Chapter 2

Duncan looked stunned.

A calculating look crossed my father’s face as he turned to Duncan.

“Dunc, the plan you said earlier could save both our family’s reputations, but it doesn’t undo what you did to Lissy.”

Duncan said through gritted teeth, “That’s too many shares. I can’t make that call alone.”

“I want your final answer by 8 p.m.,” I said before going upstairs.

I closed my bedroom door, slid down against it, and sat on the floor. My hands were still shaking.

I was able to piece together the truth through the words floating before my eyes.

Natalia went missing and ended up in foster care.

In her sophomore year, her foster mom got sick, so she started working at a bar to pay the bills.

One night, a drunk guy was bothering her when Duncan showed up. He rescued her and ended up paying for her entire college education.

For the next five years, he financially supported her while he was engaged to me.

Everyone in our circle saw us as the picture-perfect couple.

...

At 7:43 p.m., my phone screen lit up.

Duncan had sent me a text through WhatsApp.

Duncan: Five percent. That’s the Ferris family’s final offer.

[Duncan got whipped over twenty times just to marry Natalia. His back is destroyed. I feel so bad for him.]

[How could Felicity be so shameless?! Duncan already told her he sees her as a sister.]

My heart ached when I saw those words.

He was willing to go to such great lengths to marry Natalia.

Me: Eight percent. Or I’m calling a press conference tomorrow.

Half an hour later, Duncan texted again. His words sounded tired and defeated.

Duncan: I’ll have the contract ready for you tomorrow.

I stared at his message as I chuckled inwardly.

I gave him twelve years of my youth and my dignity for the rest of my life. In return, I got eight percent of the shares.

Just then, someone knocked at my door.

It was my mother. She walked in with a fruit platter.

She sat for a long while before finally speaking.

She said, “What happened today was unfair to you. Don’t hold it against Lia. It’s a cruel fate. She’s been through so much all these years.”

I stayed quiet.

She wiped the tears at the corners of her eyes and said, “To pay for her foster mom’s medical bills, Lia took a job at a bar. She was almost assaulted. If it weren’t for Dunc, her whole life would have been ruined.”

I was only three years old when Natalia went missing. I did not even remember that I had an older sister.

Growing up, all I ever saw was my mother crying over old photographs for days on end. I had always looked forward to finding Natalia and imagined how we would get along as sisters.

However, I never expected it would come to this.

“I don’t blame her. From the very beginning, the only one in the wrong here is Duncan.”

My mother smiled, feeling relieved, before saying, “Lissy, could you switch rooms with Lia?”

I was stunned.

“That guest room is musty and cramped. Lia just got back, and I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable. This room has a balcony and gets better airflow. It’s better for her, especially with the baby coming.”

My chest tightened.

When I looked at her, she had that pleading expression.

I used to look at her the same way whenever I got into trouble and needed her to keep it from Dad.

After a moment of silence, I gave in.

“Fine...”

My mother beamed and pulled me into her arms.

She sounded relieved as she said, “I knew that even though you act tough sometimes, you actually have the biggest heart. You’ve always been the sensible one.”

Just then, someone knocked on the door again.

It was Natalia. She stood awkwardly in the doorway.

She handed me a handmade charm bracelet.

“Lissy, thank you for giving Dunc and me your blessing. I don’t have anything expensive to give you. This bracelet is handmade. I hope you’ll accept it.”

Mom looked at me eagerly, hoping I would bury the hatchet with her.

When I took the charm bracelet, Natalia let out a breath of relief and smiled.

[This is actually wholesome. It would be nice if they didn’t turn into enemies later.]

[Am I the only one who thinks Duncan is trash?]

[Don’t forget how evil Felicity actually is. In the past, she deliberately killed Natalia. She just hasn’t done it yet.]

My mother then spoke again. She was visibly in a better mood.

“Your father and I decided to have one party to celebrate both Natalia’s return and the engagement. We’ll go dress shopping tomorrow.”