Chapter 2

On Saturday, we went to my parents’ estate to attend the family gathering.

The moment we stepped into the dining room, I saw my mother descended on Hazel.

“There she is! My brilliant girl.” She cupped Hazel’s face and kissed both cheeks while my father hovered nearby, beaming.

I stood in the doorway, Alessio’s hand on the small of my back, and waited for someone to notice I had arrived, but my parents never paid any attention me. Alessio then cleared his throat.

“Alessio, Ivy,” my father finally greeted us, his tone casual. “You’re here.”

When it was dinner time, everyone took a seat at the table. The dishes were a parade of Hazel’s favorites. Truffle risotto, seared scallops, a delicate asparagus tart, and a chocolate soufflé.

I scanned the spread, searching for a single dish I loved, and found nothing.

My mother soon launched into conversation before the appetizers were even cleared. “We’ve been absolutely bursting to tell you—Hazel’s jewelry collection won the Galleria Prize. Can you believe it? We’re so proud of her.”

Hazel ducked her head with practiced modesty. “Mom, you’re embarrassing me.”

“Nonsense. This is a monumental achievement.” My father lifted his glass toward Hazel, his eyes glistening with something I had spent my entire life failing to earn. “To our daughter, the award-winning designer.”

My mother then turned her attention to me. “And what about you, Ivy? Still tinkering with that little studio of yours?”

“It’s not a little studio,” I said quietly. “It’s my business.”

“A business that hasn’t turned a profit in two years.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Hazel has real clients. Real awards. Maybe you should ask your sister for some advice.”

Before I could respond, Alessio set his fork down with a quiet, deliberate clink. “Ivy’s work has an originality that the market hasn’t caught up to yet. Her designs have vision. That kind of talent doesn’t go unnoticed forever.”

My father made a skeptical noise and pulled out his phone. “Speaking of vision—have you seen Hazel’s piece that won? Let me show you.” He swiped through his photos and thrust the screen toward Alessio. “Look at this. Brilliant, isn’t it?”

I glanced over, and my heart skipped a beat.

On the screen was a pair rings. I had sketched the design three months ago, hoping to gift the ring to Alessio.

My fingers went numb. had never left my studio. I had never shown that design to anyone.

“It’s exquisite,” Alessio said, and I flinched as though he had struck me. “Congratulations, Hazel.”

“Thank you, Alessio.” Hazel’s voice was sweet.

I opened my mouth. The words were forming. “That’s my design. How did you get it.”

The next second, Hazel rose from her chair, a glass of sparkling water in her hand. She tapped a spoon against the crystal with a delicate chime, and every head turned.

“I have some news,” she announced, her cheeks flushed. “Wonderful news.”

My mother clasped her hands. “Oh, tell us, darling.”

Hazel’s eyes found mine. A slow, deliberate lock of gazes. Then her lips curved, and she said, “I’m pregnant.”

The room erupted. My mother gasped and lurched from her chair to envelop Hazel in a trembling embrace. My father laughed.

“Who’s the father?” my mother demanded. “Do we know him?”

Hazel placed a protective hand over her stomach. “The father’s identity is… complicated. I’ll be raising this baby on my own.”

When she said those words, her eyes never left mine.

My mother’s expression wavered for only a second before she rallied. “Well, if that’s what you want, we’ll support you completely. This baby will be so loved.”

I didn’t hear the rest. A roaring had started in my ears, drowning out every congratulation and exclamation. My fingers loosened. The wine glass slipped through them.

It hit the edge of my plate and shattered. Shards scattered across the white tablecloth. Every face turned toward me.

“Ivy!” My mother’s voice was sharp with irritation. “Can’t you be more careful? You’re killing the mood.”

I reached out and gathered the shards into my palm.

A sharp sting sliced through my fog. I looked down and saw a thin line of red welling across my index finger. The blood beaded and dripped onto the white shards.

“Ivy, stop.” Alessio was at my side in an instant, his hands closing over my wrists. “Let go. Let the maid handle it. You’re bleeding.”

He pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket and pressed it firmly against my palm. “You never pick up broken glass. Never. Do you understand me?”

A maid soon appeared with a dustpan and a damp cloth. The broken glass vanished.

“Excuse me,” I said, my voice barely audible. “I need to use the bathroom.”

The guest bathroom was quiet. I ran my uninjured hand under cold water.

When I stepped out, Hazel was waiting for me.

She leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, the picture of casual victory.

“Congratulations,” I said, my voice flat. “You must be thrilled.”

“I am.” She tilted her head, studying me with the same expression she had worn when we were children and she had stolen my favorite doll. “You look pale, Ivy. Are you feeling unwell?”

“The rings.” The words came out before I could stop them. “That was my design. How did you get it?”

Hazel smiled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. That was my own design. A very special person in my life gave me the inspiration. Every line of that piece belongs to him.”

The floor tilted beneath me. She was telling me that Alessio had handed her my design, the thing I had poured my soul into, and she had worn it into the world as her own triumph.

I was heartbroken.

Hazel had taken our parents’ affection before I was old enough to speak. Every boyfriend I had brought home in high school had ended up calling her number within a month.

And now—now she had taken the design I had never shown anyone, and the man I had married. She had taken everything from me.

“You’ve always wanted everything I had,” I whispered. “Haven’t you ever had enough?”

Hazel pushed off the wall and walked past me. “No. I never have.”

Then she was gone. I stood in the hallway, my hand throbbing under Alessio’s handkerchief, and felt the last ember of hope inside me die.

I didn’t return to the table. I found the front door and stepped outside into the cool night air. A few minutes later, Alessio emerged.

“I told them you weren’t feeling well,” he said, guiding me toward the car. “Let’s go home.”

We drove in silence for a long stretch. I pressed my forehead to the cold glass and tried to breathe.

Alessio’s voice broke the quiet. “Ivy. I know that was hard. I know your parents were… the way they always are. And Hazel’s announcement. I’m sorry you had to sit through all of that.”

I watched his profile, the strong line of his jaw. He sounded so sincere, yet he had actually betrayed me.

“I’m fine,” I lied. “It’s just a lot.”

He was silent for a moment. Then he reached over and laced his fingers through mine. “I have an idea. Let’s get away. Just the two of us.”

“Get away where?” I frowned.

“I have a little island, the one my grandfather left me. There’s this house by the shore — and the sunrise there? It’s the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.” He squeezed my hand. “We can watch the sun come up and forget about everyone else for a while. What do you say?”

I wanted to refuse, but there was a part of me—the foolish, stubborn part—that wanted one more sunrise with him.

“Okay,” I said. “Let’s go watch the sunrise.”

Just one more sunrise. Then I would disappear from his world for good.