Chapter 2 They Turned Their Backs on Me

Ronan appeared in his groomsman's suit. The moment he saw me, he frowned.

A crowd had formed behind him. I swept my gaze over them and recognized almost every face.

There was my boyfriend of five years, best friend of ten years, childhood friends, and the disadvantaged student I financially supported throughout college.

In contrast, there was no one standing on my side.

They surrounded Bianca like loyal knights guarding a princess, staring at me with open hostility.

In their fairy-tale life, I was the only villain.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. "I do as I please. Are you going to call the police to take me away again?"

Ronan stiffened. A flash of discomfort crossed his face.

Dad rushed to explain. "Alba, don't blame Ronan. You didn't give him another choice. Bianca is in poor health. We don't want your unexpected arrival to trigger another episode."

Mom chimed in, "Your dad is right. As the older sister, you should be more generous and not fight the poor girl."

Since I was the older sister, they had always asked me not to fight Bianca since childhood.

However, I was born only twenty-seven seconds before her, yet because of that tiny difference, I was always expected to take whatever she did not want.

She took my dresses, dolls, birthday cakes, and now my fiance.

Just because I was older than her by twenty-seven seconds, nobody cared about my opinion.

Bianca stepped out from the crowd to tug at my sleeve with reddened eyes. "I'm sorry, Alba. I didn't mean to keep it from you… It was just that Julian didn't want me to leave for treatment with regret. If I upset you, I'll take off the dress now and give it back to you…"

She reached up as though to remove her bridal veil. Her friends immediately rushed forward to stop her.

"Don't, Bianca! You shouldn't sacrifice your big day for anyone!"

"Indeed! Your kindness allowed your sister to cause a scene today."

Julian shielded Bianca in his arms and sighed. "Bianca is only taking back what belonged to her in the first place. Rest assured. I'll marry you once she gets better."

I stared at him, my mouth slightly open. At that moment, he looked like a complete stranger.

"What do you mean by 'what belonged to her in the first place', Julian?"

Ronan sneered and cut me off impatiently.

"Did you honestly think Julian fell in love with you at first sight? He met Bianca before you! Since you're identical twins, he mistook you for her and asked for your contact information when he met you later. Fortunately, Bianca discovered the truth when you took him home to meet Dad and Mom. Otherwise, he would've married a woman he didn't even love."

My feet seemed rooted to the ground. My mind buzzed loudly.

At that moment, I found the answers to my questions.

Four years ago, I introduced Julian to my parents on my birthday.

After I came home from buying Bianca her favourite matcha latte, his attitude toward me shifted dramatically.

He began to act hot and cold, often zoning out with his gaze on my face, and even told me I looked better wearing glasses.

However, I never needed glasses. It was always Bianca who wore glasses for her poor eyesight.

That day marked a turning point in our relationship.

We had dated for five years, yet he spent four out of them entertaining me.

I turned to the people who shielded Bianca behind them and demanded their answers in a trembling voice.

"What about you? Zachary, your business failed, and you went bankrupt. When the loan sharks showed up at your doorstep, I settled your debt with my savings. Jennie. When your parents wanted to marry you off, I saved you and paid your tuition fee until you finished college.

"And you, Andrew. We're cousins. We've known each other since childhood. I've helped you as much as I could. What did I ever do wrong for you to backstab me?"

I gave them a hard stare.

"I've poured my heart out to you. Why would you lie to me?"

The crowd fell silent, but Jennie clicked her tongue.

"See? I told you she would demand something in return! She didn't do it out of kindness. So what if you paid my tuition fee? Bianca introduced me to my current boyfriend! Regardless of a woman's education level, she eventually has to get married. You kept nagging me to study hard, but look at you. You still ended up with a man like Julian."

Zachary nodded positively.

"She's right. Alba, you only helped us because you wanted to prove you were better than the rest of us. If Bianca hadn't comforted me when I was at my lowest, I would've taken my life long ago. Unlike your fake sincerity, Bianca truly cares about me."

Regret flooded my heart as I stared at them.

They took my kind gesture for granted, and now they turned their backs on me and sided with Bianca.

I had wasted all my effort and sacrifice on people who had never deserved it.

A flicker of hesitation flashed across Julian's face. He instinctively reached out to wipe my tears.

"Let's not make a scene, Alba. Once Bianca gets her treatment, I'll take you on a trip to make it up to you—"

I stepped aside, avoiding his hand.

Then, I straightened my back. Meeting his eyes, I said clearly, "Forget it, Julian. Remember this. I'm the one dumping you. We're done."