Her Fiancé Chose Her Step-Sister, Leaving Him Chasing Regret

Asteria opened the front passenger door as usual. Still, this time, her eyes caught a pink cushion resting where she would sit.

The safety charm she had once begged for was replaced with a couple’s pendant—a moon and stars twined together.

Suppressing the urge to confront the obvious, she moved the cushion aside, pretending not to notice.

Yet, when her eyes fell on a piece of lace lingerie, its shoulder strap was torn, and the bitter taste of hate rose in her throat.

She wiped her hands swiftly with a tissue, then silently moved to the back seat, eager to escape the mounting tension.

As Primo busied himself with replying to messages, he didn’t notice anything amiss in Asteria’s demeanor.

He asked, almost absentmindedly, "So, what made you go to the amusement park? Did you wrap up all the wedding stuff?"

"Almost done."

Tomorrow, she could walk away from it all, forever.

Primo smiled, a hint of fondness in his voice. "I remember how much you always wanted to ride the Ferris wheel. When I get the chance, I’ll take you out for some fun. I didn’t want to interrupt today, though. It was my mom who wanted to see you."

"It’s fine."

Asteria fastened her seatbelt, her silence thick with unspoken words. She wasn’t eager to engage with him any further.

To Primo, the wedding seemed like something that only mattered to Asteria, a duty she had to fulfill.

Primo only seemed to remember her when there was something he needed.

After sending the last message, he started the car, casually playing a song that Yesha liked.

Asteria turned her gaze toward the bustling streets.

The city was alive with beauty, neon lights dancing along the streets, perfectly complementing the starry sky above.

But after a while, the wind stung her eyes, and she felt a discomfort settle in, as though even the beauty around her could no longer soothe her.

When they reached the old house, Primo strode ahead, not even glancing back to see if she was behind him.

She followed into the living room, where the remnants of a forgotten meal sat cold on the dining table.

The maid bustled about, cleaning as both families exchanged casual pleasantries while Primo and Yesha shared lighthearted conversation.

In the midst of it all, Asteria stood like an outsider, unnoticed and forgotten in the grand house.

After a moment, Isabelle’s gaze finally found her.

"Asteria, come sit with me," Amanda said with a smile, tugging her hand gently. "You’re such a good girl. It's so simple, so beautiful, and you care so much for the family. A girl like you is rare these days."

Asteria offered a polite smile, the weight of her situation sinking in. Yes, a fool like her, willing to give without asking for anything in return, was indeed a rare breed.

Amanda continued, her eyes flickering over to Yesha. "Though with Primo’s position, he could have found someone more... suited, I’ve always told him to value what he has."

"You’ve been with him all these years without a word of complaint; you deserve more than this."

Asteria’s response was brief, a hollow smile playing on her lips.

Then Amanda spoke, her words cutting through the silence like a blade. "Asteria, you’re not getting any younger. Why not quit your job and give the Chromos family a strong, healthy child? Stay home, care for your husband, raise children—be the dutiful wife and mother."

If Asteria weren’t leaving tomorrow, she would have shouted back.

To them, she wasn’t a person. She was a mere tool to climb the social ladder, a womb to bear children, a decoration for their respectable image.

Most painfully, it dawned on her that none of them saw her as a real individual.

They all assumed Asteria should be grateful to marry Primo and take on the title of Mrs. Chromos.

Feeling an overwhelming surge of frustration, Asteria was about to walk out when someone arrived with several dresses.

Primo smiled, his voice laced with a tone that almost seemed like an afterthought. "Asteria, I know you’ve been busy lately, so I had Yesha pick a wedding dress for you. After all, her taste is always better than yours."