3

Even before this, when Ethan said he was putting Sophie in charge of planning the wedding, I had felt uneasy.

The wedding was one of the most important moments of my life.

Every prominent mafia family would be sending representatives.

Reporters would line both sides of the red carpet, cameras ready.

Even the slightest mishap would become a joke across the entire circle.

I could not let anything go wrong that day.

But Richard and Victoria both sided with Sophie.

They said I didn't trust my sister, didn't trust my own family.

Ethan added his voice to theirs.

"It's not just your wedding. I'll be involved every step of the way and keep an eye on Sophie. Relax."

I had no choice but to agree.

But I knew perfectly well that Sophie would never pass up this opportunity.

I waited until the family took Sophie out for the day.

Then I snuck into her room and found the USB drive with the wedding videos.

I opened the folder labeled "Sophie's Perfect Wedding."

Familiar scenes filled the screen, and old memories flooded back with a sickening chill.

The video showed me walking into the ballroom in a bikini.

I stood out like a sore thumb among the suits and evening gowns.

The jeers never stopped.

I covered my face and ran. The footage shook as whoever was filming chased after me.

The next video showed Richard and Victoria giving me a new dress, a rare gift from them.

At fifteen, I was so delighted I couldn't stop smiling as I twirled in front of the mirror.

I stared at the dress in confusion.

"Why does this dress smell sour?"

Seven-year-old Sophie laughed until she cried.

"It came off a dead body!

"I went to the dumpster outside the funeral home and picked it out just for you.

"You're so poor you even wear dead people's clothes!"

I screamed and ran to the bathroom to tear the dress off.

Richard gave a helpless laugh.

"Sophie's just messing with you. Your new dress is already in your room."

Victoria pressed a handkerchief to her face, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

Another video followed.

Sophie locked me in a coffin. I pounded on the wood like a madwoman, screaming and crying until my voice gave out.

And the time Sophie drugged me, leaving my face covered in boils as I sobbed in front of the mirror.

After the humiliating footage ended, the reel shifted to intimate family photos of the three of them.

Then came photos of Sophie and Ethan in matching outfits, kissing.

I stared at the screen. My fists were clenched so tight my knuckles had turned white.

Sophie was planning to play every one of my worst moments for a ballroom full of guests.

Richard knew. So did Ethan.

Every single one of them knew, and not one of them had told me.

I couldn't bear to imagine what would have happened if I hadn't found those videos first.

How completely I would have fallen apart, standing up there in front of everyone.

I kept my eyes closed for a long time before I finally calmed down.

One by one, I deleted every video and replaced them with files I had prepared in advance.

When the family came home, Sophie handed me a beautifully wrapped gift box with a bright smile.

Richard spoke up beside her.

"Sophie picked this out just for you. Go ahead, open it."

I opened it with a knot in my stomach. It was a bottle of perfume.

But I didn't dare sniff it. Didn't dare spray it on myself.

Years of being drugged and toyed with had carved the memory into my bones. Every instinct told me to pull away.

At my hesitation, Sophie immediately pouted and curled into Richard's arms, sounding wounded.

"She doesn't like my present."

Richard frowned and called my name, a note of reproach in his voice.

I set the perfume down and kept my voice calm.

"Dad, Victoria, do you think I'm just... in the way here?"

Victoria looked down and said nothing.

Richard stared at me for a long moment before managing a thin smile.

"Of course not.

"Sophie is still young. She likes to play around, and maybe we've spoiled her a little.

"You're my flesh and blood too. Once Sophie grows out of it, she'll stop with all this."

Ethan stepped forward and patted my shoulder.

"Come on, you're not a kid anymore. Stop being jealous of your sister.

"Once we're married and I'm her brother-in-law, I'll keep her in line."

All four of them could barely hide their smiles.

Every one of them was eager to see me humiliated.

I stood with my head down in silence for a moment. Then I looked up and smiled.

"You're right. She's younger than me. I should be looking out for her.

"I've been too petty."