Chapter 1

My wedding was scheduled for Thanksgiving Day. I was about to put on my dress when my best friend, Chloe, called to say my parents were dying and I had to get to the hospital right away.

I raced there in tears and waited outside the ER for half an hour. The lights over the operating rooms never came on.

The nurse checked the records, then frowned at me. “Ma’am, we don’t have either of those patients here today.”

I froze. Then I called a cab and headed straight back to the wedding venue.

My sister, Eve, was there in my wedding dress, wearing my ring and kissing my fiancé, Soren, at the wedding I’d spent three months planning.

Everyone cheered and clapped for the happy couple.

Chloe smiled. “Good thing we got Quinn out of the way. Otherwise, how could this wedding have gone so perfectly? Best Thanksgiving ever.”

My mom wiped away tears. “Eve, my sweet girl. She finally married the man she loves.”

My dad nodded. “This wedding was always meant to be Eve’s.”

I smiled. The tears came anyway.

The people I’d done everything to protect—my family, the man I was supposed to marry, and the friend I’d known for twelve years—had all betrayed me.

This wedding had been a performance they’d been rehearsing for months.

I tore off my ridiculous veil, pulled out my phone, and sent a message.

“Mara, I’ll take that open position you mentioned. I can leave whenever you’re ready.”

If they wanted me gone, I’d make it easy for them.

…

I caught a ride home to pack. I didn’t own much, so it only took thirty minutes.

I’d just zipped up my suitcase when I heard the front door open downstairs.

My mom’s voice carried up the stairs. “This picture turned out so well. Eve and Soren look perfect together.”

Soren agreed. “They do. The whole family’s in it.”

So this was the family they wanted.

I wasn’t in it.

After a round of laughter, my dad said, “Soren, you and Eve had your wedding, but Quinn’s name is on the marriage license. You two should apply for a new one tomorrow. We’ll deal with Quinn later.”

Soren didn’t answer.

Then Eve spoke, her voice wavering. “Mom, Dad, don’t pressure Soren. I never thought I’d get to have a wedding with him.”

Soren couldn’t stand seeing her upset. He gave in right away.“Okay. I’ll apply for a new marriage license with Eve. Quinn’s easy to handle. She’ll get over it.”

Eve let out a small laugh, but she still sounded worried. “But… won’t Quinn hate me?”

“What does she have to hate you for?” My mom’s voice rose. “You’re the one she owes! If she hadn’t clung to Soren, you wouldn’t have lost him in the first place.”

The picture frame slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor.

It was the only family photo with me in it.

The house went quiet. Then I heard footsteps pounding up the stairs. My bedroom door flew open, and all four of them stood in the doorway.

“Quinn.” Soren looked alarmed. “You… heard everything?”

I didn’t look at him. I looked at my parents.

My dad sighed.“Your sister gave up everything for you growing up—even her chance to be happy. It wasn’t fair to her. She said her birthday wish was to marry Soren, so we lied to you. Don’t take it out on her.”

I couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

“When did I ever ask her to give anything up for me?”

“I ate her leftovers. I wore the clothes she didn’t want. And now you’re giving her my fiancé—”

My mom had hit me hard across the face. Her voice shook with anger.

“You ungrateful brat! Your sister’s always looked out for you. She gave you everything, and now you’re attacking her over a man?”

Tears ran down my face. My hand trembled against my cheek.

“Fine. I don’t want any of it. I don’t want anything. Is that what you want?”

Eve suddenly reached for me. Startled, I shoved her away on instinct. Her back hit the wardrobe.

My dad rushed over and stepped in front of Eve. Then he shoved me away. “How could you lay a hand on your sister? I’m so disappointed in you!”

I hit the floor hard. My ears rang.

My parents rushed Eve out of the room to find the first-aid kit. As they passed me, they stepped right over the broken photo.

When I finally looked up, Soren was staring at me like I’d lost my mind.

“Quinn, stop making a scene. Take a few days to think things over. After Thanksgiving, we’ll talk about the wedding.”

He left without looking back.

He didn’t even look at the bruises covering my legs or my swollen, reddened face.

And yet, he used to panic over even a tiny scrape on my hand and insist on taking me to the hospital.

My phone lit up.

Mara replied, “You finally said yes. I’ll get everything set up. But I want to be clear: you’ll have to stay there for at least two years. Are you sure?”

I looked at the filthy, broken photo and typed back:

“I’m sure.”