Chapter 2

My parents rented a private banquet hall at a luxury hotel for my birthday.

Victoria was already floating between the guests, chatting up everyone in the room.

She always had this habit of subtly copying everything I did.

In the past, I just thought she was close to me.

Now, with the spoilers floating before my eyes, every single move she made reeked of hidden motives.

She didn't just want to copy me. She wanted to replace me.

"Chloe, happy birthday!"

She strutted right over to me and gave a little twirl.

"How do you like my outfit today?"

"You're the star of the show today, so as your older cousin, I couldn't embarrass you, right?"

[Here we go, the classic 'flexing a cheap knockoff' routine.]

[She is obsessed with wearing Chloe's old clothes. Is she trying to roleplay as a rich girl?]

[Gross. Look at that smug face. Anyone would think she owns the venue.]

Reading the savage commentary in front of me, I almost burst out laughing.

I pressed my lips together.

Then, I slipped on a sweet, innocent expression.

"You look stunning, Victoria. You always look great in everything."

"Honestly, that dress looks way more elegant on you than it ever did on me."

Victoria froze.

She clearly hadn't expected that response.

Usually, I would teasingly point out that pure white made her skin tone look dull.

She gave me a suspicious once-over.

She was searching for any sign of sarcasm.

I lowered my eyes, putting on a slightly hurt pout.

"I used to be so immature, always bickering with you."

"Now that I’m a year older, I realize family harmony is more important than anything else."

"Besides, you've always treated me so well. I'm never going to pick fights with you again."

A smug wave of superiority washed over Victoria's face.

She patted my shoulder reassuringly.

"I'm glad you've finally matured."

"And don't worry about Ethan."

"If he gives you something cheap or embarrassing, just own it gracefully. Don't let your pride get the best of you."

"Worst case, I'll step in and cover for you. I'll just say the gift was from me."

"My boyfriend doesn't make as much as Ethan anyway, so nobody will judge me."

[Holy crap, the toxicity is practically dripping off her!]

[She's priming Chloe in advance to accept a garbage gift. This woman is more calculating than a supercomputer.]

[Wait, isn't her so-called 'rich entrepreneur boyfriend' just a married scam artist?]

[LMAO, a scammer and a thief. Truly a match made in hell.]

So that was it.

The boyfriend she bragged about every single day was actually a married fraud.

I fought back the urge to call her out right then and there.

Instead, I looked at her with pure, teary-eyed gratitude. "Thank you, Victoria. You're the best."

"Of course, silly. What are cousins for?"

Victoria patted my hand, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

At three in the afternoon, Ethan walked through the doors holding a bouquet of rare blue roses.

"Happy birthday, Chloe."

He handed me the flowers.

Then, he naturally took my hand in his.

My heart melted instantly.

The phrase "dies in a brutal car crash at twenty-four" from the comments stabbed through my chest like a jagged blade.

I had come so close to losing him forever.

"Ethan... I missed you so much."

My voice trembled slightly.

Ethan blinked in surprise.

A moment later, the warmth in his eyes deepened.

He squeezed my hand tightly and leaned in close to whisper in my ear.

"Silly girl, we literally saw each other yesterday."

"I missed you too."

"Just wait. I've got a surprise for you."

I nodded firmly.

Not far away, Victoria practically shoved her way between us.

She slipped her arm through mine with practiced familiarity.

"Ethan, you're finally here! Chloe has been talking about you all morning."

"Did you bring the big gift? We've all been dying to see it!"

The second she said that, my mom walked over.

Her brow was furrowed with slight annoyance.

"Victoria, mind your words."

"What do you mean, 'dying to see it'? You make our family sound so superficial. It's the thought that counts."

Mom said that out loud.

Yet her eyes drifted, completely out of her control, toward the corner of the room.

Sitting there was a massive gift box, reaching halfway up to a person's chest.

Ethan had arranged for a courier to deliver it earlier that afternoon.

By now, it had become the undisputed focal point of the entire hall.

Victoria had gotten what she wanted.

She quickly hooked her arm through my mom's, putting on a cutesy voice.

"Oh, Auntie, I was just teasing!"

"I'm just excited for Chloe! I heard Ethan spent months preparing this. We're all naturally curious, that's all."

The surrounding relatives began gathering around.

"That's right, Chloe, open it up! Let us share the joy!"

"Young people these days are so romantic."

"Ethan has always been such a solid, honest guy. He definitely wouldn't let our Chloe down."

I walked over to the massive box.

Victoria whipped out her phone and hit record.

She gave me a radiant, encouraging smile.

"Chloe, I'm filming the footage for your TikTok vlog contest right now!"

"Keep your expressions natural, okay? Let's nail it in one take!"

I took a deep, steadying breath.

I looked at Ethan in the crowd, his face full of quiet anticipation.

Then I looked at Victoria, whose eyes were glittering with malicious delight.

[Here it comes! The greatest public humiliation of the decade is about to unfold!]

[Someone hold my hand, my blood pressure can't take this!]

[A moment of silence for our girl's dying relationship.]

I glanced at the frantic floating comments.

The corner of my lips curled into a cold, sharp smirk.

The real show was only just beginning.