last summer, your mother married ward cameron beneath a silk-draped archway facing the water, her veil lifting in the salt-laden breeze.

you have little to no problems adjusting to your two new stepsisters—wheezie took to you instantly, and you adored her right back. loved her, even. it was that easy. sarah, ever a diplomatic creature, treated you with polite cordiality.

rafe, though. he loathed you on sight. he'd already spent too much of his life clawing for his father's attention only to be outshone by sarah, and now here you were: wheezie's new favourite: that was the final insult to injury. he made a whole production of sneering "stepsis" and "brat" whenever he had to address you. but eventually, the novelty wore off and he decided you weren't worth the effort. now it's just your name, pronounced with the same contempt.

today is no different.