Chapter 2

I was about to leave when Ethan called out to me.

"Chloe, we are short-staffed right now. Why are you just standing there instead of helping the guests find their seats?"

A moment later, my parents waved at me with champagne glasses in hand. "Chloe, come here and help us greet the guests!"

Behind them, Ethan was gently holding up the train of Lily's dress.

Standing on the sidelines, my heart swelled with bitterness.

"I don't want to go."

Ethan's face darkened.

"Chloe, look at the time. Can you stop throwing a tantrum?"

My mother shoved a glass into my hand.

"Lily is your sister. If you don't back her up, how are we supposed to save face?"

I gripped the glass so hard my knuckles turned white, raising my voice.

"This is my wedding!"

The people around us turned to look, whispering.

My parents quickly dragged me to a quiet corner.

"Why are you being so difficult? A wedding is just a wedding. Does it really matter whose name is on it?"

Ethan stroked my hair, trying to pacify me.

"Babe, even if I had to go through the ceremony with Lily because of a mix-up, you're the one I love."

"Besides, we're getting our marriage license soon. Just view this ceremony as a game."

Lily walked over in her reception dress, the wedding ring on her finger painfully eye-catching.

So the wedding I spent a year planning was just a "game" to them.

It didn't matter who the bride was.

I froze, my eyes stinging with tears.

It felt like an iron band was tightening around my chest, suffocating me.

Seeing this, Lily walked over with a sheepish look.

"Chloe, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..."

Ethan immediately pulled her behind him.

"Why are you apologizing? The officiant got the name wrong. It's not your fault."

No, it wasn't her fault. And it wasn't Ethan's fault either.

I was the one who changed the name to Lily on purpose. I wanted to see if he would stand up for me.

But Ethan didn't choose me.

Clearly losing his patience, Ethan's face completely fell.

"Chloe, can you grow up? Everyone is waiting to celebrate. If you want to throw a fit, do it when we get home."

In his eyes, my feelings were never as important as Lily's.

When I had a 102-degree fever, he was out helping Lily look for her lost dog.

When I was stranded in a downpour after work without an umbrella, I called him, only for him to say he was busy fixing Lily's broken showerhead.

No matter what happened, big or small, I was always his last priority.

My heart completely died.

"Ethan, let's break up."

"Break up?"

He was taken aback, then let out a scoff.

"Over this?"

Right then, my phone buzzed with a Snapchat notification.

"I told you he wasn't the one. Since you've agreed, how about we go dress shopping and take wedding photos next week?"