Reflecting on our three years together, it felt like a dream to finally reach this milestone. Marrying Jared and building a home of our own had always been my ultimate goal.
But there was something he still didn’t know.
That wedding... I wouldn’t be able to attend it after all.
Jared’s sudden proposal had completely derailed Molly’s carefully laid plans. That night, she dropped all pretense, screaming at me through voice messages, trying to provoke me with video clips of her and Jared.
I paid her no mind, replying with just one sentence. [Be careful not to stress the baby.]
Countdown: Day Three
Early in the morning, Jared was brimming with excitement as he dragged me to try on wedding dresses. While we were busy planning, Molly unexpectedly showed up, throwing herself into my arms and calling me “sister.”
Jared’s face darkened instantly. He yanked her away from me and pulled her aside, his voice low but furious, as if facing an imminent threat.
“I’ve warned you to stay away from Lia. What do you think you’re doing now?”
Molly wrenched her wrist free from his grip, feigning the look of a wounded deer. She quickly darted behind me, clutching my wrist with her delicate hands. Her voice was soft and pitiful.
“Sis, tell him. Tell him what we really are to each other.”
She looked at me, then at Jared, whose expression had grown even colder. A triumphant smirk flickered across her face.
I remained composed, brushing her hand off lightly. Turning to Jared, I said, “Oh, I forgot to mention—she’s my half-sister.”
My words stunned him. He had no idea about my connection to her.
I’d always kept my distance from my biological family. As for Jared, he’d only met my stepmother once, during their infamous altercation years ago. He had no reason to know about Molly until now.
Shock registered on his face, but it was quickly overshadowed by the rising storm of hatred in his gaze toward her—sharp and icy as a blade. Even so, he forced himself to suppress his rage in front of me, managing a strained, awkward smile.
“...You’ve never mentioned having a sister before.”
I replied nonchalantly, “According to the household registry, I’m an only child.”
Years ago, when I discovered the truth about my father’s relationship with Molly’s mother, I distanced myself from that cold, loveless house. If not for my grandmother, I would have changed my surname too.
As for Molly, despite her many attempts to feign closeness and curry favor with me, I’d never considered her family. I saw no reason to bring her up in front of Jared.
Just then, a shop assistant approached with a wedding dress for me to try on.
“Go on, try it,” Jared said, eager to dissolve the tension. He picked out his favorite dress and handed it to me.
Before I could take it, Molly snatched it from his hands.
“Sis, this dress is so beautiful! Can I try it on?” she asked.
Jared’s gaze turned icy, but I merely smiled indifferently.
“Suit yourself.”
Molly beamed triumphantly, clutching the dress as she skipped off to the fitting room.
As she disappeared, Jared clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles white. But when he turned back to me, he forced a guilty smile.
“That dress wasn’t all that nice anyway, sweetheart. How about you try this one instead?”
At that moment, my phone rang. Seeing it was Professor Davis, I seized the opportunity. Handing the wedding dress back to Jared, I smiled apologetically.
“Sorry, I need to take this.”
Jared froze, the dress still in his hands, as I stepped out without a backward glance.
