Chapter 1

My boyfriend Ethan brought me home to meet his family.

His adopted sister Leah had just gotten out of the pool, and her bikini strap had snapped.

She let out a little cry, hands flying to her chest, and ran straight toward Ethan. "Ethan, the strap broke! Help me tie it back on!"

The butler and servants all lowered their heads.

Ethan seemed completely used to this.

He took her hand, turned her around, and expertly tied a knot.

His hand even slid across Leah's bare back as he said flippantly, "What kind of cheap stuff did you buy? Next time I'll get you something better."

I was so angry I nearly blacked out. "Ethan!" I snapped. "Are my words just going in one ear and out the other?"

Leah turned back to look at me with timid eyes.

"Claire, don't read too much into it. We're just siblings. If something was really going on between us, I'd already be the lady of this house, wouldn't I?"

After saying that, she turned back around, her voice taking on a coquettish tone.

"Ethan, I've told you so many times—after you tie the bikini straps, you need to adjust things properly so the shape looks good!"

"You're like a block of wood. You totally ruined the shape."

Leah actually reached into her bikini right then and there, adjusting herself in front of Ethan like no one else was watching.

And Ethan didn't look away at all. His eyes dropped to her chest and stayed there for two full seconds.

Then he sighed helplessly and actually reached out like he was about to help her.

"Leah, don't you have hands?"

I finally snapped. I strode forward and planted myself between them.

"Ethan, am I dead to you? Is this something you can just 'help' with? Even if you grew up together, there's a line between men and women. Don't you two have any sense of boundaries?"

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I'd always known Ethan had an adopted sister.

But I had no idea they were this close—completely crossing the line between siblings.

In front of all these people, and in front of me, they could do something like this.

I didn't dare imagine what went on when they were alone!

The moment I finished speaking, the air went still for a beat.

Then Ethan suddenly burst out laughing and wrapped his arm around me. "Jealous?"

He nuzzled my neck with his nose. "You're right. I'll be more careful from now on, okay? Don't be mad. Besides, I completely see Leah as a kid. Looking at her is like looking at my own daughter."

That only added fuel to the fire. He still didn't think he'd done anything wrong.

Daughter? What kind of father ties his twenty-year-old daughter's bikini and runs his hand down her back while he's at it?

I shoved his hand away irritably.

Before Ethan could say anything, Leah clicked her tongue impatiently.

"Come on, Claire. Ethan coaxing you once is cute. If you keep this up, you're just being unreasonable."

Ethan's mother—my future mother-in-law—walked over carrying a fruit platter, a polite smile plastered on her face.

"Claire, it's your first time visiting our home. Let's not make a fuss over something so small. Ethan and Leah are just close. You'll get used to it."

She handed me a piece of watermelon. "Leah grew up without parents. We all love her like she's our own. Ethan especially treasures her. Please be understanding."

I was trembling with rage. Everyone around me was looking at me like I was overreacting.

Including Ethan, who clearly didn't think his behavior—or his family's words—was problematic in the slightest.

I took a deep breath, about to speak, when Leah suddenly started complaining loudly.

She stamped her foot at Ethan. "Ethan, I'm hungry! Didn't you say the chef was making sushi today? I can't wait anymore!"

Ethan's brow immediately furrowed. He looked at me, his tone cooling.

"Are you done making a scene? Can we go eat now? Leah has a sensitive stomach. If she goes too long without eating, it'll hurt."

In that instant, my heart went cold.

Was I the one making a scene?

All he talked about was Leah. Because Leah wanted to eat, I had to swallow my grievances.

With such a wonderful sister around, why did he even need a girlfriend?

I closed my eyes, forcing back the sting of tears.

"I'm done. Done making a scene, and done with you. Ethan, let's break up."

The moment I turned to leave, I paused and looked back at Leah.

"By the way, I heard siblings who are close sleep in the same bed to deepen their bond. I wish you and your brother a happy life together."

I strode toward the door. Ethan suddenly grabbed me, yanking me back so hard I stumbled.

He gripped my wrist so tightly my bones ached.

"Can you please give me some face in front of my family? Stop being so unreasonable!"

"Tell me what you want to eat. After dinner, I'll have the driver take us shopping. I'll spend time with you properly, okay?"

His tone softened, as if this were some enormous compromise.

I laughed. Everything came after his precious sister. What was I to him?

I wrenched my arm free and looked at my wrist, now red from his grip.

I sneered. "No need, Mr. Brooks."

With that, I turned and walked away without hesitation. This time, Ethan didn't follow.

Behind me, I heard Leah's gleeful voice.

"Ethan, what's wrong with her? We already said we're siblings, but she insists on imagining there's something between us. Total paranoia!"

Ethan's mother was sighing too. "Ethan, is this really the type of girl you like? She has such a temper. She's going to cause trouble if you take her out."

Ethan rubbed his temples irritably and casually slung his arm over Leah's shoulder as they walked toward the dining room.

"Mom, drop it. I'm annoyed. Forget about her. If she wants to leave, let her leave."

"Come on, Leah. Let's get you that coffee you love."

Tears streamed down my face instantly. I held them back as hard as I could, but the moment I got into the cab, I broke down completely.

For this man, I'd turned down the stable job my parents had arranged and moved to his city all by myself.

We'd been together for three years. I thought our love was unshakable.

What an idiot I'd been!