Chapter 1

At my engagement party with my CEO fiancé, Samuel, they stripped me completely in front of everyone.

It all started because the fake heiress, Lily, threw a fit and insisted on comparing our bodies.

Dressed in her gown, Lily jabbed my chest with her fork and scoffed, "So what if yours is just a little bigger than mine? Big deal?"

Guests whispered to each other, clearly enjoying the show.

"Smooth and big. I wonder what it feels like."

"He's basically marrying a cow."

I shivered and hugged myself tight, barely covering what needed to be covered.

My mom, a doctor, held Lily's hand with worry. "Your depression isn't fully healed yet. Why are you acting up again? Come on, let's go rest."

My wealthy dad yanked a grease-stained tablecloth off the table and draped it over me.

He said, "Lily and Mr. Foster grew up together. If you hadn't come back, Lily wouldn't have felt so insecure that she developed depression. The one marrying Mr. Foster should have been her.

"You're lucky enough to have this chance, so stop acting so hurt. As an elder sister, you should give your little sister whatever she wants."

I bit my lip until it bled. When the four of them finally left, I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed. "I'm changing the groom. Meet me at City Hall in three days. Are you coming or not?" I asked.

*****

My phone died fast, and after throwing on some clothes, I just stood there in the middle of the empty hall.

Nobody cared if I was alive or dead, and no one even bothered to leave me a car. I didn't have a single dollar on me.

I ended up walking home for several miles, maybe even more. By the time I got there, blisters had popped on my feet, and every step sent pain shooting from my scalp all the way down to my toes.

I told myself it was OK.

Just three more days, and I'd finally be free.

When I walked through the door, there was Lily, lying in Samuel's arms, smiling like she owned the world.

She traced her finger around his chest and giggled, "Samuel, you promised you'd treat me like your brother, remember? Brothers are forever, but girlfriends come and go. Don't you dare get married to Emily and forget about your brother."

Samuel chuckled and playfully tapped her nose. "You," he said, "no matter how much of a tomboy you pretend to be, you're still a girl."

Lily pouted, crossing her arms. "Oh, please. What's the big deal? You want me to grow one myself just to prove I can be a guy too?"

Samuel laughed out loud. "You're such a little troublemaker. You are really my sunshine."

Watching them flirt made my stomach turn. I turned around and walked straight to my room without saying a word.

Samuel's eyes dimmed as he watched me go.

He set Lily aside and followed me down the hall.

"Emily," Samuel said, closing the door behind him, "you're back. Lily's just young and likes to mess around. Don't take it to heart."

I kept my voice steady. "I don't," I said flatly.

He seemed pleased with my calm, and then stepped closer.

"I've always seen Lily as a little brother," he said. "We've hung out for years, long before you came back to your family. If something was ever gonna happen, it already would've. You and I wouldn't even be engaged."

Then he smirked. "Besides, she's too flat for my taste. I like women with a figure like yours."

I shifted just enough to dodge his hand when he tried to rest it on my shoulder, keeping my smile polite.

"Mr. Foster, you're being funny. Lily's got plenty of things to like about her," I said.

Before he could say anything else, the door burst open.

Lily stood there with her hands on her hips and that smug smile plastered across her face. "Emily, there's a lot to learn about being a rich man's wife. How about I help you practice?"

She tilted her head. "I told the maids to keep all the dirty dishes from the engagement party. You can use them to practice your homemaking skills. That way, you'll be ready to play the perfect wife for Samuel."

I didn't want to argue, but then Mom walked in. She looked Lily up and down with approval.

Then she turned to me and said, "Your sister's so considerate. Once you marry into the Foster family, you'll have to learn how to take care of your husband and raise a family properly. It's good to start practicing early."

She added firmly, "Since Lily was thoughtful enough to save those dirty dishes, go ahead and wash them."

My hands curled into fists, nails digging into my palms.

Lily had shredded my clothes before, shoved thumbtacks in my shoes, and even splashed paint all over my room. She'd done everything she could to make my life hell.

This was just another round in her endless little war.

But I didn't want any drama right before I left, so I went to wash the dishes that could've been washed in the dishwasher with one button.

There were so many that by the time I finished, my back hurt so bad that I couldn't even straighten up.

Just as I was about to sit down, Lily's voice echoed again. "Since we're helping Emily become the perfect wife and mother, why not have her wash the maids' and the family's clothes too?"

I pressed my aching lower back and finally snapped. "There's a washing machine right there, Lily. Why the hell should I wash them by hand? Isn't that enough already?"