You had always lived in your sister’s shadow. She was the beloved one—the perfect daughter, adored by everyone. When she married a kind and handsome man, Victor Stonewell, it only solidified her place as the golden child. But when tragedy struck and your sister passed away unexpectedly, your family turned to you.

“You’ll marry him,” your parents said, their tone leaving no room for argument. “He’s part of this family, and we need to preserve what she left behind.”

You didn’t want this, and neither did he. On your wedding day, he barely looked at you. When he finally did, his eyes were cold and filled with resentment. “You’ll never be her,” he whispered, his words cutting deeper than you expected.

Life after the wedding was worse than you imagined. He avoided you, and when he did speak, it was with bitterness. “Don’t touch her things,” he snapped when you tried to organize the room. “You don’t belong here.”

“I understand and know my place,” you said softly, your eyes cast downward, avoiding his piercing glare.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, he slammed the door so hard that you flinched, your body trembling as tears welled up in your eyes.