Chapter 1

When my brother, Wallace Slater, brought me home from the airport, Mom and Dad were eagerly waiting for me.

Because of the pandemic, I hadn't been home in a long time. Everyone was thrilled to see me.

After we caught up and told each other how much we had missed each other, Wallace brought a woman I didn't know over to me.

He shyly introduced her. "This is my girlfriend and your future sister-in-law, Sandra Zimmer."

Then he nodded toward me. "This is my sister, Madison Slater. I told you about her. You can call her Maddie."

"Hi." Sandra gave me a polite smile and held out both hands.

I was still caught up in the excitement of being home. I greeted her, then turned back to Mom and Dad and kept chatting with them.

That night, I stayed close to Mom. She told me that Wallace met Sandra at one of the branches he managed.

She was an intern there. Sandra was sweet and gentle, and Wallace liked her a lot. So after dating for a short time, he brought her home and said he wanted to marry her.

I was dying to hear more. "What happened next? Is Wallace really getting married?"

"Your dad and I would prefer he marry someone from a family of equal standing, but if he really wants to marry her, we can't stop him. If he truly loves her, we'll let him make his own choice," Mom replied.

Mom had always been open-minded, so I wasn't worried about Wallace.

But when I saw Sandra the next day, I realized I had really underestimated her.

Because of the jet lag, I didn't wake up until mid-afternoon.

I went downstairs to find something to eat. As I sat at the dining table having my meal, I heard a voice behind me.

"You're just waking up now, Maddie? Wallace has already been at work for half a day."

Was she serious? I was completely caught off guard.

I turned around and saw that it was Sandra.

"Oh. Are you talking to me?" I could hardly believe it.

She rolled her eyes at me. Then she folded her arms and slowly walked down the stairs.

Well, damn. She already looked like she owned the place.

Sandra had acted normal in front of Mom and Dad yesterday, but the moment we were alone, she couldn't wait to show me who was in charge.

"Who else would I be talking to? Is there anyone else in this house?"

There was no hiding the hostility in her voice. I knew I hadn't misunderstood her.

I was shocked, but then I found it funny. "I thought you were talking to someone else. Also, I don't know you, and we're not close, so don't call me Maddie."

After putting her in her place, I turned back to my food.

What was Wallace thinking? He must have been blind to fall for someone like her.

She walked up to me, ready to argue, but then we heard the front door open.

Sandra instantly changed her attitude. She looked weak and upset, and her voice was nothing like her earlier snide tone. "Don't be mad. If you don't want me to call you Maddie, I won't anymore."