Chapter 1

Three days before my wedding, I found out my brother and his family had moved into the master bedroom of my new house without my permission.

My mother said casually, "Austin has nowhere else to go. Let him have the master bedroom. You can sleep in the guest room."

"I'll pay you $50 a month for his rent. We’re family, don’t be so stingy."

After I refused, my whole family called me an ungrateful wrench.

My brother went live on TikTok, whining about how selfish I was, and my relatives took turns calling to tell me to "just suck it up."

On my wedding day, they even tried to ruin my ceremony.

Since they wanted to play dirty, I decided I was completely done with this toxic family!

Three days before the wedding, I walked into my new house carrying a box of wedding favors.

Deafening video game sound effects and a toddler’s screaming echoed from the master bedroom.

I froze at the entrance. Dirty shoes were scattered all over the hallway, and children's toys littered the living room floor.

The master bedroom door swung open. My brother, Austin, stepped out shirtless, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

"Oh, Chloe. You’re here?"

I looked past him.

My wedding bed was covered in dirty cartoon sheets. His wife, Lily, was sitting there, breastfeeding their two-year-old.

The closet doors were wide open, stuffed with their clothes.

I could hear my own voice shaking. "What the hell are you guys doing here?"

Austin acted like it was no big deal. "Didn't Mom tell you? My lease ended. Since your place was empty anyway, I figured we’d move in."

I practically screamed, "This is my wedding house! My wedding is the day after tomorrow!"

Austin rolled his eyes. "I know you're getting married. It's not like we're kicking you out."

"I took the master bedroom, but I left the guest room for you. Pretty generous of me, right?"

My blood ran cold. I turned on my heel, ran down the stairs, and drove straight to my parents' house.

My mother, Helen, was watering plants on the balcony. She didn't even look up when I started questioning her.

"I told Austin to move in. It’s so hard for him to rent a place with a toddler. Your house was just sitting there empty anyway."

"That is my house! I spent six months renovating it! Ethan and I saved up every penny to buy all the furniture and appliances!"

Helen set down the watering can and frowned at me. "What’s yours is family property."

"Your brother is struggling. As his sister, shouldn't you help him out?"

"It's not like we’re not letting you live there. Just let them have the master bedroom, and you can sleep in the guest room. What’s the big deal?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "So I’m supposed to thank him for stealing my master bedroom?"

Helen waved her hand impatiently. "Watch your tone, Chloe."

"Tell you what. I’ll pay you $50 a month on Austin’s behalf, okay? Don't be so uptight with your own blood."

Fifty dollars.

For the house I bought for my marriage, they took my master bedroom and offered fifty dollars a month.

I said firmly, "No way. Tell them to get out by tonight, or I’m calling a locksmith to throw them out."

Helen’s face instantly darkened. "Chloe Miller! How can you be so selfish? Your brother doesn't have a job, and raising a kid is hard. Can’t you show some empathy?"

I shot back, "Is it my fault he’s struggling?"

"He’s twenty-seven, doesn't work, plays video games all day, and you guys pay for his kid's baby formula."

"I bought my own house at twenty-seven without a single dime from this family. And now you’re trying to steal my wedding house?"

"Steal? Who’s stealing!" Helen raised her voice. "What’s wrong with letting your brother stay for a few days? He’s your only brother. When your father and I are gone, who else are you going to rely on?"

"Help him now, and he’ll remember your kindness in the future."

Always the same old speech.

Since we were kids, whenever Austin wanted something of mine, it always ended up being his.

My snacks, my toys, even the laptop I bought with my own hard-earned money from my part-time job after high school.

Every time, Helen would say, "Austin wants it. Just let him have it. You can buy another one later."

But "later" never came.

"They must move out tonight," I said, turning to leave.

Helen sneered behind me. "Fine. Act tough."

"Let’s see if Ethan still wants to marry an ungrateful, cold-hearted wrench who won’t even help her own brother!"

My footsteps halted. My heart felt like it was pierced by an icicle.