Chapter 1

As I turned to go downstairs, a sharp clatter of heels came from the living room.

"Adrian, I think I heard something outside. Is Claire here?"

It was my sister Ava's voice.

I didn't hide. I stood in the shadow of the foyer and watched the study door slide open.

Adrian came out first.

When he saw me, the smile on his face froze for a moment.

Then it quickly returned to its usual composure.

The study was well soundproofed.

If the butler hadn't left the door slightly ajar when he brought coffee in, I wouldn't have heard a single word.

"Claire? Why didn't you say something when you came in?"

Adrian strode over.

He naturally put an arm around my shoulder.

At the same time, he subtly shifted his body to block the gap in the study door.

"Were you waiting long? I had Grace bring your passport out. It's on the foyer table."

My mother, Evelyn, and Ava followed him out.

When she saw me, the expression of motherly concern for her daughter that she'd worn in the study vanished instantly.

She frowned out of habit.

"Take your things and go. Don't stand here getting in the way."

"Ava just finished trying on her engagement banquet dress. Seeing you will only put her in a bad mood again."

Ava was wearing a custom crimson gown.

She leaned delicately against Adrian.

Her fingertip deliberately toyed with the pink diamond necklace at her throat.

Adrian had bought it for her at a private jewelry auction last week.

At the time, I'd only glanced at the catalog a second longer, and he'd said the style was too flashy and didn't suit me.

"Mom, don't be mean to Claire."

Ava looked at me timidly, her eyes reddening on cue.

"Claire, I'm sorry."

"I grew up outside. I've never seen jewelry this beautiful..."

"Adrian insisted on buying it for me as an engagement gift."

"You won't blame me for taking something you liked, will you?"

My brother Lucas came down the stairs and let out a cold snort.

"Would she dare blame you?"

"Our family has taken her in all these years."

"We should be grateful she hasn't demanded we return everything she's taken from us."

He looked down at me.

"Claire, Ava and Adrian's engagement is the day after tomorrow. The house is busy."

"Be sensible and come help entertain the guests."

"Don't walk around looking like everyone owes you something."

I looked down at the brown paper bag on the foyer table with my passport inside.

Just minutes ago, Lucas had been swearing up and down in the study:

"I've already negotiated a solo exhibition for Claire at a top New York gallery."

"Once Ava is married off, we'll make her the most talked-about young painter in the city."

My father had chimed in too:

"I'll give her that ocean-view property of mine, so she stops feeling like we play favorites."

They'd painted the future so lavishly.

But the moment the door opened, they couldn't spare me a single kind word.

In their eyes, the play had run for three years. A few more days wouldn't hurt.

As long as I still loved Adrian.

As long as I still longed for them to acknowledge me as part of this family.

I would always be the one who came running when called.

"I'm not going."

I picked up my passport and said calmly.

"I have plans the day after tomorrow."

The air in the living room froze for a moment.

Adrian frowned and lowered his voice to coax me.

"Claire, don't throw a tantrum."

"The day after tomorrow, you're Ava's sister."

"If you don't show up, people will say our family can't even take care of an adopted daughter."

As he spoke, he used his body as cover and pressed a gold-embossed business card into my palm.

He leaned close to my ear and whispered:

"Be good. Get through this one event."

"See the address? Vera Bridal Salon."

"The dress I ordered for you just arrived from Paris yesterday."

"It's far more beautiful than Ava's."

"Tomorrow afternoon I'll sneak you over to try it on."

"Just the two of us. Okay?"

I glanced down at the card in my palm.

His finger still wore the matching engagement ring he shared with Ava.

The cold metal band pressed against my palm.

Three years ago, to shield Ava from an attack by a rival family,

my right wrist was broken. I nearly never picked up a paintbrush again.

Back then, Adrian held me and stayed by my side all night at the hospital.

He swore he would never let me down.

Later, Ava cried and said she felt unsafe.

Only if Adrian stayed by her side as her fiancé would she accept treatment.

Adrian held my hand the same way and asked me to take off my ring.

He said:

"Claire, a ring is dead. My heart is alive."

"Once Ava is better, I'll make everything up to you."

I believed him.

So I endured the city's mockery.

I carried the reputation of "coveting my sister's fiancé."

I worked day and night in my studio, drawing commercial pieces for others.

I helped Adrian's company save up its first round of startup capital.

"I understand."

I pulled my hand back and stuffed the card into my pocket.

"I'll go tomorrow afternoon."

A flicker of expected satisfaction crossed Adrian's eyes.

He rubbed my cheek.

"I knew Claire was the most sensible."

"Hurry back now. It's windy outside."

I didn't look at anyone in the living room again.

I turned and walked out.

Once outside the estate, I took out the Premarital Property Agreement and Engagement Dissolution Arrangement that Adrian had signed three months ago to placate me.

At the time, he'd said:

"Claire, if I ever let you down, you can sign it anytime."

"Everything in my name is yours to deal with."

My signature and fingerprint were already in the other signature column.

Once the lawyer confirmed the paperwork was complete,

our five-year engagement, along with all the painting usage rights I'd authorized him to hold over the past three years, would be completely settled.