Just like I planned, I landed right in a warm, solid chest.

The guy barely looked at me. After steadying me, he let go fast. "You okay?"

I gave a tiny nod, playing tough even though my cheek was throbbing. "I'm fine. Just tripped."

Our eyes met—and yeah, he paused.

But Chloe? She saw a whole different movie.

She screeched and came flying at me. "Darian, why are you touching her?! Is that tramp trying to seduce you again?!"

Before she could get close, Darian caught her arm.

His expression twitched—definitely annoyed—but his voice stayed calm. "Chloe, what's with you today?

"Leah's just the fiancée my parents picked. It's not even real.

"You know I love you. But if she gets hurt because of this, my parents are gonna hate you even more. Then how am I supposed to marry you?"

Bernard jumped in. "Leah's been nothing but nice. Chloe, why'd you slap her?"

Chloe, breathing hard, realized fast the room wasn't on her side. She forced out a smile that was somehow worse than crying. "Sorry, Leah. Thought you were someone else."

I glanced at Darian, then dropped my gaze with a quiet, disappointed tone. "It's fine. I didn't mean to step into your relationship."

He looked over, a little stiff. Then he pulled a small box from his pocket. "A gift. Under my mom's order."

From the shopping bag in his hand, he pulled out a velvet box and handed it to Chloe. "I bought this one myself. If someone else gets something, so do you."

Chloe's whole vibe shifted. The second she spotted the full ruby set, she lit up. "Thank you, Darian! I love you so much!"

I opened mine. Just a branded hair clip. Decent label. Nothing special.

Yeah... she got love. I got a polite gesture.

Chloe shot me a look, practically glowing with smugness. "Wow, Leah, your little hair clip is so cute. You should totally put it on."

Under all those eyes, a few silent tears slid down my face.

Bernard looked panicked. Even Darian's smile vanished.

"Thank you... but I can't accept this."

Darian frowned. "Why not?"

I looked up, eyes full of quiet defeat. "Chloe's the future Mrs. Drummond. She deserves the best—designer everything, the spotlight, the fairytale.

"I'm just a small-town nobody. Getting into the same college as you guys was already a miracle. I wouldn't dare ask for more."

I wiped my cheeks, then turned to the girl standing behind Chloe. Smile soft, steady. "You're really pretty. I think it'd suit you better. And since Chloe already has enough to fill a boutique, I figured sharing wouldn't hurt. Here—my gift to you."

And knowing Chloe? Sharing anything wasn't in her vocabulary.

Sure enough, the girl lit up. "Thank you! No one's ever given me something this nice! I'm Rainee Gomez. We're besties now. You ever need anything, I got you!"

I'd played the quiet, humble act so well, no one even thought to question it.

Darian's eyes flickered—just a hint of admiration.

Meanwhile, Chloe stood frozen, clutching her ruby box like she couldn't decide if she should keep it or fake generosity.

One move, and I had the room's sympathy wrapped around my finger.

And Chloe? She just looked petty.

Just as I was heading out, Darian called after me and handed me a credit card. "My family hasn't treated you right. Don't sell yourself short. Use this to get something you actually want."

My ears went hot. I gave a small, shy nod.

Chloe shot me a death glare, seething—but stayed quiet.

It wasn't until I stepped through the school gates that it hit me why she'd been holding back all day.

Because there they were storming toward me.

Walter and Diana. My oh-so-loving parents.

"You brat! Snuck outta the psych ward just to wreck your sister's life again, huh?!"

Smack. Her slap cracked across my face.

Diana's expression was pure venom, hand already lifting for round two—until Darian stepped between us, frowning.

"What's going on? You know her?"

I covered my cheek, looking small, fragile. "Sir, Ma'am... have we met before?"

Chloe hissed, "Darian, you don't know the whole story. Leah's my unstable sister—she was institutionalized.

"Five years ago, she tore our family apart. Our parents kicked her out, and now she's back with a fake name, trying to ruin my life and steal you."

She looked way too smug, like the plot twist was hers to drop. "I knew you wouldn't believe me if I said it straight, so I called our parents. We set a trap—and boom. Caught."

She gave me this pitying look. "Allie, are your episodes getting worse? Might need a tighter facility this time."

Walter jumped in, practically tripping over himself to kiss up to Darian. "That's right. My daughter's unstable—she's a threat to Chloe. You can't just let her go."

And with that, both of them grabbed my arms, dragging me toward a black car.

But instead of freaking out like they clearly expected, I just widened my eyes, letting a flicker of envy slip through. "I wish I actually had parents..."

Then I shook my head, tears clinging to my lashes but refusing to fall. "Chloe, I know you can't stand me. But you're the golden girl. You've got it all—loving parents, Darian by your side.

"You deserve the best. I'm just some orphan from nowhere.

"Just being here feels like a miracle. Why would I ever think I could compete for a title like Darian's wife?"

I looked at her, heartbroken but calm. "Why lie like this? Why go so far just to break me?"

Darian stepped in before anyone else could speak. "Leah's the orphan daughter of one of my dad's old friends. She grew up out in the countryside. You've got the wrong girl."

Even he didn't realize it—how his tone had shifted. Not cold. Not neutral.

Protective.

Diana was fuming. "Allison, you lying tramp! You lived under our roof for over ten years. You think I CAN'T prove it?!"

But the more she scrolled through her phone, the whiter her face went. "This... This can't be right..."

Chloe leaned in, nervous now. But no matter how deep they dug, they came up with nothing.

No photos. No proof. No trace of me anywhere.

Of course not. I'd never show up without scrubbing every detail first.

The Ackleys always hated me—like they'd ever keep pictures of me around.

And with the Drummonds backing me? Every loose end had already been erased.

"That's enough! How long are you gonna drag this out?" Darian snapped. His patience was shot—and honestly, he'd never liked Walter and Diana to begin with. Now even his tolerance for Chloe was running out.

Chloe froze. "Darian, you don't believe me? Leah really IS my crazy sister!"

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I thought you weren't like your parents. But look at you—teaming up to tear down a girl who's done nothing wrong? Kicking her while she's down? I'm seriously disappointed."

Chloe started to speak, but I gently reached for her hand.

"Chloe, I grew up without parents. I know how hard that is. If you really thought I was your sister, maybe it's just been too long since you've seen her. You should go visit sometime. I bet she misses you."

One line. That's all it took to lock in the image—kind, patient, heartbreakingly gracious.

And at the same time? I reminded everyone just how badly the Ackleys had failed their other daughter.

I saw it in Darian's eyes. The shift.

Pity was gone.

Something warmer had taken its place.

And that kind of look?

That's usually how love starts.