Chapter 1

After a fire, my younger sister Lila Wilson's mind got stuck at seven years old.

Our whole family had to play along with her make-believe games.

My mom was the gentle queen, and my elder brother was the handsome knight.

But I had to strap on a thirty-pound weight belt and play the wicked cripple.

Then I met Ryan Cooper, my boyfriend. He gently unstrapped the weight belt from my legs and murmured with concern, "Chloe, from now on, I'll only be nice to you."

But when I brought him home, Lila insisted Ryan play the prince from a neighboring kingdom and marry her.

I could only tell him to go along with it.

Ryan, clearly annoyed, grabbed the toy sword and went through the act with Lila again and again.

Before the wedding, I thought I could finally break free from this family.

But Lila clung to my wedding dress, still crying and demanding to be the princess.

My dad handed me a fake nose. "You've been playing the witch for years. What's one more performance?"

Mom handed me the weight belt. "There'll be so many guests tomorrow. Do you want Lila to freak out in front of everyone?"

My brother wrapped his arm around Lila and shot me a cold look. "There can only be one princess in this family, and that's Lila. Put up with it."

I looked at Ryan helplessly, but he helped me into the witch costume and said casually, "Chloe, hold on a little longer, or Lila will be upset."

Seeing the tenderness in Ryan's eyes left me completely heartbroken.

I turned to Lila and took off my wedding ring. "How can a princess not have a diamond ring? How about I give you this one too?"

*****

My dad's face turned stiff, and he snapped impatiently, "Why are you acting up again?"

Mom let out a sigh. "After all these years of growth, you're not as thoughtful as Lila."

Ryan gently ruffled her hair. "Lila, be good. Can you give me the diamond ring?"

Lila shook her head violently.

Ryan smiled dotingly at her.

He grabbed the plastic ring from the childhood games and slipped it onto my finger. "Chloe, wear this for now. It's merely a formality. No matter what, you're the only bride for me."

Right then, the staff brought over the menu they'd picked out.

Lila couldn't eat anything spicy, but I needed my food to have a kick.

Every dish my family chose was light and mild.

My brother looked calm. "Missing out on spicy food won't kill you. The only thing that matters is Lila having a good time."

I said, "This is my wedding."

My mom held me back. "Be sensible. Don't make a scene."

The emcee looked at me awkwardly. "So, which lady will be walking down the aisle next?"

Lila looked at Ryan with hopeful eyes.

Ryan immediately let go of my hand. "Chloe, be understanding, okay? Lila only wants to experience it for herself."

So I sat in the audience, holding the silly witch outfit in my arms.

I watched as Lila wore the wedding dress I'd spent half a year customizing, holding my favorite bouquet of white irises.

She leaned happily in Ryan's arms.

Mom was crying as she recorded a video for her Instagram. "My daughter has grown up. I'm so proud of her."

My dad took Lila's hand and pressed it firmly into my boyfriend's palm. "Ryan, she is in your care now."

When the ceremony ended, Lila excitedly kissed Ryan on the cheek.

Everyone froze, and the staff gave me a knowing look.

But Ryan didn't move. He only pinched her cheek with a resigned smile. "My little princess, are we rehearsing this part too? Chloe is going to get mad if you keep this up."

All my family members turned to look at me.

I smiled. "No worries. I wish them a lifetime of happiness. Ryan wants to be with a fool. It has nothing to do with me."

Lila's tears started streaming down her face right away.

My dad jumped in front of her, his face twisted with rage. "How could you say something like that to your sister? This is what happens when your grandma spoils you. You blurt out the nastiest things without thinking."

Mom rubbed Lila's back, trying to calm her down.

The next second, Lila flung her bouquet at me with all her strength. Blood streamed from the corner of my eye, and the pain was so sharp I could barely stand.

Lila threw herself into Ryan's arms, sobbing. "Ryan, you can only marry me."

Everyone was busy comforting her.

Ryan took a step toward me, but Lila grabbed hold of his shirt hem.

He promised I'd never get wronged anymore.

But he stopped in his tracks and started soothing my sister. "Lila, don't be scared. I'm here."

In that instant, I felt completely heartbroken.