The year college entrance exams were reinstated, my fiancé stole my acceptance letter and gave it to my sister, Sage Wilder. Then, the two of them ran away together.

The Calloways, the family who had taken me in and raised me, got down on their knees and begged me not to report their son and Sage. They reminded me of the debt I owed them, of how they had sheltered and fed me, as if that justified their betrayal.

They even locked me in the storage shed, depriving me of food and water, so their son and Sage could be together. 

I caught the plague from the rats that infested the place. I was on the verge of death when Ryder Calloway, their eldest son, sneaked in with a bowl of porridge.

“Amber, what they did to you is unforgivable,” he whispered as he knelt beside me. “I’ve told my parents—I won’t marry anyone but you. Marry me and I will support you for a lifetime. I’ll help you achieve all your dreams.”

At that moment, I was too weak to question anything. I was just grateful someone still cared.

Tears welled in my eyes. Moved by his words, I married him.

By day, I helped him run his school, managing the countless little details that kept things afloat. By night, I studied relentlessly, determined to pass the entrance exams again. I took the entrance exams for three years, yet each time, I failed to make the cut.

Eventually, I decided to let go. Maybe higher education wasn’t meant for me. Maybe it was time to accept my role as Ryder’s wife and dedicate myself to supporting him.

That was, until I overheard a conversation that shattered everything I thought I knew.

“Ryder, it’s been three years,” Mrs. Calloway said, her voice laced with unease. “Amber keeps scoring higher and higher. This time, she got accepted into Winthrop University. Are you really not going to let her go?”

Ryder’s response was swift and firm. “Sage is using her ID. If Amber goes to college, it’ll expose everything. For Sage’s sake, I can’t let that happen.”

——

His father sighed. “But Amber has already retaken the exams three times. Besides, Sage is graduating next year. If that bothers you, we can pull some strings and find Amber a new ID or—”

Ryder cut him off with a sharp glare. “Find her a fake test result? You want Amber to take someone else’s spot and destroy another innocent person’s future? How can you even say that?”

“But Ryder, you’ve seen how hard she works,” his mother argued. “She spends all day helping you at school and at night, she studies by candlelight. She’s so exhausted that she can barely keep her eyes open, but she never complains.”

“The last two times you hid her acceptance letters, I saw her crying in secret. She thought she was stupid, that she had wasted two years for nothing.”

“She knows how much you care about these students. That’s why she moved into the school dorms—she wanted to help. She does all the hardest, dirtiest work and she treats us with nothing but kindness.”

“She’s a nice girl, Ryder. We’ve already wronged her once. If we do it again, I don’t think there’s any coming back from it.”

His parents’ words were heartfelt, but Ryder had already made up his mind.

Ryder remained unmoved. “Enough!”

His voice was cold, final.

“I already wronged her once when I suggested Finn and Sage to steal her first acceptance letter. And I admit, tearing up her letters the past two years was cruel.”

Mrs. Calloway’s eyes widened in shock, but Ryder continued without remorse. “But Sage is different from Amber. She’s always been frail. Without an education, she has no future. Amber, on the other hand—” he scoffed, “—she married me. I’m a principal. She’ll never have to worry about food or shelter. I’m offering her a lifetime of security. That should be enough.”

“This letter has to go. Sage’s future is more important than anything.”

With that, Ryder grabbed my acceptance letter and prepared to burn it—right in front of everyone.

I stood outside the door, clutching a bowl of chicken soup I had made to nourish his health. My hands trembled as I stared at the paper—the very dream I had worked so hard for—about to turn to ashes.

Three years ago, when college entrance exams were reinstated, Sage, Finn and I all took the test together.

On the day results were posted, Sage’s name was nowhere to be found.

I barely had time to think about how to comfort her before someone told me that my acceptance letter had already been claimed.

At the same time, Finn and Sage vanished.

Someone saw them boarding a train to the capital—the exact city where my chosen university was located.

I refused to believe it. I immediately told the Calloways, hoping they would help me contact Finn.

But instead, they scolded me and shamelessly told me to let it go.

“Let me be honest with you,” Finn’s mother said, her tone devoid of any remorse. “Finn has always loved your sister. Taking your acceptance letter and letting Sage take your place—that was his idea.”

“Sage is different from you. She’s been frail since childhood. Just let her have this. You can always take the entrance exam again next year.”

That was my achievement. My hard work. How could they expect me to just hand it over so easily?

And on top of that, Sage had already stolen my fiancé!

I tried to fight back, but the Calloways weren’t going to let me ruin their perfect little arrangement. They tied me up and threw me into the woodshed, locking the door behind me.

Afraid I’d cause trouble, they even cut off my food supply.

I was left there for seven days. Seven days of starvation, of sheer agony. My body grew weak, feverish. Rats swarmed the tiny room, biting at my skin. Before long, I caught an infection, my body burning up as I hovered on the brink of death.

Just when I thought I would die alone in that wretched place, the door creaked open. A shadow loomed over me and then a warm hand lifted my head. It was Ryder Calloway—Finn’s older brother—holding a bowl of porridge.

“Hang in there, Amber. You can’t give up now. You have dreams to chase,” he said, his voice urgent.

Determined to save me, Ryder defied his family, carrying me on his back all the way to the town clinic. When I was too weak to swallow my medicine, he pressed it to his lips and fed it to me himself, mouthful by mouthful.

Thanks to his care, I survive.

One night, as I lay weakly on the cot, Ryder get down on his knees. 

“Amber, I’ve always loved you,” he confessed. “I never said anything because of Finn, but I can’t hide it anymore.”

Then he took my hand in his, his eyes pleading.

“Will you marry me? I’ll make up for everything Finn did to you.”

His words brought tears to my eyes.

I had lost a fiancé and a sister, shattered by their betrayal. But in the wreckage of what they destroyed, I still had Ryder—steady, unwavering and willing to give me everything.

And so, I said yes.

And we got married.

For three years, Ryder kept his word. He never let me work, insisting I focus on preparing for the entrance exam. And I, grateful for his devotion, helped out at his school, supporting his efforts.

Everyone said I was lucky to have such a devoted husband—one with a stable career, a good heart. And for a while, I believed it too.

Until today.

Everyone said I was lucky to have such a devoted husband—a man with a stable career, a good heart. And for a while, I believed it too.

Until today.

It hit me all at once—the source of my suffering had always been Ryder.

The sharp crash of ceramic against the floor jolted me from my thoughts. Ryder’s hand froze midair, the letter he had been holding slipping from his grasp. I watched as he quickly turned toward the door, his hurried steps echoing in the silence.

And then, as the door swung open and our eyes met, he didn’t look surprised. No. Instead, his gaze turned cold, piercing.

“What are you doing here?” His voice was sharp, accusatory, as though I were the one who had done something wrong. “And how long have you been there?”

Two short questions, but each one cut deep.

I held his gaze, my chest tightening with the weight of unspoken words. After all the times he had destroyed my acceptance letters, crushed every dream I dared to hold—had he ever felt guilty?

But I already knew the answer.

He felt nothing.

Just like Finn, his heart had always belonged to Sage.

I swallowed back the words I longed to say and forced a smile, pretending as if nothing had happened.

“I just got here,” I said lightly. I heard your parents were coming over, so I made some chicken soup for them. But…I spilled it.”

Ryder’s eyes flickered down to my reddened hand and for a brief moment, concern crossed his face. He took my hand gently and pulled me inside.

“You,” he sighed, shaking his head. “Didn’t I tell you to leave these things to me? You’re always so careless,” he scolded lightly, leading me to the kitchen. “Let me put some oil on the burn and later, I’ll take you to the city to have it checked.”

His touch was gentle as he rubbed the ointment over my skin. My gaze flickered past him to the Calloways, standing in the corner with their usual saccharine smiles—only today, there was something different. A hint of guilt, barely concealed.

The acceptance letter was no longer on the table. They must’ve hidden it. But I still couldn’t help but test Ryder.

“Ryder,” I began cautiously, “I heard everyone’s acceptance letters have arrived. Did mine–”

“I already checked,” he cut off, “yours wasn’t there.”

“Don’t be too upset,” he looked at me in the eyes. “Besides, it’s not like you have to worry about the future. I will take care of you for the rest of your life.”

Ryder lied so effortlessly, his voice steady, his expression sincere—like he actually believed the nonsense coming out of his mouth. And as if that weren’t enough, he even had the audacity to try and comfort me.

My stomach twisted, my heart sinking lower than I thought possible. But despite the cold, hard truth staring me in the face, three years of marriage made me hesitate. I wanted to give Ryder one last chance.

“But I heard my name is on the admission list,” I pressed, my voice barely above a whisper.

“You heard wrong.” Ryder cut me off without missing a beat, his brows knitting together as he looked at me like I was a child refusing to accept reality.

“Amber, I know this is hard for you to accept, but if this is your fate, then no matter how much you fight it, you won’t win.”  Ryder exhaled, as if he were the one suffering. “Some people are meant for college. Others aren’t. From now on, you’re not allowed to apply again.”

Fate? Is that what he called this?

Ryder knew better than anyone that I had the grades to get into university. He knew I was capable. Yet he was the one who tore up every single acceptance letters.The one who ripped away my wings before I could even take flight.

Tears burned in my eyes, threatening to spill, but I refused to let them fall. I forced myself to stay composed. But the Calloway elders weren’t blind; they noticed my silence, the stiffness in my posture. Ryder’s mother shot him a disapproving glare before stepping in to smooth things over.

“Ryder! Is that a way to talk to your wife?” Mr. Calloway snapped. 

“Amber, sweetheart, don’t take it to heart.” Mrs. Calloway added with a forced smile. 

What Ryder meant was that even if you don’t go to college, you’ll still have a good life. He will always take care of you.” She shot Ryder a warning glance and he took the cue, pulling me into his arms in what I could only assume was supposed to be a reassuring embrace.

“They’re right,” he murmured. “You don’t have to worry about anything. I’m a principal. I can take care of you and give you a decent life.”

Before I could respond, a voice called out from outside the house.

“Principal Calloway! Miss Sage just called! She’s already on the train and asked you to pick her up!”

Ryder barely let the words register before his whole demeanor shifted. His eyes lit up, his entire body tensed with urgency.

“She’s already on her way? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” He snatched his coat, practically bolting toward the door. “It’s too hot outside—if she gets heatstroke, it’ll be a disaster.”

And just like that, he dropped everything and rushed out the door.

The Calloway elders looked visibly uncomfortable but quickly scrambled for an excuse to justify his actions.

“Finn called earlier,” Ryder’s father explained. “He asked Ryder to take care of Sage, while she visits. You understand, don’t you?”

“Yes,” his mother chimed in. “After all, Sage is his sister-in-law, right?” 

I could still remember them sobbing, kneeling at my feet on the day of my wedding. They had sworn they would cut all ties between Ryder and Sage, begged me to forgive them, to trust that they wouldn’t interfere in our lives anymore.

Liars. Every last one of them.

But instead of calling them out, I simply smiled and nodded.

“You’re right,” I said smoothly. “Sage is my sister. Ryder’s sister-in-law. Of course, it makes sense for him to pick her up.”

The Calloway elders beamed at my ‘understanding’ nature, but they still lingered, watching me too closely, clearly unsure whether I knew about the admission letters.

I needed to get out of there.

Feigning indifference, I grabbed my things and made an excuse about needing to buy medicine in town.

At the pharmacy, I reached into my pockets, feeling around for some spare change—but all I found was emptiness. Not even enough to buy a simple burn ointment.

Just as I turned to leave, a familiar voice floated through the thin partition separating me from the next room.

“Ryder, it’s just a little low blood sugar. You really didn’t have to bring me all the way to clinic,” Sage’s voice was as soft and delicate as ever, like she was afraid she might shatter if she spoke too loudly.

“Besides,” she continued, a teasing lilt in her tone, “you’ve already spent so much money on me. Won’t my sister mind?”

Ryder scoffed, completely unfazed. “She? What’s she going to do? She lives off me. It’s not like she gets a say in how I spend my money.”

My breath caught in my throat.

“Your health is more important,” Ryder went on, his voice gentle in a way it had never been with me. “Doctor, I’ll take everything you recommended for her. And some candied plums, too—she hates bitter medicine.”

A pause. Then, Sage spoke again, hesitant.

“Thanks, Ryder. But…don’t you think we should get some for my sister too? What if she gets jealous? ”

Ryder laughed, completely dismissive. “Why waste the money? She can handle bitter medicine. She always has.”