Chapter 1

I arrived at the hotel with a stomachache, only to find my fiancé, Lorenzo, throwing Chloe a lavish birthday celebration complete with fireworks.

It was Chloe's birthday.

A sky full of romantic fireworks, 999 roses, and a magnificent five-tier cake. Every detail was a testament to how much she meant to them.

My brother, Ethan, was there, too. He and Lorenzo were chatting happily with Chloe.

Meanwhile, I stood forgotten in a corner, where no one seemed to notice me.

The three of them looked so comfortable together.

They seemed more like a family than I ever had.

Lorenzo was fastening a diamond necklace around Chloe's neck.

He smiled tenderly.

"It's like it was made just for you."

Chloe giggled and asked, "Who do you think is prettier, me or Sophia?"

Lorenzo looked at her affectionately.

"You're obviously the prettiest."

A dull ache spread through my chest.

That necklace was the one Lorenzo had spent three sleepless nights designing for our anniversary.

He had once kissed my cheek and whispered how much he was looking forward to seeing me wear it on that special day.

"Chloe, come on. I have another present for you."

Ethan took her hand and led her outside the hotel.

From a distance, I spotted a red supercar.

"Wow! This is amazing! Thank you, Ethan! I love it!"

Chloe threw her arms around him excitedly.

Ethan gently ruffled her hair.

Then Chloe hesitated, pretending to be concerned.

"But I thought you promised to give this car to Sophia as her wedding present. Is it really okay for you to give it to me instead?"

Both Ethan and Lorenzo looked uncomfortable for a moment.

Ethan was the first to respond.

"It's fine. I'll get Sophia something else to make up for it."

Apparently worried that Chloe might feel guilty, Lorenzo added,

"Sophia isn't the kind of person who would make a fuss over something like this. Don't feel bad."

Watching the three of them, I suddenly understood.

In their eyes, anything that belonged to me could be given to Chloe.

And to think that there had been a time when Lorenzo and Ethan had treated me like I was the most precious person in their lives.

Everything changed five years ago, when my parents adopted Chloe.

I still remembered how Ethan and Lorenzo had stood protectively in front of her.

Lorenzo had looked at me sternly.

"Sophia, Chloe's parents died saving Ethan and me. You need to treat her well. From now on, she's our little sister."

Ethan had gently pulled Chloe into his arms.

"Chloe, this is your home now. I'm your big brother. Whatever you want, just ask. I'll give it to you."

From that day forward, both Lorenzo and Ethan began taking Chloe's side.

I remembered my last birthday.

Lorenzo had specially commissioned a dress by one of the world's most renowned designers.

When Chloe saw it, her eyes lit up. She couldn't stop talking about how much she loved it.

Seeing how much she wanted the dress, Lorenzo wrapped his arms around me from behind and coaxed me into giving it to her.

"Sophia, it's just a dress. If Chloe likes it, let her have it."

He promised, "I'll have an even prettier one made for you later."

Ethan chimed in, too.

"Exactly. It suits Chloe better anyway."

Back then, they had expected me to throw a tantrum or get angry.

Instead, I had simply lowered my head and said yes.

The noise and laughter of the party pulled me back to the present.

As I reached the entrance, Lorenzo was cutting Chloe's birthday cake. He leaned forward slightly and placed a slice in front of her.

"Happy birthday, Chloe!"

Ethan raised his glass.

"Let's all wish Chloe eternal youth and beauty!"

I took one last look at the three of them before walking out of the hotel and pulling out my phone.

Three months ago, an offer from the Royal College of Art in the UK, for a senior designer position, had arrived in my inbox.

Back then, Lorenzo had promised to propose on our fifth anniversary.

For the proposal I'd waited five years for, I had put my dream opportunity on hold.

Now, I finally replied to the email.

A response came almost immediately.

[We are delighted to welcome you to the Royal College of Art. Please report for duty next Monday.]

I looked up at the fireworks bursting across the night sky, my expression cold.

In one week, I would be gone.

And they would never see me again.