Chapter 1

I grew up showered with endless affection. My parents deliberately adopted three girls to raise alongside me, intending for me to choose one of them to marry when I came of age.

But they treated me with cold indifference, while showering our family driver's son, Marcus Greene, with warmth and enthusiasm.

Until one incident changed everything. Marcus and I were both kidnapped.

Fiona Carter led the charge in abandoning me to save Marcus instead.

She said, "You were born with a silver spoon. Someone will avenge you. You don't need us."

Her words cut through me like a knife, and I suddenly realized just how wrong I'd been all these years.

After I recovered from my injuries, I went to my father with a decision.

"Dad, I've decided to marry Vivian White."

"But her face was damaged in the accident. Are you sure you're not joking?"

Hearing Dad's question, I simply smiled calmly.

"I'm not joking."

"I just suddenly realized that I care for her."

"And she's the one I should marry."

Seeing my determination, Dad let out a gentle sigh.

"As long as you're happy, we support you."

"I thought you were so attached to Fiona and the others that you'd choose one of them."

When Dad mentioned Fiona and the others, a dull pain struck my chest.

I couldn't help but recall the kidnapping from a few days ago—how coldly they abandoned me without a second thought, then blamed me for wandering off with Marcus.

Perhaps I should have realized it earlier. Fiona and the others had always favored Marcus.

From the moment they first arrived at our home, they always had.

Thinking of this, I swallowed the bitterness and nodded.

After Dad and Vivian's family expressed their support for my decision, I left my parents' house and drove back to my suburban villa.

But as soon as I pulled up to the front door, deafening music from inside made me frown.

I pushed open the door to find my tasteful decor transformed into a tacky party scene.

And the culprits were obviously Fiona, Rachel, and Claire, all surrounding Marcus in the center.

"Damien, you're back."

The sudden voice made Fiona turn her gaze toward me, her eyes full of disgust.

"You dare show your face here."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Rachel, standing beside her, cut me off with a cold snort.

"Why wouldn't he dare? Damien's rich. How could we compare?"

"Who knows what he's been telling Mr. White about how we abandoned him!"

Even Claire, who usually stayed quiet, nodded in agreement.

The three of them united against me made me bristle with anger.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"This is my house. Why wouldn't I come back?"

"Besides, I don't have the time to complain to my father."

Of course, I was also afraid that Dad would get angry enough to damage his health.

But my explanation only made them think I was hiding my guilt.

"Who knows if you're telling the truth!"

"But now that you're back, hurry up and apologize to Marcus."

"I didn't have time to deal with you that day! If you hadn't dragged Marcus out, how would he have gotten kidnapped?"

Rachel spoke first, with the other two nodding in agreement.

But Marcus had been the one who asked me to go out that day. How did it become my idea?

I tried to defend myself. "That day, Marcus was the one who—"

Before I could finish, Marcus, who'd been playing invisible until now, dropped to his knees with a thud, tears flowing instantly.

"Damien! Please don't blame Fiona and the others. They're just worried about me."

"It's all my fault. I was the one who asked you to go out that day. It's all my fault, boo hoo..."

His words immediately filled their eyes with sympathy, while their gazes toward me grew colder.

"Damien, if you have a problem, take it up with me. Stop targeting Marcus behind everyone's back!"

"I'm ordering you to apologize right now! Otherwise, none of us will forgive you!"

Fiona glared at me coldly as she issued her ultimatum.

I felt my breath catch, my mind flashing back to the humiliation they'd put me through on my coming-of-age ceremony.

The banquet had been filled with important guests. Marcus was supposed to help me get dressed, but just before the event started, he came crying that he'd ruined my outfit.

I lost my temper and yelled at him. Then he suddenly collapsed on the floor, tearing at his clothes frantically.

"Damien, I'm sorry! Don't do this to me!"

Then Fiona and the others walked in. Without asking a single question, they forced me to apologize.

They even brought me an ill-fitting outfit to wear, making me look like a complete fool.

When Dad asked about it later, I said I'd suddenly wanted to wear it, afraid they'd get in trouble.

Looking back now, I'd been such an idiot!

But now? I wasn't going to indulge them anymore.

I raised my head, my eyes fierce as I looked at the three of them and refused loudly, "I won't apologize!"