Chapter 2

Over the years, Monica had always been kind to me. I could not bring myself to say no to her, so I followed her downstairs.

The moment I reached the bottom stair, I saw Mila Sawyer curled up in James’s arms. I had no idea what they were talking about, but Mila was pouting in annoyance. James quickly leaned in and whispered sweetly to her until she smiled again.

A pang of sadness hit me.

James had never looked at me with eyes like that.

But at the same time, I felt relieved that I had just agreed to Caden’s proposal. At least I would not be standing in their way.

When I reached downstairs, Mila looked at me provocatively. Her arm was still wrapped around James’s neck.

“It’s been a while, Summer.”

I quietly mumbled a reply and sat on the couch farthest from them. I pulled out my phone and swiped aimlessly.

I tried my best not to listen to their flirtatious voices. It was not until the couch beside me dipped that I realized Mila had approached me. She looped her arm around mine in a friendly way and said, “Summer, I’m going to try on wedding dresses tomorrow. Come with me?”

I glanced at James, who sat across the room looking completely unfazed. Had he never told her about what happened between us?

Still, I knew better than to stir up drama, so I politely declined.

“Come on, don’t you want to witness your brother’s happiness for yourself?”

Mila deliberately emphasized the word “brother.” She stared straight at my face, like she was trying to see how I would react.

I had no choice but to agree.

To be fair, Mila was very beautiful. In the wedding dress, her waist looked even slimmer, and her chest more noticeable. She was a completely different type of woman than I was.

When the curtains opened, I saw the amazement and desire in James’s eyes.

It was the kind of attraction I had spent seven years craving but had never received.

I said I had something to do and grabbed my bag, ready to leave, but Mila grabbed my hand and would not let go.

“Summer, will you be my bridesmaid?

“I’ll pick a pink gown for you. You’ll get to witness the happiest moment of James’s life with me.”

Before I could say no, Mila dragged me straight into the dressing room.

In the middle of the struggle, I met James’s cold, indifferent eyes and instantly stopped fighting back.

He probably wanted me to attend the wedding as a bridesmaid, too.

After all, in his eyes, being loved by his “sister” was something twisted and wrong.

Then, Mila dropped the act entirely. She threw the pink dress to the floor, looked me up and down in disgust, and sneered.

“You’re disgusting. Who falls in love with the brother they grew up with?”

Those words cut deep.

Was that what James had told her about us?

“I’m sorry, Mila. I really have to go.”

I picked up my bag and was about to open the curtain when Mila grabbed me again. There was a strange glint in her eyes.

“Tell me. Between you and me, who do you think James would choose?”

I had no idea what she meant by that. After all, I never wanted to compete with her.

But the next second, she yanked me toward a huge flower vase nearby and pushed me into it.

The vase was nearly as tall as me. If it hit me, I would be stuck in a hospital bed for at least two weeks.

But Mila did not hesitate.

I heard the sharp sound of the vase breaking right next to me. The broken pieces cut me on my hand and cheek.

It hurt badly.

But Mila was under me. If I landed on her, she would hurt her back and would not be able to wear the wedding dress that had just caught James’s eye today.

Thinking of that, I clenched my teeth and grabbed Mila. In an instant, we switched positions.

I hit the floor hard. A sharp pain shot through my back.

“Summer, what are you doing? Why are you trying to hurt me?”

Hearing the commotion, James suddenly pulled the curtain open.

A small part of me was secretly hoping.

All these years, James had treated me like I was his most precious treasure. Even a tiny cut on my finger would send him into a frenzy.

But this time, James only gave me a cold glare. He turned to Mila and asked if she was okay.

Thankfully, the injuries were not that serious. Mila was fine.

Just as I was feeling a bit relieved, Mila shoved me away and threw herself into James’s arms. She cried like her heart was breaking.

James stared at me. His face was cold and dark. “Summer, explain.”