On the night of my friend's wedding to my childhood sweetheart, I stumbled upon the chat history between him and my mother.

[Orion, Mom raised other people's son in your place on purpose, just for today. Seeing that you are about to marry a rich woman like Isla Elander, I am so proud and happy.]

[Mom, I promise I'll take good care of you in the future. It's all thanks to you that I've lived such a prosperous life all these years.]

[If you hadn't raised Vincent in my place, I wouldn't have been able to marry the eldest daughter of the Elander Family in Stellaria.]

It was then I realized why I had endured domestic violence all these years.

It was so that Orion Winters could live the life meant for me.

My mother had schemed to swap me with him and done everything in her power to force me to break up with Isla.

I smiled bitterly, knowing I would give everyone a memorable gift on the night of his wedding.

——

"Orion, do you like it? You'll look so handsome wearing it!"

Every year, on Orion's birthday, Evelyn would meticulously prepare an expensive gift for him.

This year, she presented him with a luxurious watch no matter how she struggled financially.

No matter that Orion's life was obviously already opulent.

Back then, Evelyn Harper had deliberately switched us, ensuring that Orion lived as the privileged son of a wealthy family in my place.

"Godmother, this watch is beautiful. I love it," Orion said smugly, flashing a provocative look at me.

His gaze was as arrogant as ever.

"Godmother, isn't this watch too expensive?"

Evelyn quickly waved her hand with a bright smile, saying, "Not at all, Orion. As long as you like it, it's worth it."

The watch was not cheap at all. Ten thousand dollars, to be exact. With her meager monthly salary of over four hundred dollars, it would take her years to save that much without spending a cent.

Memories from the past flooded my mind. The year I graduated high school, I was accepted into Stellar University, my dream school. But when the admission letter arrived, Evelyn was furious.

She tore the admission letter up in a fit of rage and beat me senseless.

"What's the use of studying? Do you think we have the money to send you to college?!"

"Start working at the factory tomorrow and help support the family!"

At the same time, Orion barely managed to pass an average university entrance exam.

To celebrate his admission, Evelyn handed him a red envelope with seven thousand dollars. The amount was enough to cover four years of tuition for me.

She heaped praises on him right in front of my face.

"Orion is so brilliant! He got into such a great university."

"Unlike this useless brat of mine. Not a single low-tier university would ever take him!"

It was right at that moment I lost faith in my mother, Evelyn Harper.

However, I still did not get it at all. Why on earth was she treating her own son like garbage?

It was not until last night that I accidentally read her chat with Orion.

I finally pieced it all together why I had to endure such mistreatment for years!

Everything happened so he could have the life that was meant for me!

Evelyn was beaming with pride when she held Orion's hand and said, "You're getting married soon and as your godmother, I couldn't be happier for you."

"Unlike that useless boy of mine, who dreams of marrying above his station and even tried to steal Isla from you during your study."

"He should take a good look at himself!"

Orion Winters, Isla Elander and I, Vincent Hayes, had grown up together.

Back in school, our classmates would tease us, calling us rivals, vying for our childhood sweetheart.

They used to joke about who would end up marrying Isla in the future.

Back then, everyone was simply students. We were not overly judgmental or concerned about social status or being well-matched.

Isla generally enjoyed spending time with me. During our sophomore year of high school, she confessed her feelings to me right in front of Orion, which left Orion in a rage.

A few days after Isla confessed her feelings to me, our relationship was found out by the head teacher.

To protect the Elander Family's reputation, the school humiliated me, accusing me of having a terrible character in front of all the teachers and students. I was then forcibly transferred from a prestigious city high school to one of the worst schools in the area.

On the day I left, Isla promised me that after graduation, we would be together.

Clinging to that promise, I studied even harder at the rundown school, determined to get into the best university and prove myself worthy of her.

But after graduation, what awaited me was not her love. It was her standing beside Orion, hand in hand, with a joyful expression.

"You liar! How dare you claim you were admitted to Stellar University!"

"You can't even get into a mediocre university and yet you dream of being with me? Shameless!"

"Do you really think a family like yours is worthy of being with the Elander Family? If I married you, what would happen to our reputation?"

At that time, I desperately explained to her that I had indeed passed the Stellar University entrance exam, but my admission letter had been torn up.

Yet, she refused to believe me. Instead, she stared at me with her eyes filled with disgust.

After that moment, I did not see them again for four years.

Under the pretense of working far from home, I secretly went to the capital city, Stellaria.

I did not tell Evelyn anything, but I managed to complete four years of my university degree through work-study programs. By the time I graduated, I had also secured a decent job in finance.

"Vincent, you're back! It's been years since the last time we saw you."

Orion's parents greeted me with surprise when they returned home from work.

Looking at them now after knowing the truth, my feelings were incredibly conflicted.

They were my real parents!

However, they had been kept in the dark all this time.

Looking at their faces, I forced a bitter smile.

Before I could respond, Orion walked up to me with an air of superiority.

"Vincent, you must've had a rough time working all these years."

"You know, with Isla and me getting married soon, what I want most is your blessing."

"How about being my best man at my wedding?"

Orion knew how deeply I had loved Isla Elander back then.

With him suddenly asking me to be his best man, no doubt this was nothing but a deliberate attempt to reopen my old wounds.

"Oh, Orion, this useless boy isn't worthy of being your best man! That would only embarrass you, don't you think?"

"But don't worry, he can do all the dirty work for you on your wedding day. That's all he's good for!"

Evelyn did not even let me reply before refusing on my behalf.

Orion laughed and shook his head.

"Godmother, you don't know this, but back in high school, Vincent and I both liked Isla. We even had a deal. Whoever married her, the other would be the best man. Isn't that right, Vincent Hayes?"

His words were a thinly veiled boast and his provocative gaze made his intentions clear.

In fact, I know that he wanted to remind those high school classmates who had bet on which of us would win Isla's hand.

He wanted to show them that he won.

Just then, the doorbell rang and Isla walked in, holding an elegant cake.

The moment she stepped in and saw me, her cheerful expression suddenly turned cold.

Her eyes narrowed with hostility as she spoke sharply, "Why are you here now?"

"Don't tell me you still haven't gotten over me!"

"Next week is my wedding to Orion. If you dare stir up any trouble, I won't let you off!"

After four years apart without seeing each other even once, this was how she greeted me.

I gave her a cold smile and replied calmly, "Whatever happened between us is long behind me."

Isla sneered with mockery in her voice. "Tch, do you really think I'd believe that?"

"Someone like you? That’s like a pauper trying to marry a queen."

"But don't kid yourself. It's impossible. You're not even worthy to carry my shoes!"

Orion spoke up, pretending to mediate.

"Isla, I asked him to be my best man. After all, it was our agreement back then."

"Vincent, please don't take it personally. I still treasure our old friendship."

"Even though we haven't stayed in touch all these years, I've always considered you my best friend and brother."

The moment Isla learned that Orion wanted me to be the best man, her expression softened slightly.

"Only Orion would be kind enough to show pity on you!"

"But let me warn you one last time. Don't cause any trouble at my wedding!"

With that, she opened the cake box and the celebration resumed. Once again, everyone was gathered to celebrate an unforgettable birthday for Orion.

No one, however, seemed to remember.

Today was my also birthday.

Years ago, it was because Orion and I were born on the same day that Evelyn had swapped us at the hospital.

She took me to a life of hardship while granting him a life of luxury.

One child was raised in heaven, pampered and adored by everyone.

The other was cast into hell, enduring years of domestic abuse.

Midway through the celebration, Orion paused, turning to look at me.

"Godmother, how could you forget? Today is also Vincent's birthday!"

"In that case, I'll order another cake right away so we can celebrate Vincent's birthday properly and welcome him back."

I have to say that Orion had perfected the art of rubbing salt into my wounds.

His suggestion drew applause from the others, especially Evelyn, who beamed at him like a proud mother.

"Orion, you're so thoughtful. Even though this ungrateful son of mine doesn't deserve it, you still remember him."

"Honestly, I don't know what luck he has to have such an amazing friend like you."

"But he's the only one who doesn't deserve to celebrate his birthday! I can't even stand calling this trash my son!"

Isla chimed in, her eyes filled with contempt as they bore into me.

"Vincent Hayes, don't even think about celebrating your birthday!"

"You don't deserve to share the same birthday as Orion. What a disgrace!"

I stayed silent, enduring their scolding just like before.

Then, Orion took the leftover half of the cake and inserted a few candles into it.

"How could we let this go uncelebrated? Vincent has never had a proper birthday all these years."

"Vincent, how about using the leftover cake?"

Before I could even respond, he immediately continued, "Oh wait, no, that's too shabby."

"I'll go buy a new one downstairs. Just wait for me!"

However, he moved toward the door but kept glancing back as if expecting someone to stop him.

Sure enough, Isla grabbed his arm quickly.

"Orion, why are you so nice to him?"

"Even this leftover cake is more than he deserves!"

"Vincent, you don't like it? Let me help you have a 'good' birthday, then!"

Before I could react, she picked up a piece of cake and smashed it into my face. The fork embedded in the slice jabbed my eye, sending a sharp pain through me.

"Haha! Smashing cakes is such fun on birthdays!"

Encouraged by her actions, Orion joined in, picking up another piece and throwing it at me with an amused chuckle.

Evelyn was even more delighted watching her precious son laugh so joyously.

Go ahead, have fun! As long as Orion is happy, that's all that matters!"

One by one, pieces of cake flew at me.

They hit my face again and again.