Love Story5–Chapter 1
Love Story5–Chapter 1
On Valentine’s Day, my parents‘ adopted daughter, Natalia, posted a picture in the family group chat flaunting a massive diamond ring, captioned: “Wedding scheduled for
Thanksgiving. You all must attend!”
The family group erupted instantly.
“Wow, what a huge diamond! I saw it in a magazine–costs as much as a house!”
Even my usually silent uncle, Alex, chimed in, “Our girl Natalia sure has a knack for
success!”
“I heard from your parents that your fiancé is New York’s richest man. Don’t forget about
us once you’re married!”
My mother eagerly added, “Our beautiful and dutiful daughter marrying a billionaire is only to be expected.”
“Unlike some people, who are already thirty and still haven’t figured things out–keep
waiting, and even a poor man won’t want you.”
Natalia took the chance to tag me, sneering, “That’s right, little sis, you’d better put more t thought into your future; after all, you’re only the one getting picked, not the one doing the picking.”
Reading their messages, I was fuming. But when I opened the photo, I realized the ring Natalia was showing off was unmistakably my engagement ring, the one Edward Lewis used to propose to me. This ring was too valuable to wear casually, so I usually kept it
safely at home. It was custom–made; how could Natalia have it?
I cautiously asked, “Natalia, is that really your ring?”
Natalia couldn’t hold back, quickly posting multiple photos of herself in a sports car, wearing the ring to prove her point.
“This ring, and this limited–edition sports car, are all gifts from my fiancé. If you don’t believe me, I can keep posting pictures as proof.”
11:31
A Losing Game of Love
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Love Story’s Chapter 1
“Kate I know you’ve always envied me, but take a good look at yourself. Could you even afford these things?”
“You’re not going to tell me your husband is also New York’s richest man, are you?”
The more photos she posted, the more suspicious I became. Wasn’t that Edward’s car?
My father, even angrier than Natalia, jumped in, “Stop embarrassing yourself. I know you’re jealous of your sister, but you can’t just make things up.”
Other relatives quickly joined in, berating me in the chat.
“As if the richest man would be interested in a country bumpkin like you! Keep dreaming.”
“It’s shameful to have a relative like you. Your parents shouldn’t have brought you back.”
Ignoring their scorn, I just wanted to ask Natalia where she got that ring. But before I coud, I was kicked out of the group chat.
The way my parents defended Natalia almost made me believe she was their real daughter. But in reality, Natalia and I had been accidentally switched at birth in the hospital. I’d only been brought back from the countryside when I was ten, yet they couldn’t bear to send Natalia away, so she stayed.
Ever since I reunited with my parents, they’d constantly looked down on me, saying I was nothing compared to Natalia and even reeked of poverty. I thought I was used to their harshness, but seeing how they protected Natalia without sparing a thought for me, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.
For now, though, I couldn’t dwell on it. I just needed to find out how Natalia got a ring identical to mine and why she was sitting in Edward’s car. Could it be that during our recent fight, Edward found himself a new lover?
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