Hearing April''s answer, Cecilia continued, "You''ve already graduated from university, haven''t you?"

    "Yes, I just graduated not long ago," April replied.

    "Have you found a job yet?" Cecilia asked.

    Another long silence hung between them before the girl on the other end finally stammered, "N-Not yet. My parents... are already making ns to marry me off..."

    She hurried to add, "I-I don''t want to get married, Cecilia..."

    Her parents'' chosen groom was a twice-divorced man, far older than she was. He was both unpleasant to look at and unpleasant to be around.

    Cecilia understood the situation without needing further exnation, and she said, “April, life is already hard enough. Think about yourself first. If you don''t want this wedding, then refuse it. Don''t let anyone shackle you with so-called morality."

    "But... they''re my parents..." April''s voice overflowed with helplessness.

    What April was living through now was exactly what Cecilia had lived through once upon a time.

    Cecilia knew how deep the wounds of one''s birth family could run; they were not easily healed. All she could do was keep trying to guide the girl.

    “April, our parents chose to bring us into this world—we didn''t choose them. When they make unreasonable demands, you have to learn to say no, or the rest of your life will be ruined." She paused, then added, "If you''d like,e work at Jamieson Group. We can tackle the future together."

    Landing a job at Jamieson Group was something countless people dreamed of.

    Sweat dampened April''s palm as she clutched her phone. “R-Really? You mean that?”

    “Of course, I mean it," Cecilia replied. "And about Eloise, don''t worry. I have my own ns for her."

    "Thank you, Cecilia. I''lle to yourpany. I''ll tell my parents that I''m not getting married!"

    Excitement chased away her stutter; every word flowed clear and bright.

    Cecilia had always believed April''s stammer wasn''t serious; it red only because the Escobar family mocked and belittled her so often.

    That endless ridicule had crushed the girl''s confidence and made the stutter worse.

    "Okay."

    After finishing the call, Cecilia hung up, then epted Eloise''s friend request.

    Eloise phoned at once. “Cecilia, you finally added me! I was wrongst time. I shouldn''t have dragged you into the family group chat without asking."

    Her tone sounded especially contrite.

    Because of April, Cecilia kept her courtesy. "I''m not fond of chatting with strangers, so I deleted you I did handle the favor you asked for, though. Is there anything else?"

    With those words, Cecilia drew a clean line between them.

    Eloise heard the hidden meaning. Her face tightened, but she still said, "Nothing else. I just wanted to apologize. We''re family, after all."

    "I''ve said many times that I share no

    blood with the Escobars, no ties at

    all. Keep your apology. If there''s nothing else, stop calling me

    Cecilia enunciated, calm and firm.

    Before Eloise could answer, Cecilia ended the call again, this time without blocking her.

    Eloise, stunned by Cecilia''s coldness, decided to make April mediate.

    She called April, but the girl said, “Sorry, Eloise. I can''t help. Cecilia and I haven''t spoken in ages. Even if tried, it wouldn''t matter.”

    "You dare refuse me? Aren''t you

    afraid I''llin to your father?

    Eloise snapped, convinced April and Cecilia were much closer than they imed.