Chapter 2

I was still very young back then and didn't understand why my parents' gaze always followed Helen. They loved her far more than they ever loved me, and I would act out just to get a sliver of their attention. But no matter what I did, the way they looked at me never held the same warmth or affection they showed Helen. As I got older, I finally understood the reason—and with that understanding came guilt. Little by little, I stopped trying to fight for their love. Still, I never imagined that even after more than 20 years, my mother would still be holding on to that resentment. Seeing me remain silent, she spoke again. "If our family were still what it used to be, we wouldn't be begging the Afflecks for a partnership. Amber, you're not a child anymore. Think carefully about what you're going to do." After a long pause, I finally nodded. "When Helen comes back... can I go back to living my normal life?" I asked the question nervously, already knowing the answer. It was impossible. Still, my parents nodded quickly, as if trying to ease my discomfort. "Of course. As soon as Helen returns, we'll switch you back right away. You just need to mimic her as best as you can in the meantime." Affleck Group now stood at the pinnacle of Jewel City's elite circles, with Felix's mother, Yelena Carter, renowned for her uncompromising standards and discerning eye. By all measures, my family should have been far beneath the Afflecks. But Helen was the exception—handpicked by the Affleck family elders as their ideal daughter-in-law. Not only did the Afflecks admire her, but she was also seen as the perfect bride among all the distinguished young women in Jewel City. Her temperament was soft and graceful, like a serene spring that nurtures everything in its path, leaving behind a calm warmth. Her beauty was mesmerizing—delicate yet striking, like a radiant flower in full bloom. With her elegant poise and gentle nature, she exuded a charm that captivated countless young heirs. Yet, as sisters, I always seemed to fall short. People often said that while Helen and I shared the same looks, our personalities couldn't be more different. From a young age, Helen was always surrounded by admirers, while I never even received a single love letter. Now, I was expected to mimic her every gesture. To put it simply, it felt like an insurmountable task. The atmosphere outside was growing more hectic. I knew the makeup team had arrived. Mom quickly closed the door and dressed me in the style Helen usually wore. "You look just like Helen when you're silent," she said. "Let's hope we can keep this up a little longer." She gently rested her hand on my shoulder, her face etched with worry. I turned and wrapped my arms around her waist, looking up at her with determination. "Don't worry, Mom. I won't let anyone find out." She patted my hair fondly. "You're the level-headed one, Amber. When Helen comes back, I won't let her off easy." I forced a smile, though I knew the truth. If Helen returned, she would never face real consequences. It had always been this way. No matter what Helen did wrong, Mom and Dad never held her accountable. As I continued to mimic Helen, Clara arrived with the makeup team in tow. She froze when she saw me. "Ms. Helen, you look so pale. What's wrong?" I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Helen and I had grown up side by side. I knew her better than anyone. We shared everything. Imitating her was second nature. Even though Clara had seen us grow up, she couldn't tell us apart. If I could fool her, tricking the Affleck family should be just as easy. I forced a smile, mimicking Helen's tone. "I suppose I'm just a little reluctant to leave home, Ms. Winslow. I haven't been sleeping well." Just then, the makeup artist stepped forward. "Don't worry, Ms. Wyatt. We'll make sure you look absolutely stunning." I thanked her softly and allowed the team to begin their work. Clara glanced around the room. "Where's Ms. Amber? Where did she go?" Panic surged within me, my mind scrambling for a response. My mother smiled calmly, offering no sign of concern. "There's an issue at the company. She went to take care of it and won't be back until later." Clara nodded, seeming to buy the explanation. With each brushstroke, my reflection in the mirror began to resemble Helen more and more. I carefully copied her usual expression, allowing my lips to form a subtle smile. It made me look even more like her. Felix wouldn't be able to tell the difference. After all, Helen and he had barely spent any time together. By dawn, the bridesmaids had arrived. In our world, both love and friendship were inevitably tainted by self-interest. Genuine sincerity was a rare commodity in this circle. Helen's bridesmaids were all daughters of influential families. While they were friendly with Helen, I'd never been particularly close to any of them. They crowded around me, offering polite compliments on my makeup and wedding dress. I found their flattery hollow, but I forced myself to smile and go along with it. "Hey, where's Amber? Wasn't she supposed to lead the Bridal Bingo?" asked Linda York, the second daughter of the York family. She and Helen had shared a tight bond ever since high school. "Who knows where Amber's run off to?" Mom said with a laugh. "Don't worry about her." The others nodded without question. As soon as Mom left, the whispers started. "Amber's unbelievable. Her sister's getting married, yet she's nowhere to be found." "Right? She has no manners at all. It's honestly disgraceful." "Let's face it. She's just jealous of Helen. Skipping the wedding is her way of making a scene and trying to steal the spotlight." I was left speechless. I didn't even know these women, so why were they so eager to spread such false stories about me? In the end, I cleared my throat and explained quietly, "She had something urgent at the company. It came up out of nowhere. She didn't leave on purpose." Linda's brow furrowed in disbelief. "What's with you today, Helen? I thought you couldn't stand your sister. Why are you even defending her?" The others shifted their gazes to me, confusion creeping into their expressions. I quickly dropped my head, praying they wouldn't catch on. "Helen, did Amber bully you again? You don't have to hide it. We'll back you up, you know." I waved my hand, stumbling over my words. "No, s-she didn't bully me." Technically, I wasn't lying. Helen may have always said I wasn't acting like a proper lady, and sure, I thought she was way too uptight and boring—but I never bullied her. If anything, she was the one who had always been hard on me. Suddenly, Linda's expression soured, and she stormed right up to me. "What do you mean she didn't bully you? I know you're kind, Helen, but you can't keep defending her. Don't you remember? When you were little, she'd take your clothes, your toys, and even your allowance. "And in high school, she ruined your performance dress so you couldn't go on stage. If that's not bullying, then what is?" The others quickly joined in. "I've never met anyone as mean-spirited as Amber. If she were my sister, I'd have put her in her place a long time ago." "Honestly, she has no respect for anyone. Thank goodness you kept us away from her, Helen. Otherwise, we might've been her next target." I stared at them, my mind racing in disbelief. I heard every word they said, but none of it made any sense to me. When did I ever take anything from Helen? When did I ever ruin her dress? Why would she say such things about me? Was this the reason no one in our circle ever wanted to befriend me? The memories flooded back all at once. Back in school, Helen made sure we never spoke in public. Whenever I suggested hanging out, she'd shoot me a look of disgust and remind me that I wasn't the type of person she could associate with. No wonder her friends never liked me. No wonder I was met with such inexplicable hostility from everyone. It was all her—spreading lies about me behind my back, poisoning their perception of me. But why? Why would she do this to me? Weren't we supposed to be family? My heart ached, but I refused to let it show. I forced a smile, offering a quick excuse to brush the conversation aside. I slipped into a quiet corner where no one could see me, desperately fighting to hold back the tears threatening to fall. I knew I had to confront Helen when she came back. I needed to understand why she had betrayed me. "Look! Look! Mr. Affleck is here!" As the women around me cheered, I turned my attention toward the window. Downstairs, the wedding convoy had arrived. A sleek black Porsche led the way, flanked by an impressive line of luxury cars. Felix stepped out of the vehicle, holding a bouquet of flowers in his hands. He donned a flawlessly tailored black suit, the sharp lines sculpting his tall, commanding silhouette. His broad shoulders carried an air of strength and confidence. I couldn't help but admit it—Felix was undeniably handsome. Despite having cursed him countless times in high school, I had never once uttered a word against his appearance. His features were perfectly sculpted, as if shaped by the hands of an artist, each detail a flawless creation. His lips were pressed together, emanating an intense, almost magnetic energy. Perhaps mindful of appearances, Felix left his eyes uncovered. With calm, deliberate steps, he moved forward. His friend, Luke Castro, stayed right behind him, cautious that Felix might lose his footing. As though sensing something, Felix's gaze shifted toward me. His eyes shimmered like stars scattered across a midnight sky. I found myself wondering—could a blind man really have such a luminous, penetrating gaze?