Chapter 1

I chased Julian Vance for three years before he finally agreed to marry me, the long-lost true daughter of the Sterling family.

Yet on our wedding day, right outside the dressing room door, I overheard Julian making a deal with my parents:

"When it's time for the wedding toast, spike Avery's glass. Send her straight to Damian Pierce's bed tonight."

"One month in his bed in exchange for a three-hundred-million-dollar investment from the Pierce family."

My mother hesitated. "Damian is an ex-con. He has a cruel streak and loves torturing people. Avery might not survive it."

Julian frowned.

"Damian specifically demanded a daughter of the Sterling family. If Avery doesn't take the fall, Chloe will have to. Do you really have the heart to send Chloe to that monster?"

"A woman ruined by an ex-con... Fine. Once it's over, I'll still marry her."

Hearing that, my parents stopped protesting and agreed to the deal.

I stood frozen outside the door, listening to every single word.

I didn't storm in. I didn't confront them. Instead, I drank that spiked glass without batting an eye, and let them ship me off to Damian Pierce.

A month later, Julian showed up at the Pierce mansion to pick me up.

His eyes flicked to the dark love bites scattered across my neck, a flash of disgust crossing his face, but he still offered:

"Come home with me. I won't hold your filth against you. I'll still marry you."

I blinked in surprise, then looked at him with an amused scoff.

"Didn't you get the invitation?"

"Damian and I are getting married next week."

I stood outside the lounge, silently listening to it all, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

I pulled my hand back from the doorknob, turned around, and went to the adjoining suite to change out of my reception dress and into my bridal gown.

The moment I pushed the door open, I found Chloe already wearing my wedding dress.

Seeing me walk in, she twirled around smugly, showing off.

"Avery, didn't you say the custom gown Julian ordered for you was too big? Why does it fit me like a glove?"

"Do you think... this dress was actually made for me from the very start?"

My chest tightened as my eyes scanned her.

It was a flawless fit.

My heart sank like a stone into an icy abyss.

No wonder Julian insisted the gown was ready before I even had a chance to do my first fitting.

Later, even when it hung loose on me, I never mentioned having it altered, terrified of hurting his feelings.

Turns out, it was tailored for Chloe all along.

I stared at her, my voice dropping to a chill.

"Take it off. Today is my wedding."

Chloe shook her head, casually pointing at the bridesmaid dress she had just tossed onto the sofa.

"No way. Avery, I want to wear this one. Can't you just let me have it this once?"

"Why can't you just wear my bridesmaid dress instead?"

A wave of fury choked my lungs, leaving me speechless.

At what wedding does the bride wear a bridesmaid dress while the bridesmaid walks in the bridal gown?

I raised my voice.

"Chloe, take off my wedding dress right now!"

"Avery, why the hell are you yelling at Chloe?!"

The sharp reprimand cut through the room as Julian stormed in.

He glared at me, stepped forward, and shielded Chloe behind him. Frowning, he chided me:

"It's just a dress. If Chloe likes it, let her wear it."

"We're already getting married today. Why do you have to make such a big deal out of everything?"

My parents walked in right behind him, instantly chiming in.

"Exactly. If Chloe hadn't stepped aside and let you have him, who knows which one of you would be marrying Julian today?"

"Besides, you're the older sister. Can't you show some grace and compromise for once?"

One excuse after another, every single word pinning the blame on me.

As if I was the villain tormenting Chloe.

A cold smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.

Whatever. In their eyes, I was merely an object waiting to be sold off anyway.

What was the point of arguing over a dress?

"You're right. If Chloe loves it, she can keep it."

"Now, please get out. The ceremony is about to start, and I need to get dressed."

Only then did they finally leave.

Yet when I finished changing into the bridesmaid dress and walked toward the ballroom, Julian's assistant blocked the doorway.

Looking deeply uncomfortable, he stammered:

"Miss Sterling, I'm so sorry. Mr. Vance said it wouldn't look right for you to walk down the aisle in a bridesmaid dress. People would talk. So... he had Miss Chloe take your place for the processional."

"You can go inside when it's time for the vows."