Chapter 2

After hearing that, Orion kissed Gwen on the forehead and said, "Gwen, I’ll be the one to give you happiness."

My heart ached.

He had said those exact words to me once, just as sincerely.

Back in college, I had been knocked down, and he was the one who helped me up. That day, his eyes were bright, and all I could see in them was my reflection. He gently stroked my hair with concern.

"Kate, from now on, I’ll protect you. I’ll be the one to give you happiness."

But after he met Gwen, his so-called happiness completely changed.

The day I saw the two of them kissing passionately downstairs, he shielded her behind him when he noticed me watching. The lipstick stain on his face and his swollen lips made me sick to my stomach.

I fought back the pain and walked toward him, asking why he had done this to me.

"There's nothing to say to someone like you, just pure disgust." Orion shoved me. He was too lazy to offer an explanation.

"Kate, we’re the real deal. You’ll give us your blessing, won’t you?" Gwen had smiled at me as they left.

The pain in my heart consumed me, spreading through my entire body.

Later, Gwen found me. Her smile was blinding.

"Kate, I really can’t stand you. You never should’ve come back. Wouldn’t you be happier staying in the countryside?

"All the love here belongs to me, including Orion.

"And especially that mole on your face. Don’t you think it makes you look filthy?"

Filthy?

Yeah, how could I forget? There was a time when I really was dirty.

Even in death, I was still so filthy.

……

When the party began, Gwen wiped away her tears, and the makeup artist touched up her flawless look.

My dad stood by her side. He was tightly holding her hand and his eyes were filled with guilt.

"Dad, I won’t hold it against Kate for not coming. I just want to wish her a happy birthday.

"As her elder sister, I haven’t been good enough. I hurt her feelings."

She forced herself not to cry, holding back her tears.

The same father who had always been cold to me patted her on the shoulder. "Don’t blame yourself. You’ve always been our pride.

"As for that ungrateful girl, when I see her, I’ll make sure she apologizes to you properly."

My mom stood beside them, her face full of relief, nodding in agreement.

"That ungrateful girl, it's better to just let her ruin her own life," Zac muttered under his breath.

My mom lightly hit him. "It’s a joyful day, don’t say anything unlucky."

Gwen laughed, linking arms with Orion as they walked toward the stage.

I was forced to watch them. I had never experienced scenes like these happy moments.

But it was okay. I had gotten used to it. My heart did not hurt anymore.

As the soft piano music played, they started to exchange rings.

My mom was in the audience, her eyes brimming with happy tears.

They all forgot today was also my birthday. But not everyone had forgotten.

"Where’s Kate? It’s her birthday today too, isn’t it?"

"I saw a cake with her name on it a little while ago."

"I heard Orion used to chase after her. Now he’s her brother-in-law."

Then came a wave of judgmental voices.

"She’s nothing but trouble. No integrity, always lying."

"No one would ever like her."

My parents really went out of their way to tarnish my reputation.

By the second year after I was brought home, my aunt came over with her son to visit.

He accidentally fell off the couch, and Gwen pointed at me, saying I had pushed him.

My aunt turned on me immediately. "So young, yet already so deceitful."

I tried to defend myself, but no one listened.

To force me to admit to something I did not do, my dad locked me in my room and starved me for two days. I ended up with acute gastroenteritis.