I had barely entered my room when Shen Ningyi followed. He pushed the door open without waiting for an answer. At nineteen, his features were more mature, but his smirk was more malicious than ever.

"Get out," I said coldly.

"Is that any way to treat a brother you haven't seen in three years?" He stepped closer.

"I am not your sister. Get out."

"Should I be happy or sad to hear that?" He sighed. "Believe it or not, I came back for you."

"So what?"

"Nothing. I just intend to have you." He spoke as if discussing the weather.

"On what grounds?"

"On the grounds of my status in my father's heart," he said, each word like a needle. "Do you think he would object if I told him I wanted you?"

That night, I couldn't sleep. My hands trembled with a fear I refused to acknowledge. I tried to pack, but my room was empty. This house had never been a home.

At 2:00 AM, I tried to sneak out, but Wu Ma caught me again.

"I'm calling him to pick me up," I told her, referring to Ernuo. I managed to slip out and shut the door before she could stop me.

I called Ernuo. A woman answered first, her voice husky with sleep. Then I heard Ernuo’s impatient voice in the background: "Give me that! Who told you to touch my phone?"

"It's me," I said when he finally picked up. "Come get me."

He arrived quickly. As I waited by the gate, a voice chilled me from behind.

"I knew you'd run." Shen Ningyi stood there, his eyes dark in the night. "How did we end up like this?" He sounded almost mournful for a second, then his smirk returned. "Regardless, I will have you."

"Why?" I mocked. "If it's for the same reason as before, you're pathetically childish."

The silver BMW arrived. I got in without looking back. I was terrified of him. I had been for a long time.