Chapter 1

My blind boyfriend always said he'd earn the money, that I should just focus on my job and never take a part-time gig.

But I signed up anyway, behind his back, screening bags at the subway during morning rush, hoping to save a little more for his eye treatment.

And on my very first day, I saw him walk into the station hall without a cane, his stride steady and sure.

He was leading Ida Summers by the hand, the fake heiress who had taken everything from me.

Behind them came my mother, who was supposed to be dead, my father, who was supposed to have died of grief with her, and my brother, who was supposed to have gone abroad heartbroken.

I pulled my mask up and followed close behind.

The whole group headed straight for the marriage registration point in the middle of the hall.

My best friend, who was supposed to be away on a business trip, was already waiting there, a veil in her hands, waving them over.

"Come on, today's the opening day for the subway station's registration office, the staff aren't even clocked in yet, you two can grab the very first slot!"

"I checked with Noreen Summers, she said work would keep her too busy today to come snooping, so go ahead and register with a clear mind."

Afraid of being caught, I hadn't told her about the part-time job either.

My mother stood beside my father, smiling. "Today's also the fake anniversary of the day his father and I supposedly died. She gets off work tonight and has to rush over to pay her respects, so she won't be crashing your wedding night."

My brother waved a hand. "Even if she does come checking, it's fine. I'll pretend I'm missing Mom and Dad and call her to stall for time."

Lewis Gilbert kissed the side of Ida's forehead, his voice low.

"Played poor, played blind all these years, and I finally coaxed you happy enough to register with me."

So the love I thought I had was a con, staged by every single one of them together.

I took out my phone and sent one message.

【You said the moment I gave the word, you'd come without a second thought.】

【We're registering at the subway station. Are you coming?】

...

My best friend, Yara, wore a mocking little smile.

"Honestly, who was she even guarding against with all that snooping? Turns out in the end she's the outsider."

My brother's eyes were full of scorn. "Too insecure. Scared her man would run off."

My mother shook her head. "That's just how she is, suspicious of everything, no class at all."

My father gave a soft snort. "Bringing shame on herself."

I looked at Lewis, waiting for him to say one word in my defense.

Five years together, he knew better than anyone that I wasn't born a jealous checker.

It was that one time crossing the street, when I watched his cane jam into the gap of a manhole cover.

His whole body pitched forward, and he almost got flung under a passing truck.

I was shaking all over when I ran and caught him.

After that, I got into the habit of checking on him.

It wasn't distrust.

I was just terrified that one time I wouldn't be watching, and he'd truly be gone.

But his tone stayed flat. "It's a happy day, let's not bring her up. Ida's the star today."

He gave a light wave of his hand, and the huge curtain in the center of the hall dropped away.

A shimmering veil of light spilled down from the ceiling, and beneath it stood a floral arch two meters high.

The electronic screens all around lit up at once, scrolling through photographs of Ida.

From an awkward young girl to the striking beauty she was now, every frame carefully chosen.

The crowd buzzed.

No wonder some staff had wondered this morning what was behind the curtain, and the station manager had only smiled a secret little smile.

"Rich people and their romance games."

I stared and stared, and then, suddenly, I laughed.

Every last piece of it was something I'd once described to Lewis.

Back then he'd bowed his head, pained. "I'm sorry I can't give you what you want."

And I'd smiled and comforted him. "Who needs you to make it real? Just being with you, always, that's already more than enough."

But in the end, every one of those wild little daydreams, he'd remembered word for word.

And used them on someone else.

Lewis pulled out a ring box and dropped to one knee.

"Ida, I know how much ceremony means to you, so of course there has to be a proposal."

He looked up at her, his gaze tender and fixed.

"Marry me?"

Passersby stopped to watch.

"Say yes!" the shouts went up, one after another.

Ida covered her face, moved, then bent down and kissed him. "Yes."

The diamond slid onto her ring finger.

Cheers broke out, and the crowd showered them with blessings.

My father and mother beamed as they handed out wedding candy to strangers.

When a passerby was too shy to take it, they'd press the candy straight into their hands.

"She's our only daughter, and she's getting married today, come on, be happy for us!"

I was the real daughter.

Yet in their eyes I might as well not have existed.

Ida, grinning, fed Lewis a piece of candy, then reached for the other velvet box in his pocket.

He caught her hand. "Don't. That's a nine-ninety-nine free-shipping ring, saved for stringing Noreen along."

Yara snickered. "Cheap woman, cheap goods."

Ida pouted, playing coy. "Still stringing her along? The game's over. She's not even worth nine ninety-nine."

Lewis's eyes went soft with indulgence. "Fine. Just say the word, and I'll lay it all out whenever you like."

She folded her arms. "Then call her right now."

Something flickered in Lewis's eyes. His fingertips brushed her cheek.

"My lady, today is our registration day."

"I don't want to hear her cry. It'd ruin the mood."

For an instant, the ache stabbed through my chest.

Third year we were together, I'd burned up with fever in the rental apartment, so miserable the tears just came.

He'd panicked, fumbling to wipe them away, never quite finding the spot, sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"Don't cry. I can't see, but I can hear."

He'd pressed a hand to his chest, his voice rough.

"When you cry, it wrenches at me, right here."

Back then I thought he truly hurt for me.

Now I know he just found it annoying.

My phone chimed once.

That person had replied: 【Address.】

I sent him the subway location.