Chapter 2

After Julianne went to change, Adrian turned to me and patted my head.

"Don't blame her. This was my fault.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow and take you to the estate. The attorney will bring the marriage license application.

"The wedding is almost here. We should sign it first."

He smiled gently and stroked my hair with open affection.

So I let what had just happened go.

Maybe Adrian really had been too busy to remember my blueberry allergy.

The next day, Adrian came to pick me up as promised.

Julianne had done her makeup early and followed me outside.

She naturally opened the front passenger door and sat down.

I stopped in my tracks, stunned.

Adrian opened the rear door for me and explained, "Jules is used to riding up front. You'll be safer in the back.

"Well? Come on."

I said nothing. We'd already come this far.

It would be the last time she sat in the front passenger seat.

When we reached Adrian's estate, Julianne moved through it like the lady of the house, walking ahead as she gave me a tour.

It was my first time there,

yet she told me she'd planted the roses in the garden.

She'd also redecorated the study because Adrian's taste used to be terrible. Walking beside me, Adrian pointed toward a long table in the garden.

"Jules had that table put there. Doesn't it look good?"

I felt like an awkward guest visiting their home.

I listened in silence. Only when I saw the attorney, Mr. Crane, did my heart settle for a moment.

The attorney took out the paperwork.

I reached for it, but then,

he handed it to Julianne.

"There is only one copy. Don Moretti and Ms. Conti should review it carefully before signing."

My hand froze in midair. Adrian pulled me closer, squeezed my hand, and winked. "Let her check it first. You won't understand the legal language."

Julianne picked up the pen and smiled. "I'll sign it for you, Maddie. Your identity can't be exposed, and that includes your handwriting."

I still hadn't processed what she meant.

Adrian nudged me. "She's right. We can't be too careful."

Before I could respond, Julianne had already begun writing.

She passed the document to Adrian after signing. I leaned closer to look, and my heart lurched as all the color drained from my face.

Julianne had signed her own name.

Adrian hadn't even noticed.

"Oh no. I think I signed my own name.

"What are we going to do?"

Julianne hurriedly reached for the pen in Adrian's hand.

But the attorney warned them not to alter the document.

Adrian's expression changed. He looked at me as though waiting for me to say something.

Suddenly, the entire situation felt pointless.

Julianne explained, "I really didn't do it on purpose, Maddie. Please don't be angry.

"We can come back tomorrow and sign a new copy."

Adrian fell silent for a moment, then tightened his hold on my hand and said reassuringly:

"Maybe fate is protecting you. You're the one who'll live with me. The name on the license doesn't matter."

Julianne added, "Exactly. A piece of paper can't replace what you have."

I said calmly:

"It's fine. She already wore my wedding gown for me. What's one signature?"

I stood and went home alone, ignoring them when they called after me.

After leaving Adrian's estate, my phone buzzed several times.

[Have you decided? Come to New York with me.]

[I'm still waiting for your answer.]

The Romano heir wanted me to help run his fine art authentication firm in New York, but I'd always wanted to stay here because of Adrian.

So I'd never accepted. Now there was nothing left worth staying for.

I typed a reply:

[I accept.]

After I got home, I went upstairs to pack.

My parents were sitting on the couch, counting the jewelry they'd laid out on the table.

"Maddie, come here," Mother called.

"Help me see whether your sister still needs anything.

"It's Julianne's first marriage. We have to make sure she has something respectable. My little girl grew up so suddenly."

Mother wept as she spoke.

Father patted the back of her hand comfortingly.

"It's all right. Maddie is the one moving out. Julianne will still be here with us."

That seemed to make Mother feel better.

She took my hand, removed an old watch from her wrist, and tried to slide it onto mine. The band was obviously too loose and wouldn't fit.

"I've wanted to give this to you for a long time. I just never had the chance.

"I wore it for you for a while. Now I'm returning it to its rightful owner."

My palms went cold.

I was the one getting married, yet everything they had prepared was for Julianne.

Even the jewelry Mother had chosen was in styles Julianne liked. The only thing she offered me was an old, faded watch she'd already worn.

"No, thank you." I took a breath. "You're still exactly the same."

I returned it to her and went upstairs.

Ever since we were children, my parents had centered their entire world around Julianne.

They bought her the newest dresses, toys, and dolls. Mine were always cheaper, and I received far fewer.

Even then, Julianne would take my new clothes and wear them first, or play with my toys before I could.

When she got bored, she'd return them.

By then, the clothes were torn and the toys were filthy.

I'd tell our parents.

They would only say, "She gave them back, didn't she?

"Just let her have her turn. It's all the same."

If I kept complaining, they'd lock me in a dark storage room for days.

Julianne had been the kidnappers' intended target.

That day, my parents had taken Julianne to an amusement park and left me home alone, giving the kidnappers their opportunity.

When the ransom call came, my parents simply hung up without saying a word.

I thought they were going to save me.

I thought they were only gathering the money.

But on the night I escaped and came home, I heard Mother sigh before I knocked. "It's over for Madeline. At least it wasn't Julianne."

I stood outside the window. In that moment, my heart went completely cold, and I gave up on that family.

Even now, they still didn't treat me like their own daughter.

I finished packing.

I sat quietly. It didn't matter. In three days,

I would leave that house forever.

Another message appeared on my phone:

[I'll pick you up in three days.]

Just then, Julianne and Adrian arrived.

She hurried into my room and relaxed when she saw me. "You left without telling anyone. Do you know how dangerous that was?

"Maddie, don't be so reckless next time.

"The outside world is dangerous. You'll make us worry."

Adrian said, "Stop throwing a tantrum over something so small. Take some responsibility for yourself."

Julianne tried to hug me, but I instinctively stepped away.

I couldn't help laughing bitterly. Since I'd left them, neither of them had called or sent a single message.

Now they claimed they'd been worried. It was absurd.

Julianne looked embarrassed. Her gaze stiffened when she noticed my suitcase.

"Are you still angry with me, Maddie?" she asked timidly.

I turned around. "No."

I truly wasn't angry. They'd treated me this way for years. Julianne had even been the one to sign the marriage license with Adrian.

They were legally married.

What was left for me to be angry about?

"Then why are you packing..."

"That has nothing to do with you," I said coldly.

Julianne's eyes instantly reddened.

Adrian's expression darkened. "Madeline Conti, Jules is your older sister. How can you speak to her like that?"

"Should I smile at her instead?" I asked.

My attitude infuriated him. Adrian grabbed my wrist.

"Do you have any idea how much danger Jules has taken on for you? It's one piece of paper. Why do you care so much?!"

He flung my wrist away so hard that I stumbled backward and fell onto the bed.

My chest tightened so painfully I couldn't speak.

To them, I was upset over nothing more than a piece of paper.

Adrian pulled Julianne out and slammed the door behind them.

Left alone in my room, I felt my eyes burn and wiped the tears away with the back of my hand.