Chapter 3

"I say no."

"We picked the main diamond together, and I spent an entire month working with the designer on the band. You're just giving it away? Did you even think about how I feel? Am I supposed to exchange thin air during the ceremony?"

Brandon fell silent under my sharp glare.

Chloe grinned again, rummaging through her purse and pulling out a cheap little ring.

"Here, Sierra! You have something to wear."

"I bought this at the dollar store earlier. See? It comes in handy right now! Nobody's going to inspect it closely anyway. It looks the same from afar."

I looked down at the ring.

Cheap plastic with rough edges. Flimsy and worthless.

Just like me, a complete joke in this family.

Brandon grabbed the plastic ring and slipped it onto my finger.

"See? I told you your sister has a much sweeter temper than you. She even bought a spare ring for emergencies."

"Looks fine on you. Let's just go with this. No one will notice. Since Chloe loves the diamond, just let her have it."

My parents immediately agreed.

"Yes, it's your big day. Don't ruin the mood over something so petty. You're the older sister, why can't you share with your sister? She's family."

"She's young and doesn't know any better. You've shared so much with her already, what's one more ring?"

"Alright, put the gown back on and get out there. The ceremony isn't over yet. Honestly, you're getting so difficult lately."

...

They kept talking over each other, but I tuned it all out.

I took a deep breath, looked at Brandon, and gave him one last chance.

"Brandon, I'm asking you for the last time."

"Am I really supposed to give up my wedding ring?"

Brandon could tell I was on edge. He hesitated for a second.

But behind him, Chloe tugged gently on his sleeve, looking down with a pitiful pout. Brandon caved immediately.

"Sierra, you're usually so reasonable."

"Chloe's finger is already swollen from trying to take it off. Just let her have it. I promise, tomorrow! Tomorrow I'll take you to get an even bigger, more expensive one!"

I let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

Tomorrow?

Brandon, you and I don't have a tomorrow.

Before I could say another word, someone knocked urgently on the door.

It was the wedding coordinator.

"Sierra? Are you in there?"

"We were doing a final check on the wedding favors, and something is wrong. The names printed on the boxes... it has your sister's name on it!"

I pulled the door open.

The coordinator pushed a cart full of gift boxes into the room. Printed in elegant gold lettering across the front was:

[Brandon & Chloe]

Chloe hadn't expected to get caught.

She glared at the coordinator and hissed under her breath,

"Didn't I tell you to just hand them out quietly? So what if it's a misprint? Did you have to make a whole scene about it?"

Then, she spun around, putting on an innocent smile, and grabbed my arm.

"Sierra, I'm so sorry!"

"I'm so sorry! I accidentally gave them the wrong name, and the printer finished them so fast. I was scared you'd yell at me, so I thought we could just hand them out quietly..."

I scoffed and ripped my arm away from her grip.

"The print shop confirms the proof at least three times before going to print. You're telling me you gave them your name all three times by mistake?"

"Chloe, do you take me for an idiot?"

Seeing that her lie was blown, Chloe immediately threw a tantrum.

"Fine! If you don't believe me, what do you want me to do?"

"You just want to think I did it on purpose! What are we supposed to do now? We can't reprint them in time anyway! If you're going to keep picking on me, I'll just die! I'll die right here to make it up to you, happy now?"

With that, Chloe lunged toward the open window of the dressing room, pretending to climb out.

"Nobody stop me!"

"My own sister won't forgive me, so I might as well just jump!"