Chapter 1

When I handed my mother the wedding invitation again.

She stayed bent over her work, not sparing me even a sideways glance.

"Serena, I have something that day. I can't make it."

Before I could recover, my sister pushed the door open.

She leaned against Mom's shoulder, easy and affectionate.

"Mom, I'm getting engaged to my boyfriend next week. Will you come to my engagement party?"

Mom set down her work and patted Jocelyn Morrison's head.

"Of course I'll be at your engagement."

"Is your boyfriend good to you? Better bring him by so I can look him over."

Listening to all that warmth, my eyes stung.

I was about to leave when Mom called me back.

"Serena, your sister wants some behind-the-scenes footage of the engagement prep. Make sure you film it nicely for her."

"After all, this is about the memories of a lifetime for her."

The words sent my heart plunging into a pit of ice.

When I took my wedding photos and wanted her to come for a family portrait, she refused every way she could.

I kept talking myself into understanding her, because she was busy with work.

But this time, I didn't want to keep fooling myself.

01

Looking at the camera Mom held out, I shook my head and pushed it back.

"I won't film it."

She clearly hadn't expected me to react like that. For a second her face froze.

Then her expression darkened.

"Serena, don't turn something this small into a fight that upsets everyone."

Jocelyn chimed in beside her.

"Sis, I only wanted to ask you because I really think you shoot beautifully."

When I still didn't budge, Mom's face went hard and cold.

"Serena Morrison, it's just filming a little footage for your sister. It won't take you long. Who do you think you're giving that attitude to?"

At those words, my fingertips trembled slightly.

I couldn't hold it back.

"You don't have time to come to my wedding, and you don't have time to help."

"So I'm preparing everything myself. I don't have time to film footage."

Seeing my attitude, the anger on her face grew plainer.

"Throwing a tantrum over something this small. You don't act anything like an older sister!"

I'd already stopped hoping for my mother's love.

But hearing her scold me for Jocelyn's sake still left a bitterness I couldn't swallow.

Ever since we were little, my sister had been sweeter and better with words than me.

She got to sit on Mom's lap and be as clingy and coaxing as she pleased.

All I got was Mom's cold face.

Later, I tried to coax and cling the way my sister did.

But she always turned me down, saying she was too busy.

I lifted my eyes to my mother. The look in hers was full of disgust.

A sharp sting hit my eyes, and I looked away.

"Then from now on, just pretend you never had this daughter!"

And with that, I walked out of the office, not caring how she reacted.