second thought, punched him without saying anything. That incident thoroughly offended the Sterling family. To this day, the incident left the Sinclair Group and the Sterling family in a fierce, lasting rivalry.

In the past, they could grant her a special affection without sparing a thought for the consequences. Now, while that same affection lingers, they favorite person had become Sierra.

"I'm just a cold person. If you don't like it, you don't have to talk to me," Rosetta said blankly as she turned to go upstairs.

Elliot reached out and grasped her hand. "Rosetta, that's not what I meant, I..."

Before he could finish, Sierra interjected softly, "Elliot, it's getting late. I'd like to go back now."

"Then let's get Sierra home first," Edric added.

The three of them left together, leaving Rosetta standing alone. Remembering the smug, defiant look Sierra had given her as they walked away, Rosetta lowered her gaze and smirked. As expected, those who are favored always brim with confidence.

Unbothered by Sierra's provocation, Rosetta returned to her room. She gathered all the gifts Elliot had given her throughout the years and placed them neatly into a large box.

Early the next morning, she instructed the butler to carry all the boxes downstairs to be thrown out.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Elliot and Edric entering the house.

Spotting her descending the staircase, Elliot was the first to approach.

“Rosie…”

Before Rosetta could respond, Edric's eyes fell on the box in the living room.

"What's in these boxes?” he asked the butler.

The butler glanced at Rosetta, hesitating before replying, "These are all things Miss Rosetta asked me to get rid of."

"To get rid of?"

Edric walked over and opened the box. On top was the bag he had gifted Rosetta for her birthday last year, a bag she once adored. He was taken aback and as he looked deeper, he found it filled with presents they had given her over the years.

Noticing his brother's puzzled expression, Elliot also came over to take a look.

"Why are you throwing away everything we gave you?" Elliot asked, frowning in confusion.

Edric stepped closer to Rosetta, equally baffled. "Yes, these were gifts you really loved. Why would you want to get rid of them all?"

Seeing their bewilderment only deepened the irony for Rosetta.

She had cherished these gifts once, but now, with the meaning behind them faded, what was the point of keeping them?

“It’s simple. I just don't like them anymore. They take up space, so I might as well get rid of them," she said coldly.

Elliot held her gaze for a moment. "You don't like them anymore?"

"Yes," Rosetta replied, meeting his eyes with a steady look and after a pause, firmly added, "I don't like them."

Something in Elliot's chest tightened and a strange thought flashed through his mind. It felt like it was not just these gifts that Rosetta did not like.

It was not just these gifts that she wanted to get rid of.

"Rosie, are you upset over what happened last night? I was impatient and spoke harshly, but I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry." Edric's tone softened as he grasped her hand, apologizing.

Rosetta slowly pulled her hand away. The memory of their preference for Sierra the previous night surfaced once again and a sharp pang of pain stabbed at her chest. The weight of that betrayal only deepened her decision to leave.

"I'm not angry. It's just that things I no longer care for should be thrown away."

Elliot’s lingered on her. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "If you don't like them, then throw them away, but we can always choose something you'll like another time."

Edric nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, if you don't like it, just throw it away. We can always buy a new one for you."

Later that afternoon, after finishing her music practice, Rosetta received a call from Elliot. He invited her to the mall, suggesting that they take her shopping so she could pick out the gifts she actually liked.

Though Rosetta initially did not want to go, she hesitated. However, if she declined, she was worried that they might notice something was wrong. The decision to leave was already made, but she did not want any more troubles or complications before she left.

What she did not anticipate, however, was the sight that awaited her in the mall. It was not just Elliot and Edric standing there. There was also Sierra, who was standing between the Sinclair brothers.

They appeared to be engrossed in some cheerful conversation, their joy so palpable that it seemed as if no one else could belong at that moment with them.

Rosetta paused in her tracks, standing still as she watched them. It was Sierra who noticed her first and greeted her, "Rosetta, you're here."

Elliot and Edric turned their heads in unison.

"Come, let's see what you'd like," Elliot said first.

Edric added with a nod, "We're running low on a few things for the book arts, so feel free to look around. We can buy double copies of anything that catches your eye."

"Thank you, Edric," Sierra said in a soft voice.

At that moment, Rosetta could not help but let out a small laugh.

"What's so funny?" Elliot asked, noticing her reaction.

Rosetta quickly shook her head. “It’s nothing. Everything's pretty good."

As they continued shopping, Sierra picked out a variety of items such as bags, jewelry, cosmetics and clothes.

Meanwhile, Rosetta was not interested in anything. Her indifference was so obvious that Edric finally took note of her odd behavior. "Rosie, what do you want?"

"I don't want anything. I don't need anything."

"Then let's go somewhere else," Elliot insisted, his tone firm and resolute.

Rosetta, feeling weary and not wishing to engage further, shrugged and casually said, "I'm tired. You can buy anything you guys want. I'll head back first."

With that, she began to make her way toward the exit.

However, before she could take even a single step, Elliot reached out to grab her hand while Edric positioned himself in front of her, blocking her path.

"We'll go back together after dinner," Elliot said, his voice low and unwavering, leaving no room for disagreement.

"Yes, Rosie, don't you love dishes at La Lumiere Restaurant? We're going there today," Edric added.

Before Rosetta could respond, Sierra, who had been quiet up until now, suddenly answered a phone call. Her face shifted with concern as she tugged at Elliot's arm.

"Elliot, Edric, my grandmother accidentally fell! I need to go home right now!"

The moment Elliot and Edric heard her distress, their attention was immediately diverted, leaving Rosetta standing alone in the middle of it all.

"Don't panic, we'll go with you right now," Elliot said softly.

Edric added, "Yes, don't worry, Sierra. Everything will be fine as long as you're with us."

"Let’s leave right away."

Without another word, the three of them left together, disappearing into the distance as Rosetta stood frozen, watching them fade from view.

Anyway, it was not the first time they had chosen Sierra over her. She remained there for a long while, watching them walk away before she finally turned and left the mall.

Rosetta made her way to the Sinclair Family's old house.

Since the tragic death of her parents, the Sinclair Family had always been kind to her, treating her with warmth and care in every possible way. She had never forgotten their kindness and felt a deep sense of gratitude.

Now that she was leaving, it seemed right to return for one last visit.

"Rosie dear, why did you come here all of a sudden? Where are Elliot and Edric? Aren't they with you?" Elliot and Edric's mother, Linda, asked. Her voice was laced with concern as she took Rosetta's arm and led her to the sofa.

"They were busy with something, so I came here on my own."

"Oh?" Griffin, the twin brother's father, adjusted his glasses, visibly surprised. "This surprises me. Those two would actually let you come here alone."

Rosetta pursed her lips, speaking in a gentle tone, "Mrs. Sinclair, Mr. Sinclair, I came here this time to say goodbye to both of you. I'm heading back to Northbridge."

"You're going back to Northbridge?"

"Yes and this time, I won't be coming back here. Thank you both for taking care of me all these years. Please take good care of yourselves. If I get the chance, I'll make sure to come here to visit you."

It took a moment for Griffin and Linda to fully process her words, but when they did, their disbelief was apparent. "You want to leave? But how could those two boys agree to this?"

"I've already told them before and they didn't object. Uncle, Aunt, there's no need to discuss it with them anymore."

Linda could not help but sigh deeply. "If that's the case, just keep in touch with us when you return to Northbridge. And be careful, all right? Don't get into any trouble."

"I will."

After enjoying a warm dinner at the Sinclair Family's villa, Rosetta returned home.

Her phone rang just as she arrived and seeing her sister's name on the screen, she answered with a warm tone.

"Hey, sis."

"Rosie, when will your last performance in Springdale be held? Have you decided when exactly you're coming back here?"

"The performance is next week, but I haven't settled on a return date yet," Rosetta replied.

"Then decide soon. I'll ask your brotherinlaw's friend to pick you up."

"Friend? Do you mean the blind date you talked about before?"

Before Riley could answer, she heard Elliot's voice behind her.

"What blind date?"

Realizing they were back, Rosetta quickly said, "Riley, I'll talk to you later." With a quick goodbye, she ended the call.

Edric approached her swiftly, his voice tense as he repeated his question: "Who were you talking to? What did you mean by blind date? And whose blind date exactly?"

Rosetta caught the tension and unease in both their eyes. She paused for a brief moment, then replied calmly, "It’s nothing, just a friend of my sister's."

There was no need to tell them about the blind date waiting for her when she returned to Northbridge. By then, whatever existed between them now would be over, so it was not that important.

Elliot continued to study her, his gaze sharp and probing. Rosetta resisted the urge to look away, fearing he might detect the slightest hint of her plans.

"What kind of friend? Is your sister's friend really that important?" he asked.

"Yes, a very important person."

Though Elliot still looked somewhat unconvinced, he did not press further, eventually convincing himself he was just overthinking things.

The next day, the awards ceremony was held and Rosetta attended as a special guest.

After changing into her dress, she gracefully walked down the stairs where Elliot and Edric had already been waiting for a long time. When the brothers finally saw her, warm smiles were immediately etched on their faces.

"Rosie, you look gorgeous today," Edric praised without hesitation.

Elliot's smile was equally gentle. "Let's go, Rosie. It's almost time."

As she looked at them, for a fleeting moment, Rosetta felt transported back to the time before Sierra had come into their lives.

Unfortunately, the joyful illusion shattered soon enough.

On the way to the ceremony, Edric's phone rang. Sitting beside him, Rosetta clearly heard a soft, familiar voice on the other end, addressing him as "Edric."

It was Sierra. She could not catch all the words, but whatever Sierra was saying seemed to unsettle him. Edric's expression turned visibly anxious and uneasy.

After ending the call, Edric turned to her with a tense expression. "Rosie, Sierra's grandmother fainted. I need to go see her right away."

"What? How's she doing?" Before Rosetta could even respond, Elliot interjected.

"The situation doesn't look good," Edric replied, his brows knit in concern. "Sierra sounded shaken. Her voice was trembling. She must be really scared."

Almost as soon as he finished, Elliot leaned forward and spoke in a low voice, "Stop the car."

Once the vehicle halted, Elliot turned toward Rosetta. Usually composed and unruffled, he now appeared a bit flustered. "Sierra needs us, Rosie. Do you mind if you go to the dinner on your own? When we're done, we'll come find you. Is that alright?"

You'll come to find me when you're done? Really?

She managed a calm smile and nodded. "Of course, I don't. Go on ahead."

Relieved by her understanding, Elliot sighed, looking momentarily reassured. "All right, then. Let's go."

As they hurried off, Rosetta's smile faded. Turning to the driver, she spoke with a cool detachment, "Let's go."

The awards ceremony was teeming with prominent figures from the entertainment industry. Rosetta was not particularly skilled at small talk, so she kept her interactions brief, then slipped away to a quiet seat near the back.

No sooner had she settled than a light, mocking voice sounded beside her.

"Well, look who it is. The famous violinist Miss Rosetta Murphy."

Rosetta lifted her gaze and her expression immediately hardened at the sight.

Standing before her was Jared, the notorious son of the Sterling family, the one person she had once offended. Behind him was a group of equally smug young men.

The smirk on Jared's face grew wider as he noticed her reaction, looking every bit the villain enjoying his small triumph.

"Miss Murphy, all by yourself tonight? Where are the Sinclair brothers?"

Rosetta met his gaze briefly and then looked away without saying a word.

“Oh, silly me. I almost forgot that Elliot and Edric have a new lover now. What's her name again? Sierra Harris?”

Rosetta shot him a frosty look, her patience wearing thin. She stood, intending to walk away without further interaction.

Jared grabbed her hand before she could take a step and said, "Where are you rushing off to. It's only polite to chat with old friends for a while, don't you think?"

Rosetta yanked at her hand, but the strength difference between them was too great and her attempts to break free were useless.

"Jared, let go of me."

“Well, I'll let go. Call the Sinclair brothers. The moment they ask me to release you, I'll do it."

Rosetta glared at him, but the man casually raised his eyebrows.

She took a deep breath, reluctantly pulled out her phone and dialed Elliot's number. The call was immediately connected, yet no one answered and it eventually disconnected on its own.

Refusing to accept defeat, she tried Edric next, but this time, the call was swiftly declined.

She clutched her phone tightly, the sting of disappointment spreading from her heart to her entire body, an ache so deep it left her nearly breathless.

Of course. The only one who mattered to them now was Sierra Harris. She, on the other hand, was no longer a priority.

Jared watched it all with satisfaction, a smug grin stretching across his face.

"Well, would you look at that. Seems like the Sinclair brothers don't care enough to answer Miss Murphy's call anymore."

"Let go of me."

"Why should I?"

"You should think this through carefully, Jared. Haven't past lessons taught you enough?"

"Oh, Miss Murphy is still acting so impressive. But you seem to have forgotten something. You used to have the Sinclair brothers protecting you by your side. What do you have now? They've long since abandoned you."

Rosetta's face turned instantly pale at those words.

However, she did not want to waste her energy arguing with Jared. "Let go."

"Don't be so cold to me. The Sinclair brothers don't want you, but I do," Jared replied, refusing to release his grip. His tone and movements were laced with contempt as he raised a hand, aiming to brush her cheek.

Her complexion drained even further. She struggled with every ounce of strength, but Jared's hand drew closer and closer.

Just when he was about to land his hand on her cheek, a pair of long, slender and sharply defined hands stopped him.

Rosetta turned her head, only to meet a handsome face, almost flawless in its features, with deepset eyes and a strikingly defined profile. A cold glint shone in the stranger's gaze.

"Who are you?"

"Someone you can't afford to offend." The man's voice was low and unyielding. "Get lost."

Jared wanted to retort, but the person standing next to him leaned in, whispering something into his ear. Within moments, Jared and his group hurriedly left.

Freed from the confrontation, Rosetta turned to offer her thanks, but the man was already walking away.

"Please, wait a moment."

The man's tall frame came to a slight halt, though he remained silent.

"Thank you so much for helping me."

"You're welcome." He left her with just those words before disappearing from view entirely.

Rosetta stood frozen, her mind still whirling, until the sharp ringing of her phone broke her trance.

She looked at the screen and found it was Elliot calling.

After staring at the screen for a long time, she finally decided to answer and Elliot's deep voice came from the other end. "Rosie, why did you call? Sierra has been crying and I'm comforting her."

A wave of exhaustion instantly swept over Rosetta.

"It's fine." She decided to keep silent about what had just happened.

But she had not expected Elliot to ask again, "Rosie, your voice sounds strange. Did something happen?"

Rosetta felt a twist of emotions at his question.

When she had needed him most, he had been busy prioritizing Sierra's needs, ignoring her calls. And now, when she no longer needed him, here he was, asking if anything was wrong. How ridiculous.

"Nothing."

On the other end, Elliot sensed something off. He wanted to ask Rosetta directly, but in the background, she could faintly hear Sierra's voice calling him anxiously.

"That's all. You go on. I'm hanging up now." Rosetta closed her eyes, spoke in a cold tone and then ended the call.

The following days passed without any sign of Elliot or Edric. She assumed he was at the hospital, keeping Sierra company.

In the meantime, Rosetta had almost finished packing her belongings, with only two days left until her final performance.

After the last rehearsal, Rosetta returned home and briefly called Riley. As soon as she hung up, she heard a car pulling up outside.

It was Elliot and Edric returning.

In the past, she would have waited to greet them, but today, she only felt an overwhelming weariness, too drained to face anyone.

So she stood and started to go upstairs.

But before she could make it far, Elliot stopped her.

"Rosie."

She turned and there, between Elliot and Edric, stood Sierra.

For a moment, Rosetta was caught off guard, forgetting to guard her emotions as she looked at the two brothers with questioning, puzzled eyes.

Edric stepped forward, gently taking her arm. "Rosie, Sierra's grandmother is in the hospital. We didn't feel right about leaving her alone, so we'll have her stay here at the villa for a while."

"She will stay here for a while?" Rosetta almost wondered if she had heard wrong.

"It's a large house. If we clean up a guest room for Sierra, it won't affect anything."

It won't affect anything, he said...

Rosetta could not hold back any longer. She looked at Elliot and Edric with an icy gaze. "This villa holds so many memories for the three of us. And now you want her to live here? Have you really thought it through?"

Elliot met her gaze, silent for a few moments before finally saying, "I told you, it's only for a while."

"Yes, Rosie," Edric added. "It's just for a while. Can you stop being so unreasonable?"

What? Unreasonable?

That word made Rosetta's heart sink. It made her realize the truth once again. To them, Sierra was the priority now. Those cherished memories they once shared did not mean anything anymore.

If that was how it was, why should she care if Sierra stayed here? She would be leaving soon and this villa would no longer be part of her life.

Without another word, Rosetta turned around and walked away.

Elliot watched her retreating figure, a trace of regret flickering across their faces. Perhaps they had not thought about her feelings enough.

At this moment, Sierra looked at them hesitantly, saying softly, "Rosetta seems upset, doesn't she? Maybe… maybe I shouldn't stay here after all."

"There's no need for that," Elliot replied. "You can stay here. It's fine."

"Yes," Edric added. "Rosie is just a bit spoiled by us."

Hearing their reassurances, the sadness in Sierra's expression faded, replaced by a grateful smile. "Thank you."

That night, Sierra settled comfortably into the villa. Meanwhile, Rosetta reminded herself over and over not to let it bother her, but she still could not sleep.

The next morning, she packed her things and headed downstairs.

As soon as she reached the stairs, Rosetta saw Sierra seated in the living room, giving countless orders to the butler.

"These decorations here are kind of outdated. Hey, replace them all."

"But these are Miss Rosetta's favorites."

"Oh, really? Well, she does, but I don't like them. Or should I get Elliot or the others to handle it?"

The butler hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. Unable to bear it any longer, Rosetta stepped forward and intervened. "It's fine. Just do as she says."

The butler gave her a reluctant glance, but Rosetta nodded and he complied. Sierra immediately noticed her presence, so she quickly changed her demeanor, standing up with a soft smile, far from the arrogant tone she had just used.

"Morning, Rosetta."

Rosetta skillfully avoided her extended hand without any expression on her face. "There's no need to act familiar. We're not close enough to hold hands when we talk."

The merciless words made Sierra froze briefly, but she recovered quickly. "Rosetta, are you upset with me? I only thought the decor didn't suit the living room's style. I didn't mean anything by it."

Watching her feigned innocence, Rosetta found herself growing weary of the pretense. "It's just us here now. No need to act like this. You're happy enough being allowed to stay here, aren't you?"

"Of course, I'm so happy to live here with you, Rosetta."

"Let's not kid ourselves, okay? You would prefer if I moved out and made room for you in this house."

"Will you, then?" Sierra's tone was almost innocent as she tilted her head and widened her eyes.

Rosetta looked at her for a moment, unable to suppress a wry smile. "Maybe I have underestimated you."

"Rosetta, Elliot and Edric have taken such good care of me. You've had your time with them. Honestly, it might be best if you left. Otherwise, staying here might only make it harder for you to accept things as they are."

"Whether I can accept things or not has nothing to do with you." Rosetta did not want to waste a second to listen to her nonsense, so she turned to leave.

But before she could take a step, Sierra reached forward, grabbing her hand. "Still not giving up, are you?"

Before Rosetta could process her words, Sierra suddenly twisted away, releasing Rosetta's hand and deliberately crashing her own forehead against the corner of the table.

Her cry of pain startled Rosetta, leaving her momentarily frozen.

Hurried footsteps sounded behind them. It was Elliot and Edric approaching in panic.

Elliot shoved Rosetta aside and rushed to Sierra's side. Rosetta stumbled back, her right hand slamming painfully against the decorative shelf, the sharp pain making it hard to stand upright.

"Rosetta, I know you don't like me, but I was only staying here for a night. If it bothers you that much, I could have just left. Why did you have to push me?"

There was blood on Sierra's forehead. Her voice was soft, yet her words twisted the truth, casting Rosetta as the villain.

Suppressing the ache in her wrist, Rosetta tried to speak, but Edric seized her hand angrily. "Since when have you changed to be this narrowminded?"

Elliot was holding Sierra in his arms as he looked at Rosetta with a harsh, icy glare. "I'm deeply disappointed in you, Rosie."

The pain in her wrist left Rosetta's face ghostly pale. She met their condemning stares before a bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Is it really me who has changed? Or is it the two of you?"

Elliot rose with Sierra still cradled in his arms. "You don't even feel a bit guilty after injuring Sierra like this. It seems we've spoiled you far too much until now."

Edric agreed. "Yeah, Elliot is right. You went too far this time, Rosie. Reflect on your behavior for the next few days.

After saying those words, Elliot and Edric turned and left with Sierra.

Rosetta just stood there alone, numb and hollow with heartbreak, watching the three of them walk away.

But right now, she did not have time to dwell on the ache in her heart. The sharp, stabbing pain in her right wrist filled her with dread and even her voice trembled.

"Dante, tell the driver to get me to the hospital quickly."

As a violinist, her right hand was everything to her. The relentless pain clouded her mind with fear. If something happened to her hand... the loss would be more than she could bear.

She reached the hospital in a haze, bracing herself as the doctor examined her wrist. Moments later, he delivered the diagnosis: a comminuted fracture.

Rosetta froze, staring at him in disbelief. Her voice shook as she asked, "Doctor, sorry, what... did you say?"

The doctor noticed her shock, so he tried to reassure her. "You came here quickly, so it isn't too serious. With proper treatment, you should recover in time."

"So… I can't play the violin for now?"

"You're a violinist?"

"Yes, and I have an important show tomorrow night."

"Then, I'm afraid you can't perform tomorrow. You'll need to rest your hand for at least three months."

"But what about my performance tomorrow night?"

"If you force yourself to play tomorrow, you risk permanent damage. Even three months is a conservative estimate. Your full recovery depends on how well your hand heals."

The doctor walked away and Rosetta sat in the emergency room, stunned and numb.

The butler stood quietly beside her with reddening eyes, holding back his tears as he shared in her pain.

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