Chapter 1
For three years, I'd been living a lie—married in secret to my so-called uncle, though we shared no blood ties.
At yet another family gathering, the elders were back at it, shoving potential suitors my way.
Elias Bennett joined the chorus, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips as he teased.
"Rosalind, you're not getting any younger. Let me hook you up with a decent guy, huh?"
He'd tossed those same words at me in my previous life. Back then, I'd recklessly exposed our relationship to the entire family.
I became his wife in broad daylight—only to be met with his icy indifference.
Even during my dystocia, he'd jetted off abroad to share a candlelit dinner atop some skyscraper with his precious junior.
The truth hit me like a freight train.
I was just his consolation prize. She'd always been the one he truly wanted.
So this time, I met his jab with a sugar-coated smile.
"Sorry, Uncle, but my heart's already taken. We're tying the knot next month."
My sudden announcement made everyone else look at me in shock.
I took out my phone and showed them a photo.
"My underclassman. Five years and counting."
The guy in the photo had puppy-dog eyes and a harmless grin. My arm slung over his shoulder like we owned the world.
I made sure to angle the screen toward Elias. His smile froze.
Spine rigid now, all traces of amusement gone, he turned serious.
"Rosalind. What are you saying?"
My mother looked happiest.
After five years of relentless marriage nagging since my graduation—and five years of me dodging blind dates for Elias' sake—I'd finally caved.
She shot a sly glance at her fifteen-year-younger adoptive brother.
"You and Thea have that same senior-junior thing going on. At thirty-five, shouldn't you be putting a ring on it?"
Thea Ashworth, sloppy-drunk and limp as overcooked noodles, draped herself over Elias' shoulder.
Giggling, she thrust her glass at him, demanding a toast—then, in full view of everyone, linked arms with him for a mock-wedding ceremony, glasses clinking.
Elias dabbed a droplet from her lip with unbearable tenderness, adjusting his posture to cradle her.
The relatives barely glanced up—this was old news by now.
The family might as well have started planning their wedding registry.
Mother patted me, making a bet with me.
"Rosalind, you've got a lucky guess—when do you think your uncle will marry Thea?"
I deadpanned, "Same as me. Next month, I bet."
We spoke just loud enough for Elias to hear.
His eyes met mine for a split second before he glanced away with guilt.
His arm, which had been slung over Thea's shoulder, dropped.
"Stop making wild guesses. Thea and I will never marry. She has her own dreams."
His face twisted with regret as he spoke.
However, his eyes lingered on Thea with a love he didn't recognize—one he'd been stifling.
This time, I didn't demand his explanation like before.
Instead, I kept my head down, focused on peeling an entire plate of shrimp for myself.
Elias hated greasy fingers but loved shrimp, so I'd always peeled shrimp for him before, placing each on his plate before he ate.
Now, under his watchful stare, I shoved every last shrimp into my mouth.
"Elias, want some? Quit gawking at her—I'll make you some!"
Thea wobbled to her feet, swaying, then lurched toward the kitchen.
