Chapter 2

When we were six, we celebrated our birthdays together. Thereafter, every birthday in subsequent years, our names became inextricably linked.

After the college entrance exam, he set off fireworks for me at the beach. His hand got burned in the process, but he still managed to grin and bear it while asking, "Are you happy?"

He knew I liked oil paintings by famous overseas artists, so he flew all the way to Europe, waited three whole months just to snag one at an auction. He then gifted it to me, just to make me smile.

That day, he said the sweetest, most touching words I had ever heard.

"Nadie, everyone says I've got it all, but I know my life isn't complete without you. You're the missing piece in my life's puzzle. Even if you have nothing, I will still love you."

I was so moved I couldn't stop crying.

But I had no idea that this would be our last dinner together.

The next day, at the product launch, Norton publicly accused me of plagiarizing Ivana Longarm's work in front of all the media.

I stood frozen in the same spot like I had been struck by lightning.

I watched numbly as he pulled out what he claimed was the original design sketch.

Not only was my unique watermark removed, but my original design had also been revised.

The end result was that it looked like I finished my design a few days after Ivana did.

Even my own parents took Ivana's side. No matter how hard I tried to explain, nobody believed me.

Later, Norton told me that if I handed this particular project to Ivana, he would help me clear my name.

But in the end, I was still blacklisted by the entire profession.

I grabbed him by the lapels and demanded in fury, "Why? Why are you doing this to me?"

But Norton simply held my wrist gently with a look of pity at me. "Iva's health has been frail ever since she almost drowned as a kid. She can't stay up all night to rush out designs. This new design will help boost her reputation.

"You're the one I love. You don't need to work so hard.

"Even if the whole industry turns its back on you, you still have me. I'm not going anywhere. You can be my personal designer."

I couldn't believe he actually said that.

To think that he ruined my career all for Ivana's sake.

I broke down at that point. I thrashed the wedding room he prepared, and smashed the jigsaw puzzle we once completed together.

Norton stayed silent the whole time and allowed me to vent my emotions.

When I finally wore myself out, he pulled me into his arms as I slumped on the floor.

He cajoled me tenderly, "I'm sorry, baby, but Iva nearly drowned because of me. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

"Even if it wasn't me, your mom and dad would have done the same."

My heart skipped a beat. I frantically asked him for confirmation like I was grabbing at the last bit of hope. "My parents made you do this, didn't they? Is that it?"

He only stared at me wordlessly.

Assuming that I finally had the right answer, I rushed back home to demand an explanation from my parents.

And their answer was exactly what Norton had predicted.

"Nadie, you've never lacked anything since childhood, and you don't need this job either. Why not give it to your younger sister?

"You two are sisters, after all. Isn't it only right for you to look out for her?

"Besides, you have Norton, who will be such a good husband to you. You can't expect to have it all. That's just being greedy."

Despair engulfed me and extinguished every bit of hope.

I found out the hard way that my own birth parents never truly cared about me.

Ever since I was little, they had always insisted that I should give in to Ivana, just because I was her older sister.

Back when we were kids, Norton's family and mine went to the beach once. Ivana had slipped and fallen into the sea.

After that incident, her body had been frail ever since.

That was when my parents started favoring Ivana.

I tried to turn a blind eye, but when the brutal truth was right in front of me, I could no longer avoid it.

From that day on, I began a cold war with my parents.

*****

Norton never left my side. He kept apologizing, saying that he had no choice.

If he hadn't insisted on going surfing back then, Ivana would never have fallen into the sea.

He pleaded with me, saying that since we were going to be husband and wife, I should just give up the project as a form of compensation.

From then on, he and Ivana would be even,

He even told me he had already had the diamond ring I designed custom-made, and that we could get married anytime I was ready.

With the impending family crisis threatening to blow up in my face, I was desperate to get affirmation that I was still loved by someone.

I loved Norton too, so I was willing to trade my job for a clean slate between Ivana and us.

With my job gone, I tried to keep myself busy by planning for our wedding.

Norton allowed me to do whatever I wanted, probably because he felt guilty.

If the venue was too small, he said I could change it anytime. Money was no problem at all.

As long as I liked it, that was all that mattered.

The wedding planner was so envious. Whenever she showed up for coordination meetings with me, she couldn't stop praising Norton.

"Ms. Longarm, your husband is not only good-looking, but he is also so faithful too. Guys like him are really hard to find!"

Whenever I heard stuff like that, I couldn't help but feel proud. I truly believed I was the only one he loved.

We had been together for more than ten years. Of course, we would be together forever, or so I thought.

That day, I returned home filled with hope and aspirations.

The moment I opened the door, I heard Ivana's voice coming from my walk-in closet.