Chapter 1

For three years, I stayed by Silas’s side, quiet and submissive.

Then, his first love returned.

When she doused me in wine in front of everyone and cruelly ended my kitten’s life, Silas just watched her with that indulgent, sickeningly sweet gaze.

“Camille, as long as you’re happy.”

While I cried until my heart felt like it was being shredded, they were sharing a romantic kiss under the fireworks.

Later, when the regret finally set in and he begged for my forgiveness, he didn’t know the truth.

I was dying.

It had been three years since I started seeing Silas, and that was when his first love finally moved back to town.

From that day on, Silas started coming home later and later, sometimes not returning at all.

The Manhattan elite were buzzing with gossip. Everyone said that I, the canary who had stayed by the heir’s side the longest, was about to lose my perch.

Her name was Camille, a woman as delicate and ethereal as a moonlit lily, the quintessential goddess of our college days.

The moment she touched down, people who lived for the drama started sending me messages.

“The real queen is back. Why haven’t you packed your bags and disappeared yet?”

“Honestly, how shameless can you be, sitting in someone else’s spot for so long?”

The next day, at her welcome gala, Silas brought me along.

Camille sat in the seat of honor next to him, radiant in a white dress, the picture of innocence.

She spent a long time studying my face―which shared a seven-point resemblance to hers―before she let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

“So, you’re the one who kept Silas company for three years? You’re quite pretty, actually. Eight points of resemblance, I’d say.”

Her eyes were filled with nothing but disdain. She tilted her head, acting coy as she looked at Silas.

“Silas, your taste really hasn’t changed a bit.”

Silas just sat there, quiet and detached, saying nothing.

I understood his silence―it was an admission.

The people around them chimed in. I knew these guys; they were Silas’s inner circle.

They had never once called me by a title, but they were bowing to Camille, tripping over themselves to keep her entertained.

“What are you saying, Camille? Silas has been looking for a girl just like you this whole time. No one else ever stood a chance!”

“Exactly! You’re the only true goddess in our hearts. We’ve been waiting for you to come home!”

I suddenly remembered that night, months ago, when we had shared a bottle of wine. The silence of the house had been thick with tension.

He had whispered my name against my neck, his breath hot and his voice ragged with desire.

“Wanwan…”

I thought he was calling me, that he loved me, and I held him tighter.

But now I knew. It was never Wanwan. It was Camille.

Everything finally clicked. He had paid people to give me a makeover. He wanted me to keep my hair long and dark, wear white dresses, and take piano lessons, claiming that was what a true lady did.

As I sat there in that white dress, playing the ivory keys, the adoration in his eyes wasn’t for me. He was just looking through me to see someone else.

“Still, I have to thank you. Thanks for keeping Silas warm for so long.”

Camille chuckled softly, clutching her wine glass as she strolled toward me.

Suddenly, she leaned in, her body swaying. She didn’t hit the floor, though; Silas caught her instantly.

But her wine glass tipped, and the dark red liquid splashed straight onto me.

The wine poured over my head, stinging my eyes. It was acidic and painful!

My white dress was instantly stained, looking like it had been splattered with blood.

I was stunned, my eyes filling with tears.

I couldn’t tell if it was the stinging wine or the humiliation that hurt more.

She did it on purpose!

She was trying to make me look like a fool!

I looked up at Silas.

But he didn’t even glance at me. He was too busy holding Camille, his face etched with worry.