Chapter 2
After that incident, Ryan and Olivia started showing off their relationship more.
Ryan took Olivia to every party, proudly introducing her as his fiancée to everyone there.
With everyone looking on in envy, he ditched all his work to take Olivia out and have fun together.
But my heart was completely calm.
Deep down, I knew I really didn't love him anymore.
So, whenever someone asked about my relationship with Ryan, I'd tell them straight, "We're not together. He and Olivia are truly in love."
People were surprised when I didn't cause any drama.
After all, back then, if any girl crossed the line with Ryan, I'd totally lose it.
And Ryan would always put up with me and do whatever it took to make me happy.
I used to think that was what love was.
After I'd finished talking to everyone, I called my mom. "I've made up my mind about what you asked me.
"I'll be flying back in five days."
I grew up in an orphanage. The head of the orphanage found me and took me in, so I lived with the other kids there.
Thanks to my good grades, I started covering my own living expenses in middle school. I got scholarships every semester and did part-time jobs during the holidays.
It wasn't until I graduated high school that my parents, who were living in Harbor City, finally tracked me down and brought me home.
I also had an older brother. I saw him once when I was born, and haven't seen him since.
That was when I finally learned the truth. I was the real heiress, swapped out by the nanny when I was a baby.
The girl who took my place was cut off from the family long ago, after they found out she was still in touch with the nanny at thirteen.
My family was one of the top names in Harbor City. It was so prestigious that most people could only look up to us.
To make up for everything, my parents decided to let me inherit the family business, choosing me over my older brother, who was as outstanding as I.
At first, I didn't dare to accept it.
It all felt like some crazy dream, and I was afraid that once I woke up, everything would vanish.
But after a while, I started to realize it was real and learn to accept it.
But I never got the chance to tell Ryan any of this.
Looking back, I was actually glad I didn't.
In the end, I had to take control of my own destiny.
No matter how generous the gift, it could be taken back at any time.
Mt mom sounded so happy on the phone. "We've been waiting for you.
"This family is yours, like we promised. You can do whatever you want with it, even if you want to mess around."
After holding back for so many days, I finally let the tears fall.
"Thank you, Mom," I said softly.
We chatted for a bit longer before I finally hung up.
Right after, I scrolled through my Instagram and saw that Ryan and Olivia were tying the knot in five days.
Plenty of people were leaving congratulatory comments.
Some people asked me what I was going to do, totally out of line.
I smiled and ignored them.
Five days later, while Ryan and Olivia's wedding announcement was playing all over the city, I was already on a plane bound for Harbor City.
When I landed in Harbor City, I found my phone overflowing with private messages from everyone.
[Emily, are you really not going to try to stop the wedding?
[After today, Ryan will truly belong to Olivia. Can you really accept that?]
I smiled. Why should I be bothered?
I replied: [Hope they stay happy together forever.
[I won't be going to the wedding.]
The one who messaged me was stunned by my response: [Are you out of your mind? You used to freak out whenever you saw him with another girl, and now you're not fazed?
[Don't keep us in suspense. Are you sure you don't have something up your sleeve?]
Unbothered, I replied: [No, and there never will be.]
After turning off my phone, I looked up and saw my parents and brother, who had come to pick me up themselves, a short distance away.
They were standing in the light, smiling and greeting me.
I dragged my suitcase and walked quickly toward them, but slowed down once I saw them clearly.
They walked toward me as well.