Chapter 3

Elena kept urging me to open the app.

I tapped on her profile and saw that she had indeed posted a new video about half an hour ago.

It was one of those couple videos that had been trending lately. Elena was lying on the bed while Adrian held onto her arm and effortlessly lifted her with one hand.

They looked incredibly intimate, and the comments were filled with congratulations.

“Wow, what a gorgeous couple! Wishing you two a lifetime together!”

“I got so busy sending promo invites to everyone else that I forgot to send one to you two!”

“Wait, is that the heirloom emerald bracelet on her wrist? The one that’s only passed down to the wives in the Whitmore family?”

“I heard the Whitmore heir is getting married soon. Could the bride actually be the creator herself?”

“Mom, I can’t believe I’m witnessing this!”

My expression gradually hardened.

Every congratulatory comment felt like a needle piercing straight through my heart.

Elena still wore that innocent smile. She had even liked the comment speculating that she was Adrian’s fiancé.

“Madison, you’re so good to me!

“When we were kids, I hated sleeping in a separate bed from you. I’d always tell you that I wouldn’t agree to you getting married unless you found a brother-in-law who would do anything for me, spoil me unconditionally, and always treat me well.

“I can’t believe you actually found someone like that!”

Her words were painfully ironic, like a sharp slap across my face.

I spoke coldly.

“Elena, do you really think it’s appropriate to make a couple video with Adrian while wearing my bracelet?”

The mood on the other end of the call instantly changed.

Elena’s smile froze, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Madison, what are you talking about?

“Are you upset because I got your honeymoon trip? But you lost the bet fair and square…”

Mom immediately pulled Elena into her arms and turned the phone toward herself, scolding me through the screen.

“Madison, what kind of sister treats her own sister like this? This is the most important graduation trip of Elena’s life, and you won’t be happy until you make her cry?

“How could anyone have a sister as cruel as you?”

Adrian’s expression darkened as well. He picked up a tissue and handed it to Elena.

“Madison, apologize to Elena.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“What did you just say, Adrian?

“Do you even realize what she’s done? Everyone in the comments thinks Elena is your fiancé!”

“So what?”

Adrian barely lifted his eyes. His gaze was cold and threatening when he looked at me.

“I agreed to make that video with Elena. Nothing inappropriate happened. What other people choose to say is their business.

“But Madison, you’re her older sister. It’s your fault for making such narrow-minded and malicious assumptions about Elena.

“Now apologize to her.”

My eyes burned with tears, but I stubbornly bit my lip.

“What if I don’t?”

Adrian’s expression turned cold.

“Madison, I know how much effort you’ve put into the three projects we’re currently working on. If you’re going to keep being difficult, I have no problem replacing you with someone more cooperative.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

He knew exactly how much I’d sacrificed for those three projects.

I’d worked myself to the bone, even ending up in the emergency room twice after working until I vomited blood.

Then I suddenly remembered the day Adrian proposed.

Hundreds of balloons had filled the sky, each one carrying a message Adrian had written by hand.

“Adrian Whitmore will make Madison Hayes happy for the rest of her life.”

That day, Adrian had worn a white suit. He looked like a prince straight out of a fairy tale, and his eyes had been filled with nothing but sincere love when he looked at me.

Yet less than six months later, it seemed he’d already run out of patience with me.

“I’ll give you five seconds to decide.

“Five…four…three…two…”

“I’m sorry. I was wrong.”