The Rubble of Trust

During the earthquake, both my brother and my childhood best friend abandoned me, choosing to save the real heiress first.

My right leg was crushed and fractured as a result.

After being carried out of the rubble, I overheard my best friend, Liam, calmly instructing my brother:

I'm planning to break off the engagement with her. Need to avoid complications. She's your sister, you take care of her.

"Sister my ass!" my brother, Ethan, retorted resentfully. "My real sister is back now. She's an outsider, how does she even have the nerve to keep hanging around our house?"

Just then, they both turned around.

Their eyes met mine, filled with an unmistakable awkwardness.

The paramedic carrying me paused, glancing down at me on the stretcher.

"You said they were family and friends?"

"Why did he call you an outsider?"

"So, who should I hand you over to for care?"

As the words hung in the air, the two guys who had just been shoving responsibility instantly fell silent.

They both turned, meeting my gaze.

A flicker of discomfort passed through their eyes.

They probably hadn't expected me to be right behind them, hearing every word.

I opened my mouth to speak, but the pain overwhelmed me before I could utter a sound, and I blacked out.

I woke to the sound of hushed voices just outside my hospital room.

"That poor girl, her leg's broken, and no one's come to care for her since she was admitted."

"Actually, it's kind of her own fault. I heard she was the one accidentally switched at birth. Now that the real daughter's back, she's still not making plans to leave. No wonder they resent her."

"You might be right"

I stared blankly at the cast on my right leg. The pain didn't feel as sharp as it had back then.

When I heard Ethan's voice under the rubble, I truly thought I was saved.

"Quit wasting time! Save my sister first!"

"She has claustrophobia! If we drag this out and something happens to her, you'll have hell to pay!"

Claustrophobia belonged to Chloe, the real heiress.

The rescue workers voice was grave.

"Then the family needs to be prepared. The girl trapped on the other side will likely have her leg crushed if that wall collapses."

Ethan hesitated, his voice dropping.

"I I know"

"What else can I do? Only one can be saved."

Slivers of light filtered through the cracks, faintly illuminating my right leg, pinned in the stone debris.

The pain stole my voice in that instant, and my resentment towards Ethan peaked.

But now, I couldnt muster any emotion at all.

I could even objectively analyze that Ethan wasnt wrong.

Choosing his biological sister was perfectly reasonable.

Ethan was right.

It was time for me to leave.

People who overstay their welcome are the most annoying.

Ethan and the others visited when I was straining to reach the hot water bottle on the nightstand.

The IV had left my hand ice-cold.

Chloe walked in first.

She practically bounced over to my bedside.

"Wow, you really broke it?" she asked, looking at my cast with feigned surprise, then sighed dramatically with relief. "I can't imagine how painful that must be. Id be crying every day if it were me."

"Lucky me"

A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. I didnt want to dissect how much genuine schadenfreude was in her words.

Ethan stood furthest away, persistently avoiding my gaze.

Clearly, he was still hung up on the awkwardness from that day.

Unlike Liam.

His expression was as coolly detached as ever.

His eyes scanned my injured leg, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

After a long moment, he finally spoke.

"When youre healed, we need to talk."

I was taken aback, remembering what hed said by the rubble.

He planned to break off our engagement.

The thing hed hesitated to say back then was probably this.

Chloe turned to look at him, her eyes fluttering.

"Having second thoughts?"

Liam pressed his lips together. "So you think I should hurt her a second time, under these circumstances?"

Chloe lowered her eyes.

After a few seconds, she murmured softly,

"Thats not what I meant."

"I'm feeling a bit tired. Ill head home first. You two should stay and look after her."

"Its not easy for her alone."

She rattled it off in a small voice, then dashed out.

The hint of a sob lingered in the air.

Ethan glared at Liam like a protective, angry cub.

"Liam."

"You made my sister cry?"

Liams gaze followed the departing girl, ignoring the warning.

He just said flatly, "You stay and look after her," before heading out after Chloe.

Ethan blurted, "Huh?"

He stiffly glanced back at me, then hurried after them.

"Hey, wait!"

"I dont know how to take care of people!"

"Dont leave me here alone!"

His steps were quick, as if fleeing a plague.

The door hung half-open, swaying in the breeze from the window.

In an instant, the room was mine alone once more.

From start to finish, no one gave me a chance to speak.

Like how I wanted to say I agreed to break off the engagement.

Or that no one needed to stay and care for me.

In the week since being admitted, Id learned to manage entirely on my own.

No one visited again until I was discharged.

Only my adoptive mother, Mrs. Evans, called once when my cast was removed.

She sighed softly, her tone placating.

"Dont blame Ethan for choosing Chloe. She is his real sister, after all. Mom hopes this wont create a rift between you."

"I dont blame him, Mom. He didnt do anything wrong."

"Youve always been the understanding one. Your dad and I will pick you up when youre discharged. Weve been traveling for work, no time to visit. Take care of yourself."

Just then, Ethans impatient shout came through.

"Mom! Who are you talking to? Hurry up!"

"While she isnt back yet, lets take a real family photo."

Silence filled the line, only broken by static.

I spoke up, feigning nonchalance.

"Got it, Mom. Ill take good care of myself."

A distinct sigh of relief came from the other end.

"Oh, good"

"Well then, I wont keep you. Mom has a meeting starting soon."

The call ended abruptly.

Late at night.

I put my phone away, gripping the walker handles to begin another round of physical therapy.

In the silent hospital corridor, I was the only one inching forward, dragging my weakened leg step by tiny step.

Half an hour later, wiping the sweat from my brow, I managed a small smile.

Two meters further than yesterday. Progress.

No one came to pick me up on discharge day.

Luckily, I hadnt waited for anyone.

I wasnt exactly welcomed when I lugged my suitcase through the front door.

The Evans family of four, plus Liam, were gathered around the dining table enjoying a BBQ feast.

My arrival shattered the convivial atmosphere.

Everyones expressions shifted, none of them welcoming.

Only the sizzle of meat on the grill broke the sudden quiet.

Adoptive Mom recovered first, forcing a smile.

"Emma uh, why didnt you say you were coming home today?"

"You must be hungry. Come, sit down and join us."

The air was thick with the smell of spicy marinades.

My old injury throbbed faintly.

I didnt feel the surge of resentment I used to.

No urge to complain that no one truly cared, that theyd forgotten someone fresh out of surgery shouldnt eat spicy food.

I didnt go over to spoil their fun.

I just said:

"No thanks, Mom, I ate before coming back."

"Ill just go up to my room and unpack."

That evening, in Mr. Evanss study.

He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the desk.

"Youre leaving?"

I nodded. "Flights booked for next week."

"Please dont tell Mom or the others just yet."

I chose to tell only Mr. Evans because he was the least attached to me in this house.

He wouldnt say anything awkwardly sentimental out of misplaced softness.

Mr. Evans didnt try to dissuade me. "Leaving is probably for the best."

"You can see for yourself, this family has become dysfunctional since youve been here."

"Once youre gone, dont contact your mother or the others. No lingering ties."

I assured him I would never reappear in their lives.

He studied me for an unexpected few seconds, then simply said nothing.

The pent-up gloom inside me suddenly lifted.

An indescribable sense of lightness washed over me.

I stepped outside the mansion for some fresh air.

Familiar angry shouts erupted nearby.

"Liam, you asshole! You ditched me again!"

"You get to take my sister out on your date, and Im stuck dealing with her? What kind of friend are you?"

"Seriously Whyd she have to come back? Doesnt she realize how awkward she makes everyone feel?"

Ethan ended the call with a frustrated swipe.

He turned and saw me.

His livid expression froze, replaced by something complicated.

Before I could react, a car sped towards us.

Ethan was standing right on the curbs edge, oblivious.

Years of ingrained habit made me instinctively lunge forward and yank him back.

The car honked twice as it sped past.

I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling no desire to speak to him.

I let go and turned to walk away.

Ethan hesitated for a second, then caught up.

"Hey, uh Em thanks," he mumbled.

I nodded, silent.

Ethan fidgeted, then suddenly grabbed my wrist.

He blurted out, "I was wrong"

"I shouldnt have said that stuff about you leaving. You know me, I shoot my mouth off, always have. I didnt really mean you should go"

I glanced at the boy whose face still held traces of teenage immaturity.

"I know."

"So truce?" Ethan asked, still awkward, his ears turning pink.

I pulled gently at my wrist.

Instead of answering, I said:

"Could you let go, please? Holding like this makes me uncomfortable."

Ethans hand dropped in surprise.

His startled gaze held a flicker of hurt.

Hed held my hand like this since we were kids.

I didnt know when Id stopped being comfortable with his touch.

I was about to leave when a sleek Aston Martin convertible pulled up beside us.

Chloe sat in the passenger seat, her eyes darting between me and Ethan.

Her words were for him.

"Ethan, arent you a little old to be hanging onto us?"

"Hop in."

"This is the last time, okay?"

"Next time, seriously, no tagalongs."

Ethan didnt move, frowning.

"Chloe, wipe your mouth first."

He pointed. I noticed the smudged lipstick at the corner of Chloes mouth.

Liam, beside her, had a faint smear on his own lips.

Chloes ears flushed. She dabbed at her lips with a compact mirror, complaining, "I told you not to kiss so hard."

"So embarrassing."

My eyes met Liams.

He looked away instantly.

He tapped the steering wheel impatiently. "Getting in or not?"

Ethan didnt snap back like usual.

Instead, he grabbed my hand again, saying quietly, "You guys go ahead."

"Dont wanna intrude. Ill head back with Em."

Before I could react, he was pulling me along.

Chloe suddenly called out.

"Wait, Liam has something to say to you."

She nudged Liams shoulder playfully, smiling. "Now that shes out of the hospital."

"You can tell her."

I waited silently for Liam to bring up the broken engagement.

The guy lowered his gaze. After a long pause, he spoke.

"Hows the physical therapy going?"

Chloes smile froze.

I paused. "Fine."

Liam gave a slight nod, released the clutch, and drove off.

He still didnt mention it.

I remembered, belatedly, a nurse mentioning during my hospital stay that a tall, handsome guy had visited twice while I was asleep.

Only now did it click that it might have been Liam.

Liam kept putting it off.

But Mom brought it up the next night at dinner.

Liam was sitting beside Chloe. He looked up sharply, clearly surprised.

Mom advised me:

"That engagement was always meant for Chloe."

"Be sensible, let her have it. Mom will find you someone else."

I picked a piece of broccoli onto my plate, replying softly,

"Okay, Mom. Whatever you think is best."

My calm acceptance visibly startled everyone at the table.

They clearly hadnt expected me to agree so easily.

Mom visibly relaxed, smiling. "Youve become so much more mature since coming back."

I kept eating, not speaking.

Id just finally seen myself clearly.

No longer seeing them as family, but as outsiders who raised me, Id put myself in the right place.

No more resentment.

Later, walking past Chloes half-open door with a glass of water, I overheard her.

She was hugging Moms waist, whining.

"Mom, promise you wont set Emma up with anyone too great, okay?"

"She got to live the good life for 21 years. Its time she faced some hardship."

"Its what she owes me."

Moms hand, smoothing Chloes hair, paused.

"Emma was an orphan, abandoned at the hospital after birth. It was the nurses mistake that switched you two."

"Shes innocent too"

Chloe looked up. "So I deserved all those years of suffering?"

"I havent demanded she pay back every cent this family spent on her for over twenty years, havent kicked her out."

"All I want is for her to face a little adversity, so I can feel some balance. And youre still defending her?"

The last sentence ended with a sob. Chloe pushed Mom away, burying her face in the pillows, crying harder.

Mom rushed to soothe her. "Alright, alright, Mom promises."

"Mr. Andersons son is the biggest spoiled brat in their circle. Ill introduce him to Emma, okay?"

"Dont cry, sweetheart."

I looked away, not listening further.

Downstairs, placing the glass on the counter, I saw the ice inside had mostly melted.

Opening my palm, it was pale and chilled, frozen from holding the glass so long.

Only now did I feel it.

Liam appeared while I was washing the glass.

He sat silently across from me.

As I turned to leave, he spoke softly.

"Dont just agree to any blind date."

"Everyone knows youre not an Evans anymore. Going on dates now, youll only be looked down on."

I kept walking. "Not your concern."

Liam grabbed my arm.

He pulled me towards him, his eyes locked on mine.

"Youre angry about the broken engagement?"

"Emma, I didnt have a choice."

"To protect the Evans-Forbes partnership, I had to marry the real Evans daughter."

I tried to pull free. "You falling for Chloe was also forced?"

"Stop playing the victim."

His grip tightened. A humorless smile touched his lips.

"Wasnt it pushed by you?"

"When Chloe first came home, you became paranoid."

"Constantly suspecting something was going on between us."

"If she spoke two words to me, youd start a huge fight."

"Emma, think back. You were the one who pushed me away."

I didnt want to rehash Chloe deliberately falling into his arms or their late-night flirty texts.

I just kept trying to free my arm.

Liam watched coldly, unmoved.

"Liam! Get your hands off her!"

Ethans furious shout echoed from the second floor.

Fast footsteps followed.

Ethan charged down, shoving Liam away.

"Im warning you, stay away from her."

"Youve got Chloe now. Dont mess with my other sister."

Ethan shielded me.

The protectiveness felt unfamiliar after so long.

After Liam left, Ethan slowly relaxed.

He turned to me. "If he bothers you again, tell me."

"Ill deal with him."

"Thanks."

He bit his lip, hesitating. "Are you busy this afternoon"

"Wanna hang out? I could take you somewhere."

Ethan seemed to be reverting to his old self.

Before Chloe, hed always been this clingy.

"Not necessary," I said. "I have a physio appointment."

"Then Im coming with you."

He cut me off before I could refuse. "Dont shut me out again."

He stood there, nearly six feet tall, awkwardness and hurt warring on his face.

"Your leg its my fault."

"Taking you to an appointment is nothing."

"If there are any lasting problems, Ill take care of you. For life."

He looked at me earnestly.

A spark of hope lit his eyes, waiting for a positive response.

But I said nothing.

Because there wouldnt be a lifetime.

In six days, Id be gone.

The blind date was scheduled for the next afternoon.

Mom delivered the news without quite meeting my eyes.

"Um Emma."

"The Anderson familys second son. One of the rising stars in B citys social scene. Quite a catch."

"Go meet him today. Get to know each other."

Ethan frowned beside me.

"Anderson?"

"Mom, isnt he constantly in the tabloids? Drunk driving, bar fights"

"Youre setting her up with him?"

Mom forced a smile. "Dont believe everything you hear."

"Ive met the boy. Perfectly polite."

Ethan started to argue. I cut in.

"Its fine. Just dinner."

Mom shot Ethan a look. "If she doesnt mind, why are you making a fuss?"

"Spend this energy caring about your real sister."

"Always taking the outsiders side"

She stopped abruptly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her and Ethan both look at me nervously.

I kept checking the weather forecast for my departure day, ignoring them.

They didnt know yet.

Id become immune to the word "outsider."

Ethan insisted on coming to the blind date lunch.

"With me there, that jerk wont dare disrespect you."

"If he does, Ill make him regret it."

I glanced at the boy driving.

His profile still held traces of fading adolescence. He was only nineteen, straightforward.

His code was simple: treat others how they treat you.

When Chloe first arrived, shed been sweet and attentive to him.

Always taking his side, even when he was wrong.

Made my occasional discipline seem harsh, unreasonable.

During one argument, hed snapped:

"Emma, who are you to tell me what to do?"

"Youre not my real sister."

"Still think this is your home? Youre just an outsider, get it?"

Wed entered a cold war.

During that time, he grew closer to Chloe.

And drifted completely away from me.

My instinctive act of saving him that night must have jolted his memory of how things used to be, making him reach out again.

It probably amplified his guilt over not choosing me during the earthquake.

I tried to reason with him. "Ethan, you dont need to do this, try to make it up to me."

"I dont blame you for choosing Chloe. She is your sister."

"You did nothing wrong."

His knuckles tightened on the steering wheel.

Staring straight ahead, he said after a moment, "Its not about making it up."

"Youre still my sister. Being nice to you its normal."

His voice cracked slightly. "Could you stop pushing me away?"

How could I explain?

I wasnt pushing him away.

Id just stopped waiting for him. So when he turned back, he only felt distance.

The Anderson heir radiated arrogance the moment he appeared.

He showed up with a fresh hickey on his neck.

His cocky expression vanished instantly when he saw Ethan.

Ethan idly spun a steak knife beside his plate.

"Anderson."

"Whats with your neck?"

"You know this is a date with my sister, right?"

The guy paled, covering his neck. "Just a bug bite, Ethan, seriously dont get the wrong idea"

The meal itself was uneventful.

He was polite, if stiff, throughout.

On the drive back, Ethan hummed.

"See? Told you I needed to be there."

"You didnt want me to come. Without me, he wouldve tried something."

I didnt know what to say, so I just thanked him again.

The car pulled up to the mansion.

Ethan and I got out, bumping into Liam near the entrance.

He looked like hed been waiting, his eyes dark.

"You went through with it? The date?"

Ethan stepped in front of me. "None of your business. Move."

Liams gaze slowly shifted to Ethans face.

Then, without warning, he punched him.

Ethan, caught off guard, staggered back against the wall.

"Liam! What the hells wrong with you?"

I rushed towards Ethan, but Liam grabbed my shoulder, yanking me back.

He seemed to be fighting down rage, his voice unnervingly calm.

"You knew what that Anderson punk was like, and you still went?"

"Emma, how desperate have you become?"

"Hes nothing."

"If youre looking for a sugar daddy, wait until after I marry Chloe. Become my mistress. I can give you far more than he ever could."

I stared at him, stunned.

I couldnt believe such words came from the usually composed Liam.

He held me so tightly I couldnt even lift a hand to slap him.

Ethan scrambled up. "Liam! Say that again, I dare you!"

He grabbed a loose piece of lumber nearby and swung.

Before it could connect, Moms sharp voice rang out.

Liam seemed to regain some composure, letting me go.

Mom stared at me, walking closer.

I swallowed. "Mom"

Her slap cut me off.

My head snapped to the side.

Liam flinched.

Ethan yelled, "Mom! What are you doing?!"

"It was him harassing Em"

"Silence!" Mom cut him off, then turned her fury on me.

"Emma, answer me. Did you or did you not promise to step aside so Chloe could have Liam?"

Moving my lips sent a sharp pain through my cheek.

"Mom, I didn't"

"Did you?!" she shrieked.

I paused, then nodded. "Yes."

"Then why are you still entangled with him?!"

"Trying to humiliate your sister?"

She trembled with anger. "And you encouraged Ethan to fight for you!"

I stood frozen, feeling her hatred radiate through her words.

She said, "If only you had died at the hospital back then, maybe my daughter wouldn't have been switched, and our family wouldn't be this broken."

Ethan immediately protested. "Mom!"

The world seemed to go silent.

After what felt like an eternity, Mom took a deep breath.

"I don't regret raising you."

"Think hard about what happened today."

Her heels clicked away.

I finally felt released, my blood starting to flow again as I mechanically walked inside and up to my room.

Ethan followed me in.

He leaned back against the wall, head down.

"Em don't blame Mom"

"She just wants to make it up to Chloe, so she can't stand seeing Chloe hurt."

"She didn't mean those things. Don't take them to heart."

Since the truth came out, everyone around me had pushed one idea: I had to endure anything, because I owed the Evans family.

Ethan's words now carried the same message.

I knew it wasn't wrong.

But sometimes, I desperately wished for just one person, just once, to stand firmly by my side against the Evans family.

Overwhelming exhaustion washed over me.

I felt deader than the withered branches outside my window.

"I know."

Maybe my unnerving calm scared him. Ethan scrambled to do something.

"Em your cheeks swollen"

"Here, let me get some ointment."

He searched the room, his eyes suddenly catching on my suitcase in the corner.

He walked over, looked at it for a moment, then lifted it, testing its weight.

He kept his back to me, voice casual. "Em, why's the suitcase out?"

"What's in it?"

I hesitated. Should I just tell him? Given the situation, no one would miss me much. Leaving wouldn't be a problem.

But knowing Moms concern for appearances, she wouldn't let me go. She wouldn't risk people saying she abandoned her adopted daughter.

I shrugged. "Just some old clothes I can't wear anymore. Planning to donate them later."

Ethan silently sighed with relief.

He put the case down, forcing a smile. "Oh, right."

"I've got some stuff too. We can go donate it together soon."

"Yeah?"

He emphasized the word "together."

I looked up, but his face showed no sign of hiding anything.

Thinking he hadn't noticed yet, I nodded. "Okay."

"Then it's a deal."

"You never lied to me when we were kids."

He looked straight at me. "So Em, I'll always believe whatever you tell me."