Everyone in Vallermoore knew I was Cole Mitchell and Finn Archer's most treasured princess.

At 12, Cole saved me from my abusive dad's grip and gave me a second shot at life. He vowed to protect me always.

At 13, Finn rented out an entire amusement park for my birthday and whispered that guarding my smile was his mission for life.

Now I was 23, and they locked me in a pitch-black, freezing attic for three winter days.

As I slowly lost consciousness, they were busy fawning over Zoey Hart, their long-lost childhood friend.

"Everything you have is mine, so it's time to give it back."

After hearing what Zoey said, I left without making a scene or shedding a single tear. However, for years after, they tore the city apart and tried to find me like mad.

With a sharp crash, a gust of wind shattered a tiny attic window and rained glass panes near my feet.

It was pitch-dark up here in the attic, while the air was damp and bitterly cold. Panic gripped me as I pounded my fists against the iron door.

"Cole, Finn! I can't stay here any longer, please… Please let me out… I'm going to die in here…"

Shivering in the cold, I wore nothing but a thin party dress. The shards of glass scattered all around my feet cut into my skin.

As I slammed on the cold iron door, my hands throbbed in pain, but my desperate, fearful pleas did nothing other than fuel waves of mocking laughter.

"She won't die! Three days won't kill her!"

"Say… How long will she last? Wanna place your bets?"

The sound of footsteps faded away, and they took my last shred of hope with them. Through the only tiny window in the attic, I saw Zoey Hart's birthday party in full swing below.

The two men who usually treated me like the apple of their eyes stood by her side. Cole Mitchell draped his cashmere scarf around her shoulders, while Finn Archer blew warm air on his hands and cupped them on her chilled, red ears.

Encircled by a crowd, they looked up at the dazzling fireworks in the sky with awe.

Cole Mitchell had once been my savior. He'd led me into a whole new world and promised me the best of the world.

Finn Archer had been my warm sun. He couldn't bear to see me hurt and would do anything to keep me laughing. But now, my life meant nothing to them as they turned a blind eye to me while I was locked in this freezing cage.

Even as I teetered on the brink of despair, they only had eyes for her. All that affection that used to shower on me felt like a fleeting dream, now clearly bestowed upon Zoey.

Someone sent a housekeeper to bang on the iron door just to make me scream, and they laughed harder the more I shrieked. When my voice went hoarse, they bolted the door tighter and sealed out the last sliver of light.

I was just their toy to liven up the party, discarded the moment the game got old.

As I slid to the floor, the cold seeped into my bones. I sat utterly still in the cold and pitch-black attic, feeling frost forming on my lashes as I struggled to curl in on myself. Slowly, I drowned in fear.

As time ticked by, despair gave way to numbness until the darkness swallowed me whole.

Time was a blur. And when my dulled senses gradually returned, the sharp sting of antiseptic filled my nose, and I heard the doctor say, "Ms. Fletcher's awake. Call Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Archer now.

"You were in a high fever and were unconscious for ten days, Ms. Fletcher. You must feel very weak now, so don't try to talk just yet."

My mind felt heavy and slow. It took a few moments to remember that I'd gone to Zoey's birthday party with Cole. I remembered her big, innocent eyes blinking up at everyone as she suggested a game of blindfolded archery. Whoever lost would have their date locked in the attic for three days.

All of this happened with Cole and Finn's approval.

The high fever that seized me after surviving the attic nearly claimed my life. For the past ten days, I drifted in and out of nightmares replaying that same horrific scene.

Watching as Cole and Finn fastened their blindfolds with great interest, I'd clutched the former's arm in panic. "The attic's freezing and pitch-black! Whoever gets locked in there will die!"

He'd unhurriedly pulled the bow and released the arrow impatiently.

"Can't you trust me and behave for once, Emma? Today is Zoey's birthday. Don't ruin it."

His words stunned me because though Cole came from privilege, he'd never spoken to me in such an arrogant tone. Without hesitation, he released the arrow and hit a perfect bullseye. But of course, that outcome was predictable because he'd been a professional archer.

Just when I thought he'd win, he gave Zoey a soft, reassuring glance. Finn leaned close to her and whispered, "I won't let you lose."

The thought that my fate rested on those few arrows sent a horrible feeling swelling up in my chest. Cole was currently in the lead, and as we were down to the last arrow, I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.

The last arrow missed clean off the mark. Cole took off the blindfold and gave me a small, apologetic smirk. "Sorry, I lost, Emma. A bet's a bet."

I could barely believe my eyes, knowing that anyone could miss the mark but never him.

Zoey dramatically spread her hands and turned to me with a sly smile of triumph. "Three days in the attic, Ms. Fletcher. Not a single minute less."

Tears streamed down my face as I helplessly shook my head. "Cole, Finn, please… I can't go up there… I'm scared…"

But Cole and Finn, who once swore to protect me, stood beside Zoey. Their lips curled up in amusement as they watched me beg.

With that, I was pushed into the attic, and what came next was three days of ungodly torture. Fear from the darkness and cold never left me. And I knew that I'd carry the terror and despair I'd felt to my grave.

Though the ward was warm and bright, just the thought of what I'd been through sent my body shaking and seeping cold sweat.

There was a sudden commotion outside before Cole and Finn stepped in through the door.

From behind them, Zoey peeked out and said, "I never knew you were so afraid of the dark, and was this weak, Ms. Fletcher. If I'd known, I would never have dragged them into that bet.

"Now, I've arranged the best doctors for you and promise there won't be any complications!"

My body was still weak from the fever. My head felt heavy, and even speaking felt like too much effort, so I turned my face away. To them, it looked like I refused to forgive her.

Cole coldly said, "Don't throw a tantrum. Have you forgotten what I taught you?

"Zoey has sincerely apologized, yet you haven't said a single word. Don't forget your place."

What was my place, really? I'd almost frozen to death in that attic, and to him, it was nothing but me being difficult. Was this the same Cole I knew?

When I was a kid, Dad used to beat me up over the smallest things. When I was too exhausted to beg, he'd lock me in a pitch-black basement.

"Jinx! I haven't won a single bet ever since you were born! Should've beaten you to death along with that useless mom of yours!"

The basement was sealed tight, and an unbearable smell lingered in the air. Plus, there were always mice squeaking in the corners. With blood and tears mixed on my face, I'd curl up in the corner and wonder why I couldn't just bring him good luck or protect Mom.

I prayed over and over for him to let me out sooner, but no one heard me, not until Cole showed up.

That time, Dad had gotten drunk again and raised a stick at me in the street. Like always, I'd squatted down and covered my head, bracing myself for the pain. But it never came.

When I looked up, Cole's calm, refined face entered my sight. His bodyguards said something to Dad, who respectfully straightened up. Then, he walked away smiling with a bank card.

"Would you like to come with me? I'll take good care of you?" Cole asked.

As someone way above my league in school, he was well-dressed and born into wealth. His brown eyes held a steady look far older than his age.

I felt like I'd been under a spell when I nodded without hesitation. From that day onward, I had a new home. It was warm and bright, always smelling faintly of flowers and fresh pastries.

Cole treated me like his most precious treasure, and so did the Mitchells.

That was how I met Finn, Cole's closest buddy since childhood. The Archers were powerful and well-known in Vallermoore, too.

Unlike the quiet Cole, Finn was warm and bright like the summer sun. He knew I was scared of the dark, so he made me a cartoon bunny nightlamp by hand. He'd confessed his feelings the night he gave it to me, and when Cole walked in and saw it, anger flashed through the latter's usually calm, stoic face.

After that, he filled a whole wall of my room with all kinds of adorable nightlamps and forbade Finn from entering the Mitchell residence again.

Finn couldn't stand not seeing me, so he suggested that the three of us treat each other as siblings. That finally calmed Cole's anger.

Those were the happiest days I'd ever known. They took care of every single detail of my life and spoiled me like a real princess. I thought that life would last forever, until Zoey abruptly showed up.

A few months ago, she'd arrived unannounced and marched into the house. I stood frozen and watched as she directed the housekeepers to relocate my belongings to the guest room.

When she smashed my favorite bunny nightlamp on purpose, I couldn't hold back a fight, only to receive Cole's reprimand. "Zoey is our guest, Emma. Don't embarrass yourself."

Finn nodded along. "You have a whole wall of nightlamps, so what's wrong with giving Zoey a few? Don't be so petty."

I couldn't believe the words came from the same people who used to spoil me so much, just like how I couldn't bring myself to face the three of them now.

As Finn shielded Zoey behind him, he snapped, "Zoey got a little too carried away since she's just back. She had no idea the attic was so dark and cold, and you can't fault someone for what they don't know.

"So, drop the grudge, and don't start acting moody and silent like Cole."

When I was so speechless I couldn't reply, his patience snapped.

"You're perfectly fine now, Emma. Do you honestly have to be so relentlessly petty?"

Finn's expression was dark, and his voice sounded terrifyingly cold. Fighting back tears, I clenched my fingers tight around the bedsheet. My throat felt strangled, and I could barely get a word out.

He frustratedly rubbed his temples and murmured, "I barely even recognize you anymore, Emma."

How could he not?

I remembered the first time I stepped into one of those grand ballrooms, and how Cole had formally introduced me as his sister to a hall of distinguished guests.

The news that Cole, who was the CEO of Mitchell Corporation, suddenly had a mysterious new sister, erupted like a bombshell. Whispers drowned me, and I felt small and completely lost.

That was until Finn took the first step forward to clink my glass amidst the hushed debates.

"Why does Cole get to have such a pretty, adorable little sister? Stick with me, Em. I'm way more fun to hang out with than Mr. Stoneface Cole!"

He'd been the first elite to accept me, other than Cole, and the first guy to give me a nickname. But now, he stood by my hospital bed and defended Zoey. It felt like something inside me was slowly draining away, leaving my heart hollow and cold.

Zoey tugged at Cole's and Finn's arms and said, "There, there. Let's not give Ms. Fletcher a hard time just for me. I'm sure she'll eventually understand."

Cole nodded as if that settled it. "Think about what you've done. We're taking Zoey out for food, but you're staying here since you're not well yet."

I just wanted it all to be over. Forcing down my discomfort, I lowered my head and nodded. They finally seemed satisfied and left.

Before I had time to collect my thoughts, I heard footsteps at the door—Zoey had come back.

Gone was her polite, careful smile as she stood by my bed and lifted her chin high. The look she gave me was as if she were looking at filth.

"Why didn't you just die up there in the attic, Emma?"

I looked up at her and saw my pitiful reflection in her eyes. Then, as if pleased with my reaction, she smirked and continued, "Fine. Since you're still alive, watch and see for yourself who Cole and Finn really care about.

"Aren't you curious why they turned so cold the moment I came back?"

Even if I hadn't found the answer yet, Zoey wasn't the best person I could ask the question to. I stared at her like she was some foolish clown desperate for attention. For some reason, she was acting a little too annoying and laughable.

"Did you come back just to tell me all this, Ms. Hart?"

She sneered and slapped a photograph on my face in disdain.

"You're not worthy at all! You don't deserve Cole's or Finn's love, and you're not worth me wasting a single thought on you!

"From the very beginning, I was the one they were supposed to love! You were just my stand-in, a thief who stole what wasn't hers!"

In the picture, ten-year-old Cole and Finn stood on either side of a girl standing between them. She was tilting her head and smiling at the camera. The girl wasn't me, but she looked so much like I had back then, with the same bright eyes and dimple at the corner of her mouth.

As I held the photograph, my hands started shaking violently.

I remembered when Finn confessed to me, I'd asked him what he liked about me. He'd said it was my eyes when I smiled, and that he wanted to protect that smile.

That night, Cole had gently brushed the corner of my eye and said, "Eyes this pretty shouldn't know sadness. Since I've brought you home, I'll take responsibility for you."

In truth, Finn hadn't meant to protect my smile, and Cole's promise had never been for me either.

Zoey's mocking grin widened as she watched my composure crack. Then, she aggressively yanked the photograph from my hands, the edge slicing a thin line across my fingertips.

"I came back to take everything that was mine all along. If you know what's good for you, get lost and make sure I never catch you near them again!"

"Fine." My voice came out hoarse but steady. After receiving the answer she wanted, Zoey turned and swaggered out proudly.

I let out a dry, bitter laugh. So, that was why Cole barely came home since she showed up, and Finn stopped taking me out. It was no wonder they took her side without question and always expected me to back down.

Oddly enough, knowing I'd just been a stand-in didn't hurt as much as I'd imagined it would. If anything, I felt free.

For over ten years, I'd grown up alongside Cole and Finn and seen them as the most significant people in my life. But since I was never needed in the first place, that fact wouldn't change even if given another few decades.

…

Three days later, I was discharged.

In all that time, Cole only called me once and told me to rest well before he hurriedly hung up. Finn didn't even bother to text me.

On Twitter, I saw a tweet of Zoey and Finn on vacation, diving in crystal water. Her caption read. "Thanks for the yacht, @Cole_Mitchell. We're waiting for you."

In the tweet, Zoey wore a bikini under the summer sun, smiling widely and carefree. Finn stood beside her, watching her with a soft, gentle gaze. I figured he must be happy to protect such a brilliant smile.

I went home, grabbed my ID and a few pieces of clothes. Then, I took a train straight to Reedybrook.

That was when my phone buzzed with a call, and Cole's name appeared on the screen. Without hesitation, I hurled it out the window.

In that moment, I truly felt free, knowing we'd never see each other again.