Evelyn had no way of knowing that Adrian, the man who occupied her every silent thought, was already closing the distance between them. For now, she was standing in the raw countryside, watching Dominic’s eyes bulge so far out of his head they looked ready to pop.

Two days prior, Dominic had called the labor union back in the city. Seraphina had filled his ear with the "tragedies" unfolding at home. At the time, Dominic assumed Evelyn had simply bolted to escape punishment—hiding in some dark corner of the city. He never imagined that she would be so selfish, so brazen, as to flee to the countryside just to shirk her responsibilities.

"Evelyn!" he roared.

Evelyn noted his trembling fury. She knew that tone; he’d clearly spoken to Seraphina and was well-versed in the chaos back in Jiang City.

She was done playing the role of the submissive sister. She met his gaze, her expression flat and unyielding. "Dominic."

Dominic let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "What did you just call me?"

"Dominic," she repeated. Once, he had been Second Brother. Now, he was merely a name—and a hollow one at that.

Anger and disappointment warred on Dominic’s face. Part of him had hoped this was all a misunderstanding. Evelyn had been gentle, obedient—how could she have changed so fundamentally?

The other youths from the village gathered around, realizing for the first time that the newcomer was Dominic’s flesh and blood. Hazel, a girl with a sharp eye for social standing, stepped forward with newfound warmth. "Oh, little sister! Well, that makes us family. Come, let me show you where you’ll be staying."

Dominic’s mind flashed to Seraphina—poor Seraphina, who despite her failing health, had spent the last few days scouring the city for Evelyn. The thought sent a surge of white-hot rage to his brain. "She is no family of mine. I don't have a sister this heartless and self-serving!"

Evelyn didn't miss a beat. "Let everyone here be my witness," she announced, her voice ringing clear. "I don't have a brother who abandons his own kin for a pretty face, either! Since we can’t stand the sight of each other, let’s make it official. The bond is severed. I am not his sister, and he is certainly not my brother."

Dominic staggered back, nearly choked by his own breath. "Evelyn! What nonsense is this? Say that again—I dare you!"

Evelyn’s eyes turned glacial. "I said I am done with you. I don't need a brother who betrays his own family for outsiders."

Infuriated, Dominic lunged at her, his hand raised. But Evelyn was faster. She reached into her bag and whipped out a heavy iron cleaver—the very one from the Ward kitchen. "Try me," she hissed. "See what happens."

Dominic scoffed, sticking his neck out in a display of reckless bravado. "Go on then! Cut me! Right here on the neck! If you don't do it, you're not human—"

The words weren't even out of his mouth before the blade swung.

The cleaver sliced through the air with lethal intent. Mark, standing closest, reacted with a frantic jerk, yanking Dominic backward just as the steel whistled past. The blade nearly took Dominic’s head off.

The crowd gasped as one, leaping back in terror. Their faces went pale. This wasn't a bluff; Dominic’s sister was a goddamn lunatic.

Dominic stood frozen, the color drained from his face. He truly hadn't believed she would swing.

A Reputation Forged in Steel
Evelyn became a legend in Red Wolf Valley before her bags were even unpacked. It wasn't the kind of fame most sought. A girl who pulls a knife on her own brother within minutes of arrival? That was the mark of a madwoman.

If she was truly insane, she was a danger to everyone. Barrett, the village chief, watched the fallout with a sinking feeling. None of the other city youths would go near her, let alone share a room. She was essentially homeless.

With no other choice, Barrett led her toward his own house. When his wife, Martha, saw the "madwoman" approaching, she instinctively cleared the path.

"Evelyn, what in God's name is going on between you and your brother?" Barrett asked, his voice stern. If she truly had a screw loose, he’d have to send her back.

Evelyn didn't hide the truth. She told him about the wedding, the betrayal by her fiancé and the girl she thought was her sister, and the cold indifference of her parents. Barrett was so stunned he forgot to puff on his pipe.

"But what does that have to do with Dominic?"

Evelyn let out a bitter, weary laugh. "Because he’s in love with Seraphina. He loved her so much that when she rejected him, he threw away his career and fled to the countryside. My words are nothing to him. He only believes what she tells him."

Barrett frowned. "Still, you shouldn't have taken a blade to him. If you’d killed him, you’d be facing the gallows. And now? No one will live with you. Where do you expect to go?"

Evelyn lowered her head, wringing her hands together. She looked small, fragile, and utterly pitiable.

Martha, who had been listening from the doorway, found herself admiring the girl’s fire. "Don't we have that empty room in the back?" she called out. "Let her stay there!"

Barrett, not wanting to get dragged into the girl’s mess, opened his mouth to refuse. But Evelyn was ahead of him. She reached into her bag and pulled out a whole carton of premium cigarettes, sliding them across the table toward him.

Barrett had two vices: tobacco and liquor. Evelyn knew that well. Using her father’s stolen goods to buy favor felt like poetic justice.

"What’s this?" Barrett’s face darkened, though his eyes lingered on the carton. Such brands were harder to find than gold, and he hated spending his own money on them.

"Chief Barrett," Evelyn said softly, her eyes wide and earnest. "Back home, no one cares for me. But looking at you, I feel as if I’m looking at my own uncle. And your wife... she has such a kind face, just like an auntie. I know you don't need these, but please, think of it as a gift from a niece. Just a small token of my respect."

Barrett had lived a long time, but he’d never met a girl with skin this thick. In the blink of an eye, he’d been promoted from "Chief" to "Uncle."

Martha let out a hearty laugh. "He’s your uncle now, Barrett! How can you say no?"

Barrett wavered, but Martha didn't wait. She grabbed Evelyn’s hand. "Come on, girl. Let me show you your room."

Barrett watched them go, his mouth hanging open. He hadn't actually said yes yet. Once they were out of sight, he picked up the carton and took a long, deep sniff. Good stuff. Damn good stuff.

The Lone Wolf
The room had belonged to Martha’s late parents. It was bright and spacious—certainly larger than the cramped storage closet Evelyn had called a bedroom back in the city. More importantly, it offered her the one thing she needed most: privacy. She had secrets to keep, and a room of her own was a luxury she hadn't expected.

Outside, the atmosphere remained icy. The other "sent-down" youths were appalled. They had hoped to pressure Evelyn into apologizing to Dominic by ostracizing her. Instead, she had bypassed them entirely and moved into the Chief’s house.

Many had coveted that empty room, but Barrett had turned them all away. Now, the girl with the cleaver had claimed it.

"Your sister is a piece of work," Mark muttered to Dominic. "She’s already got the Chief in her pocket."

Hazel, who harbored a crush on Dominic, watched the Chief’s house with narrowed eyes. "She’s vicious," she spat. "I don't care what her reasons are. Who tries to kill their own brother? The Chief is making a mistake letting a snake like that into his home."