Chapter 3

Soon, it was time for Joan's and my birthday.

To be exact, it was only Joan's birthday.

We were supposed to share the same birthday, but on her seventh birthday, she got lost at an amusement park.

Once she disappeared, she was gone for ten years. Our parents spent ten years searching for her. They finally found 17-year-old Joan after the cops cracked the serial kidnapper case.

The first thing she said after coming home was:

"If Cynthia hadn't dumped me on purpose, I wouldn't have gotten lost and taken away."

That was the first time I ever saw disappointment in my parents' eyes.

Dad didn't listen to a word I said. He slapped me hard across the face.

From that day on, there was no place for me in this family.

After that, my parents only celebrated Joan's birthday.

Mom, Dad, and Ned gathered around Joan in her princess dress in front of the cake, lit the candles, sang Happy Birthday, and waited for her to make a wish.

No one noticed me standing in the corner.

Even the housekeeper told me, "Ms. Cynthia, you really should stop showing your face in front of Mr. and Mrs. Geis. If it weren't for you back then, Ms. Joan wouldn't have been missing for all these years."

I wasn't sure what Joan wished for. But once she opened her eyes, she leaned in under the soft candlelight and kissed Ned on the cheek.

Mom and Dad didn't stop it. Instead, they looked at the two of them with wide smiles.

They had always known that Joan had feelings for Ned.

Back when I first brought Ned home, Joan had fallen for him at first sight. She had cried and caused a scene.

Mom had even tried to persuade me more than once.

"Joan's your sister. She suffered all those years because of you, so you should make it up to her."

Back then, I wouldn't give in. Ned also told my parents to their faces that he would only love me for the rest of his life.

But now, as he looked down at smiling Joan, his eyes were full of quiet affection.

After blowing out the candles, Joan took a small piece of cake and held it out to me.

I reached to take it, but she let go on purpose, and sticky frosting smeared all over me.

Joan's eyes filled with tears.

"Cynthia, do you hate me that much? You even threw my birthday cake on the floor…"

My parents' faces darkened immediately. I knew they were about to start blaming me again and listing all my so-called sins.

Before they could speak, I grabbed Joan's wrist, slipped off the bracelet I was wearing, and put it on her.

I said to her solemnly, "Joan, Ned's mom gave me this bracelet. She said whoever wears it becomes part of the Jenkins family. You like Ned, right? You can have him. This bracelet is my birthday gift to you."

Joan froze for a moment, then joy flashed through her eyes.

When my parents saw that, their eyes lit up. After all, they had urged me more than once to let her have Ned.

Mom beamed and no longer brought up the cake incident.

She hurriedly said, "Oh, darling, I'm so glad you've finally come to your senses. When your birthday comes, your dad and I will throw you a big party!"

I smiled faintly.

"Joan and I have the same birthday."

Awkwardness flashed across my parents' faces.

Ned, who had just realized what was happening, rushed forward in anger and grabbed my hand.

"What are you doing? I'm your fiancé! Are you giving me to another woman?"

I shook his hand off.

"I'm surprised you still remember you're my fiancé. When you were flirting with Joan, did you ever remember that? Since you can't say it, then I'll say it for you."

I glanced at Joan behind him, looking pale and about to fall apart, and added, "Though if you say another word, Joan's going to faint."

Hearing that, they all rushed to support Joan.

I watched the scene with a bitter smile, then walked away without looking back.