Chapter 1

The night before our engagement, Curtis Sawyer walked in with two designer gift boxes, acting cute as he tried to win me over.

"If I don't get your little supporter on my side first, I'm afraid I won't even see you at the wedding," he teased.

He was talking about Jessica Cheney, the young girl I'd been sponsoring for seven years.

I'd spoiled her like a little sister, and she'd become my most loyal supporter.

If Curtis ever treated me even a little badly, Jessica would get even more upset than I did.

"If you dare mess with Alina, I'll be the first to come after you," she'd snap.

I'd often have to talk her down, but honestly, my heart would just melt every time.

As he spoke, Curtis picked out the most beautifully wrapped box, leaned in close, and playfully nibbled my ear, whispering, "But of course, the best one is for you, honey. Go on, try it out."

I laughed at how extra he was being. When I came out after changing, he was out on the balcony, talking on the phone.

My eyes landed on the other gift box, and my curiosity got the better of me.

As I unfolded the dress, a handwritten note slipped out and landed on the floor.

"When I hugged you last time, I thought you looked a bit more... expectant, so I had them let out the waist by an inch just for you."

*****

By the time Curtis Sawyer came back, I'd already put away the dress. He paused when he saw me still in my loungewear. "Why didn't you change? Don't you like it?"

I pushed down the sour feeling bubbling up inside. "I love it. I'm just a little tired today."

Curtis didn't push it. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, nuzzling his chin into the crook of my neck.

"So, honey, how about joining me for a shower? It'll help you relax," he murmured.

His hands started wandering up, getting a little too handsy.

I froze, my mind replaying those words from the note: 'Last time I hugged you...' I couldn't shake it.

My thoughts were all over the place. I broke free from his arms, needing some space.

"I want to go to bed early tonight. You go ahead and shower by yourself," I said.

Curtis looked a bit disappointed, but he still let go, being thoughtful.

Back in the bedroom, I dropped onto the bed with a heavy thud, feeling like the weight of everything was crushing me.

The note in my hand was soaked with sweat.

I tossed it into the trash, then fished it out again.

I tore it up, then tried to piece it back together.

I felt like I was about to lose it, trying to make sense of it all.

Maybe the clerk messed up and put the wrong note in it?

Come on, this was Curtis. He'd never make a careless mistake like that.

He gave up his family's fortune to be with me, starting everything from scratch.

Even when he was living in a basement and surviving on cheap food, he never let me go through a single hardship.

He'd always say, "Alina, I chose this hard life for myself. All I want is for you to enjoy the good life with me."

We'd been together for seven years, and our love never wavered. In three days, we were supposed to get engaged. How could Curtis ever betray me?

And then there was Jessica.

I'd been supporting her for seven years.

I paid for her education, taught her how to dress and carry herself, and brought her right into my world.

I even helped her get an internship at Curtis's company.

Three years ago, when trouble broke out at the hospital, Jessica jumped in front of me without a second thought.

The knife slashed across her neck, missing her artery by just a few inches. To this day, she still bears that ugly scar.

I was sobbing, nearly fainting, but she was the one comforting me. "Alina, you gave me my life. No one will ever hurt you."

That's when Curtis rushed over, holding me close, his eyes red with emotion.

He swore right then and there that he'd always cherish Jessica like his own little sister.

One was the guy I'd loved for seven years, and the other was my ride-or-die sister who literally put her life on the line for me.

I grew up in an orphanage, and these two were the only family I ever had. They were the ones I chose for myself.

How could I even let myself go there, thinking about the dirtiest, most twisted possibility?

I anxiously bit my finger, then shoved the note under the bed.

Maybe it was just a misunderstanding, right?

I'd still marry Curtis, and Jessica would always be the one who protected me most...

I kept convincing myself it was a misunderstanding and managed to fall asleep. But in the middle of the night, Curtis's phone rang out of nowhere.

I jolted awake, my heart pounding in my chest.

After he hung up, his face was grim.

"Alina, I need to step out for a bit," he said.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"My mom's got a fever. The butler just called. She wants me to come back," Curtis said.

Curtis got up and got dressed, giving me a guilty look.

"I know leaving you alone so late isn't right, but since my dad passed, my mom's been all by herself..." he said.

"Go."

I cut him off before he could finish.

Thanks to our upcoming wedding, Curtis's relationship with his family had finally eased up a lot this year.

He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead.

"Get some rest, and don't wait up for me," he said.

"Okay," I replied.

I rolled over, turning my back to him and closed my eyes.

The door clicked shut, and the room fell silent.

My pillow was already soaked with tears.

The moment Curtis picked up the phone, I distinctly heard a voice coming from the other end.

It was Jessica.