Chapter 1

The day after I returned to my home country, I ran into Houston Bennett, my childhood crush, at the Citizen Service Center.

He was busy handling his kid's birth certificate.

When Houston saw me, he paused. "How have you been these years?"

I nodded. "I'm good, thanks for caring."

My distant tone caught him off guard. He lowered his head and gave a self-deprecating smile. "You used to follow me around all day. But now... Elise, do you hate me?"

I looked down at the Petition for Name Change in my hand. "No."

Because the one who hated him was Elise Bennett.

But I was Elise Hughes now.

Houston glanced at the Petition for Name Change in my hand, following my gaze. "Elise, you don't have to go this far. To me, you've always been part of the Bennett family and my little sister."

Yeah, to him, I'd always been just his little sister.

I was adopted by the Bennett family and grew up side by side with Houston.

He always used to say, "If you liked stars, I'd even pluck them for you."

I always thought Houston and I were childhood sweethearts who understood each other perfectly, destined to be together.

But then, one year, the media reported that Houston was engaged to Charlotte Hanson, the Hanson heiress.

I didn't believe it at first.

But when I got home, I heard a woman's flirtatious voice coming from his room.

I pushed the door open and saw Houston and Charlotte entwined in a close embrace.

Houston's face hardened. "Get out."

"Houston," I called softly.

"Get out," he barked.

He'd never yelled at me before.

I ran away in tears and shut myself in my room.

That night, Houston came to apologize, "Elise, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you."

"Why are you doing this to me?" I cut Houston off, my eyes brimming with tears as I demanded.

Houston looked at me, clearly thrown off. "What?"

Through my sobs, I yelled, "I'm asking you. Why are you doing this to me? You know how I feel about you. How could you end up with Charlotte?"

Houston's face darkened, his voice cold. "Elise, I've always cared for you and looked out for you because to me, you're my family and my sister. How could you even think about me that way? That's just wrong. I'm really disappointed in you, Elise."

So, all those times he'd comfort me to sleep, always made sure I had something to eat, gave me flowers on every important holiday just to cheer me up, and promised me, "Elise, I'll always be by your side."

It was all just because he saw me as his little sister.

After that day, things between us turned ice-cold.

He moved out of the Bennett Manor and started staying out every night.

Even a simple call or a word of concern from me would be seen by him as me overstepping boundaries. But I'd never been the clingy type.

At the Citizen Service Center, I met Houston's gaze. "But Houston, I never wanted to be just your sister. If that's all, I'm leaving." With that, I was about to leave.

But Houston reached out and caught my arm.

My sleeve slipped up, exposing a patch of burn scars on my arm.

His eyes narrowed in shock, and then softened with pain and concern. "How did this happen? Does it hurt?"

I pulled my arm back, tugged my sleeve down, and replied, keeping my voice steady, "It's fine."

Houston hesitated. "You don't have to act tough around me. You're out there all alone, and with that criminal record hanging over you, it can't be easy. Back then, it was all my fault."

Regret filled his eyes.

But three years ago, he was the one who made sure I ended up behind bars.

Three months before Houston and Charlotte's wedding, Charlotte got into a car accident. When she came to, she was in tears, pointing the finger at me and saying I'd hired someone to drive over her.

She claimed I wanted her dead, so that I'd end up with Houston.

Houston was furious. He had me sent to prison for intentional harm.

I sobbed, feeling utterly wronged, and pleaded, "Houston, please, you have to believe me. It really wasn't me."

He didn't answer. He just said softly, "Just focus on getting better while you're in there. Once my wedding with Charlotte is over, I'll get you out."