For five years, I've been in a secret relationship with my foster brother, Daniel Denning. I'm with him night after night, learning every way to please him.

I'm full of joy, waiting for him to secretly marry me, when I stumble upon an ongoing phone call.

That is when I realize he's been broadcasting every moment he has with me in bed live all this time.

In their group chat, they shamelessly discuss how voracious I am in bed.

At the bottom is his latest message.

"Miranda climbs into my bed with just a crook of a finger. She's just as disgusting as her father. Once I'm done with her, I'll make sure she's ruined for good."

Tears blur my eyes.

The love I thought we shared for five years is nothing more than part of his revenge.

Clutching the invitation in my hand, I board the plane abroad.

This time, I'll never wait for him again.

——

My fingers trembled as I ended the call, realizing Daniel Denning's entire group of friends had heard everything that just happened.

"Dude, that was awesome! Thanks for letting us hear it live every time."

"I didn't expect sweet little Miranda to be that wild in private. Let me have a go with her when you're done."

"It'll be soon, right? Didn't Daniel say he'd dump her once her reputation is ruined? We'll all line up for a taste."

My mind went blank as I scrolled up, shaking.

Then, I saw a message from Daniel that was sent not long ago. "Miranda's father deliberately invited my mom on that trip, causing her to die in that plane crash.

"Afterward, people spread rumors that she had run away with him. Since he destroyed my mother's reputation, I'll destroy his daughter's. I'll make her suffer for life."

I numbly scrolled through their chat history.

Only then did I realize that every intimate moment between us over the years had been shared.

Each of his friends had commented freely on how I looked and sounded when I was beneath him.

So many derogatory terms had become associated with my name.

Someone even posted a photo of me with a flushed face as I reached the peak.

I felt a wave of nausea and had to cover my mouth to stop myself from vomiting.

We shared five years of love in the shadows, but in his eyes, I was nothing but a toy to show off.

Tears slid down my cheeks as I leaned against the bed, staring blankly at Daniel's sleeping face.

When we were children, my father and his mother died in the same plane crash.

Everyone said they had eloped, betraying their families.

My mother was devastated and furious after the event, and she passed away soon after, leaving me alone as an orphan.

When Daniel's father offered to adopt me, I couldn't believe it. After all, why would the family who lost everything because of mine take me in?

I had thought they wanted revenge, but they had treated me well. The one who treated me best was my "brother", Daniel.

At school, when kids mocked me for being an orphan, he had beaten them up one by one.

He held my hand and told everyone that I was the princess of our home.

He told me he would protect me forever.

When I was still a teenager, I had shyly confessed to him once.

He told me I was too young and that he couldn't touch me.

I naïvely believed that it was because he cared.

Even though he had rejected me, I still loved him and waited to grow up.

The day I reached adulthood, I got drunk and kissed him.

He didn't push me away.

Then, I gathered up my courage and undid his belt, which he didn't stop either.

That night, we did everything lovers could do.

When I woke up in his arms, I asked him sweetly, "Dan, am I your girlfriend now?"

He kissed my forehead and said softly, "Miranda Denning, my sweet baby, you'll always be my dearest little sister. Let's just pretend last night never happened. We'll still be siblings in the future."

My heart froze at the comment, but I clung to his hand and replied, "It's okay if I'm not your girlfriend. I don't mind as long as I can stay by your side, even if nobody knows."

After some hesitation, Daniel agreed to that secret arrangement.

From then on, we were siblings by day, and lovers by night.

I loved him so deeply that I was willing to give up everything just to be his hidden lover for life.

He had once promised that he would marry me openly once he gained full control of the family business.

But today, I finally understood that Daniel had never loved me.

He'd protected me, seduced me, and climbed into my bed every night, but it was all a part of his plan for revenge.

My phone chimed with a message from a judge of the ZW International Jewelry Competition.

A month earlier, I had received an invitation from ZW.

I had been preparing for it joyfully when Daniel tore my passport to pieces.

At the time, he had held me with a deep, loving gaze. "Miranda, you know that keeping a low profile will mean it'll be easier for us to get married later on. Besides, I couldn't bear you being too far away from me."

Back then, I'd thought he was so sweet for planning our future like that.

But now, as I looked at the boisterous chat that was going on, I finally understood that he had never loved me.

Every ounce of love he had shown me sprang from hatred.

Every time he was kind to me, it came with a price.

He was convinced that my father had seduced his mother and ruined his family.

I was powerless to refute him, so I always carried guilt toward his family.

Even though I believed my father wasn't that kind of man, I had no evidence to clear his name.

After a long while, I took the invitation from the very bottom of the bookshelf and slowly typed one line on my phone. "I accept ZW's invitation. I will head to Newton to compete next week."

Just as I gave him my love, I could take it back.

"Daniel, I'll take back all the love I gave you," I thought.

In one week, I would leave him forever.

Chapter 2

At dawn, I went out alone to reapply for my passport before anyone else woke up.

When I returned home to say goodbye to my foster father, he looked genuinely delighted. "Not bad. You really are our precious princess. The fiancé your parents arranged for you when they were still alive happens to be in Newton as well. You should meet him once you're there."

I didn't dare to tell him about what had happened between me and Daniel, so I could only nod. "Alright, Dad. I'll go meet that man."

"Man? What man?" I heard a sharp, mocking voice behind me.

I stiffened as I turned back, trembling.

Daniel stood in the doorway, looking at me with amusement.

There was even a woman beside him.

I lowered my head, avoiding his gaze as I said softly, "Dan."

Daniel made a noncommittal sound in reply before pushing the woman forward. "This is Sheryl Henke, the girlfriend I mentioned before. We're getting married in a week, so she'll be staying with us until then."

After he finished speaking, he immediately looked toward me.

I knew he was waiting for me to throw a fit—to cry and beg him to break up. After all, I'd done that before.

But he didn't know that I would be leaving in a week.

I would head to Newton City and pursue my dreams.

At the same time, I would cut all ties with him.

Swallowing the bitterness in my heart, I nodded. "Alright, Dan. Congratulations on your wedding. I wish you happiness."

After that, I turned around and walked away. However, Daniel caught up to me before I reached the stairs, pulling me into his arms. "What's this? Why are you so obedient today? You don't seem jealous at all."

He pinned me against the wall, one hand gripping my waist while the other slid behind me to unfasten my bra with practiced ease.

He had undressed me like this countless times in the dark of night.

I froze as I shoved him away in a panic. "Daniel, are you insane?"

"What? Am I not allowed to touch you anymore? Did you get yourself another man outside?" Daniel sneered and pulled me even closer.

He had once charmed me with his words, but now, all I felt toward him was disgust.

I didn't want to argue with him, so I made up an excuse. "Your girlfriend's staying with us these days. We need to keep our distance."

"Keep our distance?" Daniel let out a low, mocking laugh.

However, his grip softened slightly. "So you really are jealous. I told you before that she's just a cover. You're the woman I really love. But I guess I do need to make the act convincing for the next few days, so let's do as you say."

The moment Daniel let me go, I turned around and bolted back to my room.

I immediately ran into Sheryl, who sneered at me.

I ignored her and went straight in.

The cat I'd raised by myself, Cloud, leapt into my arms.

It had been a gift to me from Daniel.

I stared at it for a long time before I started to pack away everything he had ever given me.

Since I decided to end things, I wanted to cut every last tie we had.

A housekeeper knocked on the door, and only then did I realize it was already dinner time.

At the table, I saw Daniel holding Sheryl close, letting her lean against his chest. They looked every bit the part of a doting couple.

My foster father looked overjoyed. "Miranda, this is your brother's girlfriend. Your future sister-in-law."

I nodded politely and said nothing.

Sheryl lowered her head pitifully. "Miranda doesn't seem to like me. I don't think she sees me as her sister-in-law."

Daniel wrapped his arm tighter around her and looked at me with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Miranda's always been attached to me. I guess she's just not used to seeing me with someone else."

I lowered my head and withdrew my gaze, missing the flicker of surprise in his eyes.

After dinner, I returned to my room, only for Daniel to follow me inside.

He pulled me into his arms. His familiar scent enveloped me, with his warm breath brushing against my neck.

He used to love doing this, holding me in secluded corners of the house and stealing moments of passion.

And I used to love it all as well.

But now, all I felt was panic. "Let go. We're at home. Aren't you afraid Dad will find out?"

Daniel chuckled softly, tilting my chin up and stopping just short of kissing me. "What's wrong? Are you still feeling jealous? She's just a junior from my school that I asked to help put on a show."

I said nothing.

He had no idea that I had seen her name in that chat group.

From the very beginning, he had been conspiring with others to deceive and degrade me.

Daniel suddenly leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "I've got it all planned. On the day I'm supposed to marry her, you'll come in wearing a wedding dress and steal me away. What do you think about that?"

Chapter 3

I lowered my head to hide the mocking look on my face.

If I hadn't seen what he had posted in that group, I really would have been moved enough to try and steal him during the wedding.

If I truly tried to steal the groom that day, my foster father would probably be furious. Everyone would blame me for being shameless and ill-mannered.

"Miranda, what's wrong? Don't you want to be with me anymore?" Daniel tightened his grip and forced my chin up.

It could have been my imagination, but I thought I caught a flash of panic in his eyes.

I smiled and said, "Of course I want to. I have a huge gift for you on that day, too."

That gift would be me leaving him forever.

The corners of Daniel's mouth curved up as he bent down to kiss me on the lips before letting me go.

The next morning, Sheryl and Daniel said they would be going out to pick wedding dresses. I tried leaving the table, holding back my pain.

But Sheryl grabbed my arm. "Miranda, you're a designer, so you must have excellent taste. Help me pick out a dress."

I wanted to refuse her, but my foster father said, "Then you should go together. Miranda should take a look around, too. She might need one soon."

I didn't want to disappoint the man who had always cared for me, so I followed them into the car.

While Sheryl tried on dresses, Daniel suddenly said to me, "Miranda, pick one that you like, too. I'll buy two sets. Then, you and Sheryl can wear the same gowns so they won't even recognize you under the veil."

When he said that, I saw Sheryl clench her skirt.

I didn't object and replied, "Okay, but you have to come with me."

"You can't even wait a week? Are you that eager to become my bride?" Daniel teased and pulled me into the fitting room.

In that cramped space, he took off my clothes and deftly put a wedding dress on me.

When I turned around, I could see the astonishment in his eyes. "You're so beautiful, Miranda. I can already imagine how lively the wedding will be."

I couldn't tell what he was thinking as his lips curled into a bright smile.

I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "Why don't we take a photo?"

There wouldn't be any more chances to do it in the future.

I had to admit that I still couldn't cut ties completely after so many years together. This photo would be my last memento.

I'd left my phone in the fitting room, so we took a photo with Daniel's.

He seemed to be in a good mood and didn't even stop me when I took the phone away.

When I entered the fitting room with his phone, the group chat was suddenly flooded with messages.

His friends were constantly asking him questions.

"Daniel, Sheryl said you brought that foster sister of yours to pick wedding dresses. Are you suddenly backing out?"

"Who knows? Maybe Daniel's actually falling for her."

Further down was a recent reply from Daniel. "Is a woman who climbed into bed so easily worthy of my love? No, I just want to ruin her completely. When she comes in on the wedding day and tries to marry me, I'll publicly refuse and humiliate her.

"I'll make sure everyone knows about how shameless she is to seduce her foster brother. Wouldn't kicking her away with heartbreak be so fun?"

My heart felt as if it had frozen over and shattered.

After so many years of love, he still thought I was unworthy.

In his eyes, I was nothing but a cheap woman.

My legs buckled, and I tripped over the dress and fell.

Daniel rushed in at the noise, scooping me up and asking with concern, "Miranda, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

The worry on his face didn't seem fake, but the messages from the group persisted in my mind.

So even love could be faked.

I pushed him away, swallowing my disgust. Then, I shoved the phone into his hand.

He was stunned for a moment before anxiously asking, "Miranda, did you see something?"

Chapter 4

"What could I have seen?" I held myself back and looked at him calmly, pretending to be confused.

I tried to act like I didn't know anything.

Daniel froze for a moment, then patted my head just like he used to do. He said in a soothing tone, "Don't make trouble, Miranda. Didn't we already agree? You'll be my bride on the day of the wedding. Then, there's no way Father could object even if he wanted to."

I looked at Daniel and suddenly started laughing.

So, people laughed when they were utterly heartbroken.

He had discussed all kinds of wedding plans with me countless times, but the only one he ever put into action was the one meant to destroy me.

I thought to myself that there was no need for him to go through all that trouble.

When that day arrived, I would already be on a plane abroad.

Then, we would be on opposite sides of the world, never to meet again.

Daniel seemed to think that I was merely sulking. After buying the two wedding dresses, Daniel brought Sheryl and me home.

But as they were discussing rings, Sheryl suddenly looked at me. "I heard that Miranda's a designer. Helping us design a pair of rings shouldn't be a problem, right?"

I had a competition to prepare for, so I had no time to help them. I was just about to refuse when Daniel cut in, "Actually, Miranda already has a pair of rings designed. She can give them to us as a wedding gift."

I trembled as I listened to him.

Those rings had been designed for me and him. I had even spent a whole year crafting them by hand.

And now, he wanted me to take them out and give them to another woman.

"What? Are you not willing to do it? I'll buy it from you, then. How does 20 million sound?" As he spoke, Daniel reached into his pocket for his checkbook.

I reached out and stopped him. "No need. I should give you and Sheryl a present on that day anyway. Just treat those rings as the wedding gift."

The smile on Daniel's lips suddenly vanished.

He said nothing and followed me upstairs to fetch the rings. However, once we entered my room, he suddenly pinned me against the wall.

When he kissed me, I bit down hard and split his lip open.

The taste of blood spread through my mouth, but he still didn't let go.

His hand slipped under my clothes, and I had to use every ounce of strength to shove him away. I turned around to run, but he grabbed me and dragged me back.

He hugged me from behind, which had once been our favorite position.

"Miranda, why did you agree? You designed those rings for us."

His words made me want to laugh.

"Isn't this what you wanted, Dan? I'm just fulfilling your wish." I looked at him coldly, not showing a hint of emotion.

Daniel stared at me for a long time before pulling me closer again. His voice lowered as he pleaded, "Miranda, I was just angry earlier. I was angry that you gave our rings to someone else."

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

He was the one who wanted to crush my dignity and turn me into a joke.

And now, he was performing this act of remorse in front of me.

But I no longer wished to play his game.

This time, I would walk away.

By morning, Daniel was no longer home. When I went downstairs, I found my foster father sitting in the living room.

Two identical wedding dresses were displayed in front of him. They were the same ones Daniel had bought yesterday.

When my foster father looked at me, his eyes were filled with conflict and pain.

After a long silence, he asked hoarsely, "Miranda, can you tell me why your brother bought two identical wedding dresses?"

Chapter 5

My heart sank, knowing that I couldn't hide this anymore.

I told my foster father about the abusive relationship between Daniel and me.

But when I saw his weary expression, I swallowed the part about Daniel's revenge.

My foster father's eyes reddened with fury when he heard about everything. "That ungrateful brat! How could he lay a hand on his own sister?"

Then, he looked at me with a complicated expression. "Miranda, tell me. What are you planning to do now?"

"I've decided to go abroad and build up my career. From now on, I wish Daniel and Sheryl well."

Across from me, my foster father let out a long sigh of relief.

His voice trembled as he said, "I'm the one who owes your family. All these years, I never dared to tell you that your father wasn't even supposed to be on that flight. It was because I asked him to look after Julia on her trip for treatment that he changed his ticket…"

At that moment, I finally understood.

My father had boarded that plane with Julia Canning, Daniel's mother, only because he was helping a friend.

I couldn't help but feel that the truth was so incredibly absurd.

So, my father hadn't been trying to elope with Julia. Instead, he was helping Julia at my foster father's behest.

And yet, after his act of kindness, all he got in return was the destruction of his family.

Even now, his only daughter was a target of revenge.

If my father hadn't agreed to that favor, he wouldn't have died.

He wouldn't have been accused of eloping with another man's wife, condemned until his last breath.

My mother wouldn't have died from grief and betrayal, and I wouldn't have become an orphan.

All these years, no matter how well my foster father treated me, I had carried guilt toward the Denning family. I was grateful for their kindness and worked tirelessly to atone for my father's supposed sins.

I always had to tread carefully, convinced I didn't deserve anything good.

I covered my face as tears streamed down silently.

My foster father gently wiped them away. He placed several contracts in front of me as he spoke with a guilt-ridden tone.

"Miranda, I've wronged you and your mother, and I even caused your father's death. These are the companies your father left behind. I'm returning them to you now.

"And these are half of the shares the Denning family owns. Take it as compensation from me. Miranda, no matter what happens, you will always be the Denning family's little princess."

I could no longer hold back as I threw myself into his arms, sobbing.

He hadn't meant for any of this to happen.

All these years, he had truly loved me as if I were his own daughter.

No matter what Daniel had done to me, I didn't want to cause my foster father more pain.

After I cried for a long time, he asked what I planned to do next.

Then, he said softly, "Miranda, if you can't stand it, I'll send Daniel to some remote overseas country. You don't have to leave home and suffer somewhere far away."

I couldn't help but laugh through my tears.

I knew he was genuinely worried that I'd be mistreated out there, but I also knew that Daniel was his biological son.

He loved me, but he loved Daniel, too.

I didn't want him to have to choose between us.

So, the best choice was for me to leave.

I smiled and said, "Dad, I've made up my mind. I'm going out to make my own path. I don't want to hide in this house forever as a princess. I want to become a queen on my own."

He stroked my hair tenderly. "Alright, you've always known what you want. I'll support you. Don't worry, I won't let that brat bother you again before you leave the country."

Dad hired two strong female bodyguards to stay by my side around the clock, ensuring that Daniel never had any chance to get close to me.

A few times, I caught Daniel signaling me with his eyes to send them away, but I pretended not to notice.

The days passed peacefully until his wedding day.

Somehow, Daniel managed to lure the bodyguards away. Then, he entered my room with a wedding dress in his arms. "Miranda, hurry up and change. I'll take you away. You'll replace Sheryl at the ceremony."

He stepped forward to help me change. As I backed away, I nearly tripped over my suitcase.

"What's this, Miranda? Are you planning on running away from home with me?" Daniel picked up the suitcase I had knocked over with a dark look on his face.

Knowing I was about to leave anyway, I didn't lie. I said calmly, "Yes, Daniel, I'm going abroad. Congratulations on your wedding. I won't be coming back anymore."

Daniel looked at me for a long time before he started to laugh. "Miranda, if you act too spoiled, even I will get angry. You're upset because Sheryl's my girlfriend, and I'm marrying her, aren't you? I told you she's just playing a role. After the wedding, I'll make our relationship public."

Even now, he was still acting.

I looked into his eyes, and they seemed to be filled with such convincing affection.

If I hadn't already known the truth, I might have believed he really cared about our future.

I stayed silent until I heard footsteps outside. The bodyguards were returning.

Daniel shoved the wedding dress into my arms and said hurriedly, "Once you've changed, go outside and take the yellow cab. It'll drive you straight to the wedding venue."

After saying that, Daniel rushed out.

But what he didn't know was that I would never attend the wedding.

After he left, I placed the wedding dress beside the pile of old things.

Then, pulling my suitcase behind me, I walked out the door without any hesitation.

I thought, "Daniel, I won't wait for you anymore.

"The world is vast, so let's never meet again."