Chapter 1
The day my brother brought his girlfriend home, I unexpectedly became the “child bride.”
She looked at me with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes and said, “So, you’re the adopted daughter of the Collins family? The little wife they raised for Ethan?”
I froze, my eyes widening in shock.
It was true that I was adopted by the Collins family. Before he passed away, my father had been a
founding member of the Collins Group, and my mother was close friends with Ethan’s mother.
The Collins family had raised me like their own daughter for over ten years. So how did I suddenly become the child bride just because my brother brought his girlfriend home?
***
The day my brother, Ethan Collins, brought his girlfriend home, the atmosphere was perfect at
first.
Violet Parker was sweet and had a way with words, effortlessly charming my parents. They were both grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying her company.
But when her gaze landed on me, her expression subtly changed.
“Who’s this?” she asked, feigning curiosity.
Ethan’s mother, Carol Collins, smiled warmly as she pulled me over. “This is Amelia, our little girl. She grew up with Ethan–closer than siblings.”
Violet just gave a soft “Oh” and lowered her long lashes. When she lifted them again, there was something else in her eyes.
She leaned toward my brother, her voice sweet as she said, “Ethan, so this is the girl, huh?”
“She’s the one your parents raised for you, your little wife?”
The air in the living room instantly grew heavy.
Ethan frowned, his voice sharp. “Violet, don’t be ridiculous.”
Ethan‘ father, Martin Collins‘ smile faded slightly, and Carol quickly intervened, trying to smooth things over.
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“You really know how to joke around, Violet. Amelia’s been with us since she was little; she’s like our own daughter. There’s no such thing as a child bride.”
Violet covered her mouth and giggled playfully. But her gaze lingered on me, sharp and unsettling, like a hook.
“Oops, I’m sorry,” she said, her tone still playful, though it carried an edge. “I must’ve misunderstood.”
“But you know, a lot of people say that Collins family has a beautiful adopted daughter, and that
she was raised for Ethan.‘
She paused, her gaze sweeping between me and Ethan, her voice now more innocent than ever. “After hearing all those rumors, and then seeing how pretty Amelia is, and how close you two are…” She gave an almost shy shrug, her lips parting as if she were holding back something. “I… I can’t help but feel a little uncomfortable.”
She lightly bit her lip, her voice dripping with feigned sincerity. “But it’s fine. I’ll get over it. I
must have misunderstood.”
Her words felt like a knot in my throat. They sounded like an apology, but they only further
cemented the label of “child bride” on me.
And to top it off, she subtly reminded everyone of my status as an adopted daughter.
My fingers curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms.
It was true that I was adopted by the Collins family. But my biological father a founding member of the Collins Group, who died in an accident while saving Martin. My mother was close friends with Carol and passed away from illness when I was young.
The Collins family took pity on my orphaned state and transferred the deep bond they had with my parents onto me. They took me in when I was just ten years old, treating me like their own
child.
It had been over a decade, and everyone knew this. Who would dare question my identity?
But now, just because my brother brought his girlfriend home, I had suddenly become the “child bride” whispered about by others, maybe even many others?
An uncomfortable silence fell over the dinner table.
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Violet seemed to realize she had gone too far, and worked extra hard to charm Martin and Carol.
She clung to my brother even more, but when her eyes fell on me, they were full of scrutiny and hostility.
I did my best to fade into the background, but inside, I felt a heavy weight, like something was stuck in my chest.
After dinner, Ethan was called into Martin’s study for a chat. Carol headed to the kitchen to cut
fruit.
Violet leaned toward me, her arm wrapping around mine in a gesture that seemed affectionate, but her grip was tight enough to hurt.
“Amelia, don’t be mad at me. I’m just straightforward.”
She fluttered her lashes at me. “I really understand you. Truly.”
I kept my expression neutral, trying to pull my arm away. “Understand what?”
“Your difficulties.”
She lowered her voice, a strange satisfaction creeping into her tone.
“You see, Ethan has me now.”
She paused, her words hanging in the air. “And you, well, even though you’re technically adopted by the Collins family, you’ll never truly be one of us, right?”
“The dynamics in this house are going to change eventually. After all, as a girl, you’ll need to start planning for your future.”
I looked at her, a sudden amusement tugging at the corners of my lips.
“Miss Parker, I don’t really understand what you mean. What exactly am I supposed to be planning in my own home?”
Her smile faltered, and for a moment, her eyes widened, as if surprised I hadn’t simply accepted her words. But she quickly recovered, smiling again, but the tension in her face was unmistakable.
She patted the back of my hand, looking like she understood everything.
“I get it, I get it. You want to maintain your pride, right?”
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“But don’t worry, I’ll be the lady of this house from now on. Since you’re so understanding, I’ll take care of you.”
I yanked my arm away and stood up, looking at her coldly.
“Miss Parker, first of all, this is my home.”
“Second, my mother is the lady of this house.”
“And lastly, I don’t need your care.”
Violet’s mask cracked, her face darkening as she glared at me, her voice now dripping with ice.
“Amelia, don’t push your luck.”
“Ethan regards you as his sister, and you really think you’re the Collins family’s little princess? You’re just an adopted daughter. How can you be so unclear about your place?”
“I know my place,” I said calmly, meeting her gaze without flinching. “I’m Amelia Collins, the rightful daughter of the Collins family.”
“Now, as for you, Miss Parker,” I continued, my voice sharp, “this is your first time here, and already you’re acting like you own the place. Tell me, where exactly do you think you fit in?”
“You!”
Violet’s face flushed red with anger. She opened her mouth to retort, but at the sight of my brother walking out of the study, her expression shifted instantly.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and with a pitiful look, she rushed to him. “Ethan~”
