Real Sister Now, Fiancé Cracks

The engagement party had just ended when my diamond ring disappeared. After a frantic search, it was found on the finger of my fiancs childhood little sister, Scarlett.

I was just curious, she cooed, wiggling her hand. Now its stuck.

Expressionless, I watched a jeweler cut the ring Id designed. My fianc, Preston, frowned and wrapped an arm around her. Scarlett saved my life. Id give her anything I own.

Leaning into him, Scarlett smirked at me. Ava, stop seeing every woman as competition. Were like siblings. Youre the one with a dirty mind.

Preston nodded, disappointed. I love you, but you cant disrespect her. Shes my family.

A cold smile touched my lips.

Three days ago, Id been bound to a system that made my words realitya "Speak and It Shall Be Done."

If Preston insisted Scarlett was his real sister, and was so willing to give her everything Id grant his wish.

If he was so generous with his "dear sister," would he also hand over his position as heir to the Donovan fortune? After all, a real sister should have inheritance rights.

A notification chimed in my mind.

Law of Utterance: Activated.

In twenty-four hours, a DNA analysis confirming the biological relationship between Preston Donovan and Scarlett will be automatically generated and delivered to all relevant parties.

I tapped my fingers together, a sense of grim satisfaction settling over me.

I hoped Preston would appreciate the grand gift I was about to give him.

Oblivious to the storm about to break, he saw my silence and his voice sharpened with impatience. This is our engagement party. Everyones coming back to the house to celebrate with us. Dont walk around with that long face and ruin the mood for everyone.

He looked at me as if I were a child throwing a tantrum.

I stretched my lips into a smile, my voice dripping with false sweetness.

Of course not.

As dusk settled, the villa Preston and I were meant to share as our marital home filled with our friends.

Scarlett was a vision in a champagne-colored minidress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, the very picture of youthful innocence. She slipped her feet into a pair of pink slippers waiting by the doorslippers Preston had bought specifically for her.

She flitted around the living room, snatching a chip from Prestons hand one moment, leaning against his shoulder to peer at his phone the next. Their effortless intimacy cast a pall of awkwardness over the other guests, but no one dared to say a word.

At the dinner table, the mood was boisterous. After a few drinks, Scarletts cheeks were flushed a pretty pink. She raised her glass to Preston.

Preston, my dear brother, its your engagement day! Lets link arms and drink to celebrate!

The table fell silent.

Every eye in the room swiveled to me.

Scarlett feigned a moment of realization, sticking her tongue out playfully in my direction. Oh, Ava, you dont mind, do you? Were just having fun, livening things up.

Before I could answer, Preston cut in with a laugh. Dont be silly. My fiance isnt petty like you. Shes the most generous person I know.

He leaned in close, his breath warm and smelling of wine against my ear. Ava, everyones just trying to have a good time for us. Dont spoil it, he murmured, a clear warning in his tone. Making a scene wont do you any favors.

A triumphant glint flashed in Scarletts eyes as she held her glass, waiting.

I watched their arms intertwine, watched them tilt their heads back and drain their glasses in one smooth motion.

The table erupted in applause and whistles.

Preston and Scarlett, still the perfect match! someone slurred, their drunken words unfiltered.

Preston laughed and gave the man a playful punch on the shoulder. What nonsense are you talking?

But Scarletts smile only widened.

After sitting down, she launched into a series of childhood stories, anecdotes that only she and Preston shared.

Preston, remember that time you tried to steal peaches from our orchard and our dog chased you for three blocks? You ran so fast your pants nearly fell off!

And what about when you fell out of that tree trying to get my kite down? Your arm was in a cast for three months!

We even made a blood pact as kids, remember? We swore wed be together forever!

Preston just shook his head, smiling fondly. That was a lifetime ago. Why bring all that up now?

Because I miss it, Scarlett said, propping her chin on her hand, her eyes hazy. It was so much better back then. Just the two of us. No one else.

The implication hung in the air, thick and suffocating.

The table went quiet again.

Pitying glances were thrown my way.

Seemingly lost in her drunken nostalgia, Scarlett pulled a faded photograph from her purse, her eyes suddenly welling with tears.

Look, Preston. I still have this.

Preston took the photo, his expression softening. Its Buddy.

Yes, Scarletts voice cracked. My sweet Buddy. I was so heartbroken when he passed.

Someone nearby asked, Whos Buddy?

He was the little dog Preston and I raised together, Scarlett explained, dabbing the corner of her eye. She then looked directly at me, a clear challenge in her gaze. He was the cutest puppy. We treated him like our own son. He would call Preston daddy and me mommy.

My heart dropped into my stomach.

Preston gently patted her back. Its all in the past.

But Scarlett pushed the photograph in front of my face. Look, Ava. Isnt Buddy adorable?

My gaze fell on the picture and froze. My blood turned to ice.

In the photo, Scarlett was hugging a small white dog. Around the dogs neck was a small, red, embroidered charm.

That charm

A hot rush of fury surged through me. I stared at it, my fingers trembling uncontrollably.

It was a good luck charm my grandmother had made for me before she died. Frail and sick, she had painstakingly embroidered it, praying over every stitch for my health and happiness. Shed told me she had little else to leave me, but she could pray for the gods to watch over me always.

Two years ago, when Preston got into a car accident on a business trip, I had tearfully pressed the charm into his hand.

My grandmother made this, Id cried. Its blessed. Please, wear it. It will keep you safe and bring you back to me.

He had been so moved, holding me close and promising he would cherish it forever.

A week later, he told me hed accidentally lost it.

I had spent months feeling guilty, apologizing to my grandmothers memory.

And all this time, he had given it to Scarletts dog.

Scarletts voice, laced with pride, cut through my haze. Buddy was really sick back then, none of the medicine was working. So Preston gave him this charm to wear. Said it would keep him safe.

She paused, then smiled. And you know what? It actually worked. Buddy got better for a few days after he put it on.

My nails dug deep into my palms.

Preston knew what that charm meant to me. He knew how much I adored my grandmother. He knew I had knelt at her grave for an entire afternoon, racked with guilt for losing her final gift.

And he had given it to a dog.

Sensing the shift in my demeanor, Preston tugged at Scarletts wrist. Dont talk nonsense.

Was I wrong? Scarlett yanked her arm free, her lip curling with disdain. It was just a charm. And besides, he died in the end anyway.

So you see, she said, her taunting gaze fixed on me, all that good luck stuff is just superstition. Completely useless. She leaned forward, her eyes sharp. Dont you agree, Ava? Anyone who believes in that kind of thing must have something wrong with their head.

CRASH!

I shot to my feet, my leg kicking the table with violent force.

Plates and glasses slid off the edge, shattering on the floor. Soup and food splattered everywhere.

Prestons first instinct was to shield Scarlett, pulling her behind him.

Ava! What the hell is wrong with you? Are you insane?

Scarlett peeked out from behind him, a flicker of triumph in her eyes.

Am I insane? My voice trembled with rage as I pointed at the photograph. Preston, that was the charm my grandmother gave me! You knew! You knew how much it meant to me! And you gave it to a dog!

Preston flinched, his face darkening. That was ages ago. Whats the point of dredging up the past now?

So what if I gave it to Buddy? he finally snapped, his voice rising with defensive anger. The charm was just sitting there, and Buddy was dying! I was desperate! Besides, its just a stupid little sachet! Is it more important than Scarletts dog?

Yeah, Ava, Scarlett muttered disdainfully. Its just a charm

Shut up! I hissed, my glare locking onto her. Who the hell do you think you are?

Scarletts eyes filled with tears as she shrank back against Preston.

That was the last straw for him. Ava, thats enough! Scarlett is right, that stuff is just superstition! It was a worthless little charm. Its gone. Is it really worth all this drama?

Hiding in his arms, Scarlett added with a cold sneer, I think shes just looking for a reason to be mad about the ring from earlier.

Ignoring them, I pointed to the door and yelled at the stunned guests.

Everybody, get out.

After the crowd dispersed, I was left alone in the villa, surrounded by the wreckage of the party.

Memories of my time with Preston flashed through my mind like a chaotic slideshow.

We met while studying abroad. I was caught in the middle of a street protest that had turned violent, and Preston, whom Id only met a few times, threw himself over me to shield me. A stray piece of shrapnel hit him in the back. He held me tight, his blood soaking my clothes. That scar was still there.

Ava, he had whispered, dont be afraid. Ive got you.

Later, as he lay in a hospital bed with his back heavily bandaged, I told him through my tears that I would spend my life repaying him for saving me.

He had taken my hand, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles, his eyes full of tenderness. I didnt save you for a reward, Ava. I saved you because I fell for you the moment I first saw you.

Our love story unfolded naturally from there. Preston treated me like a princess. Hed wait in line in a blizzard for half an hour just to buy me the tiramisu I loved from a little bakery across town. Hed sit with me in silence for hours while I rushed to finish a term paper. My graduation was a year after his, but he turned down a major role in his familys business back home to stay with me, saying with a smile, Wherever my girl is, thats where my home is.

Everything changed when we returned home and I met Scarlett.

Preston introduced her as his neighbor, his little sister. They grew up together, and shed saved him once as a child, so they were extremely close. I didnt think much of it at first, until I realized their relationship had no boundaries.

If Scarlett called in the middle of the night, scared of being alone, Preston would rush over to stay with her. If Scarlett had period cramps, Preston would personally brew her ginger tea. When Scarlett started dating someone, Preston investigated the guys entire family history, declared him a bad influence, and forced her to break up with him. When she refused, Preston flew into a rage, locked her in her house, and watched her every move.

When I questioned him, his answer was always the same: Scarlett saved my life. I see her as my sister. I cant let her throw her life away.

Preston eventually cornered the poor guy outside his office, offered him a check, and told him to disappear from Scarletts life. When the guy refused, Preston used his familys influence to get him fired. Defeated, the guy had no choice but to sign a breakup agreement.

Afterward, Preston spent days and nights with Scarlett, taking her out drinking to help her heal her broken heart.

I once saw Scarlett throw herself into his arms, sobbing. I dont care! Youre the one who got rid of my boyfriend, so you have to take care of me forever!

Preston just stroked her hair. Silly girl. Youre my sister. Who else would I take care of?

His sister.

What a convenient little title.

I imagined hed be thrilled when she became his actual sister.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from the girlfriend of one of Prestons friends.

It was a video.

In the dim, flashing lights of a club, Scarlett, wearing next to nothing, was sitting on Prestons lap. They were locked in a passionate kiss. Her hand was creeping up under his shirt while the people around them cheered and whistled.

The video was only ten seconds long.

It was long enough to make my blood run cold.

I grabbed my car keys and stormed out of the house.

The bass from the bars speakers was a physical force, pounding in my chest. On the dance floor, Scarlett, in a black strap top and a tiny skirt, was grinding against Preston, her body plastered to his. Her already revealing outfit left little to the imagination as they moved.