Chapter 2

But I already knew.

This Edward's kiss was less practiced than before, more hesitant.

He was the real Edward.

Tears seeped through his fingers, and he pulled away from my lips with apparent reluctance.

"Your birthday was right before the SATs, and I never gave you a proper celebration," he said quietly. "In two days, I'll make it up to you."

I gripped the sheets and said nothing.

I'd never had a birthday in this house, not once.

"Is this supposed to be an apology?" I asked.

He stiffened. "I guess so."

Then he replaced his hand with a blindfold.

I knew what was coming.

Was he going to do it himself?

Why had he changed his mind?

His breath lingered for a moment before he stood up. "Wait for me."

A muffled conversation drifted in from outside the door.

It was Edward. "This is the last time. After this, I want you two to have nothing to do with each other."

A voice that sounded almost identical to Edward's paused for a moment. "Of course. I only love Jessie, okay?"

"Remember. Don't actually touch her."

"I know."

Footsteps faded into the distance, and then a single set approached my bed.

This kiss burned hotter than the one before, more desperate.

I pushed him away. "I don't feel well."

The man's body stiffened, and his voice suddenly carried an edge of concern. "Where does it hurt? Should I take you to the hospital?"

This was Ryan, the son of one of the Pierce family's business partners. "No need. I'm just tired. You should go."

I expected him to refuse, to push back the way he always did, to continue his usual domineering games.

I wanted to rip off the blindfold right then and there, to tear apart this ridiculous charade once and for all.

But my heart wouldn't stop trembling. I was afraid I'd break down completely.

"Okay." He shifted and pulled me into his arms, his fingers gently pressing against the pressure points meant to help me sleep. "I'll stay with you. Just rest."

His touch was so gentle—nothing like the man who made a sport of tormenting me.

I clutched the front of his shirt.

Ryan, the way you hunt me was lethal. All those nights, you actually made me believe you loved me.

I didn't dare close my eyes the entire night, terrified he'd slip away while I wasn't paying attention and photograph me again.

But the night passed, and all he did was hold me while I pretended to sleep.

The next morning, he got out of bed quietly before he thought I was awake and even pressed a soft kiss to my lips before leaving.

"Did you get the photos?" Edward's voice came from outside the door.

Ryan's tone shifted back to that careless drawl of his. "She wasn't in the right state last night, so I gave up."

Edward seemed to let out a breath of relief. "Probably for the best. The ones we already have should be enough to keep Jessie happy."

I smiled bitterly to myself. The more I heard, the more ridiculous this whole game of fake affection became.

*****

I never expected Edward to actually keep his word about the coming-of-age ceremony.

Two days later, a lavish celebration became the talk of the entire city.

The Pierce family's golden son had spared no expense for his sister's birthday, and the story dominated every local headline.

The servants practically forced me into a princess gown and pushed me into the venue. Edward was already waiting beneath the glittering chandeliers, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit.

Ryan stood off to the side, swirling his glass lazily, his gaze drifting toward me every now and then.

"Oh my god, is that the sister? That dress alone has to be worth a fortune. Lucky little bitch."

"Please. She's just a parasite who married into money. Living off her parents like a leech and acting like she deserves it."

Edward smiled at me as I approached.

That smile. It was the same one that had made me fall for him in the first place—the one that had pulled me into a darkness I never escaped.

He snapped his fingers, and the massive screen behind him lit up with my photo.

[Happy Birthday to my sister, Jessica!]

Jessica?

No, that wasn't me in the photo. It was Jessica.

The spotlight swung away from me and landed on her at the end of the hallway. She was wearing a princess gown even more stunning than mine, and Edward was holding up her train as they walked toward the crowd together.

Suddenly, my dress felt cheap. I looked like her servant.

Jessica raised her right hand and waved at everyone with a brilliant smile, and all eyes turned to her instantly.

The whispers started immediately. "Oh! So this is the sister he meant. That makes so much more sense."

"I mean, a god sister is still a sister, right?"

"Now this is the elite family romance I came to see! What was that whole Cinderella act earlier about?"

Jessica's smile grew wider with every comment she heard.

When she passed by me, she raised an eyebrow and leaned in close. "So sorry about all this. It's actually my birthday today."

She tilted her head, eyes glittering. "So? Do you like the little surprise I prepared for you?"

I lowered my gaze. It all made sense now.

This whole coming-of-age ceremony was just another way for the two of them to make Jessica happy.

Edward had been planning this from the very first night he kissed me.

Jessica's hatred for me probably started the moment I was brought into the Pierce family and became Edward's adopted sister.

She was his god-sister, and she couldn't stand that he had another sister now. For five years, she'd pulled countless stunts like this, and I'd managed to dodge most of them.

But not this time. This time, she'd used Edward as bait, and I'd walked right into it.

The strange thing was, I didn't feel anything anymore.

Applause filled the room, and all eyes were on Jessica as she stood on the stage, soaking in the attention.

Edward smiled politely beside her, but his gaze drifted toward me almost unconsciously.

I clapped along with everyone else, a pleasant smile fixed on my face, as if none of this had anything to do with me.

He frowned slightly.

Jessica was waiting too. She wanted me to break down crying and cause a scene, to become a laughingstock in front of everyone. That was the whole point of her little game.

But when she saw that I wasn't falling apart—that I was actually sipping my glass of '82 Lafite with genuine interest—her expression darkened.

She gathered her skirt and stormed toward me.

The slap came out of nowhere.