Chapter 2

After what felt like forever, my phone buzzed with a message from Matthew. [I've got a surprise for you later. Stop messing around. We're going to see your mom tonight.]

He hardly ever tried to cheer me up, so I couldn't help but feel a little giddy inside.

[Okay,] I replied, snapping back to reality as I stood in front of the underground garage, reaching for the passenger door.

This was my routine. No matter how fired up our arguments got, I'd always head for the passenger seat, and Matthew would buckle me in himself.

But this time, when the car window slowly rolled down, I saw a face that looked uncannily like mine.

I just froze right there. So that was why Matthew mistook me for her that night.

This was the first time I'd ever seen Harper.

She was stunning, elegant, and gentle, just like Matthew always said.

She outshone me in every way, so much more radiant and captivating than I could ever be.

Before I could even react, Matthew's voice, low and calm, cut through the moment. "Lily, are you happy to meet my girlfriend?"

I just stood there, stunned, and then it hit me. This was the surprise he meant.

Forcing a smile, I managed to say, "Yeah, I'm happy."

The car started up, and I sank into the back seat, zoning out as I stared out the window. Every now and then, their voices drifted over, soft and intimate.

His was gentle and low, hers sweet and a little shy.

I was just there, like an invisible wall between them.

Harper kept rambling on, and as I listened, I started piecing together their story.

Five years ago, Harper and Matthew were a perfect match, both from wealthy families and totally in love.

They were supposed to get married soon, but Harper got sick. Not wanting to hold Matthew back, she chose to go abroad for treatment.

That led to a huge fight, and they ended up parting on bad terms.

But Matthew never really let go of Harper. She was always on his mind.

When she finally came back, they cleared up all the old misunderstandings and found their way back to each other.

As Harper talked, Matthew's eyes softened, gentler than I'd ever seen before.

I dug my nails into my palm, saying nothing.

Harper glanced at me through the rearview mirror, her eyes curious. "Lily, you look so young. I didn't expect you to be at the age to get married already."

She added, "I have a great idea. Why don't we hold our weddings together? It'd be a double celebration."

I pressed my lips together, instinctively wanting to refuse.

But when I met Matthew's warning gaze, I could only nod and squeeze out, "Sure, I'll go along with whatever you decide."

Matthew visibly relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief.

During a dinner break, Matthew stepped out to take a call.

Harper's gaze lingered on me for a moment before she turned to my mom.

She said, "Mrs. Mercer, after your husband took his life out of guilt, Matthew has been looking after Lily all these years because of the bond between his brother and your husband.

"Honestly, he's really done more than anyone could expect. Not just anyone can get into the Donovan family.

"If Lily and Matthew keep getting too close, people will gossip. You should really think about getting Lily married soon."

As soon as Harper said that, my mom's hand paused over the soup spoon, her expression growing strained.

Of course, I knew what Harper was doing; she was just backing my mom into a corner, leaving her no way out.

My mom managed a strained smile. "Yeah, we've been thinking about that, too. We'll make sure they get married as soon as possible."

"That's good to hear," Harper said, scooting closer to me and leaning in until her lips were almost touching my ear.

"Lily, you'd better keep those dirty little feelings you have for Matthew well hidden. If you don't, I promise your mom's life will be a thousand times worse than it is today," she whispered.

I froze. Before I could even figure out what she meant, in the next second, she stumbled into me, sending the hot soup spilling all over the table.

She cried out, tears streaming down her face as she looked at me, all innocent and wronged. "Lily, why did you scald me with soup?"

I was stunned, and when I turned around, I saw Matthew glaring at me, his eyes blazing with anger.