Chapter 1

This year marked the seventh year of my marriage to Nathan Carter.

Once again, he chose his foster sister, Summer Ryan, over spending Christmas with me at home.

"Be good," he said. "If I bring you along, Summer will throw a fit. It's Christmas. No one wants things to turn ugly because of you, right?"

He doted on Summer endlessly.

She had hated me for seven years. And for seven years, he had chosen her over me.

But he forgot one thing: seven years ago, I had cut ties with my own family to marry him.

I let out a quiet hum and handed him the gift boxes I'd prepared.

After he left, I set the drafted divorce papers on the coffee table. I'd already packed all my things.

I walked out the door.

This time, I was taking back my name.

*****

After I agreed, Nathan let out a sigh of relief.

He reached out and gently ran his fingers through the ends of my hair, promising, "Lucy Shaw, next year, I promise I'll convince Summer and bring you home for Christmas, okay?"

Nathan was a famous architecture professor at the top university in town, with those charming eyes that always seemed to sparkle.

I loved his eyes most of all, and the gentle way he spoke to me when he was being sweet.

But I'd heard that promise for seven years straight.

I'd gone from waiting with hope to feeling nothing at all.

Summer was adopted by Nathan's parents. They cherished her above all else.

Even after she found her birth parents and changed her last name, her adoptive parents in the Carter family never stopped spoiling her, not a little.

Seven years ago, when our families sat down to discuss the wedding, Summer was the most outspoken against it.

She said, "Over my dead body will this woman ever be my sister-in-law!"

Because of that, Nathan's parents couldn't bring themselves to accept me, and kept postponing the wedding.

My parents were terrified I'd end up hurt, so they were totally against me marrying Nathan. My brother went so far as to keep me under lock and key, making sure I couldn't leave the house.

But Nathan stood his ground, facing all that family pressure, and married me anyway.

To be with him, I broke off with my family for good, and I haven't set foot back home in seven years.

I always believed that if we worked together, we could make things work.

But for the past seven years, Summer had always been getting between us.

Every birthday party Nathan carefully planned for me always ended up a mess because of Summer.

On our wedding anniversary, Summer somehow always got sick. It was either a fever or a twisted ankle.

Even on Christmas Eve, when the whole family should be together, if Summer said no, there was no way I could join them.

Over time, I grew impatient and started doubting everything.

My emotions became fragile, and I found myself sinking into melancholy more and more.

Nathan would always reassure me, telling me Summer was his precious adopted sister and that the whole family doted on her.

He said he couldn't help but care about her, and he couldn't leave her alone, no matter what.

I must have loved him to the point of heartbreak because every time I wanted to speak up, I bit back my words and kept all the pain to myself.

For seven years, I'd put my heart into picking out Christmas gifts, year after year.

I always dreamed of finally spending Christmas with Nathan and the Carter family, hoping they'd welcome me as one of their own.

So I could show my parents and brother I hadn't made the wrong choice.

But after seven years, I felt like a fool. I was always left out in the cold by Nathan, over and over again.

I was done holding out hope for his promises.

I took a step back and managed a calm smile for him. "Alright. Take care on your way home."

Seeing that I didn't break down and throw a fit like I usually did, Nathan gave me an approving look and walked out the door, clearly satisfied.

The door closed firmly behind him, and once again, I found myself alone in the hollow room.

I walked into the closet, pulled out the red wool coat I'd carefully chosen in hopes of spending Christmas with Nathan, and slipped it on. Then I headed to the biggest department store in town to pick out gifts again.

The fabric was luxurious, bringing a healthy glow to my cheeks.

Everyone I passed, from shoppers to sales clerks, couldn't help but comment on how nice I looked in it.

Every year, I'd carefully pick out an outfit for Christmas, hoping I'd finally get to wear it.

But this year, and only this dress, finally made it out the door with me.

With my arms full of gifts and shopping bags, I showed up at my parents' front door.

The way my parents opposed me and the look of disappointment in my brother's eyes from seven years ago still lingered in my mind.

My hand hovered in the air, hesitating as I reached for the door.

I heard some noise from inside the house.

My dad's voice, sounding old and tired, came through the door. "That brat. He forgets to buy garlic powder."

The door opened, and my parents stood before me. Their faces bore the marks of years, yet still lit up with gentle smiles.

Clutching the gift bags in my hands, I barely managed to say, "Dad."

It'd been seven years since my dad and I last saw each other.

I thought he'd scold me, or maybe get mad.

But all he did was purse his lips, clearly moved, and quickly take the heavy bags from my hands. "Lucy... you're really back."

Mom stood behind Dad, stunned for a moment, her eyes rimmed with red. Her voice was both harsh and trembling as she spoke, "Seven years, not a word from you! Do you remember having a family here?"

My brother came out of the kitchen, spatula in hand, giving me an annoyed look. "Wow, talk about stubborn. Someone's been sulking for seven years straight."

My family was right in front of me. All the hurt and frustration I'd been holding in for seven years exploded inside me.

My vision blurred, and tears streamed down my face. "Hello, everyone. I'm back."