“Hm, why do you suddenly ask about that?” Tobias looked confused by my abrupt question.

I hesitated, realizing how strange it was to ask. Instead of explaining, I brushed it off. “Never mind,” I said quickly before retreating to my bedroom and locking the door.

As the morning came, I ignored Tobias’ persistent knocks, cocooned under a blanket that was still damp from the tears I had cried all night.

The remnants of my breakdown surrounded me. Photos and mementos of Lewis and me lay torn and scattered across the floor.

Not long after, I heard Tobias speaking to someone.

“I’m going to work now. She hasn’t eaten since last night, so cook something delicious,” he instructed, his voice fading as the front door clicked shut.

I assumed it was the chef Tobias occasionally hired to cook at the penthouse, so I paid no attention.

Moments later, the sounds of chopping and sizzling drifted from the kitchen. My stomach growled despite my misery, the scent of food wafting faintly through the walls.

“Ugh, never mind. Being hungry won’t take away my heartache,” I muttered bitterly.

Reluctantly, I left my room, drawn by hunger. But when I stepped into the kitchen, I froze.

It was not the chef standing at the stove. It was Lewis.

He turned to me with a cheerful expression, holding a ladle in one hand. “Oh, Grace, you’re finally out. Come eat! I cooked a lot for you. There’s even your favorite meatball soup.”

He acted as if nothing had happened.

Tears welled in my eyes again, pouring freely as the memories of the previous night flooded back.

I stood there, rooted near the kitchen doorway, neither approaching him nor retreating.

Lewis quickly noticed and hurried over, wiping my tears with his hand. “Look at you, such a big girl, but still always crying. What would you do without me?”

His words cut deeper than he could have known. For seven years, I had been spoiled by him, clinging to the belief that he would eventually love me as much as I loved him.

The first time I saw Lewis, I was 13. He was already an 18-year-old college student and my brother’s best friend.

I did not remember much about his earlier visits to our house when Tobias and he were in elementary school, but I knew he was the older boy who used to play with me.

When we reconnected during my teenage years, everything changed.

Lewis became a constant presence, bringing me small gifts, driving me to school, and occasionally inviting me to hang out.

My childhood admiration grew into a full-blown crush.

So, when my parents introduced the idea of an arranged marriage during my college years, I immediately rejected it.

I moved into a studio apartment near campus to escape their pressure, though Tobias eventually convinced me to live with him at his penthouse, promising not to bring up the matchmaking again.

Still, my parents persisted.

Desperate, I turned to Lewis and asked him directly if he would marry me.

“Maybe we can get engaged first,” he said.

His words made my heart soar. I thought my love for him was not one-sided after all.

From that day, we officially began dating and started preparing for our engagement.

Even Tobias, who clearly did not approve of the relationship, chose not to interfere. Everything seemed perfect.

Until last night, when it all came crashing down.

Lewis gently stroked my hair as I cried, his touch once a source of comfort but now unbearable. “Stop crying and eat, okay?” he coaxed.

The intimacy I had long cherished only made me feel repelled.

“But, Lewis, I am crying because of you, because of your fake love. It really made don’t want you anymore,” I thought, though I lacked the courage to say it aloud.

Lewis noticed my silence. “Are you still upset about last night?”

The mention of it ignited the anger I had tried to suppress. “How could I not be angry when I saw my boyfriend kissing another girl?”

“Right, right, you have every right to be angry,” he admitted, raising his hands defensively. “But it was just a game, Grace.”

“Truth or dare is a game that should be banned at gatherings!” I shouted, my voice trembling with rage.

Lewis immediately pulled me into a hug, stroking my hair again. “I see how disappointed you are, and I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Forgive me, okay? You know I love you.”

He grinned, teasing me. “You can even kiss me to get rid of the kiss marks on my lips.”

I pushed him away, my voice sharp. “No need. I’m hungry.”

I walked to the dining table, grabbed a glass of water, and sipped it while still sobbing. Lewis followed me, sitting close and flashing his usual charming smile.

“Should I feed you? What do you want to eat first?” he offered.

I glared at him. Even when I noticed the bite marks on Lewis’ lips, my anger flared hotter.

"I can eat by myself. I'm 20 years old," I snapped.

Lewis smirked, barely holding back a chuckle. "Right, right, you're an adult."

He had always seen me as the 13-year-old kid who used to trail after him everywhere.

His constant spoiling of me, while occasionally annoying, was something I had come to accept as his way of showing affection.

I slammed my glass down and grabbed the spoon to dig into the meatball soup. My frustration fueled my movements, and in my haste, I choked.

Lewis leaned in, dabbing my mouth with a tissue. "Slow down. Don’t eat while sulking like that."

"I said I can do it myself!" I snatched the tissue from his hand, glaring at him.

Lewis smiled, undeterred. "Fine, fine. I’ll leave you to it. I’m heading to the toilet for a minute."

He grabbed his phone but left his wallet on the table. So, the sight of his wallet tempted me.

Curiosity gnawed at me. Maybe there was a photo of me tucked inside. A small token of our relationship, proof that I mattered to him.

As I opened the wallet, my pulse quickened. But what I found was not what I had hoped for.

Inside was a photo of young Katrina and young Lewis, smiling together as if they had shared their entire lives.

Anger surged through me, and before I could think, I tore the photo in anger.

My hands trembled with fury, and I did not even notice when they brushed against the hot soup, spilling it onto my arm.

Lewis returned just in time to see the mess.

His face turned to panic as he rushed to clean up the spilled soup and check my hand. "Oh my God, look what happens if I leave you for a second. We’re going to the hospital."

"It’s just a minor burn," I protested, trying to downplay the situation.

Lewis ignored me completely. Before I knew it, he had scooped me up and carried me to the car.

As if fate were mocking me, we ran into Katrina in the hospital corridor. She was hopping down the hall on one foot, clearly struggling with a sprained ankle.

Lewis, who had been so attentive moments ago, immediately shifted his focus to her. He frowned, his worry etched into every line of his face.

“What happened?” he asked, rushing over to support her.

Katrina smiled sweetly, her gaze only focusing on Lewis. "It’s just a sprain. And you?"

My hands curled into fists since she acted as if Lewis was alone there. So, I said mockingly, “We’re here to visit the obstetrician.”

The change in Katrina’s face was instantaneous, but Lewis stiffened, his expression freezing. He turned to me with wide eyes, clearly caught off guard.

“No, no,” he stammered, addressing Katrina. “As I said to you last night, she’s my reckless little sister. Her hand got burned because she was careless with hot soup.”

Little sister?

My breath hitched. Last night, after they kissed, Lewis did not just betray me, but he even introduced me as his little sister to Katrina.

Katrina’s gaze flicked between us, a slow smirk playing on her lips.

“If your hand is injured, you shouldn’t be at a gynecologist but at a general clinic, little sister,” she said, emphasizing the words with relish.

Then, she turned to Lewis, her voice dripping with faux concern, “Lewis, you must be overwhelmed taking care of her, right? So, hurry and take her before it gets worse. I’ll excuse myself then.”

As she started to hop away, Lewis did not even hesitate, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. "Let me take you over first, Kate. Grace, wait here for me."

Kate.

The nickname struck me like a blow to the chest. He did not just give me a special nickname; he had one for her too.

The energy drained from my body, leaving me weak and lightheaded.

What was more, Lewis did not ask for my permission, he simply walked away, carrying her toward the other clinic as if I did not exist.

No matter how well he acted toward me, his true feelings always slipped through when Katrina was around.

And the worst part? He didn’t even realize it.

The bitterness boiled over, but I held it in, swallowing the lump in my throat.

Turning away, I walked to the clinic alone.

After finishing the hospital administration, I hailed a taxi and left Lewis behind, who seemed more preoccupied with his Kate than with me.

My destination was Tobias’ office.

As soon as I arrived, I burst through the door and shouted, “Tell our parents I accept the arranged marriage!”

Tobias looked up from his desk, startled, his confusion quickly turning to alarm as he noticed my arm wrapped in gauze. “Are you… did you try to hurt yourself by cutting your wrist?”

He rushed toward me, gripping my arm and inspecting the gauze with panic in his eyes.

“Of course not,” I snapped. “It’s just a burn. Don’t change the subject, call our parents and tell them I’m ready to go home and get married.”

“You’re serious?” he asked, his tone incredulous. “But what about Lewis?”

I forced a smile, even as bitterness clawed at my throat. “I’ve figured it out. Mom and Dad want me to get married anyway, so does it matter to whom? Besides, I trust their judgment. They’ve probably already vetted the candidate thoroughly.”

Tobias hesitated before speaking. “Do you want to meet him first? Maybe date him a little before getting married?”

“No need,” I replied firmly. “The sooner, the better. Set the date for a month from now.”

Still cautious, Tobias nodded. “Got it.” He gestured to the couch. “Sit for a bit. I’ll let them know. After all, you’ve been out of the house for two years.”

“Do you think they’ll forgive me?” I asked quietly, realizing just how much time had passed since I left home.

Tobias shrugged. “Not only will they forgive you, but they’ll probably celebrate. This marriage strengthens ties with the Livingston family, it’s a big deal.”

I sighed. “I always knew this was about business, but hearing it spelled out still stings.”

Tobias offered a faint smile. “You’ll understand when you’re older.”

After wrapping up his work, Tobias drove me back to the Scott Manor.

The moment I stepped through the door, my mother enveloped me in a tight hug.

“Oh, my sweetheart, you’ve finally come home,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.

My father, ever stern, simply said, “Let’s have lunch and discuss everything.”

Despite my initial apprehension, the discussion went smoother than I expected.

As Tobias had predicted, my parents were thrilled. They immediately began planning to take me to a banquet to introduce me formally to the other businesses family and of course the Livingston family.

By the time lunch ended, I was exhausted from the endless conversations about arrangements, expectations, and schedules.

I retreated to my old bedroom. It was still untouched since I left, so its princess-like decor feeling strangely foreign at that moment.

It was not long before my phone rang. Seeing Lewis’ name on the screen, I hesitated before answering.

“Have you come home?” he asked.

“Hm.”

“I’m sorry, Grace,” he began. “I planned to come back for you right after taking Katrina home, but her stomach started acting up, so….”

Before he could finish, a waitress’ voice came through the background. “Sir, your dishes are all served. Please enjoy your meal!”

Though Lewis quickly muffled the receiver, it was too late, I had already heard everything.

“It’s fine. I’m an adult now; I can manage myself,” I replied, both to reassure him and myself.

“Grace, I’ll come to the penthouse,” he said hurriedly. “I’ll explain everything later.”

Explain what? More excuses? More lies?

I ended the call without a word, muttering to myself, “Unfortunately, I’m not in the penthouse anymore.”

Later that evening, I called Tobias, who had returned to the penthouse. “Did Lewis come looking for me?”

“Nope. It’s just me and my freedom now that you’re gone,” he joked.

“Great,” I replied, laughing weakly. “You can finally bring back all your usual women.”

“Ha, very funny,” Tobias shot back, but I hung up before he could nag me further.

Feeling restless, I stepped onto the balcony and scrolled through Instagram.

My heart sank when I came across a new post featuring Katrina and Lewis.

It was a photo of a beautiful bouquet with a man’s silhouette behind it. Though his face was not visible, I recognized Lewis immediately.

What enraged me more was the caption, [After fifteen years, I return to you. And here, the flower blooms, a welcome in all its glory.]

Disgusted, I shut my phone and forced myself to focus on my college assignments.

The next day, fate dealt me another cruel hand. As I excused myself during lunch with my college friends, I bumped into Katrina on my way to the restroom.

She greeted me with a warm smile, her voice syrupy sweet. “Didn’t expect to see you here, little sister. Lewis and I just came from the playground where we used to play as kids.

“But then we got hungry, so I stopped by this restaurant near his campus.”

Her words, though innocent on the surface, dripped with an undercurrent of triumph. Fate was not just cruel, it was merciless.

I gave her a polite smile and was about to leave, not considering our relationship close enough for small talk.

But she did not seem to feel the same. Just as I turned to go, her voice stopped me again.

“Anyway, you go to Lewis’s campus too, huh? But have you guys ever eaten together there?”

The word also made me pause.

The truth was, we never had. Lewis had always avoided it.

He once said that eating together on campus might risk running into his old friends, which could complicate our relationship.

So instead, we would always eat at restaurants far away.

Even then, I remembered the day we accidentally ran into Lewis’s friends at an arcade.

He had waved it off, telling them he was just accompanying his friend’s younger sister to win a prize from the claw machine.

That moment had stung deeply, but I had tried to understand. I thought perhaps it was just a way to keep our private relationship safe.

But then, as I stood there with Katrina, the truth burned painfully in my chest. He did not care about the secrecy itself; he was embarrassed about me.

Because when it came to Katrina, there were no excuses, no evasions, and certainly no concern about being seen together.

He was not even afraid of being caught by me. He did not care.

I clenched my fists, forcing my emotions back down, the memories swirling like a storm in my mind.

Katrina’s knowing smile lingered, as though she could see right through me, but I refused to let her have the satisfaction.

“No, we haven’t,” I finally said, my tone flat. “He’s always preferred going somewhere quieter.”

Her smile widened, as if that response confirmed something for her. “Ah, I see.”

Seeing no reason to stay any longer, I was about to leave when Katrina’s next words froze me in my tracks.

“Anyway, I’m so happy today. I got to remember my childhood with Lewis. We even talked about the promise we made at that playground.”

I did not want to see her smug face again, but for some reason, I could not bring myself to walk away.

Curiosity tugged at me, compelling me to hear the rest of her story.

Katrina did not hesitate, her voice filled with pride as she recounted the tale.

She spoke of a time when her parents were divorcing, and her mother decided to move back to Canada, taking her along.

Katrina had been devastated, especially at the thought of leaving her friends and the life she had known in New York.

As a 10-year-old, she ran away from home, crying in the playground where she and Lewis often played.

That was where Lewis found her, wiping her tears and asking her what was wrong.

“And then,” Katrina said with a gleam in her eyes, “he promised me that when I turned 25, he would come for me, bring me back to New York, and marry me.”

Her voice softened as she added, “So, when Lewis came to pick me up at the airport, I knew he had kept his promise.”

Her words hit like a punch to the gut.

It was not just a fleeting crush or a passing connection. Katrina was the girl Lewis had promised his heart to, years before I ever came into the picture.

In that moment, I realized the truth. Katrina had always been in Lewis’s heart, and I was merely an interlude.

Feeling utterly humiliated, I mustered all the composure I could and said briefly, “Congratulations.”

Without waiting for a reply, I walked past her, each step heavier than the last.

But as I neared my table, a voice rang out behind me.

“Why did you push Katrina? You knew she had a twisted ankle!”

I turned, startled, to see Lewis storming toward me. His face was a mix of anger and disbelief.

“Grace, I told you I’d explain everything later. Why did you have to handle it so harshly?”

It was the first time he had ever yelled at me, and it felt like a slap across the face.

As I stared at him in disbelief, Lewis showed no sign of guilt or hesitation, just pure fury.

In the distance, Katrina hobbled toward us, her shirt rumpled and stained with water and dirt. It seemed that she fell to the ground with a dramatic thud.

I could not help but feel bewildered.

I had not bumped into her at all. How had she ended up on the floor?

Did she slip? Or had she done it on purpose?

Before I could process the scene, Lewis rushed to her side, his protective instincts kicking in instantly.

Katrina, with tears glistening in her eyes, shook her head softly. “It’s not a big deal; she didn’t do it on purpose. Don’t be so hard on her,” she said, her voice trembling with faux kindness.

Then she added pointedly, “If her brother finds out you yelled at his sister, it might hurt the bond between you two.”

The mention of Tobias brought a strange expression to Lewis’s face, hesitation, as if he were weighing something unspoken.

But why would Lewis mind it?

As far as I knew, Tobias and Lewis had drifted apart since I began dating Lewis. He should not have anything to fear anymore, right?

However, Lewis’s resolve returned as he helped Katrina.

“Her brother entrusted her to me,” he said firmly, “so it’s my duty to correct her when she’s in the wrong.”

My breath caught.

It was not just that he considered me his little sister. It was worse than that.

He acted like he was my caretaker, and I was some disobedient child needing constant correction.

I could not hold back anymore.

I laughed bitterly, the sound sharp and cold. “What exactly did I do wrong, Lewis? Even in court, you need solid evidence to convict someone.

“Haven’t you thought about how unfair it is to judge me and even yell at me without understanding the truth?”

Lewis’ fists clenched as he glared at me. “You knew there were no cameras in the restroom, so I’m sure you did it on purpose, right?”

His baseless accusation stunned me. The injustice of it all left me somewhere between laughter and tears.

“If there were no cameras,” I countered, “then how can you be sure it was me?”

For the first time, Lewis hesitated. My question momentarily broke through his anger, but it was not enough.

“Are you now saying that Katrina wrongfully accused you?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. “I didn’t know you were like this. I thought you were a good kid.”

I refused to let his words cut deeper. “And what if she lies?” I asked evenly.

“She won’t,” he snapped. “I’ve known her. She’s not the kind of person who lies.”

His confidence in her stung more than I thought possible.

Katrina had been gone for fifteen years, while I had been with him for the last seven. But in his eyes, her word was gold, while mine was nothing.

In front of Katrina, even seven years of loyalty meant nothing.

One word from her had been enough to convict him, leaving me defenseless.

It was blatant favoritism, a glaring display of partiality.

And I, in the end, was nothing more than a stand-in, a placeholder with nothing to offer.

"Lewis, we're done.” I looked up into his eyes and spoke with great determination.