Chapter 2

The pajamas Sophia was wearing were the ones I bought for myself on my birthday last year. I'd only washed them once and never worn them. The rabbit fur slippers on her feet were mine, too.

Even the cup she held was mine. The small chip on its rim was caused by my accidental bump last time.

Everything was mine.

"Emily, I'm sorry," Sophia said softly as she stood up. "Alex said you had plenty of clothes, so I just borrowed one. I'll wash it and give it back to you."

What really got to me was never her wearing my clothes. It was Alex standing there, acting like all of this was perfectly normal.

I rolled my suitcase in and said in a flat tone, "No need to return them. They're all yours now."

Sophia froze for a moment.

Alex frowned. "Emily, can't you be a little less harsh?"

I let out a small laugh. "I'm giving them away, aren't I?"

Alex set the oatmeal down on the table, his expression sour. "You know Sophia's really sensitive now. Why do you have to act this way?"

I wasn't in the mood to argue.

I headed straight to the bedroom and started gathering my stuff.

There were a few dresses missing from my walk-in closet, but I didn't ask. My favorite perfume had clearly been used. The engagement venue brochures in my nightstand had been rifled through and left in a mess.

As I was packing, Alex walked into the room. "Why are you taking so much stuff?"

"I'm moving out," I replied.

"You're really moving out just because of last night?" he pressed.

I zipped up my suitcase and finally looked at him. "Alex, do you really think that every time you say Sophia's fragile or scared, I should hand over everything?"

He was caught off guard by my question. But he quickly frowned. "That's not what I meant."

I said flatly, "That's exactly what you're doing."

As I reached the door, Alex suddenly called out, "Tomorrow night is my mom's birthday. Don't cause a scene."

I stopped in my tracks. "Don't worry. I've got more class than anyone."

Every year, I was the one who picked out birthday gifts for Alex's mother, Monica Carter. I'd also order the cake and double-check the guest list for them.

The Carter family and mine had been close for years. Everyone in our circle knew that, as Alex's future wife, I cared more about his family than he did.

Monica used to hold my hand, smiling, and say, "If Alex ever marries you, he'll be the luckiest guy alive."

Looking back now, I guess all those blessings were wasted.

That afternoon, Alex sent me the rundown for Monica's birthday party.

At the end, he threw in a line: [It's Sophia's first time meeting so many family members. She'll be nervous, so don't pick on her later.]

I read it and tossed my phone aside.

Grace Linwood happened to drop by with something, and she couldn't help but curse. "Is he out of his mind? You're not married yet, and he's already laying down rules for you because of his side chick?"

"Sophia's not his side chick," I corrected her. "We're not married yet. I'm only here out of turn."

Grace laughed, but then her face fell. "Are you really going to let it slide?"

"What do you expect me to do?" I said, picking out a pair of earrings. "Should I go to the Carter family and make a scene? Or grab Alex and demand when he started acting like such a jerk?"

Grace went quiet. She knew better than anyone how Alex and I ended up like this.

Back in our sophomore year, when the Carter family ran into a financial crisis, Alex was up every night, his eyes red from exhaustion.

I was afraid he couldn't take it, so I transferred all the money I had to him. Later, my dad stepped in to help the Carter family for my sake.

Back then, Alex held me and swore he'd never let me get hurt.

But only a few years later, he let me lose to that 'timid' Sophia.

That evening, after I changed into my dress, Alex called again.

I didn't answer.

He then called three times in a row, refusing to give up.

Finally, I picked up. Alex got straight to the point. "Where did you put that emerald necklace you got for my mom? Sophia's dress tonight has a pretty open neckline. I want her to wear the necklace to give her outfit a bit more class."

That necklace was my grandmother's heirloom. Back then, I gave it to Monica for her birthday because I thought we'd be family soon.

But now, Alex actually wanted Sophia to wear it.

When I didn't say anything, he got impatient. "Emily, don't be difficult right now."

I slowly took off my earrings, staring at my reflection in the mirror. "Alex."

"Yeah?" he replied.

"It's your mom's birthday tonight. Let me give her a big gift."

"What do you mean?"

I curled my lips into a cold smirk. "Wait and see."