Chapter 2

"Dana, we can finally be together!"

Michael grabbed her hand and bolted, probably off to broadcast their love story.

I watched them go, eyes ice cold, then turned to my parents.

Funny. Last time I told them about Michael and me, they acted like I'd committed a crime.

We were "siblings," remember? So it was suddenly some twisted, incest scandal.

They called me shameless. Disgusting. Immoral.

But now that it was Dana? Suddenly, it was a love story worth celebrating.

Realizing how loud their bias was, Dad cleared his throat.

"Claire, don't worry. We'll prepare a generous wedding gift. We won't let anyone look down on you."

I let out a soft laugh. "Alright."

I didn't expect anything from them anymore.

Might as well take whatever scraps they offered.

***

I went to a bridal fashion show to pick out a dress—and guess who was sitting in the same row?

Michael and Dana. All smiles, pointing at models and whispering about wedding styles.

In my past life, I'd wanted the same. A real wedding.

Michael shut it down.

"We're siblings on paper," he said. "If we go big, people will talk. Let's just do a small family dinner."

Now? Watching him fuss over every detail with Dana? Yeah, that stung.

I turned to leave. Dana stopped me.

"Well, well. What a coincidence, Claire. Dress shopping too? Where's my future brother-in-law?"

She gasped dramatically. "Oh right—I forgot. He's special needs, isn't he? Probably can't even leave the house."

Michael chuckled. "Since you're marrying a special-needs guy, why bother with a dress? You're just there to pop out an heir. Might as well skip the fabric and save him the effort."

I froze.

Never thought I'd hear something that vile—from him.

I slowly turned, ignoring Dana's smug little smirk and locked eyes with him.

"So that's what you really think?"

For a split second, guilt flashed across Michael's face. Then he looked away.

Didn't need a confession—his silence said it all.

Dana jumped in, voice dripping with fake concern.

"Michael's right. Your fiancé's a special-needs guy. Why bother with a dress? You're just playing dress-up for someone who won't even notice."

My face darkened. "I chose to marry into the Baillieu family to give YOU what you wanted. Don't forget—I WON that game."

Before I could go on, Dana's eyes filled with tears. "I know you like Michael too, but you're the one who wanted to marry into the Baillieus for their money. And now you're blaming me?"

Cue the waterworks. Tears rolling under the spotlight.

Michael panicked, rushing to wipe her tears.

"Apologize to Dana."

His voice? Ice-cold.

In that instant, I saw him for who he really was—the same monster who'd pinned me down, ordering those men to ruin me.

A cold shiver shot through me. I turned to leave—then crack. A slap sent me sprawling to the floor.

"That's for forgetting your place," he snarled. "Dana's your sister. Don't ever make her cry again."

Heat stung my cheek. I kept my head low, refusing to look at him—until he grabbed my chin and slapped me again.

"This one's to remind you—you don't get to have feelings for me."

Dana's eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction before she stepped forward, pretending to shield me.