Iris' home was devoid of warmth, and her family was heartless.

Her heart was broken again. Her gaze swept through everyone before her. She took in Thomas' and Rosanne's disgusted faces and Keith's disappointment. Meanwhile, Erica could not conceal her triumphant smirk.

The people before Iris should have been closest to her. Yet, they hurt her repeatedly, making them worse than her enemies.

Even when Erica framed her, she was forced to go onto her knees and apologize to her.

Her past self would have compromised to protect her relationship with her family and win their approval. But now, she felt nothing but hatred at the fact that she was born into this cold-blooded family.

Thomas scowled at Iris' stubbornness. He kicked her again and growled, "Do you think you're not in the wrong at all?"

She staggered and fell onto the ground. Blood oozed out of her mouth once more.

Keith looked concerned and went up to help her up. But he had second thoughts when he thought back on Iris' behavior. He figured that it might not be a bad idea to teach her a lesson.

Keith held Thomas back and shook his head at the latter. Thomas finally cooled down.

Emotions stirred in her eyes. She mistakenly thought that Keith was trying to help her, but what came out of his mouth almost sounded like a joke.

Frowning, Keith indifferently proposed, "You're not in the right state to register your marriage with me. Erica would have died if she were unlucky. As punishment, I will delay registering our marriage. I will throw a wedding with Erica before that to make it up to her."

Iris trembled from head to toe as she stared at Keith in disbelief. What kind of punishment was that?

Noticing her snide gaze, Keith felt guilty, but his emotions surfaced as anger.

"Well, it's not like I'm marrying Erica. I'm just trying to make up to her."

Thomas and Rosanne stared at Iris while subconsciously standing in front of Erica to prevent Iris from "hurting" the latter in a fit of temper again.

Unfortunately, they were disappointed. Instead of angrily stopping Keith, Iris grinned and spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva.

She bared her teeth at them. "Congratulations in advance to my cousin and cousin-in-law, I guess. Are you guys done? If there's nothing else, I'll have a rest."

Then, Iris walked to the balcony with great difficulty, resolved not to take another look at those people.

Meanwhile, Erica wiped away her tears, looking pitiable. "Iris, you'll attend our wedding, right? It's just a show, but that's enough for me. I hope to receive your blessing."

Thomas harrumphed. "Don't worry. We will drag her to the wedding even if she refuses to attend. She needs to pay the price of her mistakes."

On the other hand, Rosanne yelled after Iris, "If you don't go to the wedding, we'll kick you out of the house!"

Keith couldn't explain the intense feeling of anxiety when he couldn't sense any of Iris' usual jealousy. He would not marry Erica for real. It was all just an act.

In his eyes, Iris needed to be stopped from making mistakes out of jealousy. He felt that she wouldn't be a lost cause if she could learn her lesson.

He decided that he would have a good talk with Iris after his "wedding" with Erica.

Nevertheless, he was very bothered by the way Iris called him "cousin-in-law" while appearing relieved.

He didn't know what that feeling was.

After that episode, Thomas, Rosanne, and Keith did not pay Iris any more attention. They didn't care about her condition after falling off the stairs, and they didn't care whether or not she'd run away from home.

In their mind, Iris cared for her family and loved Keith to the moon and back. They figured that she had no other place to turn to.

…

Iris did not throw a tantrum in the next three days. Instead, she focused on her recovery at home while her parents and Keith happily prepared for Keith and Erica's wedding.

The wedding was scheduled to be held at Connolly Hotel, which was a very extravagant move in those times. However, Thomas and Rosanne would spend a fortune on the wedding just to make Erica happy.

On the day of the wedding, Iris packed her stuff ahead of time and waited for the lecturer from National Defense University to pick her up.

Her parents and Erica had gone to Connolly Hotel to greet the guests. Keith, who was a military man, did not wear a suit to his "wedding".

He approached Iris and said to her, "Iris, come with me later. This wedding with Erica is just for show. I'm not registering my marriage for real. You have nothing to worry about. I'll still marry you."

Keith spoke with the same certainty as when her 11-year-old self was cast out by her parents, crouching beneath the sycamore tree. He brought her hope, and he promised never to leave her.

But he had changed in no time.

Iris grunted coldly without any expression, much to Keith's relief. He was most worried that Iris might cause a scene at the wedding.

He reckoned that she had learned her lesson from her reaction. He hoped that she would behave in the future.

However, after he had insisted on bringing Iris to Connolly Hotel, she had not reacted as he had expected, which had worried him greatly.

She responded to all his words calmly, as though she were talking to a stranger instead of her fiancé.

Right when Keith was about to haul her into the car, a guard approached him, informing him that the hotel needed him there right away.

He finally gave up on coercing Iris into attending. Still, he reminded her to attend the event, or he'd not marry her.

Iris watched coldly as Keith ran away in a hurry. She then walked out of the garden while holding a sack.

After Keith drove off, the lecturer from National Defense University showed up in a car.

The lecturer asked if Iris wanted to say goodbye to her family. Iris looked around her shoulder at the garden—the place that gave her sadness for 15 years. She didn't want to stay a minute longer.

She never wanted to see her biased parents and her fiancé, who had betrayed her again.

"No. I'm fine." She hurriedly got into the car.

After Iris joined the cryptography major at National Defense University, she would discard her birth identity and live in secrecy for the rest of her life.

She no longer wanted to be Thomas and Rosanne's daughter and Keith's fiancée for the rest of her life. She wanted to be herself and devote her life to serving the nation.

When the car drove past Connolly Hotel, Iris peeked out the window and saw her family welcoming the guests at the entrance. Her parents and Erica smiled happily, while Keith looked slightly bashful and expectant.

Iris couldn't help but think that the four of them truly looked like one big happy family.

They vanished from her view when the car drove away slowly.

Finally, Iris could live life on her own terms.

Minerva Sowle said, "Mr. Davison, Mrs. Davison, I've thought this through. I'm ready to become part of the Davison family."

Minerva drew a steady breath and finally voiced the decision she had wrestled with for a long time.

Algernon Davison and Maxine Ford froze for a moment. They quickly set down their afternoon tea, reaching out to take her hands, their faces filled with joy.

"That's wonderful, Minerva! Algernon and I have always wanted a daughter as sweet and thoughtful as you. Our wish has finally come true.

"We'll get the paperwork started right away. Your name will be on the Davison family record in no time," Maxine said warmly.

"It won't take long. In just two weeks, everything will be official. We'll truly be a family then," Algernon added.

As the two of them excitedly began making arrangements, Minerva quickly stopped them.

"Wait, there's one more thing. My application for the study abroad program has been approved. I'll be leaving the country soon to continue my studies," she said gently.

Algernon's and Maxine's smiles faltered.

Maxine quickly said, "So suddenly? We were hoping to host a celebration and make an official announcement…"

Minerva understood their feelings, so she reassured them with a gentle smile. "Pursuing my studies abroad has always been my dream. And since we'll be family soon, it'll be easy to stay in touch. Flight tickets are simple to purchase, and we'll still have each other, no matter where I am in the world."

The older couple exchanged a glance, then sighed while nodding.

"That makes sense," Algernon said. "Alright. When are you leaving?"

Minerva smiled faintly. "The day the paperwork is finalized—when you officially become my parents, and Frederick becomes my brother."

Maxine immediately replied, "Then, you should move in with us before that. We'll send someone to help pack your things."

Seeing their eagerness and warmth, Minerva didn't refuse. She nodded lightly in response.

After arranging for someone to help her move, Algernon and Maxine seemed to remember something suddenly.

Maxine hesitated, then asked, "About adding you to the family record… should we be the ones to tell Frederick, or would you rather do it yourself?"

Minerva stiffened slightly.

Before she could answer, her phone buzzed with a new message. "Eleganza Hotel. Bring ten boxes of condoms."

It was from Frederick.

Minerva felt her heart tighten. After a long pause, she spoke, her voice slightly hoarse.

"I'll tell him myself."

…

After leaving the Davison residence, Minerva hailed a cab.

She stared out the window as the city rushed past. Her thoughts were scattered in a tangled mess.

Life was truly unpredictable.

No one could have predicted that the man she loved would soon become her brother. She certainly hadn't expected this to happen.

The Davison and Sowle families had always been close. She and Frederick Davison had grown up side by side. They later became childhood sweethearts who seemed inseparable.

Everyone around them knew she was his, and no one ever dared to get too close.

At age seven, Minerva's delicate features drew the attention of every boy in class, all eager to sit beside her.

Frederick fought off every boy who tried, then claimed the seat beside her as if it naturally belonged to him. Even back then, his possessiveness was hard to miss.

At age 14, when Minerva's parents died in a tragic car crash, Frederick abandoned a regional tournament to rush back from another state. He stayed by her side all night, eyes rimmed red with unshed tears, aching for her in silence. He promised he would never leave her.

At age 16, Minerva knitted him a scarf. He wore it constantly—from winter straight through to summer—and even made her promise never to make one for anyone else.

At age 18, Frederick took her to a tattoo parlor and had his name inked on her chest—just above her heart. He told her she would always belong to him.

The pair had crossed every boundary without there ever being a formal confession. Everyone, including Algernon and Maxine, thought they were destined to end up together.

But one day, Frederick suddenly brought home a plain, quiet girl no one had ever seen before—and introduced her to everyone as the only woman he would ever love.

Algernon and Maxine were stunned. They stood up for Minerva, openly voicing their disapproval.

But Frederick didn't care. He defied his parents, endured their punishments, and even gave up his place as heir to the Davison family—all just to be with Yolanda Wolfe.

No one ever understood what had changed in him.

When Algernon and Maxine realized they couldn't make Minerva their daughter-in-law, they chose to make her their daughter instead. They loved her too much to let her go.

At first, Minerva had hoped Frederick would come to his senses and return to his normal self.

But day after day, she watched him treat Yolanda like she was the center of his world—every word gentle, every look indulgent. Eventually, Minerva's heart gave up. Whatever hope she had clung to finally died in her chest.

From that moment on, she would only ever be his sister.

There would be no future for Minerva and Frederick.

After getting out of the cab, Minerva walked into Eleganza Hotel and made her way to the room Frederick had texted her about.

The door was left slightly ajar. Inside, she could hear his voice—familiar and low.

Minerva knocked twice.

When no one answered, she pushed the door open.

Frederick stood there in a bathrobe, his arm casually wrapped around Yolanda, her clothes disheveled and slipping off her shoulders.

His head rested on her shoulder as he pressed slow kisses along her neck, completely entranced by her. His lips grazed her pale skin, coaxing soft gasps from her.

Embarrassed, Yolanda ducked into his arms the moment she noticed someone at the door.

Frederick chuckled and affectionately ruffled her hair before finally glancing at Minerva.

"Did you bring it?" he asked.

Minerva didn't hand him the condoms right away. Instead, she looked up and said, "I need to tell you something."

Frederick averted his gaze. His voice was raspy as he asked, "Does it have to be now?"

"Yes. I'll only say it today. If you want to hear it, I'll tell you. If not, you can forget it."

Either way, he would learn the truth in two weeks.

Minerva's voice was calm, flat even.

Frederick didn't seem to take her words seriously. He kept twirling the ribbon on Yolanda's blouse and challenged, "You really think now's a good time?"

Minerva's eyes followed his moving hands, landing on the bulge beneath his robe. A sharp ache hit her chest.

She understood exactly what he meant.

Years ago, back in school, they had once found themselves locked inside the gym by accident during winter. It had been freezing at the time. Frederick held her close to keep her warm.

At first, it was fine. But somewhere in the dark, Minerva had felt something hard pressing against her back. When she realized what it was, she flushed a bright shade of red and tried to pull away.

Frederick had just chuckled and brushed her nose lightly with his fingertip.

Then, he whispered in her ear, "Minerva, do you know what it means when a guy reacts like this around someone?"

Later that night, she curled up under her blanket and searched for the answer. She found out that it only happened when a guy was around someone who made his heart race.

At that moment, her face heated up like she had a fever. For a long time after, she couldn't even look him in the eye.

But now, Yolanda was clearly the one who made his heart race.

Looking at them tangled together so intimately, Minerva didn't want to embarrass herself any further.

She stepped forward and laid out the ten boxes of condoms one by one on the coffee table. Then, she turned and walked away without another word.

"I understand now. Goodbye… Frederick."

The address made Frederick's brow furrow instantly. His voice rang out behind her, sharp with disbelief.

"What did you just call me?"

Minerva stopped in her tracks.

Her voice was steady, completely devoid of emotion. "It's nothing."

Seeing that Minerva still hadn't left, Yolanda draped herself over Frederick's shoulder and pouted. "Frederick, standing is exhausting. Will you carry me to bed?"

Frederick hadn't really caught what Minerva said to begin with. Now, with Yolanda clinging to him like this, he didn't spare Minerva another glance. He quickly scooped Yolanda up without hesitation and headed for the bedroom, tossing a final sentence over his shoulder.

"Make sure you shut the door on your way out."

Minerva did as he asked. She closed the door behind her and walked away.

By the time she returned to the Davison residence, her things had already been moved in.

Algernon and Maxine were waiting. They brought her upstairs to see her new bedroom, asking if she needed anything else added.

She glanced around the room, then shook her head. "No. Actually, I'd rather throw a few things out. The photo albums on the desk, the figurines and stuffed animals in the cabinets, and those dozen or so boxes of gifts—get rid of them."

Every single item she named had been a gift from Frederick.

"From now on, Frederick is my brother. Keeping those around would be inappropriate. I don't want his girlfriend to misunderstand."

Algernon and Maxine exchanged a look and sighed deeply. After a few more gentle reminders, they left her alone.

That night, Minerva slept soundly for the first time in months.

When she woke the next morning, she found dozens of missed calls on her phone. She stared at the screen, puzzled.

She had no idea why Frederick had called her so many times.

Before she could wonder further, the screen lit up again with an incoming call.

"Where did you go? Why is your place half-empty?"

There was something different in his voice—a flicker of panic she hadn't heard in years.

But remembering what she had seen the night before, she dismissed the thought with a bitter smile.

"I already talked to Mr. Davison and Mrs. Davison. I'll be living at your house for a while. What's going on?"

He seemed to relax on the other end of the line. He sounded casual again, indifferent even. "Today's Rowena and Edric's wedding. Did you forget?"

"I didn't forget. I still have to get dressed and do my makeup. You go on ahead without me."

Frederick didn't respond at first. The silence on the line stretched for several long seconds.

Minerva guessed he probably hadn't adjusted to the way things were between them now. Maybe, just like her, he was thinking about the past.

Back then, she had just started learning to use makeup. It always took her forever to get ready. She'd take three to four hours at least.

Frederick never once complained, though. He would wait patiently the whole time, helping her choose lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes.

She used to worry she was making him wait too long, so she would ask if he was bored.

He would smile as he gently wiped away her smudged eyeliner, his eyes full of quiet warmth. "How could I ever get bored waiting for someone I want to wait for?"

But now, she wasn't that person anymore.

That was just how it was.

Frederick finally spoke again, his voice flat. "Suit yourself."

Then, he hung up.

Minerva didn't call him back. She simply got out of bed and went to wash up.

The wedding was being held at the largest hotel in Valemont.

As soon as Minerva stepped out of the car, she saw Frederick helping Yolanda out of another vehicle, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist.

Minerva spared a brief glance in his direction before turning away, greeting a few old classmates she hadn't seen in years.

After a few polite exchanges, a group of girls clustered together, lowering their voices to whisper behind cupped hands.

"There were only two real couples in our class, and one of them got married right after graduation. Do you think Frederick and Minerva are next?"

"Probably. I mean, Frederick never actually confessed, but come on—his possessiveness over Minerva was obvious to everyone."

"No kidding. I still remember when Minerva had awful cramps and tried to skip the fitness test, but the teacher wouldn't let her. Frederick snapped, arguing with the teacher in front of everyone. It escalated until it reached the principal's ears, and the teacher ended up getting a formal warning in front of the whole school."

"There was another time Minerva was fangirling over some pop star with us. She just casually said he was cute—and Frederick's face turned dark on the spot. The next day, he showed up with freshly dyed purple hair and a leather jacket. I swear, he looked insanely hot."

"Honestly, anyone who's ever seen them wants them to end up together. Even the teachers used to treat them like they were already dating."

Hearing them bring up those memories, Minerva flashed a faint smile, masking the complicated emotions that flickered in her eyes.

Just then, someone spotted her and raised a glass. "Minerva, isn't Frederick coming to the wedding today?"

Before she could reply, she felt a familiar gaze on her back. Minerva smiled lightly and pointed toward the entrance.

"He's here. Right over there."

Everyone turned—just in time to see Frederick beside a girl they didn't recognize, a soft smile playing on his lips. He carefully tied her hair up, then shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. One arm affectionately slid around her waist.

The girl whispered something, and Frederick dipped his head to kiss the corner of her lips. His expression was soft and indulgent.

The group fell silent. None of them had expected to see such an exchange. For a moment, they were frozen in stunned disbelief. Then, awkwardly, they turned away and quickly changed the subject.

Soon, the wedding festivities began.

The groom, Edric Warren, had been Frederick's best friend in high school. The bride, Rowena Heath, had been Minerva's closest friend.

Watching them walk hand in hand, from school uniforms to wedding attire, Minerva couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion. She smiled and clapped sincerely, sending them her blessings.

When it came time to toss the bouquet, the bridesmaids gathered in position. But just before the bouquet could be thrown, Rowena stepped forward and grabbed the microphone. She beamed at the crowd.

"Back in high school, the four of us made a promise. Whichever couple got married first would pass their happiness to the other. I know the two of them are here today. So, we're canceling the bouquet toss."

After she finished speaking, Edric stepped up beside Rowena and loudly called out a pair of names.

"Frederick, Minerva, this bouquet is for you. You're the next ones to get married."