Chapter 2

In my parents' eyes, I owed Celie my entire life.

Because I had absorbed too much nourishment in our mother's womb, Celie was born weak and frail.

But was that my choice? Back then, I was nothing more than an ignorant infant.

I watched coldly as my parents coaxed my reluctant sister, my gaze drifting to the two beastmen waiting nearby.

Gideon was not the sort of man any girl would find appealing at first glance. He lived in the deep sea, after all—his rough, careless features hardly seemed out of place. His wedding gift consisted of nothing more than fish he had hauled from the ocean and dried in the sun.

Felix was entirely different. His handsome face could rival the young stars of idol dramas on television. His wedding gift followed human tradition, carefully prepared, each detail showing thought and sincerity. It was no wonder my parents had chosen him for Celie in our past life.

Felix truly was a good man. Remembering how he ended up last time, I couldn't help but feel pity for him. But this time… his fate should not be so tragic.

I didn't know what my parents whispered to Celie, but after a long discussion, the three of them emerged, beaming. My parents clasped Gideon's hand, treating him warmly as their son-in-law.

"Celie is gentle, kind, and beautiful. She's a perfect match for you."

Then Father's tone shifted as he glanced at me, filled with disdain, as though I weren't his daughter at all.

"As for Avery… she can marry Felix."

And so the marriages were settled. Gideon, impatient to return to the sea, was eager to take Celie away at once. He despised the land, always complaining it was too dry.

It was the same in my last life—right after our engagement, he dragged me down into the deep. But back then, my parents never cared how I fared.

Now that Celie was his wife, they would not sit idly by.

"Celie's health is poor. We've decided the two of us will move in as well—there are things we'll need to pack, Gideon, so don't rush off just yet," Mother said with a smile.

She called it a discussion, but it was nothing more than an announcement.

Gideon's impatience was written all over his face. "Then make it quick."

With that, he strode out to wash up.

Celie's expression soured. "Mom, Gideon is far too arrogant. I really don't like him."

Mother hurried to embrace her, soothing her with soft words.

"Oh, my little treasure, so what if a man is arrogant? Think of the endless rains to come. Don't you want a life of comfort and plenty?"

At that, Celie's mood lightened. But when she turned and saw me standing nearby, her lips curled into a sneer.

"Why are you still here? Why isn't your husband eager to take you away? Avery, don't tell me you're still hoping for a share of our parents' estate? Let me make this clear—you won't get a single thing. Everything belongs to me."

Her arrogance drew no rebuke. My parents simply stood at her side, nodding in agreement.

"That's right. Avery, we've already worked hard enough raising you. When will you register your marriage with Felix and move out? Oh, and don't bother packing the things from your room. We're saving everything for Celie."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Raising me? You mean the way you forced me to start working at sixteen, earning my own living while handing over money to support this family? And what room are you talking about? That storage closet you shoved me into? Even those broken wooden scraps you call furniture—you can't bear to part with them?"

With that, I took Felix's hand—he had appeared at some point without my noticing. I turned on my heel and walked away.

Behind me, my parents stood frozen in awkward silence, staring at one another in dismay.