Chapter 1

I, Ruth Chilcott, dated Jonathan Zorc for three years. Even so, Jonathan refused to propose to me. At some point, he fell in love at first sight with my stepsister, Evelyn Staunton, and passionately pursued her. I didn't cry this time, nor did I hang my head low in silence and wait for him to return to me after he was done having fun with other women. Instead, I threw away all the gifts he gave me. I also cut up the wedding dress I had brought in secret. On the day of his birthday, I left Pinehelm City alone. I was about to board my flight when I suddenly received a WhatsApp message from Jonathan. It read, "Why aren't you here yet? Everyone's waiting for you." A chuckle left my lips, but I didn't respond. I merely blocked all of his contacts and socials. Jonathan had no clue that I had secretly accepted a wedding proposal from Evan Galford, one of my seniors in university, half a month ago. Evan and I would get married once my flight landed in the new city I would call home. … "I've decided, Evan." I stood before the mirror, taking in my chalky white complexion and spindly figure. Making a crucial, life-changing decision was easier than I thought. "Will you accept my proposal, Ruth?" Evan's deep voice sounded from the other end of the call. My heart writhed as a slight bitterness filled my chest just then. As a tear streamed down my face, I nodded. "I will." Evan replied, "Do you have any idea how I've longed for this day since we were in university, Ruth?" That was when I gazed at my reflection and realized my lips had unknowingly curved into a faint smile. "Give me half a month to wrap up everything on my end." "Alright. I'll always wait for you, Ruth." We had just ended the call when someone forcefully opened my bedroom door. "Ruth?" My dad, Wallace Chilcott, awkwardly cleared his throat. "Your sister's unwell. How about you switch bedrooms with her for a few days since your room gets more sunlight." I didn't answer. My attention shifted to the faces of the women standing behind him. They were Evelyn and my stepmom, Portia Thorpe. Portia spoke up at once. "Wallace, there's no need to trouble Ruth." Like her mom, Evelyn put on a pitiful act. "Yeah, Dad. I'm fine. Please don't upset Evelyn because of me." "There's no trouble since we're a family. Besides, you're also my daughter, Evelyn." After saying that, Dad shot me a stern look. "Ruth, you're the older sister in this family. You should be more considerate." I stared blankly at Dad, who stood before me. I thought I would be sad or cry in agony if my biological father chose to spoil my younger sister, who had no blood relations with me, more. However, not a single tear left my eyes. In fact, I even smilingly nodded at them. "Sure, I'll switch rooms with her." I would leave this place forever in half a month, so it no longer mattered which bedroom I had.