From an early age, Lucy Sanders always liked to take my things, even though she never lacked anything.

It was as if everything of mine should rightfully be hers.

Anything that belonged to me would inevitably catch her eye.

I loved writing stories, but couldn't keep a single one safe.

No matter how well I hid them, she would find and take them.

Then, by the next morning, I'd discover the shredded remains of my manuscripts in the trash.

Dad didn't want to get involved, and Mom always took Lucy's side. If I so much as shed a tear, she'd scold me, “It's just some worthless paper! Are you seriously blaming your sister?"

If I exchanged more than a few words with any boy, the very next day Lucy would be hanging on his arm, introducing him right in front of me, "Let me introduce you to my boyfriend."

Then there was Alex Channing. His grandmother and my grandma had been close friends since childhood, so Alex and I had met when we were very young.

When we crossed paths again in college, he was particularly kind to me.

As we spent more time together, we naturally fell in love.

Alex was my first love, and I cherished our relationship deeply.

Being in college, I had temporarily escaped Lucy's orbit. I didn't care about losing other things, but Alex was—apart from my grandma—the only person in the world who treated me with genuine kindness.

Although Alex promised me countless times that he loved only me, just thinking about Lucy and her greedy eyes filled me with dread.

So nobody in my family except my grandma knew about my relationship with Alex.

But a year ago, my grandma's health began to deteriorate. Worried about what might happen to me after she was gone, she specially sought out Alex's grandmother and formally arranged an engagement between Alex and me.

My grandma understood my insecurities and wanted to use her influence to add a layer of protection to my relationship.

But the day after our engagement was announced, Lucy showed up at our classroom early in the morning, asking for Alex by name.

When I saw her, I felt my blood run cold, inch by inch.

At first, Alex genuinely treated her just as a somewhat spoiled older sister.

But three months ago, I went home unexpectedly to pick up some materials.

That's when I saw Alex by my house, leaning against his car door. Lucy came running out the front door and threw herself into his arms.

Alex lowered his head to kiss her, not even noticing I was standing a short distance away.

My hand unconsciously tightened, lighting up my phone screen. Just one minute earlier, Alex had texted me: "Sorry, Nina. I've got a team gathering today, so I can't keep you company."

I stood not far behind them, watching Lucy wrap herself around Alex like a snake, shooting me a smug smile.

By the time I woke up, it was already past 2 PM.

Lucy was sitting in the living room playing with her phone, wearing a spaghetti-strap nightgown. When she saw me come out of the bedroom, she looked up, malice gleaming in her eyes.

"How was the old man's taste?

"Someone dark like you who only writes horror stories—did you actually enjoy it?"

I often wrote mystery novels, and since Lucy discovered this, she frequently used it to mock me for being mentally disturbed.

I paused, instinctively recalling the man from last night.

Broad shoulders, long legs, narrow waist—my hands still remembered the feel of solid muscle.

Hmm... not bad, actually?

Lucas Channing had been sent abroad in middle school. Apparently, Mrs. Channing spoiled her younger son terribly, and he had developed quite a reputation for his bad behavior.

He'd been back for nearly two years but never went to the Channing publishing house.

"I heard Lucas Channing looks particularly creepy," Lucy said lazily. "His body's been wrecked by drinking and women. Perfect match for you, Nina, don't you think?"

Yes, this handsome guy was indeed perfect for me.

"Sure thing."

"Lucy, that fiancé of mine is all yours now. Just remember I’ll be your Aunt-in-law in the future."

Not seeing the tears and misery she expected, Lucy's face darkened as she spat through gritted teeth, "Still playing tough, huh? Go ahead and serve that old man for the rest of your life!

"I'm the one who's going to marry Alex and spend my life with him!

"You're nothing. Now that the old lady is in hell, let's see who backs you up!"

I didn't care how Lucy insulted me, but when she started badmouthing my grandmother, I couldn't stand it anymore.

I stepped forward and grabbed her hair, snarling, "Don't you dare insult my grandmother!"

Lucy grabbed my collar and shrieked, "I will! That old hag should have died sooner! She belongs in hell, boiling in oil and being eaten by demons!"

Furious, I shouted, "Shut your mouth!"

I swung my arm and slapped her face several times.

Lucy had been pampered all her life—she was no match for me in a fight.

I was slamming her head against the wall when the front door opened and our dear parents finally returned.

They rushed over and pulled us apart, but not before I managed one final kick at Lucy.

Mom held Lucy, whose face was swollen like a pig's head, and screamed so loudly my eardrums nearly burst.

Dad didn't even ask what happened. He just came over and slapped me, his eyes full of rage.

"Nina Sanders, have you lost your mind? Beating your sister like this over some man?"

I held my cheek and stared at him. My voice was defiant, but tears filled my eyes. "I hit her because she said Grandma should rot in hell!"

Lucy, who had been sobbing in Mom's arms nearly to the point of passing out, somehow managed to cry out, "I didn't!"

Mom pointed at me, seething, "You're lying! Lucy has always been gentle and polite.

"No wonder Alex prefers Lucy over you!"

Dad clearly believed them more. His gaze grew colder—to him, the truth meant nothing. He only wanted to maintain good relations with the Channing family.

I snorted coldly, picked up my phone from the corner, and played the recording I'd just made.

Mom and Lucy never expected I'd recorded them. Their faces instantly turned ugly.

After hearing the recording, Dad turned to Lucy in disbelief, “Do you realize that Mrs. Channing and your grandmother were childhood friends?

"If she heard what you said, how could you ever marry into the Channing family?"

Only when it came to their interests did Mom feel any concern, but she still doted on Lucy too much, “She's injured so badly. Hurry and take her to the hospital. Can't whatever you have to say wait until she's better?"

I closed my eyes briefly, feeling only bleakness in my heart.

Their hearts were so filthy. Even their own daughters were just a tool for social climbing.

What chance did I have as the unfavored daughter?

A week later, my parents took both of us to a reception hosted by the Channing family.

The party was incredibly boring. I didn't know a single person, so I huddled in a corner thinking about new mystery plots from my writers' group.

My parents used their status as the Channings' future in-laws to network with everyone.

Lucy came over with Alex on her arm. I glanced at them once, then went back to eating and puzzling through my plot ideas.

Alex called to me reluctantly, “Hey, Nina."

I paused with my fork midair and looked up at him.

Lucy pouted and tugged at his sleeve. Alex cleared his throat, "Lucy's still young. Please be more understanding when she makes mistakes."

"But you can't get physical with her. Your temper is too volatile—you really need to work on that."

I set down my plate and laughed coldly. "She's older than me.”

Alex's face froze. He said, displeased, "Nina, I know you're upset.

"But seeing you sisters fighting over me doesn't feel good either."

Feeling nauseated, I replied, "Funny, I never realized how narcissistic you were before.

"My grandmother told me about the tradition of corsets to bind the waist, but today I've had the privilege of witnessing brain binding.

"Don't flatter yourself."

After my string of insults, both their faces darkened.

Lucy was about to curse me out but remembered she needed to maintain her image in front of Alex. So she whimpered and leaned against him, ”Alex, now you see how vicious my sister is?

"She's been bullying me since we were little. I'm so scared and hurt."

Alex held Lucy protectively while glaring at me, his face ashen, "Nina, what happened to you? I'm so disappointed in what you've become!"