In the Next Life, Remember to Marry Me

She opened her arms and rushed towards me, affectionately linking her arm with mine, smiling sweetly.

"Mia, didn't you say you wouldn't be able to get off until next week?"

"Did you miss me? Is that why you came back early to surprise me?"

I felt stiff all over, my mind blank as I mechanically replied, "I... I have something to do, just happened to run into you..."

Pouting, she pretended to be upset. "Oh, so you just happened to pass by? I thought you came back specifically to see me! I was wondering how you found me here..."

My brain was in turmoil.

How could it be her...

Why is Lucas' fiancée my sister?

She is my sister, Sophia Moore.

Twenty-one years ago, when she was just three years old, she got lost.

Since then, my parents have never treated me the same.

They missed Sophia.

All my life, I have carried a heavy burden of guilt.

It was my fault she got lost; if I had looked after her better, she wouldn't have disappeared.

She wouldn't have been separated from our parents, causing them pain for eighteen long years.

She was missing for a full eighteen years, until she was found three years ago.

And this city, South City, is where I grew up.

When Sophia returned three years ago, she mentioned having a boyfriend she had been dating for two years.

But I work over a thousand kilometers away in River City.

Whenever I returned home for holidays, I never saw her bring her boyfriend along.

So, I had never met this boyfriend she spoke of.

My heart felt as if a massive stone had been dropped on it, making it hard to breathe.

The fiancé I waited five years for turned out to be my sister's boyfriend of five years.

And now, they are about to get married...

As I watched Sophia being affectionate with me, Lucas approached.

Sophia released my arm, leaping from her seat into Lucas' embrace.

She was so comfortable, greeting Captain Johns and the other officers with a bright smile.

"Are you all Mia's colleagues? Hello! I'm Sophia. Thank you for taking care of my sister!"

"You must be Captain Johns! Mia often mentions you and how well you treat her."

"And this dashing police officer must be Jean, the one my sister talks about all the time..."

She was charming, complimenting everyone around her.

Finally, snuggling into Lucas' arms, she introduced him to everyone.

"This is my husband, Lucas."

Lucas held her waist affectionately, pulling her closer.

"Ah, so you are Mia's sister and her colleagues. Welcome!"

"I'm Lucas, Sophia's husband."

Sophia seemed to relish hearing Lucas call "husband," playfully poking his side.

He looked at her with tender affection, playfully dodging her poke as he went to the bar to fetch some pastries.

Sophia distributed the pastries to everyone, then took a plate for herself. After a few bites, she pouted again, pretending to be angry.

"Hmph! You must have made these pastries so delicious on purpose! You want to fatten me up so I can't fit into my wedding dress and embarrass myself!"

Lucas' eyes were filled with unending warmth.

He gently ruffled Sophia's hair, chuckling helplessly. "No way! My Sophia would look beautiful even if she were as chubby as Droopy."

At the mention of Droopy, the dog wagged its tail happily and ran over, tongue out, begging for attention and treats.

Sophia playfully poked him.

Her eyes sparkled with happiness and anticipation for the wedding, just like mine once did.

Jean teased the golden retriever.

"So, Droopy is his name? So cute!"

Lucas smiled slightly. "Yeah, he's fat and lazy, so we just called him Droopy."

My senior looked at me, her eyes silently reassuring me.

She knew about my Droopy.

"Mia, since you and your colleagues are in South City, why not stay a few more days and join us for our wedding next week? Mia, you promised to be my maid of honor, so help me set up the wedding room these days."

Lucas turned to Captain Johns and the others, inviting them as well. "Yes, our wedding is next Wednesday. We hope you all can come."

"Right, Mia, it's been a while since you visited Mom and Dad. How about inviting everyone over for dinner tonight?"

Captain Johns and the other officers suddenly looked at me.

Jean quietly squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with concern.

"Okay."

I replied with a bitter voice.

I wanted to see Mom and Dad too.

But there was one question I desperately wanted an answer to.