Chapter 1
Julian Sterling, heir to a New York financial dynasty, had been my boyfriend for three years. Yet he never set a wedding date.
Instead, he fell for my stepsister at first sight and pursued her openly.
Everyone waited for me to make a fool of myself.
But this time, I didn't cry or throw a fit. I took off the emerald pendant he gave me and personally burned the wedding dress I had spent three years designing.
Finally, on his birthday, I left New York and flew to Charleston.
Right before I walked out the door, his assistant was still pressing me.
"Miss Bennett, Mr. Sterling is waiting. What time should I tell him you're coming over?"
I smiled and didn't answer.
No one knew that half a month ago, I had already accepted a proposal from my old college friend, Adrian.
As soon as I arrived in Charleston, we were getting married.
*
"Claire, have you thought this through?"
Adrian looked at me, his eyes steady and warm.
The surface of the lake reflected my face—haggard, almost unrecognizable.
It turned out that making the most important decision of my life wasn't nearly as hard as I had imagined.
"Claire." He paused. "Will you marry me?"
My throat tightened. Tears slipped down my cheeks, but I nodded.
Adrian smiled and reached out, gently wiping the tears from the corners of my eyes.
"You know, back in college, I liked you for a long time."
A small smile finally broke through my tears.
"Adrian, head to Charleston first. I'll finish up my business in New York and come find you."
After seeing Adrian off, I had barely stepped back into my room when the door was shoved open.
My father, Richard Bennett, stood in the doorway looking somewhat uneasy.
"Claire, Madison isn't feeling well. She needs the room with better sunlight. Pack your things and switch with her for a few days."
I didn't say a word. I just stared at my stepmother, Victoria, and my stepsister, Madison, standing right behind him.
Victoria immediately grabbed Richard's arm.
"Richard, if Claire doesn't want to, let it be. Don't force her."
Madison's eyes were red, her voice weak and trembling.
"Dad, please. It's my fault. If Claire doesn't want to move, it's okay. Don't be mad at her."
"What did you do wrong?" Richard's face darkened. "Madison needs that room right now. Claire, I am not asking for your permission."
His heavy gaze pinned me down.
"Give up the room."
I looked at him, suddenly feeling like this man was a terrifying stranger.
I nodded.
"Okay."
It didn't matter. I was leaving in half a month anyway.
Where I slept meant absolutely nothing to me now.
Victoria offered a few hypocritical pleasantries before linking arms with Richard and walking away.
Madison, however, stayed behind.
"Claire, let me help you pack."
Her tone was obedient, but she couldn't hide the smirk tugging at her lips.
She stood in the middle of my room, slowly looking around.
"I guess Dad really does love me more."
"You're awfully quiet. Are you jealous?"
"After all, I took Julian from you, and now I'm moving into the room you decorated yourself."
"You're so pathetic, Claire."
I ignored her. I just quietly packed the jewelry, documents, and private items my mother left me into a box.
Madison glanced out the open door, her eyes suddenly lighting up.
The next second, she threw herself hard onto the floor.
Her wrist slammed against the corner of the table, leaving a large, angry red mark.
Her tears fell on cue.
Julian strode in at that exact moment. "Claire, she's your sister!"
He rushed forward, carefully helping Madison up. He looked down at her arm, his eyes full of heartache.
But when he looked at me, his expression turned vicious.
"Claire, what kind of conflict could possibly justify you hitting Madison this hard?"
"She's sick. Hasn't she suffered enough? How far are you going to push her?"
"Not everyone is like you, born with everything handed to them."
The man I had loved for three years. In just a few days, his entire world had shifted to a younger girl.
And I had become the villain in their way.
I wanted to laugh, but I couldn't.
"Is that really what you think of me, Julian?"
Julian frowned.
When his eyes met mine, his harsh expression faltered for a fraction of a second.