Chapter 3

I had no choice but to keep an eye on Kenna.

From what I observed, she was very ambitious.

On the surface, she played the sweet, unassuming girl, never asking for a thing. In reality, she'd maneuvered Rylan into promoting her, transferring her to a cushy department job, and practically moving her into our house.

She was a master at playing the victim and at winning people over.

Everyone in the family adored her. Everyone except me and the maid.

She buttered up my parents, her future in-laws, and coaxed Rylan, her ticket to becoming Mrs. Sherman. Only with me, her sister-in-law, did she drop the act entirely.

One night, when the housekeeper, Marina, brought me a late-night snack, Kenna threw a fit demanding the same.

It was past midnight. The soup had been simmering for hours; no time to make more. And Marina needed to sleep.

When Marina hesitated, Kenna planted her hands on her hips and snapped, "What, I can't even get soup now? Are you the maid here or some pampered lady? Since when do I need your permission?"

Marina had no choice but to obey.

That was Kenna. Tyrannical when no one was watching, yet playing the martyr in front of my parents. I refused to humor her charades, which only made me look like the petty one.

Once, I cautiously asked Rylan, "Are you sure you want to marry her? Do you even know who she really is?"

He brushed it off as childish tantrums. "We're getting married. Try to get along."

My parents doted on her more each day.

Kenna accompanied Mom on shopping sprees, gushing over every handbag she picked out until Mom was preening with delight. Naturally, she also walked away with lavish gifts, trading flattery for luxury. A win-win.

Rylan was thrilled at their "harmonious" dynamic. I was the only one who saw through her.

The contrast grew starker. Now I looked like the villainous sister-in-law.

Emboldened, Kenna escalated her antics, especially when our parents weren't around.

"Your room is so spacious," she mused one day, her tone dripping with faux innocence. "Once your brother and I marry, we should swap. You'll move out eventually anyway, and this room has the best light. Such a waste to leave it empty."

It wasn't a request. It was a declaration. She'd had her eye on my room all along.

I glanced at Rylan. He stayed silent.

Livid, I laughed coldly, "Oh? You're not even married yet, and you're already claiming my room? Can't Rylan afford a real home for you? Or are you just mooching off us?"

"Ada! Enough." Mom stormed over. "Kenna, ignore her."

She soothed Kenna first, then scolded me, "Apologize to them. Now."

Not a chance. Even if I regretted my words, I'd never back down in front of her.

Kenna smirked, emboldened by Mom's defense. "It's okay. Ada's just upset. We'd never move out. Rylan and I will take care of you forever." Her saccharine tone was a slap in my face.

Rylan played mediator. "Kenna was just teasing about the room. Don't take it seriously."

He turned to me, placating. "She was joking. No hard feelings, okay?"

Mom piled on. "She's so mature. Why are you so petty? It was just a joke."

The wedding preparations were actually underway now, and I started to panic.

I couldn't let her marry into our family. Living under the same roof with that drama queen was out of the question.

I seized a day when Kenna wasn't around to call a family meeting with my parents and brother.

"I object to Kenna marrying into our family."

The moment I said it, everyone turned to stare. Mom chided, "Ada, stop causing trouble."

Rylan looked unsurprised. "Just as Kenna predicted, you'd oppose it."

Wow. She actually saw this coming.

He sighed, exasperated, "What's your problem with Kenna? You'd had it out for her from the start. She warned me, but I didn't believe her. Yet here you are, making things difficult."