Fifth year of dating, my boyfriend Julian Vance, who promised to spend Thanksgiving with me, looked apologetic. "Audrey, I have to fly to London to sign a contract, can't accompany you." I understood Julian's busy work, turned around but saw posts on his Finsta (Fake Instagram). [First time visiting father-in-law for Thanksgiving, what should I bring?] [My wifey is tiny and cute, if I bring wrong stuff, she will jump up and hit me.] [I also secretly bought a diamond ring, propose at dinner.] My heart felt sweet, thought he wanted to give me a surprise. But ignored my 5'6" height, which can't be counted as tiny anyway. Until Thanksgiving dinner night, my stepsister brought her boyfriend home. I was dumbfounded, because the man in front of me who dared not look me in the eye was exactly my boyfriend. Chapter 1 Stepdad's house is in the Hamptons villa area, luxuriously decorated, but never had my room. Every time back, I sleep on the folding bed in the maid's room. Just entered door, I heard Serena's delicate laughter, "Mom, Julian brought many gifts, come look!" Entered my eyes was familiar slender figure, and the camel coat I bought. My heart beat suddenly accelerated, a burst of pain. Julian's smile froze when seeing me, pupils constricted. Serena unaware, sweetly leaned on him, "Julian, this is my stepsister Audrey Lin." "She has weird temper, you don't need to bother her." Stepdad's voice full of pride, "Serena is lucky, found a boyfriend handsome and capable." "Unlike someone, dating five years, can't even bring a man back." This was obviously targeting me. But they didn't know, the man I wanted to bring home is right in front of them. I stood at foyer, neither enter nor retreat. Serena affectionately held my hand, eyes however full of provocation, "Sister back? Heard your boyfriend can't come again this year." "Pity, I still wanted to see." Mom also looked at me with disgust, "Audrey, not I say you, you are 28, should consider reality." "I see he just doesn't like you, no feminine charm at all." Every time I come back, have to accept a round of trial. I lowered head covering mist in eyes, no longer spoke. Said going abroad for business trip, man who would give me future, at this moment standing beside my stepsister. As her boyfriend identity, meeting my family. I expressionlessly opened mouth, "Hello, Mr. Vance." Julian's face whiter a few shades, but dared not look at me. When he passed by me, I smelled the familiar woody cologne. Was the birthday gift I gave him last year. Serena showed off those gifts like showing off trophies, "Julian is so thoughtful, knew Dad loves drinking, specially asked people buy Macallan 25." "Mom, this is La Mer set and mink coat for you." "Auntie, your scarf, cousin's PS5..." Saying, she picked up an exquisite jewelry box, opened in front of everyone. A diamond ring sparkled under light. Serena coquettishly pushed Julian, "I said why you mysterious, turns out prepared propose to me tonight." Stepdad laughed loud: "Double happiness, Serena found a good home!" Amidst congratulations, I watched their family happy and harmonious like an outsider. I paralyzed on sofa, brain chaos. A chill rushed through whole body, heart cramped with pain. I took out phone, started scrolling Julian's Finsta. Recent half year posted twenty something posts, all about wifey. [Wifey wanted cake from Uptown, I drove an hour to buy back, she ate like a cute hamster, worth it.] [Accompanied wifey shopping all day, feet about to break, but she looked so beautiful trying clothes.] [Wifey sick, anxious me took leave take care her, cooked porridge she disliked hard to drink, but still obediently drank.] Scrolling one by one, my fingers colder and colder, breathing became difficult. This is not me. Wifey in Julian's mouth, is my stepsister. When I sick, he only told me drink more hot water on phone. He never accompanied me shopping, said how improper for a big man. Turns out these five years, I was just a joke. Stepdad's sister, Auntie suddenly spoke, "Audrey, you also don't be sad." "Fate this thing can't force, Serena casually found such good boyfriend, but your standard don't be too high, almost there is fine." Cousin took words, "You pick again really leftover, I know a divorced one, although bring a kid, but condition not bad." They seven mouths eight tongues caring my life event, every word like needle pricking my heart. And Julian, from beginning to end intimately whispering with Serena, didn't look at me once. I turned fled to kitchen, "I go help serve dishes." Moment closing kitchen door, my tears finally burst out. My life most beautiful five years, whole heart loved a person, planned future with him. For him, I rejected chance working in Europe, stayed in New York. He wanted sign project, I stayed up late doing proposal; He couldn't negotiate partner, I fought drinking till stomach bleeding to help him sign. Serena's voice sounded behind, "Hiding here do what, wouldn't be feel ashamed right." I hurriedly wiped tears, turned back expression calm. Serena leaned on door frame, sizing up my red swollen eyes, suddenly laughed, "Sister, your boyfriend wouldn't be doing Romance Scam right?" "I am worried you being cheated, after all some people specially cheat you this kind older leftover woman, play few years then dump." Facing her malicious humiliation, I however unable refute. I dead bit lip, until tasted blood taste, "Don't need your reminder." I before also didn't have long memory, really thought she was for my good. Until night before SATs she brought me a cup hot milk. I vomited and diarrhea next day, from prospective Valedictorian became repeater failed exam. Face sweet heart ruthless, saying is Serena. Kitchen door pushed open, Julian stood at door, face ugly said: "Serena, Auntie called you set tableware." Serena answered, passing Julian stood on tiptoe kissed him, "Hubby perform really good today." Her sweet and playful look, however made me nauseous want vomit. Wait Serena left, Julian then walked into kitchen closed door. "Audrey, listen me explain." "Me and Serena already more than half year, I originally wanted tell you breakup earlier, but I afraid you seek life seek death..." I slapped on his face, "Julian Vance, you really make me disgusting." He deeply looked me once, helplessly warned: "After tonight I will give you compensation, but now you don't make trouble." Living room came burst laughter, Thanksgiving dinner started. I deep breath, carried dish walked out. Table already full people, my seat at most edge, next to dog house. Stepdad raised wine glass, "Little Vance, heard your company recently took a big project?" Julian calmly talked with fervor, "Uncle, is cooperation with Lin Group, next year expect bring $200 Million revenue." Relatives one after another amazed, "Lin Group? That is big corporation!" Stepdad brother drank mouthful wine, "Girl most important is marry well, Serena at once found golden tortoise son-in-law." Auntie suddenly looked at me, "Audrey, you breakup early, that thrice divorced one I introduced you, although 45, but has three houses!" I sighed, "I don't need." Auntie unhappy, "Ungrateful thing, not biological sure enough can't raise familiar!" Serena leaned head on Julian shoulder, mocked: "Julian, does your company have security or cleaning suitable for sister, person honest is fine." Julian awkwardly smiled, "I keep an eye." Atmosphere somewhat stiff. Cousin suddenly pointed me shouted: "I remembered, I saw Sister Audrey in Night Club last time, she wore so exposing, accompanying an old man drink!" Full seat uproar, all relatives eyes contemptuously shot at me. "Real fake?" "Thousand true ten thousand sure, that old man hand all on her leg!" Mom face ugly, unhappy said: "Audrey Lin, what exactly going on?" Stepdad cold snort, "I long said, she same as her gambling biological dad, not walk right path." I wanted defend, but found simply no one believe me. Cousin more said more energetic, "I even took photo, wait I find..." He just flipping phone, Serena suddenly exclaimed: "I remembered, Julian also said saw sister in club." "Julian, is it?" Julian holding wine glass knuckles white, Adam's apple rolled few times, actually slowly nodded. "Yes, I saw." Auntie sharp voice said: "What job need go club accompany drink, you an outsider don't lose our old Sullivan family face." Chapter 2 Cousin proudly showed phone photo, on screen indeed had a woman side face very like me. She wearing black slip dress, sitting beside a bald middle-aged man, but can't see face clear. "Look, I just said didn't look wrong," Mom fierce stood up, lips angry straight trembling, "Audrey Lin, you explain clearly to me!" I wanted loud tell them that not me, but throat like blocked, only could emit broken whimper. Serena hurry got up comfort, "Maybe sister really has some difficulties, now life pressure big, girl want take shortcut also understandable." Stepdad a slap fanned on my face, "My face all lost by you, you want money can't open mouth, must go that kind place sell smile!" I pain trembling, mouth corner seeped blood, "That not me, I simply don't know person in photo!" Cousin held phone to my face, "This hair this figure, not you who else can be, don't tell me you have a twin sister." Relatives whispered discussion up: [Really can't judge person by appearance, usually looking quite decent.] [28 still not married, anxious dig gold bei.] [Back then she failed exam first year, second year actually got into Ivy League, maybe committed self to grading teacher!] Every sentence like knife, slow slicing my dignity. I turned to Julian, "You said you saw me, is when?" He held wine glass hand tight tight, "End of October..." "End of October I was on business trip, why you want lie!" Hearing my question, Serena pout complain, "Julian just tell truth, you fierce him for what, self did disgusting thing still not let people say?" I eye rims red, "I didn't do wrong thing, is them framing me," Stepdad sternly interrupted, "Big festival, quarrel what quarrel, if you don't want stay in this home, roll now!" Mom angry straight pat my arm, "Audrey Lin, you quick apologize to Dad." I stubbornly looked up, "I no wrong, should apologize is him," Julian voice dry said: "You don't make trouble out of nothing." I coldly looked at him, "Julian Vance, we together five years, exactly who is making trouble?" Serena fierce wide eyes: "Sister what you saying, Julian how possible like you." I sneered, "We together since university." "Graduation year I originally want go abroad, was him begged me stay, said we will marry, want give me a future." "These five years he said want start up business, I helped pull sponsorship; he said want buy house, I took out all savings." "Result he actually became your boyfriend!" Information volume too big, everyone stunned. Mom unbelievable looking me, "Audrey, is what you said true?" Serena dead grabbed his arm, nails almost pinched into flesh, "Julian, what she said not true right!" Julian forehead sweat fine beads, embarrassed avoided her gaze. Auntie yin yang weird air said: "Turns out is two women fight one husband ah." "Audrey, not auntie say you, people all chose your sister, you don't dead pester hard beat, how ugly ah." Cousin echoed: "Brother Julian condition so good, choose Sister Serena not very normal, she young pretty, family condition also good." "Sister Audrey you almost thirty, dad not pain mom not love, take what compare?" I interrupted his words, "Is Serena robbed my boyfriend!" Stepdad rage said: "Yourself not chaste, go club accompany drink, Little Vance choose Serena is wise!" Mom pulled me once, small voice beg, "Audrey, don't say, big festival." I threw off her hand, accumulated years grievance exploded at this moment, "Why not let me say, small to big your eyes only Serena." "She buy brand name is should, I buy new clothes is waste; now she robbed my boyfriend, still my fault!" Serena suddenly calm down, "Who robbed who boyfriend still not sure ne." "You said Julian is your boyfriend, have any evidence? Did he publicize you on social platform?" I stunned. Yes, where I come evidence. Julian never post our photo in Instagram, said he doesn't like show affection. His friends I never saw, let alone public show affection. I originally thought he used to low key. Now understand, he from beginning didn't plan give me title. Serena showed a victor smile, "No right, I know you jealous me, but fabricate this kind lie also too pathetic." She turned hold Julian, "Julian, say yourself, what relationship you and sister before?" Julian silent few seconds, long sighed, "Audrey, we just university classmates, after graduation contact not much." "I don't know why you have such misunderstanding, but who I love always only Serena." He once used this thin lips kissed me countless times, said countless love words to me. At this moment using most calm tone, wiped out our five years feeling. Beat me into erotomania patient admiring him. I sniffed nose, "Dare you look my eyes say again?" He avoided my sight, lowered head said to Serena, "Serena, sorry, let you suffer grievance." Serena snuggled in his arms, look me eyes flashed proud, "Sister, now what else you have to say?" Relatives started help voice: "Audrey, listen Auntie one advice, hurry go check, is it brain have problem." "Want not go hospital register a psychiatry department!" Humiliation ridicule voice enter my ear. I like a clown stripped clothes public display, dumbfounded in place. Mom walked up, blame said: "Mom know you jealous Serena, but also can't ruin people reputation like this ah." "Quick apologize to everyone, say you are talking nonsense." Even my biological mom not believe me. I stumbled back, "I am crazy, I am escort girl, you guys satisfied?" Serena fake concerned step forward support me, but whisper in my ear: "You count what thing, play rotten broken shoes also worthy fight with me?" I force pushed her away, Julian angry grabbed wine glass fierce smashed at me. "Audrey Lin, what attitude you have!" My forehead a burst severe pain hit, fresh blood instant gush out. Chapter 3 "These five years, I for so-called love paid everything." "He while said love me, while talk marriage with my sister!" "Also my dear sister, you clearly knew my relationship with him, still intentional approach him snatch away, now still want step me a foot!" Finally, I looked at full table relatives, "Also you guys, small to big I do what all wrong, just because I am drag oil bottle (burden from previous marriage), not biological?" Mom cried out sound, "Audrey, how can you say such heartless words!" I disappointed looking her, "Mom, since you married into Sullivan family, eyes still have me this daughter?" "My birthday you not remember, I sick time you accompany Serena father daughter vacation, now I pointed nose scold by everyone, you only let me apologize." Mom stunned, face pale. Stepdad angry whole body tremble, "Beast, you really reverse sky, roll out for me!" I straightened spine, "I will go." "But before go, I want tell you guys one thing." "Lin Group Chairman, is my father." Living room quiet a moment. Immediately laughter exploded pot. Serena laughed back forth lean, "Sister, you wouldn't smashed silly right? Your that gambler biological dad if is Lin Group Chairman, then I am richest man daughter!" Stepdad sneer, "Big festival say what crazy words, your that biological dad owed a butt debt, ten years ago don't know die where went." Auntie shake head, "This child really sick not light." Julian frown, eyes carrying a trace pity, "Audrey, I know you stimulated, but also can't for anger Serena, random say anything." "I didn't nonsense." I calmly took out phone, dialed a number, "Uncle Wang, I at City North Villa Area Sullivan home, trouble you come pick me a bit." Hung up phone, I looked Julian, "Didn't you just signed Lin Group project? Should know Lin Chairman special assistant surname Wang right?" Julian face slight change, "How you know?" I faintly looked him once, "Because that project, is I look at you are my boyfriend sake, special approved to you." "Pity, you now not anymore." Serena sharp voice said: "Pretend what pretend ah! Julian, don't believe her, she just jealous crazy!" Noise between, outside door came car engine sound. Not one, is several. Cousin ran to window, sucked cold air, "Three Bentleys! Nearby who has such big pomp." Everyone looked towards cousin finger direction. Only see three black Bentleys neatly stopped at Sullivan villa door, a middle-aged man wearing custom suit, temperament steady got off car. Behind him followed two bodyguards. Julian face instant pale, "Assistant Wang." He saw Assistant Wang at signing ceremony. This Assistant Wang is Lin Chairman right left hand, even his company boss have to respect three points. Assistant Wang straight walked to door, pressed doorbell. Stepdad flustered go open door, "May I ask you find who?" Assistant Wang look not look him, gaze fell on me, slightly bow, "Miss, Chairman let me pick you home." Whole living room dead like silence. I took out phone, log in company internal system, "Julian Vance, you said you end of October saw me in club," "End of October I attended exhibition in Guangzhou, have ticket hotel record as proof." Julian changed face, guilty said: "Then maybe I saw wrong." I sneer, call out communication company background record, "Julian Vance, you said we just university classmates, after graduation contact not much." "Then please explain, why past five years, we average daily call exceed one hour? Why every month my bank card has a record of your mortgage deduction?" I turned screen to everyone. Serena fierce look Julian, "What she said is true?" Julian panicked, "Serena, you listen me explain." I interrupted him, "Explain what? Explain how you while spending my money, while pursue my sister? Explain how you told her I accompany drink in club, ruin my reputation?" I walked to cousin front, "Also you, woman on photo wrist has tattoo, do I have?" I rolled up sleeve, reveal white arm. Cousin stammering, "Maybe I also saw wrong." I approach a step, "Saw wrong?" "You so certain is me, now say saw wrong? Who let you say so? Serena? Or Julian?" Cousin panic back retreat, "I didn't!" Auntie stand up protect her precious son, "Audrey Lin, you crazy! Scare child do what?" I turned look her, "Auntie, didn't you want introduce me that 45 years old three houses divorced man?" "Coincidentally, I saw his file in company last week, divorced three times, has domestic violence history, ex-wife still in hospital. You sincerely for my good, or want get introduction fee?" Auntie face burst red burst white, "You nonsense!" I look Julian and Serena, "Nonsense or not not important." "Important is, you pair golden boy jade girl, one cheat money cheat feeling, one know mistress be mistress, really heaven made pair." Serena angry whole body tremble, "Audrey Lin, you shut up!" I laughed, "Did all did, still afraid people say?" Julian finally exploded, "Enough! Audrey Lin, even if we before had what, that also past thing! Now I love is Serena, want marry also Serena! You dead heart ba!" I suddenly felt incomparable absurd, "Julian Vance, you think I still will sad for you?" I took out a velvet box from bag, threw to his front. "This is birthday gift you gave me last year, said saved three months salary bought. I yesterday knew, is Wish.com nine ninety nine free shipping fake." "But it's okay, real fake I also don't care anymore. Together with you this person, return you together." Passing Julian side, I stopped steps, use only we two can hear voice say: "Right, forgot tell you, next year Lin Group all cooperation projects, I will personally audit." His pupils suddenly constrict. "Especially those, rely on women drink till stomach bleeding signed orders." I walked out door, Assistant Wang immediately hand handkerchief and ice bag, "Miss, you injured, want go hospital?" "No need, direct home." I sat in car, head didn't turn. I through rearview mirror saw Julian chased out, but dead blocked by bodyguard at door. Serena pulling his arm saying something, he fierce throw off her, expression is panic I never saw before. How funny. Five years deep affection not as shocking as an identity.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "390650", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel