Chapter 5

After all these years, my parents had gotten so used to making a big deal out of Isabelle's birthday that they'd completely forgotten it was mine too.

We were born on the same day, but Isabelle naturally claimed the "little sister" role, while I—the "elder sister"—was always expected to be responsible and put her first.

Seeing the guilt in their eyes, I lowered my head, then looked back up, letting a perfectly timed tear shimmer.

"Charles told me Isabelle gets birthday presents every year. Even this mansion was her 18th birthday gift.

"I've never had a birthday celebration before. Mom,…