Just then, Eathen's parents returned.
When they saw me, they seemed surprised.
"Oh, Lucas, you're still here?" They barely glanced at me, their tone flat, as if they had no care to hide their indifference.
I am their real child!
Yet for all these years, both Eathen and Olivia had kept us in the dark.
Suddenly, Eathen stepped closer "Big Brother Lucas, I bet working must be exhausting, huh?"
"It's been so long since we last met, and me and Chalotte have really missed you!"
"We've been together since childhood, how about you host my wedding?"
No one knew better than Eathen how much I had once loved Chalotte.
Olivia interrupted without hesitation: "Oh, dear, Lucas is such a failure. He could never host your wedding; wouldn't that just ruin your reputation?"
"Better yet, let him handle the small stuff – greeting guests, sending out invites, tidying the tables. He's good at those menial tasks."
Eathen laughed heartily, shaking his head. "You're right, godmother, but I still want Lucas to host. After all, we made a pact when we were kids: whoever gets married, the others have to be involved-at least as the host."
"Big Brother Lucas, you wouldn't break that promise, right?"
The door to the bedroom suddenly opened, and a stunning woman in elegant attire walked out, carrying a small box.
As soon as I saw her face, my heart lurched. The memories flooded back, pulling me into the past.
Back then, Olivia used every trick in the book to break us apart. She spread rumors to smear my name, threatened my family, even pretended to be ill just to keep me close.
I endured it all.
But in the end, under the pressure of her family's status, Chalotte had to leave me.
She gently placed the box down, then stood on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around Eathen's neck and kissing him passionately, without a single care for me standing there.
After a moment, Chalotte lifted her head and looked at me with cold disdain,.
"long time no see."
Chalotte scoffed. "Heh, long time no see? You still have the nerve to show up?"
"I almost thought you'd disappeared for good. What, now you're back to make us pity you?"
She leaned into Eathen's shoulder, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Let me be honest with you, Lucas, if you hadn't clung to me back then, I wouldn't have wasted my time on you."
"The wedding is the day after tomorrow. Don't tell me you're here to cause trouble?"
She crossed her arms, eyeing me with a sneer. "If you dare mess things up, I'll make you regret it for the rest of your life."
I forced a bitter smile, my voice calm: "I'm here to fulfill a promise. To host your wedding."
Chalotte eyed me up and down, a sneer playing on her lips. "Oh? You're so kind?"
She stepped closer, her tone growing even more mocking. "Don't tell me you've really moved on. Didn't you say you'd kneel to marry me? Didn't you swear you'd never let me marry anyone else, not even if it meant never marrying yourself?"
She raised an eyebrow, scoffing. "Honestly, if you hadn't been so pathetic, begging me like that, I probably wouldn't have even wasted a second looking at you. It's laughable to think about now."
"I was young and foolish. Just said some stupid things. Who would really take them seriously?"
At that moment, Eathen walked over and casually draped an arm around my shoulder. "Chalotte, I invited him.."
She opened the box she had brought, revealing a beautiful ring inside. She carefully presented it to Eathen, smiling sweetly. "Baby, here's to our wedding, and also to your birthday today!"
The crowd gathered around, showering Eathen with birthday wishes. The room was alive with joy and laughter, while I stood alone, feeling completely out of place.
It seemed no one remembered that today was also my birthday.
Back then, because Eathen and I were born on the same day, Olivia had switched us in the hospital, swapping our fates.
Suddenly, Eathen stopped, turning to me with a look of surprise.
"Wait, today's also Big Brother Lucas's birthday, right?"
"Godmother, why didn't you remind us?"
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Eathen knew exactly how to twist the knife deeper.
"Don't worry about him, why would we celebrate the birthday of such a lowlife?"
Eathen pretended to take out his phone, wearing a fake smile. "Let's do this-how about we all have a meal together? Let's welcome Big Brother Lucas back, shall we?"
It was clear Eathen had mastered the art of false sincerity over the years.
Though he never actually made the call, everyone still praised him for being so considerate and thoughtful.
"But honestly, don't expect any gratitude from him. He's not worth the effort."
Chalotte frowned, casting me a disgusted look.
"Lucas, stop pretending."
"No one here cares about your pitiful existence!"
I stood frozen.
As they continued laughing and celebrating, glasses clinked and the room buzzed with joy.
I sat alone on the sofa, feeling more awkward and isolated than ever.
And yet, Eathen suddenly raised his glass and walked toward me, his smile full of malice.
"Lucas, we're family, after all. Don't sweat the small stuff."
"Let's share this leftover wine. We'll celebrate your birthday, too, alright?"
