"Elena, you're her elder sister. Avie has suffered for so many years—can't you give her a break?"
"Exactly! You've enjoyed a good life for so long. Why not let Avie have a taste of it too?"
"You’re the older sister, after all!!"
Listening to my family's reproachful words, I opened my mouth, trying to say something.
But Avery was quicker to respond.
"Dad, Mom, brother, I understand. I know my sister doesn't want to give Jay up for me. I get it—after all, the engagement was made with her, not with me."
Avery finished speaking, her head bowed slightly, her pearly teeth gently biting her red lip.
What a pitiful sight.
Hearing Avery's words, Jayden, who’d been standing beside her, immediately wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Avie, don't worry. I, Jayden Hanson, will only marry you in this lifetime."
Then, Jayden turned to me with an irritated expression.
"Elena, Avie suffered outside for so many years. If I hadn't seen her at the company’s annual gala and brought her back, how many more years would you and your parents have grieved?"
"For all these years, the Wilkinsons have granted your every wish, while Avie has only asked for one thing since she returned—to marry me."
"Can’t you be a little more generous?"
Can’t I be a little more generous?
I looked at the man I had loved for over a decade. Once, he had held me like this, wrapping his arms around my waist, and promised my family earnestly.
"Owen and Ashley, and Darren, don't worry—I will always take good care of Ellie."
Seeing the loving couple before me, my eyes began to sting with tears.
"Jayden, you truly are unbelievable."
Their brows furrowed at my words, looking at me as if I were some irredeemable villain.
"Elena, go to your room!" My father’s face was set in a frown, filled with discontent.
Darren’s gaze was also filled with disdain.
I scoffed and retorted, "You’re not any better."
My father threw the newspaper at my feet, threatening, "Do you want to be punished again? Apologize to Jayden and Avie right now!"
I ignored them, merely frowning.
They, in turn, paid no attention to me, focusing instead on Avery in Jayden’s arms, their faces brightening with joy.
"Avie, it's settled then. You and Jayden should get married soon, and we will help with the children."
At my parents' words, Avery blushed and buried her face in Jayden's chest.
"Mom, Dad, Avie is still just a child. Can we not talk about such things? Avie just got home and wants to spend more time with you and my siblings."
Avery's words made everyone laugh.
Jayden playfully pinched Avery’s nose and said, "Little girl, who was it that fell for me right away?"
Avery had been brought back to the Wilkinsons a month ago.
Jayden had said he found a girl who looked remarkably like me at his company's annual gala, suspecting she might be the Wilkinsons' missing youngest daughter.
Our family rushed to see her.
We quickly took Avery for a DNA test.
The result confirmed that Avery was my lost twin sister.
Initially, like everyone else, I was happy to have found Avery.
But somehow, it seemed Avery started to replace me in the family.