Chapter 1

A fire left my little sister Lily's mind forever stuck at age seven.

The whole family had to play make-believe with her.

My mother Helen was the gentle Queen. My father Ryan was the dashing Knight.

And I had to strap a thirty-pound weighted belt around my legs and play the wicked cripple.

Until I met Julian. He gently untied the weighted belt from my legs and murmured, pained,

"Amber, from now on, I'll be good only to you."

But when I brought him home, Lily insisted he play the prince from the neighboring kingdom who would marry her.

Helplessly, I told him to just bear with it.

Julian reluctantly took the toy sword and played through Lily's scene again and again.

Right before the wedding, I thought I could finally break free from this family.

But Lily grabbed my wedding dress and wouldn't let go, still crying that she wanted to play the princess.

My brother David handed me a fake nose. "You've played the witch all these years. What's one more day tomorrow?"

Helen passed me the weighted belt. "With all those guests tomorrow, do you want to trigger your sister's episode?"

Ryan held Lily close and looked at me coldly. "There can only be one princess in this family. Just suck it up."

Helpless, I looked toward Julian, but he personally put the witch costume on me, casual and unconcerned.

"Amber, just bear with it a little longer, or Lily will be heartbroken."

Gazing into Julian's tender eyes, in that moment, something inside me went stone-cold.

I looked at Lily and took off my engagement ring. "How can a princess be without a diamond ring?"

"Here. Do you want this one too?"

...

David's face stiffened. Irritated, he snapped, "What are you kicking up a fuss about now?"

Helen sighed. "All grown up and still not as sensible as our Lily."

Julian gently stroked Lily's hair.

"Lily, be good. Give the diamond ring back to me, okay?"

Lily shook her head hard.

Julian gave a small, doting smile.

He picked up the plastic ring they'd used before for make-believe and slipped it onto my finger.

"Amber, just wear this one for now."

"It's just a ceremony anyway. My bride will only ever be you."

Just then, the staff brought over the menu they'd finalized. Lily didn't eat spicy food, but I couldn't live without it.

Every dish my family had chosen was bland.

Ryan said evenly, "You won't die if you skip spicy for one day. Lily's happiness is what matters most."

I said, "This is my wedding."

Helen pressed a hand on me. "Be a little more mature. Don't make a fuss."

The officiant looked at me awkwardly. "So, next up… which young lady will be walking down the aisle?"

Lily gazed at Julian with pleading eyes.

He immediately let go of my hand. "Be good and sensible now. Lily just wants to see what it feels like."

So I sat beneath the stage, holding that ridiculous witch costume in my arms.

I watched Lily wear the wedding gown I had spent half a year having custom-made, holding my favorite white iris bouquet.

She leaned blissfully against Julian's arm.

Helen wept as she recorded a video for social media. "My daughter has grown up. I'm so proud."

David held Lily's hand and pressed it firmly into Julian's palm. "Julian, I'm placing her in your hands."

When the ceremony ended, Lily excitedly kissed Julian on the cheek.

Everyone froze. The staff exchanged knowing glances and looked at me.

Julian didn't pull away. He just helplessly pinched her cheek.

"Little princess, we're rehearsing this too? Your sister's going to get upset soon."

The whole family looked at me.

I smiled. "It's fine. I wish them lasting happiness. Julian likes idiots anyway. Nothing to do with me."

Lily's tears instantly fell.

David stepped in front of Lily, furious.

"How can you say that about your sister! Your grandmother spoiled you rotten."

"You're capable of saying the most vicious things."

Helen rubbed Lily's back, helping her catch her breath.

The next second, Lily's bouquet came smashing into my face. The corner of my eye bloomed bloody red, the pain so sharp I couldn't stand steady.

Lily cried and buried herself in Julian's arms.

"Julian can only marry me."

Everyone scrambled to comfort Lily.

Julian shifted one step toward me, but Lily clutched his clothes tightly.

The man who had once promised he'd never let me be wronged again stopped in his tracks and instead gently soothed Lily.

"Lily, don't be scared. I'm here."

In that instant, my heart went completely cold.