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During my friend's wedding night to the girl I loved since childhood, I accidentally discovered messages between him and my mother.

[Orion, Mom intentionally brought up another child in your place, just for this moment. Seeing you about to wed a wealthy woman like Isla Elander fills me with joy and pride.]

[Mom, I'll ensure you're well cared for in the future. My successful life is all thanks to you.]

[If you hadn't raised Vincent instead of me, I wouldn't be marrying the Elander Family's eldest daughter in Stellaria.]

At that moment, I understood why I had suffered abuse for so long.

It was to allow Orion Winters to live the life that should have been mine.

My mother had plotted to exchange me with him and had done everything to make me end things with Isla.

I laughed sadly, knowing I'd give everyone an unforgettable present on his wedding night.

——

"Orion, isn't it lovely? You'll look so dashing wearing it!"

Each year on Orion's birthday, Evelyn would carefully select an expensive gift for him.

This time, despite her financial struggles, she gave him a high-end timepiece.

It didn't matter that Orion was already living a life of luxury.

Years ago, Evelyn Harper had deliberately switched us, ensuring Orion grew up as the privileged child of a rich family in my place.

"Godmother, this timepiece is exquisite. I adore it," Orion said cockily, throwing a taunting glance my way.

His expression was as haughty as ever.

"Godmother, isn't this watch rather costly?"

Evelyn quickly dismissed the concern with a cheerful expression, stating, "Not at all, Orion. If you like it, it's worth every penny."

The timepiece was indeed pricey. Ten thousand dollars, to be precise. With her modest monthly income of just over four hundred dollars, it would take her years of saving without spending a dime to afford it.

Past events flooded my thoughts. The year I finished high school, I was accepted into Stellar University, my top choice. But when the acceptance letter arrived, Evelyn was livid.

In a fit of anger, she destroyed the letter and beat me severely.

"What's the point of further education? Do you think we can afford to send you to university?!"

"You'll start working at the factory tomorrow to help support the family!"

Meanwhile, Orion barely scraped by with admission to a mediocre college.

To celebrate his acceptance, Evelyn presented him with a red envelope containing seven thousand dollars. The sum was enough to cover four years of my tuition.

She lavished praise on him right in front of me.

"Orion is so clever! He got into such a prestigious university."

"Unlike this worthless child of mine. Not even a subpar college would accept him!"

It was at that moment I lost all faith in my mother, Evelyn Harper.

Yet, I still couldn't comprehend why she was treating her own son so terribly.

It wasn't until last night when I accidentally read her conversation with Orion that I finally understood.

I pieced together why I had endured such mistreatment for years!

Everything was orchestrated so he could have the life that was meant to be mine!

Evelyn was glowing with pride as she held Orion's hand and said, "You're about to get married, and as your godmother, I couldn't be more thrilled for you."

"Unlike that good-for-nothing son of mine, who dreams of marrying above his social class and even tried to take Isla from you during your studies."

"He should take a long, hard look at himself!"

Orion Winters, Isla Elander and I, Vincent Hayes, had been friends since we were young.

In our school days, our classmates would tease us, calling us rivals competing for our childhood sweetheart.

They used to speculate about who would end up marrying Isla in the future.

Back then, we were all just students. We weren't overly concerned with social status or compatibility.

Isla generally preferred spending time with me. In our second year of high school, she confessed her feelings for me in front of Orion, which infuriated him.