Chapter 1

I was Charlotte Sutton, the Sutton heiress everyone in the Vancroix Circle envied. I had a fiancé named James Goodwin—handsome, devoted, and from a family as powerful as mine.

That was until my so-called "good sister," Emily Sutton, came to me sobbing, begging me to take the blame for a hit-and-run accident she caused.

Emily pleaded, "Charlotte, James can't live without you, and he could never marry a woman with a criminal record. Please, just help me this once. When you get out, we'll still be family."

Ten years in prison cost me everything. When I finally walked free, I saw James kneeling before Emily, slipping my engagement ring onto her finger in a grand proposal. My parents stood by, smiling with gentle affection.

Ten years had passed—even the air outside was thick with a cloying sweetness I barely recognized.

Dressed in faded, washed-out clothes, I stood outside the most luxurious hotel in Vancroix, staring up at the giant poster by the entrance.

On it, James looked as handsome as ever, his gentle eyes enough to drown anyone in affection. Standing beside him, flashing that charming smile, was none other than my "dear sister," Emily.

The poster declared: The Proposal of the Century—Love Crowned.

I traced the faint scar on my wrist—the one I gave myself with a sharpened toothbrush during my first year in prison, so no one would dare mess with me.

Ten years behind bars stripped away all traces of my spoiled heiress attitude, and opened my eyes to who people really were. Or so I thought—James wasn't supposed to be one of them.

He once wrote his name in my palm and promised, "Charlotte, wait for me. I'll make sure you leave here in glory."

I believed him, so I gritted my teeth and pushed myself to the limit, just to get out sooner and see him again. But reality hit me like a punch to the gut.

I walked into the lavish hall, and no one stopped me. Maybe it was because my shabby clothes looked so out of place among all that luxury—the waiters probably just assumed I was some new kitchen staff.

Moving through the sea of perfume and designer gowns, I spotted them right away, standing at the center of it all.

James was down on one knee, holding up a massive diamond ring—the design so familiar that I could sketch it in my sleep. It was the engagement ring I designed myself when I turned eighteen.

"Emily, meeting you is the greatest luck of my life. Will you marry me?" James's voice was just as gentle as I remembered—soft as an April breeze.

Emily covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face. Her voice trembled, sweet and fragile. "James, yes! I've waited so long for this day—so, so long."

The crowd erupted in applause.

My parents, Richard Sutton and Grace Sutton, stood closest to them, their faces glowing with relief and gentle affection.

Grace even pulled out a silk handkerchief, dabbing at the corners of her eyes where no tears could be found, and said to the lady beside her, "These two have finally found their happiness together. Emily deserves nothing but the best in this world."

Emily deserves nothing but the best in this world? What about me—Charlotte Sutton? Where do I fit in?' I mused bitterly as I moved forward, step by step, toward that glittering, hollow spotlight.

The crisp staccato of high heels on the floor snapped me out of my daze. I stopped dead, watching as Emily rose up on her tiptoes and kissed James, her whole face glowing with happiness.

It was like an invisible hand clenched around my heart—so tight, I could barely catch my breath.