Chapter 3

I stood quietly in front of the mirror.

I'd wanted this dress a month ago, when I passed the boutique.

Theodore had glanced at it for half a second and said it was too plain, that it wouldn't suit me.

Two days later, at our engagement dinner, I saw it on Isabel.

I told myself it was just a coincidence.

But looking back now, she'd worn it on purpose, to twist the knife.

I curled my lips at myself and pushed open the door of the private room.

Across the hall, Theodore was moving through the crowd toasting the guests, Isabel right beside him.

Anyone who didn't know better would have thought the two of them were the married couple.

My relatives kept exchanging glances, whispering among themselves.

My friends just looked lost.

When Theodore saw me come out, he froze for a couple of seconds, then a smug little smile tugged at his mouth.

He crossed the crowd toward me.

"See? In the end you still put the dress on like a good girl."

"All that fuss you made. What did it get you?"

Isabel pinched her waistline, showing it off, swirling the champagne in her glass.

"I really envy how loose and modest yours is. Not like me, I can barely squeeze into my wedding gown anymore."

"Please. Your figure's perfect."

"You'd tease your own daddy? I'll smack you."

The two of them chased each other around, playing, and no one so much as looked at me.

My mother-in-law's eyes had narrowed into happy little slits as she gazed at Isabel.

She stroked the girl like she couldn't get enough of her.

"Bella, sweetheart, you're my favorite. So obedient, so sensible, and such a sweet mouth on you."

"Not like some people. Look all innocent and harmless, sweet as anything, then behind your back it's demand a bride price, demand a house and a car."

"This wedding nearly cleaned out everything the Henson family had."

The words drove into my ears like a splinter.

I clenched my fingers tight and stood where I was, saying nothing.

His family only ever brought up the bride price.

They never once mentioned that my dowry came in fifty thousand higher than the bride price itself.

Back then, Theodore had held me and promised again and again that from now on he'd be good to me and only me, that he'd never let me down.

Foolish as I was, I'd walked into his family's home with my money in hand.

I'd actually believed him.

I let out a cold breath and laughed under it.

Isabel squeezed her hand right back.

"Auntie, honestly, I've always thought of you as my godmother. Even now that this brat Theodore's getting married, I'm still your goddaughter."

The two of them played off each other, having a grand time.

The emcee came over from across the room, smiling, working the crowd.

"You two are the very picture of how a mother and daughter-in-law should be. It's enviable, really!"

He'd mistaken Isabel for the bride.

The floor went silent.

Isabel snorted and clapped a hand over her mouth, laughing as she fell into Theodore's arms, her eyes crinkling into slits.

Her voice carried out through the microphone.

"Oh, you brat, do I really look that much like your wife? Even the emcee got it wrong."