"Actually, my name's on the deed."
"When you're a guest, Ms. Smith, act like one."
For years, I've been the invisible hand guiding Shane Group, propping up this so-called Capital Sage.
It's turned my heart into something as sharp and unyielding as a butcher's blade.
His old flame popping up? Hardly the worst of his screw-ups.
Turning to our housekeeper, I said, "Ms. Ward, prepare a guest room downstairs for Mia." Let her stay – I could handle whatever came next.
It's ironic how I ended up with Ethan, the famous Capital Sage, through a matchmaking setup.
I wasn't even the standout among the candidates the Shane family had lined up.
But when Ethan first saw me, his prayer beads stopped mid-roll.
I knew I'd caught his attention.
Everyone gushed about how lucky I was to have the Capital Sage fall for me at first sight.
We quickly tied the knot.
Still, the way the Shane family looked at me always felt off.
They seemed on the verge of saying something, but never did.
It wasn't until I met Mia that everything clicked.
Turns out, Ethan had married someone who looked just like his step-sister.
Everyone knew I was a stand-in for his long-lost crush. They'd all been in on it, keeping me blissfully clueless.
The Shane Group was in full swing, rebuilding its empire. Ethan rarely made it home before midnight.
Despite Ms. Ward's protests, I waited up, reheating dinner multiple times.
It was our anniversary, after all. Life needs its rituals.
At the stroke of twelve, the door finally opened.
"Ethan..."
My joy evaporated as Mia trailed in behind him.
Her eyes were red, yet her fingers were laced with Ethan's.
She cowered behind him upon noticing me.
Ethan shielded her instinctively. "Gia, I asked you to look after Mia. Why are you bullying her into the storage room?"
Mia chimed in, "Brother, we agreed not to be mad at Gia, remember? She's just upset I'm stealing your attention."
Her words, seemingly in my defense, only reinforced the narrative of my mistreatment.
"Mia, don't make excuses for her," Ethan said, his tenderness for Mia a stark contrast to his coldness towards me.
"Gia Shaw, you're really disappointing me."
The use of my full name stung.
"Mr. Shane, how exactly have I bruised your ego?"
Ethan frowned. "Mia just got back and has nowhere to go. Can't I even offer my sister a room?"
"Sure," I said, watching his face relax before dropping the bomb.
Then, I gently burst his bubble.
"But not my studio."