The Elder Sister Who Ran Away After Being Cheated by Her Fiancé and Younger Sister - Chapter 2

When Estelle turned fifteen, encouraged by those around her, she decided to attend a school in the provincial capital. Her parents were reluctant, but the matter was settled since it was for her future, and the Petrak family offered to support her tuition.

As the commute was too long, arrangements were made for her to live in a dormitory.

Since it was a two-year program, to save on travel expenses, she decided not to return home until graduation.

Though she felt uneasy, Estelle was determined to study hard and become useful to Theo in the future.

Theo was sulky and sad about being separated from Estelle, but they made up before her departure.

“I’ll write to you. Take care of yourself.”

“I’ll write too. Um… please wait for me.”

“Of course. But after two years, I’ll have grown up too—maybe you won’t even recognize me.”

“Well, I probably won’t change much either…”

“Hahaha.”

And so, Estelle set off alone for the provincial capital.

The two years at school did not become happy memories for Estelle.

Of course, there were enjoyable moments.

But aside from her studies, she spent her free time doing side jobs and temporary work to cover her tuition, leaving no time to make close friends.

Theo’s letters ended up arriving only about once every six months, but Estelle was too busy each day to pay it much mind.

Two years later, Estelle graduated without issue and returned to her hometown.

Though it was only two years, the knowledge she absorbed and her experience living in the provincial capital became valuable assets.

“Welcome back, Estelle.”

Theo, whom she hadn’t seen in two years, had grown from a boy into a young man. He had shot up in height and carried himself with more composure.

His gentle welcome made her heart race and her cheeks grow warm.

“Welcome back, Sister.”

Clara had fully regained her health.

But her delicate demeanor remained, now enhanced by a youthful aura and beauty, making her a stunning girl unlike any Estelle had seen even in the capital.

Estelle was glad Clara had recovered and honestly admired her beauty.

During their first tea time together in two years, Estelle felt nostalgic and joyful about their reunion, but…

“Hey, remember that time?”

“Oh, when Theo got the wrong idea, right?”

“That’s not it. It was when that lady came to the shop.”

“That one? Oh, Theo, you’re still hung up on that?”

“Well, of course I am.”

While Estelle was away, Theo and Clara had shared experiences and memories she knew nothing about.

She knew it couldn’t be helped.

Still, seeing them happily chatting and leaving her out made her feel excluded, and her chest tightened.

Looking back now, she realized Theo’s heart had already begun to drift away from her by that point.

After returning, Estelle began spending her days at the Petrak Trading Company.

To learn the work, she helped with various tasks from morning till night.

Occasionally, she worked alongside Theo, but there was no time for conversation beyond work-related matters.

She was treated almost like an employee of the Petrak Company, but Estelle saw it as preparation for the future. Heinny’s parents already regarded her as practically married into the Petrak family, so they said nothing.

She saw less and less of Theo.

Once, she spotted him leaving in a carriage with his father, Dennis, so she assumed he was being taken on external business errands.

The internal household affairs were managed by Tamara, Dennis’s wife and Theo’s mother.

Under Tamara’s direction, Estelle worked from dawn till dusk.

She received no wages. Estelle was already considered part of the Petrak Company, and Tamara’s attitude reinforced that.

Even so, she should have been paid, but Estelle never thought of it at the time.

She simply wanted to win the favor of her future mother-in-law and be seen as worthy of being Theo’s wife.

She returned home only to sleep, but on the rare occasions she came back early, she sometimes had tea with Clara.

As she grew, Clara became healthier and more beautiful with each passing day.

She retained an innocent, adorable, and delicate impression, like a perpetual child. Having grown up mostly indoors, her limbs were slender, and her skin was pale and unblemished by the sun. People remarked she looked like a princess.

Every time they met, Estelle could only marvel at her sister’s beauty.

She couldn’t help comparing herself, but she convinced herself they weren’t competing over appearances.

Having Theo as her fiancé also gave her a certain psychological reassurance.

“And then, Uncle Bosak gave me a present.”

Bosak was Theo’s uncle.

Estelle had met him once to greet him but never saw him again.

Why did a relative of the Petrak family have a chance to meet Clara?

Estelle wondered honestly but brushed it off with a harmless reply.

“It’s nice. I’m glad for you.”

Somehow, she felt it was pointless to dwell on it.

After that, Clara mentioned many names.

Unlike Estelle, who was often out, Clara hardly left the house. Yet, it was strange how she seemed to meet far more people than Estelle.

As it turned out, by that time, a group of what could be called Clara’s admirers had formed, diligently bringing gifts and visiting the Heinny home.

Back then, Estelle was completely absorbed in her work and noticed nothing.

She had no idea that the leader of these admirers was her own fiancé, Theo.

Truly, she saw nothing at all.