Chapter 1
As Julian Sinclair led his adopted daughter, Chloe Sterling, to the center of the coming-of-age ceremony, I was adjusting the hem of my dress.
"Chloe's tiara doesn't fit. Let her wear your custom-made crown just for tonight," Julian said.
I froze for a moment, and he added, "Everyone knows you're the true daughter of the Sinchair family, so whether you wear the crown or not doesn't really matter."
Chloe stood behind him, holding up her dress, and called out timidly, "Melody."
My cousin Evelyn Sinchair stepped in front of me. "This is Melody's coming-of-age ceremony. She's been waiting for this crown for half a year."
Julian gave me that look.
Ever since I returned to the Sinchair family five years ago, whenever he looked at me like that, I'd always cave.
I held Evelyn back and slowly released my grip on my dress.
"Let her wear it," I said.
Julian gave my shoulder a satisfied pat.
"I knew you'd always be the sensible one. When you graduate from college, I will order you an even better custom crown," Julian said.
Julian personally placed the crown on Chloe's head, bending down to gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Julian whispered, "You look so pretty, Chloe."
I'd once begged Julian to tuck my hair behind my ear like that, just like he did for Chloe.
On my birthday, the first year I came back to the Sinchair family, I asked him to put the party hat on me, but he just brushed me off, saying it was childish.
I took off the matching jacket that went with my dress.
This time, I was done giving in.
*****
I casually tossed the silk jacket, which was meant to match the crown, onto the side table just outside the banquet hall.
Now, I was left wearing nothing but a simple, lightweight gown.
Surrounded by all those glamorous gowns and perfectly styled guests, I felt completely out of place.
The people around me, wine glasses in hand, started whispering behind my back.
"The Sinchair family's real daughter is way too underdressed."
"Can you believe the custom crown ended up on the adopted daughter?"
Julian frowned and walked over to me.
He reached out to put his arm around my shoulders, the way he always tried to soothe me after giving me a hard time, like handing out a slap and then a candy.
"Melody, why did you take off your jacket? Don't be difficult today," he said.
I took a step back, dodging his touch.
His hand was left hanging awkwardly in the air.
I didn't even spare Julian a glance. I just walked right out of the banquet hall.
Evelyn chased after me and grabbed my wrist at the hallway corner.
Her eyes were red with anger, and her voice was thick with exasperation and disappointment.
She said, "Melody, are you crazy? This is the coming-of-age ceremony you've been waiting for half a year.
"Go back right now and stand at the main table.
"Tell everyone you're the real heiress of the Sinchair family."
I leaned against the cold marble wall, looking at Evelyn's anxious face, and slowly shook my head.
"Let it go, Evelyn," I said.
For the past five years, I'd been trying to prove to Julian that I was just as good as Chloe.
I always thought that if I was just sensible and considerate enough, I'd finally get a little of the love that should've been mine all along.
But favoritism never played by the rules.
It was just pointless to keep fighting for it.
Evelyn gritted her teeth in frustration, pulled out her phone, and played a video that had just popped up in the guest group chat.
On the screen, Chloe was right there next to Julian, wearing the custom crown that should've been mine.
An older guest, totally clueless, raised his glass with a big smile.
"Mr. Sinchair, your sister is getting prettier by the day. The Sinchair heiress really lives up to her reputation," he said.
Julian didn't bother to correct them.
He just raised his glass, smoothly stepping in to take the drink for Chloe, speaking to her with that familiar, indulgent tone.
"Chloe's really grown up, hasn't she?" Julian said fondly.
I reached out and turned off the screen.
From the hallway, through the half-open doors, I caught a clear glimpse of Chloe.
She moved effortlessly among the guests, holding up her dress and a glass of champagne, her smile bright and her manners on point.
I couldn't help but let out a wry smile.
Back when she first came to the Sinchair family five years ago, she could barely keep a wine glass steady.
To keep the Sinchair family looking good, I spent countless nights by her side, patiently teaching her every little rule, step by step.
Now, she's using all those lessons I gave her to step right into the spot that should've been mine.
"The family photo is about to be taken. Are you really not going in?" Evelyn fixed me with a frustrated glare.
I glanced at the banquet hall, where the relatives were already lining up for their places.
The silk jacket I'd taken off was still sitting there, looking lonely on the side table in the distance.
"I'm not taking the photo," I said.
My phone buzzed in my hand.
The screen lit up; it was Julian's new social media post.
The photo showed him and Chloe together on the main stage.
The caption said: [Happy 18th birthday to my little princess.]
He only tagged Chloe and didn't even mention me, his real sister.