They Chose My Sister, He Chose Me

Audrey's POV: My twin sister, Celeste Keene, and I had to draw straws for everything. Our parents said it was the only way to be absolutely fair. "Whoever draws the long straw gets the prize. Audrey's the younger one, so she can go first." At 7, I drew the short straw and watched Celeste take the dress I loved most. At 12, I drew it again. I stayed home while our parents took her on vacation. At 17, another short straw cost me the chance to study abroad. Celeste went instead. I thought letting me choose first meant our parents favored me. I was just unlucky enough to keep drawing the short straw. Then, one day, they brought out two more straws. "Whoever draws the long straw gets to marry into the Voss family. Audrey, you're younger. You go first, as usual." Once again, I drew the short straw. Our parents beamed. "Luck really is on Celeste's side. Audrey, your sister was born for a life of luxury." They left in high spirits but forgot to take the drawing cup. That was when I discovered that both straws in the cup were short. Slowly, I looked down at the unread message on my phone. Julian: Our engagement party is in three days. I'll be waiting for you. It was from Julian Voss. What they didn't know was that the Voss family had approached the Keenes about a marriage because of me. ***** When I drew the short straw, I managed a bitter smile. I was about to explain that Julian had proposed the marriage because of me, but my parents had already swept Celeste away, delighted. I hurried to my feet and accidentally knocked over the drawing cup. Two identical short straws fell onto the table. For a long moment, I stared. Then I picked them up and carefully lined up their ends. There was no long straw. What about all the other times? What about the dress when I was 7, the vacation when I was 12, and the chance to study abroad when I was 17? I couldn't bear to think any further. Clutching the straws, I went to the living room to ask whether they'd put in the wrong ones this time. Before I could speak, I saw that Celeste was already wearing the ring the Voss family had sent. "Isn't this engagement ring gorgeous? Audrey, you're not upset that I'm wearing it, are you?" She leaned against our mother's shoulder and raised her left hand. The diamond glittered so brightly that my eyes stung. My mother looked over too. I opened my mouth, but my throat had closed up. My mother stirred her coffee with a frown. "Audrey, stop competing with your sister. You've just had bad luck. You're always drawing the short straw. Besides, Mr. Voss is notoriously cold and ruthless. You're so quiet, you'd only end up miserable in that house. Celeste knows how to charm a man. I'm sure he'll adore her." My father lowered his newspaper. "A family as wealthy as the Vosses has high standards for a daughter-in-law. Your sister is smart and accomplished. At least she won't embarrass us." I tightened my grip on the two straws. I wanted to ask where that left me. But they acted as though this were only natural. Suddenly, I saw no point in asking. All my life, Celeste had been the only daughter who mattered. My father came over and patted my shoulder. "Don't be too upset. The Voss family's butler has a son about your age. He's good-looking. If you marry him, you and your sister can look after each other. She'll even be there to stand up for you if anything happens." So they'd already decided whom I would marry too. Celeste would marry the heir. I was supposed to follow her there to take care of her. I lowered my head and forced down the ache in my throat. "No, thank you. I have a boyfriend." My mother immediately frowned. "It's one marriage arrangement. Do you have to make things up just to upset us? What's wrong with the butler's son?" "I'm not making anything up..." Celeste's eyes suddenly filled with tears. "Audrey, even if you're upset, you can't just run around with some sleazy man. Someone told me they saw you this morning with a man in shabby clothes. I didn't want to believe it..." "I haven't left the house all day," I said coldly. "You've all been home. You know whether I went out." Celeste tugged at our mother's sleeve, looking wounded. "Are you saying I'm lying about you?" My mother slammed her cup down. "Your sister is worried about you! How dare you give your family attitude over some man we've never even met? If you're angry, blame your own bad luck. Don't take it out on your sister!" My lips moved, but nothing came out. They knew perfectly well that I hadn't gone out. But the moment Celeste looked hurt, I was in the wrong again. The straws dug painfully into my palm. I slowly loosened my grip and saw two red marks pressed into my skin. Suddenly, I felt ridiculous for having thought they'd made a mistake. I looked up at the family portrait in the living room. The three of them stood close together. I was off to one side, with a gap about half a person's width between us. My mother had said the same thing that day. "Be a good girl, Audrey. Move over a little. Don't crowd your sister." I'd been stepping aside for years. They'd come to expect it. "I'm not marrying the butler's son." For once, my voice was steady. My mother started to speak, but I turned and went upstairs. "We say a few words, and she sulks. She's getting more unreasonable by the day." My father snorted. "If she were half as well-behaved as Celeste, she wouldn't still be some ordinary researcher." I kept walking. Before I closed my door, I heard Celeste coaxing them in her sweetest voice. "Mom, Dad, don't be angry. Once I marry into the Voss family, I'll make sure you have everything you could want." "Sweetheart, all we want is for you to be happy." I shut the door and laid the two short straws on my desk. Julian's message from a few hours earlier was still on my screen. Julian: Audrey, our engagement party is in three days. I'll be waiting for you. I wiped away my tears and typed a reply. Audrey: Okay. See you in three days.