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All Chapters of My Sister Wanted My Fiancé, I Left: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

11 Chapters

Chapter 1

"I'm not calling." I locked my phone and held it tight.The laughter around the campfire stopped dead.Our cousins, aunts, and uncles exchanged glances, and an awkward silence fell over the group.Clara's smile froze. Her eyes filled with tears, and she bit her lower lip as though I'd done something terrible to her.My mother's brows drew together. She stepped forward and clamped a hand around my wrist so hard it ached."Emma, what's with the attitude? We're all out here trying to have a good time, and you have to ruin it?"It's just a dare! Your sister downed three shots without batting an eye. Now it's your turn, and you're acting like you're the victim?"I looked up at my mother's accusing face.When I was ten, I'd been too afraid of the dark to join a night hike at this very campsite. My mother had held me close while my father laughed and carried me on his shoulders. "We will always protect you. We'll never let anyone make you do something you don't want to do."They had loved me

Chapter 2

Streetlights streaked past the car window, their light flickering across Clara's face.Our camping trip came to an abrupt end. Furious that I "didn't know what was good for me," Dad ordered the driver to take us straight back to Manhattan that night.Clara was leaning against my mother, flipping through a thick catalog of couture wedding gowns.She turned the catalog toward Mom and pointed to a pearl-white designer gown."Mom, this one's so pretty. I heard Liam loves simple, elegant dresses like this."My mother stroked Clara's hair, gazing at her with open adoration."It does suit you. With your fair skin, you'll look like an angel in it."I sat in the front passenger seat and stared at my reflection in the rearview mirror, my face blank.That was the gown Liam and I had chosen together a month ago. He'd even called the designer in Milan himself and asked for my initials to be embroidered in silver thread on the inside of the hem.Now they were talking about putting Clara in my weddin

Chapter 3

The next evening, the house was brightly lit and packed with well-dressed guests.My parents were hosting a small gathering. They'd invited influential relatives and longtime friends from New York high society. They called it a pre-Thanksgiving get-together, but everyone knew why they were really there: Clara was taking my place as Liam's fiancée.My aunt held a glass of champagne and laughed so hard her shoulders shook."Clara's always been lucky. Now she's marrying into that family. She'll be one of New York's most sought-after socialites."Clara lowered her head shyly."Oh, stop teasing me. Liam only looks out for me because I'm younger. That's all there is to it."My uncle chimed in from beside her. "Clara has always been sweet and considerate. Emma barely says a word and always looks miserable. Men want a woman who understands them, not someone who brings down the whole room."I stood at the kitchen counter, mechanically slicing fruit as cold water ran over the backs of my hands.

Chapter 4

It was early on the third morning.I stuffed my last coat into my suitcase and zipped it shut.The suitcase was so light I could lift it with one hand. After twenty-two years in this house, it was almost as if I'd never been here at all.When I opened my door, I could already hear the bustle downstairs.Dad wore a brand-new navy suit tailored on Savile Row. Mom wore the emerald necklace she usually kept locked in the safe.Clara wore the pearl-white couture gown that should have been mine. It was a little too big on her, but she still twirled in front of the full-length mirror like a proud peacock.When my mother saw me coming downstairs with a suitcase, she paused mid-motion, one hand hovering over the hem of her skirt."What's with the suitcase?"My voice was perfectly steady. "My school is running an intensive finance program, and we have to stay on campus for a while."My mother frowned, looking displeased."Why does it have to be today, of all days? Liam is meeting us in the Penin

Chapter 5

The man was Evan Brooks, Liam's chief of staff.The bodyguards behind him carried several elegant velvet gift boxes.Dad shot to his feet and hurried over with a broad, ingratiating smile."Mr. Brooks? Welcome! Where's Mr. Sterling? Why didn't he come himself?"Evan nodded politely, his smile cool and professional."Good afternoon, Mr. Collins. Mr. Sterling has an urgent personal matter to attend to today and couldn't make it. He specifically asked me to deliver these to you."Disappointment flickered across Clara's face, but she quickly masked it with a sweet, understanding smile."That's okay. Liam has a huge company to run. I understand how busy he must be."Her eyes lit up as she stared at the velvet boxes."Are these my engagement gifts?"Evan walked to the table, set the boxes down one by one, then stepped back. His cold gaze swept over Clara."Ms. Collins, you've misunderstood. These aren't engagement gifts."Mr. Sterling asked me to deliver these to Mr. and Mrs. Collins as a to

Chapter 6

At 30,000 feet, the private jet's cabin was quiet.I switched my phone to airplane mode and pulled down the window shade.Liam sat in the leather seat beside me, reviewing a merger contract.He noticed me shift and turned, his deep gaze settling on mine."All taken care of?""Yeah." I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes. "I don't want to hear them screaming anymore."Liam closed the file and reached over, gently wrapping his long fingers around my hand.His hand was warm and dry, its warmth strangely comforting."You'll never have to hear them again. Once we get to Lake Como, your life can finally be about the things you love."I opened my eyes and looked at him."Liam, Dad must've lost his mind when Evan showed up at the hotel."Liam laughed softly, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb."Good. Let him."If you hadn't insisted on dealing with your family yourself, I would have acquired their shell company three years ago, when it was already on the verge of bankruptcy."Th

Chapter 7

Two months later, at a private estate on the shores of Lake Como.Soft winter sunlight bathed the terrace, where white lisianthus bloomed all around me. I stood there with pruning shears in hand.Liam wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.I pointed at the snowy mountains that stretched along the far side of the lake."The snow is so beautiful."He followed my gaze and tightened his arms around me."Are you cold?""No."He kissed my cheek."I got an update from New York. Your dad's company has run out of cash."I froze mid-snip, and a petal drifted to the ground."That fast?""Yeah." Liam's tone was as casual as if he were talking about the weather."They borrowed heavily to fund their reckless expansion, all so Clara could keep up appearances. Now that I've pulled our guarantees, the banks want their money back. They have nowhere left to turn."They won't make it through next month. Their house will be foreclosed on and sold at auction."I set

Chapter 8

Something happened to Clara three days later.Late that night, Dad got an emergency call from a private hospital in Manhattan.Unable to cope with her family's impending bankruptcy and the humiliation of losing Liam, Clara got blackout drunk at a basement bar. She drove home drunk through the pouring rain, lost control on an overpass, and slammed into the guardrail.The airbag saved her life, but she suffered severe fractures in both legs.Worse, the impact had ruptured her liver. As the doctors fought to stabilize her, they warned the family that her condition was critical: without a living-donor liver transplant soon, she would not survive another 48 hours.Outside the emergency room, Mom cried so hard she nearly fainted."Doctor, test me! Take part of my liver! Save my daughter!"The attending doctor looked at her helplessly."Mrs. Collins, we've tested both you and your husband. Unfortunately, neither of you is a suitable donor."We need to find another potential donor immediately.

Chapter 9

The other end of the line went eerily quiet. All I could hear was Dad's ragged breathing and the faint chatter of his teeth.Maybe that was when he finally realized that the daughter who had always backed down and given them everything they wanted was done protecting them."No... Emma, please... I was wrong. I know I was wrong." His voice broke, and he started sobbing.Through the speaker, I heard his voice crack as he completely broke down."Please, Emma! Just save her! I swear I'll make everything up to you. I'll never choose Clara over you again!"An apology this late meant nothing to me."Your love is tainted and selfish. I don't need it anymore."I looked at my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window. My eyes were clearer than ever."I was the one who always had to give things up. I'm done."Every time Clara wanted something, you expected me to give it to her. Even my fiancé. Even the watch Grandpa left me."I have a family of my own now, and I have a baby to protect."Clara's l

Chapter 10

Three years later, in Paris.The early-spring sun was bright and gentle, and a breeze stirred the trees around the Luxembourg Gardens.I walked across the lawn hand in hand with my two-year-old daughter.Wearing a custom-made pink dress, she toddled after a white pigeon that had landed beside the fountain."Mommy! The birdie flew away!" she called in her sweet little voice as she turned and smiled at me. Her bright blue eyes looked just like her father's.Liam followed behind us with a picnic basket, his casual jacket perfectly tailored. He watched us with a soft smile, his eyes full of affection."Slow down. Don't fall."He caught up, scooped our daughter into his arms, and lifted her into the air. She burst into giggles.I watched them play and couldn't help smiling. I walked over and straightened Liam's collar, which the wind had blown out of place.Just then, my gaze landed on a bench a short distance away.An elderly couple sat there, leaning into each other.With their gray hair

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