Chapter 2 Chloe, What Are You Playing At?

• Upon hearing the police officer's voice, I couldn't help but wonder if Luke would even feel a pang of sadness upon learning of my death.
• Would he?
• After more than twenty years together, could it really all be so easily forgotten?
• Luke's face, always so composed, showed no sign of concern. He asked casually, "It's just a wedding dress?"
• "Yes, for now it's just a wedding dress. But Ms. Sander might be in danger. We can't rule out the possibility of suicide. We discovered—"
• Before the officer could finish, Luke abruptly interrupted. "I don't know who reported this, but I know Chloe very well. She wouldn't take her own life. She's pulled these stunts before. There's no need to waste police resources on her little rich-girl antics."
• The officer was taken aback. We had only gotten married the day before, and Luke displayed no concern for my safety.
• The officer tried to continue, but Luke had already ended the call.
• I almost laughed—a bitter, self-deprecating laugh at the idea that Luke might still have feelings for me.
• I was dead!
• Even with the police involved, he still thought I was playing some trivial game!
• Anna wrapped around Luke like a vine. "Luke, what if Chloe is truly in danger?"
• Luke's brows knitted together. "On the phone yesterday, Chloe did sound weak and like she was asking for help."
• "It could be that I tried on Chloe's wedding dress, and she was upset, so she threw it into the river. But we genuinely love each other. I've controlled my feelings and let you have her. What more could Chloe want?
• "You hired the designer to work on that dress with my preferences in mind. Why should she be so petty about me trying it on? It's a million-dollar gown—how could she just toss it away! And now it's causing trouble at the police station. Isn't this deliberately embarrassing the Boltons?"
• Luke's anxiety faded, replaced by his usual contempt for me.
• A week ago, when I went to try on the wedding dress, I found Anna already wearing it. She had even altered the color and size to fit her.
• I asked her to take it off. Before I could say anything harsh, my family chided me, saying it was just a dress. Letting my sister try it on was no big deal.
• Anna, dressed in the wedding gown, clung to Luke, making it seem as if she was the genuine Mrs. Bolton, while I was just a mere backdrop.
• My family's bias stemmed from when Anna fell into the river at age five. I jumped in to save her but couldn't.
• I hit my head on a rock and lost consciousness. When I woke up, I found that the young heir of the Boltons had rescued me, while my sister had disappeared into the river.
• That was how I ended up connected to Luke, growing up together as childhood friends.
• When I turned eighteen, Luke's father, Adam Bolton, introduced his new wife into the family, and Anna came along with her. At that time, Luke was deeply annoyed with her.
• Three years ago, at my engagement party, Anna suddenly regained her memory and claimed to be the lost fifth daughter of the Sanders.
• While everyone was celebrating, Anna suddenly fell to her knees before me, clutching my gown and crying, "Chloe, why did you trick me and push me into the river back then?"
• I was stunned, having no idea she was my lost sister.
• I had never treated her poorly, whether as a sister or as a sister-in-law.
• Her accusations hit me hard, leaving me dazed and unable to recover.
• Anna kept begging, "Chloe, I promise I'll behave from now on. I won't compete with you for anything. Please stop hurting me. I miss Mom, Dad, and Ethan. Can I please go home?"
• My dad raised his hand and struck me hard. "I never imagined you could be so cruel at such a young age. Anna was only five then. How could you be so heartless?"
• Panicked, I tried to explain, "That's not true. I didn't push her. I didn't ... "
• "She's your own sister. Why would she lie so dramatically to deceive us? Anna, my poor daughter, you've endured so much all these years."
• My mom held Anna close, sobbing uncontrollably.
• Yes, she was my sister. Why would she treat me this way?
• What was meant to be my engagement party had turned into a chaotic family drama, and I was given the label of an evil sister, a stigma I couldn't escape.
• I cried, my makeup smeared and my voice hoarse from trying to explain, but no one would listen.
• Adam, usually so kind, glanced at Luke and instructed him to take me away to fix my makeup.
• From his look, I could sense that he felt I was an embarrassment.
• In desperation, I clung to Luke's hand, trying to plead my case. He held me close, his fingers gently patting my back. "I believe you. How could I not? You're the kindest, sweetest girl there is."
• How had the man who once stood firmly by my side become like this?
• I watched them from the bed, my heart heavy with despair.
• After death, no matter how deeply I mourned, my hollow eyes could not shed a tear.
• Though my heart no longer beat, it felt as if a cold breeze was passing through it.
• I tried to move away, but I couldn't get more than three feet from him.
• I was forced to watch as they got up, with Anna in my new clothes, sitting at the vanity.
• She held an eyebrow pencil, pouting as she had Luke fill in her brows.
• It was as if they were the rightful couple.
• Luke's gaze fell on our wedding photo, and he paused. "Enough, Anna. Didn't we agree to return things to how they were before after last night?"
• "Yes, I understand. I won't disturb you and Chloe anymore," Anna said, lowering her head in a show of fake innocence.
• Luke dialed my number again, but it still went unanswered.
• If he had contacted the police to locate my phone now, he might have found my body.
• But he didn't. Instead, he put his phone away with a troubled expression.
• I heard him scoff coldly. "Chloe, it seems I've spoiled you too much."
• "Yeah, Chloe is skilled at playing hard to get. Don't worry, Luke. She might have already returned to the Boltons and is just ignoring your calls to make you worry."
• Luke's expression grew colder. "We should visit our parents today after the wedding. Chloe would definitely be there for such an important occasion. Let's go back. I want to see what Chloe is playing at!"