Chapter 2

"You!" Claire snapped, her cheeks flushing with anger. She was about to say something when she spotted Edward coming out of the study. She switched her expression in a heartbeat.

Her eyes got teary, and she put on her best pitiful look as she walked up to him. "Edward..."

I really didn't feel like watching Claire put on her little drama, so I turned around and headed back to my room.

"Joyce," Edward called out, his tone a bit conflicted.

"It's Claire's first time here, so she's probably just nervous. She might've blurted something out without thinking. Don't let it get to you," he said.

I glanced at Claire, clinging to Edward's side, and she flashed me a smug grin when Edward wasn't looking.

The heaviness in my chest turned cold.

"Edward," I said seriously as I looked at him. "She called me your child bride, and claimed that's what people are saying about us. Do you really think she just said that without thinking?"

Edward's brows knitted together.

"People gossip all the time. Why would you believe any of that? Claire meant no harm," he said.

She meant no harm?

I took a deep breath, feeling like there was really nothing left to say.

Edward was dead set on believing his girlfriend was some pure, flawless saint.

Anything I said would be a waste of breath.

"Alright, I got it," I replied, nodding. Then I went upstairs.

That night, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

My phone lit up with a message from my bestie, Gloria.

Gloria: [Joyce, I heard Edward brought his girlfriend home.

[So, how is she? Is she pretty? Does she treat you well?]

I gave a wry smile and texted back: [She's pretty, but she thinks I'm Edward's child bride.]

Gloria totally lost it and called me right away. "What the hell? Is she nuts? Who even talks about that 'child bride' crap nowadays?

"Your parents treat you like their little princess. Who does she think she is? What about Edward? Is he just going to stand there and do nothing?"

"Edward thinks she meant no harm. He says I'm making a big deal out of nothing," I grumbled, my voice dull.

"She meant no harm? Seriously? Her malice is through the roof!" Gloria shouted.

She went on, "She's totally doing it on purpose, trying to make you look bad in front of your brother and your parents, basically telling you that as the adopted daughter, you shouldn't even think about competing with her. What a two-faced bitch!"

Listening to Gloria go off with that epic rant was oddly comforting. It actually made me feel a little better inside.

"Never mind, it's not like I'll be running into her much anyway," I said, trying to reassure both Gloria and myself. "Maybe they won't even make it to the end."

Gloria was still pissed. "Don't chicken out. Next time she starts talking crap, just clap back at her. You're Joyce Sinclair! Don't forget it."

But honestly, I didn't want to put Ford and Miranda in a tough spot.

They'd treated me like family and given me more than I could ever repay.

I really didn't want to get into it at home with the girl their son brought back.

But I totally underestimated how relentless Claire could be when it came to causing trouble.

She was determined to paint me as her so-called "child bride". All so she could show off that she was the rightful future hostess of the Sinclair family.

Claire started dropping by all the time, acting like she was the lady of the house.

Whenever Ford and Miranda weren't around, she'd cozy up to Edward.

And then, pretending it was just out of concern, she'd act all interested in my life.

Claire said, "Joyce, did Mrs. Sinclair buy you this dress? It's really pretty.

"But honestly, this brand is way too upscale for someone your age. It kind of makes you look like you're trying too hard to be grown-up."

She barged into my walk-in closet, pointed at a dress Miranda had picked out for me, and said, "Next time, let me take you shopping for something more your age, something cute and girly."

Sometimes, she'd make a point of mentioning my grades. "Joyce, your grades are amazing. I heard you're an honor student at a top university? That's so impressive. But isn't it exhausting for a girl to study so much?

"Anyway, the Sinclair family will always look after you, so you don't need to worry about stressful jobs. Just find something easy and chill."

But the thing that really drove me crazy happened at a family gathering.

Some of the Sinclair relatives were there, too.

Someone said I was getting prettier, and that when Claire and I stood together, we looked like a pair of sisters.

Claire flashed a sugary-sweet smile and wrapped her arm around me.

She said, "Yeah, Joyce and I really hit it off. Even though she's Edward's adoptive sister, I've always treated her like my own little sister.

"Once she graduates, we'll totally set her up with a perfect husband and make sure she marries off with a grand wedding. She'll never have to worry about a thing."

The room went dead silent for a moment.

A few of the older relatives looked a bit uncomfortable, their expressions turning complicated.

She mentioned 'adoptive sister', 'set her up with a perfect husband', and 'make sure she marries off with a grand wedding'.

Every single word she said had crossed the line.

She was pushing me out of my place as the Sinclair family's daughter, making me look like some foster kid who needed her, the so-called future lady of the house, to play caretaker.

I set my fork down and lifted my head.

Miranda's face darkened, and she gave a soft cough, glancing at Edward. "Edward?"

Edward reached under the table and tugged Claire's hand, signaling her to stop.

But Claire pretended not to notice anything. She kept smiling and even piled some food onto my plate, like nothing had happened.

"Come on, Joyce, eat more. You're still growing. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I'll take care of you," she said.