Chapter 1
When I was born, the midwife caught sight of the birthmark on my back and screamed in terror.
She cried, "This girl is the embodiment of evil, destined to drain Scarlett's blessings and steal her husband."
From that day forward, I became the curse of Sutton's estate.
Even the smallest thing, like a pimple appearing on Scarlett's face, would be pinned on me for supposedly stealing her luck.
Everyone would instantly suspect I had taken away her fortune.
On the day Scarlett married Quentin Spence, the son of the Duke, the streets were lined with decorations for her lavish wedding.
I accidentally stepped on the train of Scarlett's wedding gown.
My father dragged me up to the highest tower in Sutton's estate and threatened to make me jump.
He shouted, "I've tolerated you for sixteen years! And now, on Scarlett's wedding day, you just have to steal the spotlight, don't you?
"I don't want to see the day when you bewitch Quentin and ruin our family's reputation for raising such an unruly daughter."
Staring at the wedding procession below, a sudden realization washed over me.
The one whom Quentin fell in love with at first sight and wanted to marry was me all along.
*****
"Aren't you the one who ruined Scarlett's luck? Jump! Return your wretched life to the Sutton family," my father roared.
Below, the wedding procession had come to a halt.
At the very front, Quentin was astride a magnificent horse, dressed in his wedding robes, looking up at us.
His gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on my face, my veil fluttering in the wind.
He recognized me.
The girl Quentin rescued from the runaway horse at St. Lorence Church was me.
The girl he did everything to marry was me.
But now, I was the laughingstock at Scarlett's wedding.
"Father, what are you doing?" Scarlett shouted.
She hurried up the stairs, wedding dress gathered in her hands.
Scarlett begged, "Roselyn didn't do it on purpose. Please, don't scare her.
"Father, the wedding hour is almost here. Let Roselyn go. Quentin's still watching from below..."
My father's temper eased a little.
He shoved me hard, and I stumbled, hitting a pillar behind me.
"Get lost! Stop being an eyesore," he barked.
I pressed my hand to the back of my head and turned away without a word.
As I walked past Scarlett, she leaned in close.
She whispered, so quietly that only I could hear, "Roselyn, you were born to be my stepping stone.
"Quentin belongs to me, and all the prestige of being Sutton's heiress is mine. You're nothing."
I ignored her and walked down the stairs.
Her coy, sugary voice floated after me. "Father, I think my bridal crown is crooked. Could you fix it for me?"
My father's tone instantly softened. "Of course, my Scarlett is the prettiest. Who's blind enough to say it's crooked?"
Two servant women dragged me down the hallway and shoved me straight into the storage room out back.
The door slammed shut and was locked from the outside.
In the darkness, a thin sliver of light slipped through the crack in the door.
I slumped against the grimy wall, listening to the distant beat of wedding music drifting in from outside.
That was Scarlett's wedding. And it was supposed to be mine.
After what felt like ages, the lock finally clicked.
I lifted my head, wary.
The door opened, and Scarlett's mother, Tessa Sutton, stepped inside, with Scarlett following close behind.
"Kneel!" Tessa's voice was icy, her command cutting through the darkness.
I stayed still, refusing to budge.
"I said, 'Kneel.' You jinx! Are you deaf or just stupid?" Tessa snapped.
One of her maids stepped forward and kicked the back of my knees, forcing me to my knees.
Tessa towered over me, her gaze filled with pure hatred.
"Feeling proud of yourself, huh? Does it make you happy to ruin Scarlett's big day?" she sneered.
I looked up at her calmly. "I didn't."
"How dare you talk back!" Without warning, Tessa slapped me hard across the face.
My cheek burned with pain.
Scarlett hurried over to steady Tessa, her voice sugary and fake. "Mother, don't get so upset. You'll make yourself sick."
She turned to me, pretending to be concerned. "Roselyn, how could you make Mother so angry? Apologize, now.
"Quentin's already gone back to his estate. He said that, if we don't give him a proper answer for what happened today, he's calling off the wedding."
Tessa was shaking with fury. "An answer? What answer? This is all your fault, you little jinx!"
She jabbed her finger at me, her voice dripping with venom.
She screamed, "When you were born, I should've just drowned you right in the bucket.
"Then you wouldn't be here cursing the whole family now!"
Scarlett gently patted Tessa's back, her voice syrupy and soft. "Mother, don't get worked up.
"Quentin isn't the type to lose his head. He was just bewitched by Roselyn for a moment."
She crouched down, pinched my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze.
Scarlett said, "Roselyn, tell me the truth. Did you already know Quentin had mistaken me for you?
"Did you deliberately show your face today, just so he'd recognize you?
"You're so heartless. Is it really so hard for you to let me be happy?"
I stared at Scarlett's tear-stained, pitiful face, and the irony was almost laughable.