Substitute love

Even when Stephanie was the one to provoke her, she would still be the one to be blamed. This incident brought Maya back to the past.

“Maya, you have to sacrifice for your sister. She’s been through a lot,” her mother scolded.

Maya was literally the one who had been wronged, but as usual, all they cared about was Stephanie and her feelings.

She choked back her tears. “But Mom, she’s the one who stole from me! Why am I the one getting scolded for it?”

It wasn't just any random item Stephanie had taken, it was the diamond necklace Marcus had given her on their anniversary, yet to her parents, it was just another shiny toy Maya was expected to hand over.

“Maya, don’t say that about your sister! Can’t you see that she’s going through a lot? She grew up without her parents, without any of the privileges you have. It’s normal for her to want the things you have. Instead, you should be sharing with her. Case closed.”

With that, her mother took her adopted sister, Stephanie, into the living room, sat her down on the couch, and stroked her head as Stephanie cried into her arms.

Maya was always wrong in their eyes. Ever since they had adopted Stephanie from the orphanage, Maya was always expected to bend over backward just to accommodate her.

And up till now, it still remained that way. Even with the man she loved all her life, he didn't side with her; he chose her sister just like everyone else did. She was still expected to bend even though she wasn't the one who started it.

“I won't apologize, and there's nothing you can do about it.”

Upon hearing her words, Stephanie cried out, “Marcus, see what she's saying! She hit me just now and she's refusing to apologize for it. Are you just going to stand there and watch me being wronged?”

Upon hearing the word wronged, Maya turned to Stephanie. “You talk about being wronged, but between me and you, you know who is wronged more. I have always had to suppress myself just so you can feel better, just so you can be satisfied. You take my fiance away from me, and yet you still talk about being wronged.”

“What…” Her words made Stephanie at a loss for words.

Seeing Maya was gaining the upper hand against Stephanie, which left Stephanie with nothing to use to defend herself, Marcus decided to step in. “And who do you think you are, talking to Stephanie like that? And yes, I chose Stephanie over you, and it is not her fault. And do you know why I chose her over you? Because she's better. She's better than you, that's why I chose her. If you want to find someone to blame for it, come to me. Leave her out of it.”

Watching his protectiveness over Stephanie made Maya clench her fists.

This was all she ever wanted, for someone to finally stand up for her and choose her. She refused to let the both of them get to her. She had finally found her person, so she didn't have to waste time with the both of them.

Marcus finished speaking, expecting Maya to cry, beg, get jealous, and ask him to take her instead. Her next words shocked him.

“I'm happy for you and your new blooming love,” Maya said with a smile.

In the past, Maya was head over heels for him.

Anytime he'd throw a tantrum and not talk to her, she'd blow up his phone with calls and texts, and shower him with gifts.

He was sure she was just playing hard to get just to get his attention. If not, how did she suddenly appear at this mall where she cannot afford anything? It's just to get my attention, Marcus thought, a smirk forming on his face.

Even though Marcus convinced himself that Maya was still head over heels for him, there was a certain feeling he got about the way she smiled. It felt so distant, like she held nothing for him.

Marcus watched as her beautifully curved lips formed into an addictive smile, her clear, flawless skin making her look neat and beautiful.

For a moment, he could not take his eyes off her. The more he imagined her in his head with someone else while he spent six years trying to get closer to her, the more it made him greatly annoyed.

And Maya's words, “I'm happy for you and your new blooming love,” unsettled him. What does she mean by that? Is she satisfied with me being with her sister? Has she moved on so fast? he thought, now doubting his earlier confidence.