Chapter 2

The day the Fitzgeralds came over for dinner, I put on a white dress.

Half an hour later, Poppy changed into a white dress, too. And since I wore pearl earrings, she put on pearl earrings too.

When I spoke to the bridal shop associate, Sammy, over the phone, I’d intentionally softened the end of my sentences. As soon as Poppy sat down at the dinner table, she deliberately lowered her voice to sound just as soft, even mimicking the exact angle of my head down to the degree.

The second Diana stepped through the front door, Poppy rushed to speak before I could even open my mouth.

"Diana, welcome!"

Her smile was practically a replica of mine.

Mom watched with sheer delight, her hands trembling so much with excitement that she could barely hold her teacup steady.

"See? Poppy is just so much warmer than Willow, who's naturally reserved. She’s nothing like her younger sister, who actually knows how to take care of people."

Diana glanced at Poppy, who immediately sat up straight, beaming like a student praised by the teacher. She truly believed she was doing everything right.

I didn't say a word, though.

After all, she wasn't trying to flatter the Fitzgeralds. She was studying me, learning how to act like the future Mrs. Fitzgerald.

Before dinner was served, I set my phone down with the screen up, leaving my Notes app open right at the very top.

The title read: [Things to Note for the Fitzgerald Dinner.]

Rule #1: Diana doesn't like strong tea.

Rule #2: Place the welcome gift in the left drawer.

Rule #3: Return the silk scarf. Do not give it as a gift!

Sure enough, Poppy’s eyes darted straight to it. Her eyes darted over the text, terrified of being caught, but too eager to look away.

However, she only managed to memorize the first two rules. When Mom called her over to fetch some fruit, she missed the third one completely.

The moment Diana sat down, Poppy rushed to pour her tea.

"Diana, try this lighter blend. It’s not as bitter."

Diana accepted the tea without saying whether it was good or bad.

Then Poppy immediately went over to the left drawer to grab the gift box, her movements even more practiced and familiar than mine, the actual bride-to-be.

She handed the box over with a bright smile. "Diana, I picked this out specifically for you."

I looked up at her.

It seemed she hadn't seen rule number three.

Diana unboxed the gift to reveal a slate-blue silk scarf. But the second her fingertips brushed against the edge, she felt a snagged thread.

Right on cue, my phone started ringing.

I answered and put it on speakerphone.

Sammy's voice echoed loud and clear throughout the room. "Ms. Willow, today is the absolute last day to return that snagged silk scarf. Please don't forget to bring your receipt!"

The dinner table went silent, and Poppy’s face turned pale.

A relative sitting nearby couldn't help but remark, whispering, "You picked out a damaged return item specifically for her?"

Poppy grew flustered, her eyes rimming with red. "I-I didn't know! My sister left it there!"

I nodded calmly. "Yeah, I did. I even wrote a note saying not to give it."

Her lips quivered, completely at a loss for words.

Mom glared at me. "Why did your phone have to ring right at this exact moment?"

I met her gaze. "Store reminder. Pretty good timing, right?"

Diana put the scarf back into the box and gently pushed it away. "It's fine if you don't know any better. You can take your time to learn the Fitzgerald family rules later."

Poppy only heard the word "later". In an instant, the humiliation on her face was taken over by a wave of excitement.

She was always like this. Give her the smallest flicker of light, and she’d mistake it for a golden staircase handed straight to her.

After dinner, I placed my wedding vows at the very top of my Notes app.

Predictably, Poppy sneaked over to take a look.

She read it to herself in a whisper first. Then, clearing her throat, she deliberately recited it out loud right in front of Diana.

"For better or for worse, I will stand by Elliot and share every burden."

When she finished, she shot me a glance. It was a look that practically screamed, "Whatever you can do, I can do too. If you can marry into this family, so can I."

Diana looked up. "That’s a good line."

Poppy’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

Diana continued, "Keep it in the wedding ceremony."

Poppy couldn't even suppress the corners of her mouth from twitching into a smile. She thought she was just copying me reading a vow.

What she didn't realize was that sharing every burden wasn't a sweet romantic gesture, but a heavy liability.

That night, Elliot sent me a text on iMessage.

[Take another look at the wedding itinerary for tomorrow.]

I didn't reply.

Poppy walked past behind me and caught a glance at my screen.

She quickly copied my exact tone to send him a message.

[Elliot, Willow has been really stressed lately. I can help her go over the itinerary instead.]

Elliot accepted her request almost instantly, even replying: [You’re more attentive than she is.]

Poppy held her phone up right in front of my face, the smugness in her eyes practically impossible to hide.

"Willow, Elliot says I act more like Mrs. Fitzgerald than you do."

I stared at the text on the screen before smiling.

"In that case, make sure you play the part all the way to the end."