Chapter 5
The hotel was heated, so I didn’t have time to grab a coat when I left.
The freezing wind cut right through me and I couldn’t help shivering.[]
He glanced at me, then checked his watch.[]
Finally just grabbed my arm and dragged me to the car.]
“No time to buy you a jacket. The restaurant’s heated anyway.“]]
There was a women’s coat in the passenger seat.]
He quickly folded it up and shoved it in the back.
“That’s for Cynthia. Don’t touch it.”
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Like I might get the wrong idea, he added, “She’s always been sensitive to cold. Didn’t dress warm enough today.“[]
I dealt with the awkwardness by staying quiet.[]
It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to take care of people–just not me.]]
The car pulled up to The Plaza.[]
I got this uneasy feeling in my stomach.]
I was about to ask what was going on when Cynthia hopped out of another car nearby.
She waved at Arthur while hugging herself and complaining about the cold.]
The Plaza had this massive and sprawling layout–it was like a five–minute walk just to get to the main dining room.]
Arthur immediately took off his coat and put it around her shoulders.
“I told you to dress warmer! I brought you a jacket in the car–want me to grab it?“]
She giggled and grabbed his arm.
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“Nah, I like wearing your coat better.“]
They started walking together, side by side andArthur kept adjusting the coat so it wouldn’t slip off her.
I followed behind them like I was their damn assistant.]]
My worst nightmare was coming true.[]
This wasn’t just dinner–it was an ambush with all the parents ready to tear me apart.
Cynthia sweetly called everyone “Uncle” and “Aunt,” and they all smiled at her like she was their golden child.[]
My mom took one look at my red and wind–burned face, then started laying into me.
Chapter 5
“Look at yourself! Is this how the future Mrs. Esperson present herself? You couldn’t even put on makeup to meet the family? Why can’t you learn something from Cynthia?”
Before me, there was a perfect older sister.]
A car accident took her life, and I became the replacement.]
But a substitute is still just a substitute. No matter how hard I tried, I could never be as amazing as my sister.[]
So my mom preferred Cynthia, who had that same sweet smile my sister used to have.[]
If bloodlines didn’t matter, she probably would’ve traded us years ago.]
I wiped my runny nose from the cold wind and my parents looked even more embarrassed.[]
The Valentines jumped in with fake apologies and polite bullshit.[]
The Espersons played along, saying it was all Arthur’s fault.]
Arthur sat next to Cynthia and texted me under the table.
The elders are all here. Time to quit being a brat.“[]
I looked around the table–nobody gave a damn what I actually wanted.]
They’d already gone ahead and set a new wedding date without asking me.
Cynthia was excitedly discussing with Arthur what she should wear to the wedding.
I suddenly stood up and looked straight at Arthur.[]
“Do you actually have feelings for Cynthia? If you do, why won’t you make it official? Aren’t you worried this whole sneaking around thing is gonna embarrass both families‘ faces?”
