Chapter 1

At the altar, the marriage officiant announced my sister, Lily, as the bride.

Just as I was about to step forward and protest, my boyfriend stopped me.

"The officiant made a mistake. Don't make a scene. Just let Lily walk the aisle for you to get it over with."

My parents chimed in beside him.

"You and Ethan are signing the papers at City Hall next week anyway. In the eyes of the law, you'll be husband and wife. This ceremony is just a show. Let Lily have her moment today."

I swallowed my tears and stood aside, watching Lily wear the wedding dress I had carefully chosen, while Ethan slid the ring onto her finger.

They shared a passionate kiss under the cheers of the crowd.

Before the reception toast, someone asked Ethan in the hallway.

"Aren't you worried Chloe will get mad and break up with you over this?"

He flicked his cigarette ash.

"She is crazy in love with me. She'd never actually get mad. Besides..."

"...I'm the only one who can cure her severe insomnia. She can't survive without me."

I didn't argue with him.

What he didn't know was that my insomnia had been cured long ago. I didn't need him anymore.

And what he knew even less was that I was the one who told the officiant to change the bride's name to Lily. I was gambling. I wanted to see if, just this once, he would choose me.

But I lost. He and my parents would always choose Lily over me. Always.

So I turned around and replied to a text message.

"I lost the bet. Let's go to City Hall and get married next week."