Chapter 1

When my sister-in-law, Jane, was young, she smoked, drank, and got into fights.

She spent her days hanging out with bad boys.

She’d racked up multiple abortions, never knowing—or caring—who the fathers were.

Now that she’s older, she wants to find an honest man to settle down with.

Matchmakers introduced her to many, but she’d either complain they were ugly or didn't have money.

Finally, for some reason, she threatened to kill herself if she couldn't marry my younger brother.

My husband, Alex, and my mother-in-law, Mrs. Chen, excitedly raised both hands in approval.

When my brother refused, Alex looked at me coldly and threatened, “If your brother doesn’t agree, then our marriage is over. It’s not fair for me to be so happy when my sister has nothing.”

My heart turned to ice.

“Fine, let’s end it then.”

When Jane was young, she lived like she was invincible.

She’d always trail behind a pack of rebellious guys.

Smoking, drinking, brawling.

She wore outlandish clothes, and her hair was dyed in a rainbow of obnoxious colors.

But she thought she looked amazing.

On quiet, deserted nights, perched behind a bad boy on his motorcycle, amid the deafening roar of the engine, she’d smugly believe she was the coolest woman on the street.

Every now and then, she’d come back with a baby bump, her mascara running down her face, claiming she didn't know who the father was.

Back then, Alex and I had been dating for three years, and I’d already started to think of Jane as my own sister.

Unable to watch her spiral, I quietly asked Alex to talk some sense into her a few times.

I don’t know what Alex said to her.

But Jane showed up at my doorstep, cigarette dangling from her lips, baseball bat in hand.

She lunged at me, spitting venom:

“You fucking bitch, if you ever dare meddle in my business again, I’ll rip out your tongue and make you eat it! Don’t forget, you’re just my brother’s girlfriend. He can’t even control me, so who the hell do you think you are? You’re pathetic.”

That afternoon, she brought her cronies and ranted at our doorstep for hours.

My parents were livid, practically on their deathbeds from anger.

With a sister-in-law like that.

My whole family urged me to break up with Alex.

After I suggested breaking up, Alex frantically knelt at our doorstep for three days, begging me to reconsider.

Eventually, Alex’s mom, Mrs. Chen, *dragged* Jane and *forced her to beg for my forgiveness* on her knees at our door.

She promised that such a thing would never happen again.

My friends also tried to persuade me to stay with Alex:

“Jane’s just an overgrown brat, don’t mind her. Besides, you’re living with Alex, not his sister. As long as Alex treats you well, that’s all that matters.”

I thought about it for a long time.

In the end, emotion overruled reason, and I decided to give Alex another chance.

Jane didn’t like me.

And I didn’t like her.

Seemed fair enough.

Every time Jane and I had a conflict – though it was more accurate to call it Jane’s unilateral provocations – Alex always sided with me, sternly scolding and warning Jane.

I thought Alex was decent.

His mom, Mrs. Chen, was also good to me.

Most families have some kind of in-law drama.

Mine just happened to be an immature sister-in-law eight years my junior.

Compared to others, I felt relatively lucky.

When we reached marriageable age, Alex and I smoothly walked down the aisle.

To avoid conflicts with Jane, we bought a house and moved out after the wedding.

Unless absolutely necessary, we never stayed with her for more than three days.

Life continued peacefully for ten years.

In those ten years, Jane didn't mature one bit.

However, the rebellious kids she used to hang out with had all grown up and started their own families.

No one was willing to waste time with Jane anymore.

She found it boring and decided she wanted to find an honest man to marry.

Mrs. Chen and Alex tasked matchmakers with introducing her to many eligible bachelors.

But thirty-year-old Jane had incredibly high expectations.

She’d either complain they were ugly or that they didn't make enough money.

She kept picking and choosing, refusing to take a good look in the mirror and see who *she* really was.

Then she met my younger brother, Daniel, who had just returned after four years studying abroad.

She told Mrs. Chen and Alex that she’d fallen in love with him at first sight and would rather die than not marry him.

And Alex, who had consistently stood by me for ten years.

When it came to his sister's future.

He resolutely took a stand against me.