Chapter 1
My brother, Mason, bore a striking resemblance to Clifford, the prince of Rolyland's elite circle, which drew the attention of the little princess of that world, Sharon.
After the college entrance exam, when Sharon confessed her feelings to him for the third time, Clifford fell from the school building. His head shattered on impact, and he died instantly, his palm tightly clutching a wild rose brooch.
Sharon, her face full of sorrow, broke down in front of Dad who had rushed over. "I tried so hard to stop him. When he jumped, I ran after him, but... I'm sorry, I couldn't save him."
Dad collapsed right there, and didn't make it through that winter.
After that, everyone said Mason took his own life because Sharon turned him down.
They laughed at him for being lovesick, saying he had it coming.
I gripped the early admission letter from Rolyladie University in my pocket, and didn't say a word.
Seven years later, I became Clifford's favorite girl in Rolyland's elite circle.
Sharon thought I was trying to snatch her brother away.
But what she didn't know was, she was always the one I wanted.
*****
On Clifford's birthday, Sharon played a love confession video she had recorded, letting it play in the private room.
When I arrived, the door to the private room was slightly ajar.
"Clifford, this is the last time I'll muster up the courage. Will you accept me?" Sharon's voice was tinged with hurt.
My fingers paused on the doorknob. I was dying to know what Clifford would say.
Too bad, Clifford stayed silent.
Everyone started making a fuss.
"Sharon is totally crazy about you."
"Mr. Massy, are you really going to keep breaking Sharon's heart like this?"
"Clifford, what's so good about that mute girl? She can't even tell a joke to cheer you up."
"Yeah, Mr. Massy, she's just a mute. How could she ever measure up to Sharon?"
"I mean, maybe the mute girl's got something... extra." The guys shot each other knowing looks, instantly catching on to what he meant.
"Yeah, exactly. Otherwise, how could she ever get Mr. Massy's attention?"
"Mr. Massy, if you ever get bored of her, maybe let me try her out sometime."
To these trust fund brats, I was just another disposable toy, something they could pick up and toss aside whenever they felt like it.
They mocked and messed with me however they wanted.
Truth was, Clifford let it all happen. He'd let Sharon and those rich boys make my life hell, but then he'd turn around and treat me like I was his favorite.
Just like now, Clifford had a cigarette dangling from his lips, a mocking curve to his mouth.
Sharon flung herself into Clifford's arms. "Clifford, I know you're only with her to make me give up.
"You're scared, scared you can't control yourself, right? I can feel it. You like me too."
Clifford said in a low voice, "Sharon, don't be ridiculous. I'm your brother."
Sharon ignored everything else, clinging to him even harder, her face buried in his chest as she sobbed, "You're not. And I'm not acting crazy.
"You know I've always loved you. It's always been you. I want to stay with you, always..."
It was no secret in their world that Sharon was into Clifford. Everyone knew about her feelings.
Clifford was the only son of the Massy family in Rolyland.
Tessa's health suffered after giving birth, and she couldn't have any more children.
Not having a daughter was a regret that haunted Tessa.
When Clifford was seven, his parents adopted Sharon, a girl just five years old from the orphanage.
Even though Sharon was adopted, Clifford's parents treated Sharon just like their own daughter.
Sharon was absolutely spoiled with love. And of course, Clifford doted on her too.
Clifford was notorious for being totally obsessed with protecting his little sister.
No one in their circle ever dared to mess with her.
Once, a boy made fun of Sharon for going from nobody to a princess, and the very next day, Clifford broke his leg.
Not long after, that boy's family business was hit with an unprecedented disaster overnight, and soon enough, they disappeared from Rolyland without a trace.
The Massy family's stance was firm and unmistakable.
No one dared to lay a finger on the Massy family's precious daughter.
Sharon became the true princess of Rolyland's elite circle. Everyone revolved around her.
All that pampering made Sharon entitled and headstrong.
Her feelings for Clifford were obvious. Sharon wore her heart on her sleeve.