Chapter 1

The moment Lorenzo saw that Vella had taken the old brooch, his brow furrowed immediately.

"Something this shabby? Vella's got the family networking gala in three days—she can't show up wearing junk like that."

My heart dropped. I looked up and asked:

"If Vella can't wear it, then why is it fine for me?"

Lorenzo hesitated, then his face went dark.

"Lily, Vella's younger, and this is her first gala. Of course she gets the best."

He held up the jade necklace he'd picked for her, letting it catch the light.

"As for this—flashy things don't suit you. You've always been more composed. Simple pieces are more your style."

Composed.

I suddenly remembered—that's what I'd been told my whole life.

When Vella was ten, she set her eyes on my white horse.

My mother pulled me aside, her voice soft and reasonable:

"Lily, you're the big sister. You need to let her have this."

My father chimed in:

"It's just a horse. Vella's still little. You'll have plenty of chances later."

I never rode it again.

After my grandfather passed, he left behind a pocket watch. It had been with him through half his life, and my name was engraved on the back.

I thought—surely—it would come to me.

But Vella said she liked it. And my mother talked me into it again.

"You're the older one. Don't fight your sister over things."

I handed over the watch.

At eighteen, I got accepted into a prestigious art academy abroad. It was everything I'd ever dreamed of. But my parents sat me down and told me, in no uncertain terms, that I couldn't go.

I was the heir, they said. My place wasn't in some artist's studio—it was here, learning how to run the family, managing estates, understanding the weight of the name I carried. Art was a hobby, not a future.

So I stayed. I buried my brushes at the back of the closet and threw myself into the lessons they thought mattered—finance, diplomacy, household management.

I told myself I'd pick up a paintbrush again someday, when I'd earned the right.

But someday never came.

After I married Lorenzo, I thought I was finally done giving way.

But once my sister moved in, he'd always say: "Vella's family too. Me giving her a little extra care—what's the harm?"

So the spotlight at every gala went to Vella.

The finest gifts went to Vella.

Even when I was hurt, the family doctor would get called away first for Vella's headache.

I held to Donna's code of grace. Never argued.

For three years, I balanced his ledgers, cleaned up the messes he left behind.

I thought I was the most important person in his world.

Until today.

I finally saw it—his favoritism toward Vella was exactly the same as my parents' had always been.

Vella sensed the tension and quickly pushed her necklace toward me.

"Sis, if it bothers you this much, then take all of it. I don't want it anymore."

Before I could even reach out, Lorenzo grabbed her hand.

"Don't. I picked that necklace specially for you. Your first gala—you need to look presentable."

Then he turned to me.

"You're already Donna. You don't need to fight your sister over jewelry."

Watching his face, so sure of himself—all the resentment I'd held in for years came rushing up at once.

And suddenly, I was just tired. So tired I couldn't even feel the hurt anymore.

"Fine. I won't fight."

Lorenzo let out a long sigh as he watched my back walking away.

That night, I was packing when my parents showed up behind me.

My mother grabbed my wrist the second she walked in.

"Lily, are you insane? Vella's still adjusting to living here. As her sister, shouldn't you be cutting her some slack?"

My father sat on the sofa, his tone cold.

"You're the Donna of the Lorenzo family now. Don't let two households become a laughingstock over a piece of jewelry."

In the past, I would've explained myself.

I would've said it wasn't just some ordinary gift.

I would've said that even in front of the person I loved, I wanted to feel chosen.

I would've said that I got tired too—that the weight of all these expectations was crushing me.

But now—I didn't have a single word left.

Lorenzo walked over, draped my coat over my shoulders, his voice gentle.

"Don't talk to her like that. Lily's just been stressed lately. I'll spend more time with her."

My parents immediately piled on, urging me to be magnanimous, not to put my husband in a difficult spot between his wife and her sister.

Vella came over, eyes red.

"Sis, if I'm making you unhappy, I'll move out tomorrow."

They were all staring at me.

Waiting for me to push back—so they could slap a label on me. Immature. Difficult. Ungrateful.

As if I'd always been the one in the wrong.

But I just paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Mother's right. I'll take good care of Vella."

Everyone let out a breath of relief, thinking their difficult child had finally grown up.

But no one noticed—I'd already slipped the wedding ring off my finger.

I placed it back in the jewelry box.

Then I took my passport, my documents—one by one—out of the safe.

Late that night, I pulled out my phone, hands trembling, and dialed a number I hadn't called in years.

A few rings, then an excited voice burst through.

"Lily? Is that really you? I thought you'd never contact me again."

"Professor Carter... it's me. I miss those days—learning to paint with you so much..."

That night, John and I talked for a long time.

I told him why I gave up my spot at the academy.

I told him about my life after marrying into the Lorenzo family.

I told him about all the times I'd swallowed my pride.

And finally, I said what I'd called to say—I wanted to run. Leave the Riccis and Lorenzo behind. Go back to painting with him.

The line went quiet. I knew he was hesitating, scared. If I got caught, it would drag him into a world of trouble.

But a few seconds later, his voice came through, steady and sure.

"Lily, you're the most gifted student I've ever taught. And I'm willing to bet everything on your future."

Tears flooded my eyes. For the first time in my life, I felt what it was like to be taken care of.

I hung up, wiped my face, and looked at the calendar.

Three days until that gala they were all so excited about.

Three days until I walked out of Lorenzo's life for good.