To avenge the fake heiress, my elder brother, Richard Chilton, deliberately announced the wrong name for my fiancé at the engagement party.

In front of every powerful family in Seattle, he declared that I was to marry Gregory Pearson, a mere waiter at the event.

Every prominent figure in the city jeered at me, their voices dripping with scorn. "The Chilton heiress is actually going to marry a waiter!"

I froze, overcome with grief and anger.

Richard felt no guilt at all. "You stole Elena's thunder at the dance competition the other day. She's been upset for ages. Today's humiliation is just a lesson for you.

"She's spoiled and immature—don't hold it against her.

"It was just a joke anyway. Dad and I wouldn't let you marry that waiter anyway!"

***

Everyone at the party gossiped about me.

Richard cleared his throat, his expression unchanged. "It was just a prank, everyone. Linnie's still young. We'll make a formal announcement about the engagement some other time."

Then, he glanced at Liam McLaughlin beside him.

Today was supposed to be the announcement of my engagement to Liam.

Everyone in our circle knew we were betrothed as children and had grown up together.

My heart clenched. I waited silently for Liam to speak.

But his eyes held only detached indifference, as if he were a mere spectator.

"You can't just call it a joke after making it official. A family of your standing shouldn't be treating a marriage alliance like a game.

"Look, that waiter's brimming with excitement. Are you really gonna make a fool of him in front of so many people?"

His words dealt me a blow.

Richard's expression turned even more grim.

He stared at Liam in disbelief. "What are you saying? Don't you like Linnie the most? Why would you say something like that?"

Someone couldn't help but snicker. "Everyone in Seattle knows Mr. McLaughlin prefers your other sister, Elena! I heard he just gave her a limited-edition sports car yesterday to make her happy."

Every single word cut my heart.

My eyes welled up with tears. I stepped forward and took the microphone from Richard's hand.

"We've made the announcement, and we intend to honor it.

"I'll marry the waiter!"

Richard's eyes widened with astonishment as he stared at me.

"Linda, have you lost your mind?!

"You're a Chilton! How could you possibly marry a waiter?!"

I stared at him coldly.

A bitter laugh escaped me. "Richard, isn't this exactly what you wanted? Are you happy now?"

Richard froze for a second.

His voice rose sharply. "Even now, you're still trying to compete with Elena? Don't you realize how much she's suffered—"

I was done listening to him defend Elena Chilton.

I dropped the microphone and walked right off the stage.

Everyone's eyes followed me.

As I passed Liam, he grabbed my hand.

His tone was indifferent and reproachful. "Linda, look at the situation you're in! Why can't you just swallow your pride for once?"

He pulled me closer, his voice softening slightly. "Stop being so stubborn. Just apologize to Elena. I'll fix this mess for old times' sake. Don't ruin your own future out of spite."

I looked up at him and let out a scoff.

"Old times' sake?

"Just own up to your feelings. Your fake concern is nauseating!"

His face paled.

I wrenched my hand free and walked straight toward the waiter standing in the corner.

Richard was completely dumbfounded. From the stage, he shouted, "Linda, don't do anything stupid! Come back here!"

Liam also looked at me, his hands clenched into fists.

I ignored them. Looking up at the waiter, I spoke softly, "Will you marry me?"

The waiter's lips parted. A complex, unreadable emotion flickered in his eyes.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice gentle and clear, "Ms. Chilton, I'm just a waiter. Won't you regret marrying me?"

"I never regret my decisions."

"Alright, I'll marry you!"

Richard came charging over like a madman, but Liam stopped him with a cold sneer.

"Can't you see it? Linda's doing this on purpose. If you give in now, she'll only bully Elena more ruthlessly later."

Liam's smile was cold and mocking.

"She's dead set that you won't actually let her marry this waiter. She's just forcing you to give in!

"If you cave in now, you won't have any way left to stop her from bullying Elena again later!"

Richard froze mid-step.

I turned and looked at Liam with icy detachment.

We were childhood sweethearts, our marriage arranged before we were even born.

When I was twelve, I was kidnapped. I vanished without a trace.

My parents were heartbroken, sleepless with grief and guilt, until they adopted Elena from an orphanage.

Charming and clever, she gradually replaced me in my family's hearts.

They treated her like the apple of their eye, pouring all the love that should have been mine onto her.

A year ago, I finally escaped, battered and bruised, and was brought home by the police.

But what I received wasn't a joyous reunion. It was their guarded, distant stares.

They even comforted Elena in front of me, "Elena, our family will love you forever. She'll never be able to take your place."

In that moment, I felt like I'd been stripped naked in the freezing weather, frozen to the core.

***

News of the Chilton family's eldest daughter marrying a waiter spread like wildfire.

It quickly became a trending topic in Seattle, racking up over ten million discussions.

When I got home, I pushed the door open to find Dad pointing at Richard and yelling furiously, "This is utter nonsense! You've made us a laughingstock!"

Mom let out a heavy sigh.

"What's done is done. We'd better find a way to talk Linda into telling everyone she's just a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum and staging this whole farce. That way, we can save our family's reputation.

"I think she only said she'd marry that waiter out of spite. Chances are she's already regretting it by now."

Elena was crying her eyes out, her face streaked with tears.

"I'm so sorry, Mom and Dad. It was all my fault. Richie simply stood up for me because he cares about me. I never thought Linda would be this willful, not even caring about our family's reputation at all."

Mom's heart softened right away. She comforted Elena, "Don't say that, sweetie. We know how good you are. You've suffered enough since she came back. You were just pushed too far this time. This wasn't on you."

Dad nodded in agreement.

"That's right. This had nothing to do with you. Linnie's so unreasonable.

"Don't worry. Linda just lacked proper upbringing. She's only acting out like this to defy us. There's no way she'll actually go through with marrying a waiter."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Mom looked up, and our eyes met.

A deathly silence fell over the living room.

In the past, I would have erupted. I would have screamed and cried, demanding to know why they were doing this to me.

But now, I was just so tired.

I didn't have the energy to fight anymore.

Or perhaps, I had finally given up all hope for their affection.

I didn't yearn for even a shred of their affection anymore.

So, with everyone staring at me like I was an enemy, I walked upstairs with a blank expression on my face.

A few days later, I met the waiter at a coffee shop.

He had ordered my favorite coffee and pastry in advance, and even bought a bouquet of roses, placing it beside my hand.

I stared at the roses, droplets of water glistening on the petals, and for a brief moment, my heart warmed.

He met my gaze and smiled tenderly.

Only then did I notice that he was a refined and handsome young man, dressed in a casual outfit that was unbranded yet unmistakably expensive.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gregory Pearson."

"And I'm Linda Chilton."

Hearing it, Gregory froze slightly.

"Of course, I know who you are. You're the eldest daughter of the Chiltons, who was supposed to be spoiled rotten, but an imposter stole your life."

I snapped my head up.

For so long, everyone was telling me to cut Elena some slack because she had suffered a great deal.

Yet not a single person saw that I was the innocent one.

A moment later, I composed myself and produced a check.

"I can't be seen with you for now, but the wedding, the house, the car—whatever others have when they get married, we should have, too. Use this money to buy them, put your name on them, and if it's not enough, just let me know.

"So, can we get married in two weeks?"

Gregory didn't take the check.

He fixed his dark eyes on me and said softly, "Ms. Chilton, won't you regret marrying a waiter like me, someone with no future?"

My heart sank.

"You don't dare?" I asked.

Gregory was stunned.

"Alright. I get it." He chuckled. "In two weeks, I'll come and marry you. Just as you said, we'll have everything others have."

He didn't take the check. Instead, he pressed a velvet box into my hand and left.

I opened the box.

I gaped at the diamond ring.

I felt as if my heart were wrapped in something warm and soft.

When I got home, everyone's smiles had vanished, and they all stared at me disapprovingly.

Richard scratched his head awkwardly and pulled me forward. "Linnie, you're back! Come sit and try these cakes."

I gently batted his hand away.

"Thanks, but I'm tired. I wanna turn in early today."

Suddenly, Mom chimed in, "Hold your horses. We need to talk."

I smiled bitterly to myself.

I felt like I was just an outsider, always on the other side of my family.

See that I didn't respond, Mom continued, "You threw a fit at the banquet and insisted on marrying a waiter. Not only did you disgrace our family, but you also embarrassed the McLaughlin family.

"So, after much discussion, we've decided that it would be best for your sister to marry Liam."

I slowly turned my gaze toward Liam.

But he averted it.

As a bitter laugh escaped me, the last hope I had for him was gone.

Mom mistook my silence for objection, and her face darkened. "Don't be so unreasonable. If you hadn't caused a scene at the banquet, we wouldn't have..."

She didn't get to finish her sentence before I calmly cut her off.

"Fine. Whatever you decide. Don't need to ask my opinion.

"Give my best wishes to my sister and my sister-in-law."

Having said my piece, I spun around and walked off, not sparing Liam a glance.

To my surprise, he caught up with me, his face cold and stern.

"Linda, must you make such a big deal out of it? You know my hands are tied."

I looked down at the hand that had seized my arm.

"As my sister's fiancé, do you think it's appropriate for you to be touching me like this?"

Liam sighed. "Don't do this, okay? I know you're angry, but can't you be sensible just for once?"

"I get it. What you said just now was only out of spite. You're hurting, too, aren't you?"

I gazed up at him.

Maybe I was truly upset.

I always believed that Liam would never betray me.

I believed in him as unquestioningly as I trusted the sun to rise each day.

A year ago, when I first came back home, everyone in my family kept me at arm's length.

They indulged Elena endlessly.

When I hurt the most, only Liam would stay by my side.

I assumed his feelings for me wouldn't change.

But eventually, he took Elena's side.

Even now, his cold, merciless words still rang in my ears. "Look at yourself! Always such a drama queen! No wonder your parents and your brother favor Elena over you.

"I'm tired, Linda. Why do you keep making me fight against Elena? If I don't speak up once, you'll start suspecting that I like her. Does this ever end?

"Well, now, you've got your wish! I've fallen for Elena! Madly and incorrigibly!"

Those words hit me like a slap in the face, and at last, I came to my senses.

From beginning to end, I had been nothing more than an obstacle—discarded and despised.

Liam raised his hand and rubbed the top of my head.

With a helpless sigh, he said, "Don't make things worse. We've grown up side by side, and I hate to see you so miserable.

"How about this? I'll marry Elena first. And after the heat dies down, I'll get you a house. You can still stay with me forever."

I widened my eyes, staring at him in disbelief.

My heart ached fiercely.

"Liam, do you even hear yourself? You're asking me to be your mistress!"

He furrowed his brows, as if he couldn't understand why I had such a reaction.

"Linnie, being with me—even without a title—is still better than being with that waiter, right?

"You've reached this point. Why are you still being stubborn?"

Finally, I lost all hope in him.

I raised my hand and smacked him across his face.

"Fuck off!"

Two weeks later, the day I was to be married finally came.

Elena also got the news that she had won the dance competition.

Over the past few days, Dad had made sure all the headlines and trending topics about me were taken down.

Still, no one believed that I would actually marry a waiter.

But what they didn't realize was that I had long since lost faith in them and no longer wished to stay in the Chilton family.

When I got out of bed, I heard Richard talking downstairs, "Let's celebrate Elena's victory today. Keep your voices down, though, lest Linda wakes up and makes a fuss again."

Mom hesitated. "Are you sure we don't bring her along?

"What if she loses her head again and does something impulsive?"

Dad didn't seem to care.

"What could she possibly do? Chop chop, or we'll miss the flight."

Elena pretended to be sensible and said, "If Mom minds, we might as well take Linda with us."

Richard clicked his tongue impatiently. "If we take her, then forget about the celebration, and we won't even get past the door!"

Finally, Mom relented.

"Fine. We'll make it up to Linnie after we get back."

I stood on the balcony of the second floor, watching them disappear into the distance.

Then I turned and summoned Sylvia Manning, the housekeeper.

"Sylvia, fetch my wedding dress."

Much to my surprise, Gregory had arranged a convoy of Rolls-Royces to pick me up.

On top of that, he hired the most famous wedding planner in Seattle to make sure our wedding was perfect.

All the cars and people we encountered on the way received small gifts.

All the press also received his reward and came to congratulate me.

I sat in the car, nonplussed.

Wasn't he just a waiter? How could he have such wealth?

But then I remembered how he radiated a noble air when we met at the coffee shop.

It dawned on me that he was no ordinary man!

After the Chiltons arrived at the airport, their flight was cancelled due to extreme weather.

They went home reluctantly and sulkily.

The moment they walked through the gate, they noticed something was off.

The yard was blanketed in confetti, and the servants all hemmed and hawed.

Mom frowned at Sylvia. "Where is Linda?"

Sylvia broke out in a cold sweat and stuttered, "S-She's g-g-getting married today. W-We wouldn't stare to stop her..."

My parents and brother's jaws dropped.

They asked in unison, "Married? To whom?"