They Dated Me to Hurt My Sister

[They’re only pursuing you to get revenge on your sister.] When the comment appeared, I was about to walk toward the man who had been unusually sweet to me lately.

After my sister’s string of relationships came to light, all her admirers seemed to turn their attention to me at once.

My sister said maybe they had finally realized I was better than her. I had spent my whole life in her shadow.

The moment someone showed me the slightest bit of affection, I couldn’t help taking it seriously and giving my whole heart in return.

Then I heard the man speak in a cold voice I had never heard from him before. “Unless her little sister learns what it feels like to get dumped, how is she ever going to regret it?” Chapter 1 The conversation shifted.

Suddenly, I was the subject of the rich young men talking freely across the bar. “Mia’s nothing like her sister.

Her sister’s a terrible woman.” Blake Turner’s voice went cold for a moment before his mouth curved again. “Mia, though? She’s so innocent.

Tease her a little and she blushes.” His tone was lazy and flippant. My lashes trembled. I wanted to turn around and leave. But Blake spotted me. He called out.

Maybe he thought the bar was too loud for me to hear. Or maybe he thought it wouldn’t matter even if I did.

More comments appeared before my eyes. [Blake tried to get back together with her sister today, and she wouldn’t even let him through the door. He’s furious.

He’ll probably take it all out on Mia.] [Exactly!

If things go the way we expect, Blake will record Mia crying and begging tonight, then use the video to force her sister to take him back.] Blake smiled lazily, his striking features full of untamed arrogance.

He crooked a finger at me. This time, I didn’t obediently go to him the way I used to. I stood where I was in silence. The curve of his mouth stiffened.

His gaze traveled over me inch by inch, impatience already creeping into it. If not for the comments, I might have kept fooling myself.

I might never have noticed how differently he treated me and my sister. I might have gone on believing he truly liked me.

Blake crossed the distance on long legs and bent until our eyes met. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I pressed my lips together. “I’m going home.” I turned to leave.

Blake caught my arm.

I stumbled backward into his chest, and his other hand pinched the soft flesh of my cheek. “You baked me that little cake yesterday, and now you’re acting like you don’t know me?” He didn’t lower his voice.

His friends nearby heard him and burst out laughing. Humiliation burned through me. I bit down on my lower lip.

Ever since my sister learned that they had all started pursuing me, I had been uneasy. She had only laughed. “It’s fine.

Maybe they finally realized you’re better than me.” Taking my hand, she had offered me advice. “Don’t worry about me. Plenty of men like me, and I don’t care about any of them.

I’m just happy someone likes you now. Bake them something once in a while. Ask them out.

Maybe they’ll like you even more.” The comments appeared again. [Meanwhile, Blake didn’t take a single bite of the cake.

He threw it straight in the trash.] [He even said that if her sister had made it, he would have put it on display like a treasure.] [As if.

Her sister would never bother lifting a finger.] Chapter 2 I was quiet for a long moment before asking softly, “What filling was in yesterday’s cake?” Blake paused for a second.

Then he laughed carelessly. “Wasn’t dropping it off enough? You need a review too? What are you, opening a bakery?” I said nothing.

Just as the silence turned stiff, another familiar voice reached me. “What a coincidence.” I hadn’t noticed the man approach.

His eyes tilted up at the corners, and his devastating smile carried a teasing edge. “Well, if it isn’t Mia. What are you doing in a place like this?

Aren’t you worried someone might bully you?” As he spoke, he cast Blake a pointed glance. Comments flooded my vision. […Who would bully her besides you assholes?] [Oh!

This one dislikes Mia most of all. He likes women like her sister—women who play the same games he does—not a naive little lamb like Mia.] [Right.

He once said Mia was the kind of girl who would get attached after he was done with her, so he should stay away.] [Too bad her sister made him angry too.

That’s the only reason he approached Mia.] Dorian Cross rested his long fingers on my shoulder. “I’ll take you home later.” I instinctively stepped back.

He gave a low laugh. “There’s no need to be shy with me.” Blake sneered. “She’s avoiding you.

Can’t you tell?” Dorian smiled. “Nope.” I still ended up in the same car as both of them. Dorian had smiled and said, “Your sister asked me to get you home in one piece, Mia.

How am I supposed to face her if you won’t let me?” Before long, he and Blake started arguing over the seats. The driver sat up front.

Dorian and Blake took opposite ends of the back seat, trapping me between them. Blake said mockingly, “Why are you everywhere?

Doesn’t your father’s illegitimate son keep you busy enough?” Dorian’s smile never changed. “I heard your parents are sending you overseas.

Yet here you are, still hanging around.” “You’re like a ghost that won’t leave.” “Right back at you.” I pressed my knees together, trying to make myself disappear.

More comments appeared. [Look at them. On the surface, they’re jealous over Mia.

In reality, this is still about her sister.] [Even taking her home is just an excuse to see her sister…] [Poor Mia never stood a chance against her.

Her charm might as well be zero.] The car stopped smoothly outside the Parker estate. Both Blake and Dorian insisted on walking me in. I said nothing.

The house manager opened the door with a respectful nod. Tessa lounged on the living room sofa in a silk nightgown.

At the sound of our entrance, she lifted her gaze. “Tessa,” I said. Her lips curved. She looked at the two men behind me. “Thank you for bringing my sister home,” she said lightly.

Blake scoffed. “Your sister’s adorable. It wasn’t any trouble.

I was more than happy to bring her back.” Dorian hummed in agreement, flashing a handsome smile. “Mia’s so well behaved. Better than some people by a mile.” I glanced sideways.

They said those things, but neither man took his eyes off Tessa. Tessa showed no emotion at all. “Is that so? Good. Don’t upset my sister.” Blake narrowed his eyes.

Tessa met his stare openly. With a cold laugh, Blake turned and strode away. Chapter 3 Dorian still wore the amused smile of a practiced flirt.

His gaze swept over Tessa from head to toe. Just as her red lips parted to tell him to leave, he turned to me and smiled. “Good night, Mia.” Then he left too.

I stood where I was for a while, suddenly exhausted. “I’m going upstairs, Tessa,” I said softly. Her expression didn’t change.

I had already started up the stairs when she called after me with a faint smile. “Mia, you can never have what was never yours. Know your place.

Don’t let yourself get carried away.” I lowered my eyes.

After a long silence, I moved my lips. “I know.” After that, whenever Blake or Dorian asked me out, I left their messages on read.

When Tessa saw me staying home instead of going out, she smiled. “This is better.

At least those men won’t corrupt you.” She sighed and looked down at me with pity. “You’re too naive to handle men like Blake and Dorian. They’d only play with you.

You and I aren’t the same, Mia.” She patted my head and left for a date. I curled up quietly on the soft sofa while a romantic drama played on the television.

For a moment, I drifted. Tessa wasn’t wrong. She had always been more accomplished than me. She was beautiful and radiant, and everyone gathered around her.

She was also far better with people. Plenty of people had complimented me too. But they always said, “Mia, you’re pretty too.

Next to your sister, though, it feels like something’s missing…” I opened my phone. Several of Tessa’s admirers had added me on the messaging app.

They pestered me for her preferences and schedule. Sometimes I got so annoyed that I told them to contact her directly. They would answer: [Your sister has her own life.

When would she have time for me?] [She’s busy. Do you even care about your sister?] … At noon the next day, I padded downstairs in slippers to get something to eat.

The number of people already seated at the dining table made me pause in confusion. They had started eating without me.

Tessa patted the chair beside her. “Come here, Mia.” I walked over slowly. “Dad. Mom.” Mom smiled. “We thought you wouldn’t wake up, so we didn’t call you.

You already know Blake and the others, so I won’t make introductions. Sit down and eat.” Blake peeled shrimp for Tessa without expression. Dorian placed food on her plate.

The two seemed to be competing in silence. Tessa took it all in stride.

Then Dad cleared his throat and asked her, “How are the preparations for studying abroad?” The room went silent. I looked up in surprise. Tessa paused.

Avoiding the looks Blake and Dorian sent her, she said evenly, “I thought about it.

I’m not going.” “Don’t be ridiculous!” Dad snapped. “Everything has already been arranged, and now you say you’re not going? Do you have any idea how rare this opportunity is?

That mentor overseas—” Tessa frowned and pressed her lips together. She seemed uncertain. Everyone else tensed. Dorian suddenly smiled. “Mr.

Parker, if she doesn’t want to go, why not give the opportunity to someone who does? Then everybody wins.” The moment he finished, Blake lifted his eyes to me.

It was the first time he had looked directly at me since I came downstairs. His meaning was obvious. Chapter 4 Dad frowned. Blake suggested lazily, “Yeah.

Why not give the opportunity to Mia?” Comments burst into view. [They know perfectly well that Mia is timid and never wanted to study abroad.] [Exactly.

They’re waiting for Mia to refuse. If neither sister wants to go, then her sister won’t be the only one at fault.] [This is hilarious.

Weren’t these two men supposed to hate her sister with a passion? Yet they went right back to groveling for her.] [They don’t hate the moon.

They hate that it doesn’t shine on them alone!] Every eye at the table turned to me.

Mom hesitated, then shook her head. “But Mia…” Two comments from the day before flashed through my mind. [Mia has practically shut herself away, and the most calculating man hasn’t even shown up yet.] [Honestly, all Mia has to do is get away from them.

Why keep getting tangled up with these people?] A few seconds later, I nodded. “All right,” I said seriously. An odd stillness settled over the table.

Tessa frowned at me, clearly startled by my decision. “You…” Dad made the decision final. “Then it’s settled. I’ll make the arrangements.

I’ll give you the rest of the paperwork later.” I smiled faintly. “Okay.” When I looked away, my eyes met Blake’s unreadable dark gaze. He quickly looked aside.

Dorian’s smile faded a little. Chin propped on one hand, he studied me with open curiosity. The rest of the meal passed in an exceedingly strange atmosphere.

But after making that decision, I felt unexpectedly lighter. I collected some of the paperwork from Dad’s study and started back to my room.

On the way, I heard Tessa talking to them downstairs. “Aren’t you going to talk her out of it?” Dorian asked. Tessa sounded certain. “There’s no need.

She’s probably upset about something and throwing a tantrum. I know her. She wouldn’t even go on overnight school trips when we were kids. Study abroad?

Please.” “Upset?” Blake asked casually. “What about?” Tessa scoffed. “You have the nerve to ask?” Silence fell for a moment.

Then Blake laughed under his breath. “What about you, Tessa? Are you upset?” His voice was low and intimate, filled with a tenderness he had never shown me.

I didn’t wait for Tessa’s answer. I turned and went back to my room. After that, I spent all my time organizing paperwork and waiting for the arrangements to be completed.

A few days later, Tessa’s birthday party filled the estate. As always, I stood beside her while she cut the cake and poured champagne down the tower of glasses.

Then I retreated quietly to a corner. Everyone gathered around Tessa as if she were the center of the universe, laughing and talking over one another. I was used to it. I yawned.

I was wondering when I could slip away unnoticed when someone suggested playing hideandseek. Tessa, the birthday girl, agreed with a smile.

The wealthy young guests scattered in every direction. I hid in the garden. No one came looking for me, which suited me perfectly.

Half an hour later, I figured enough time had passed and decided to sneak back to my room. But the estate, so loud and lively before, had gone completely silent.

A bad feeling crept over me. When I returned to the living room, the game was clearly over. Every person there looked at me at once. Then they exchanged long, meaningful glances.

I hesitated. “Did… something happen?” Chapter 5 “Well…” Brooke Hayes gave me an awkward smile. “I thought I was hiding in Tessa’s room, but apparently I went into yours by mistake.” I froze.

I had never made a habit of locking my door, and my room was close to my sister’s. I was about to tell her it was fine when I noticed the pink book in Blake’s hand.

His long, defined fingers turned its pages one by one. Dorian stood beside him, one brow raised as he read along. My whole body went rigid. It was my diary.

Brooke cleared her throat.

There wasn’t a trace of apology on her face—only curiosity. “Mia, do you really like Blake and Dorian that much?” Her next question was sharp and accusatory. “What about your sister?

Did you ever think about her?” They had clearly read the diary. Its pages contained detailed notes about Blake, Dorian, and Everett Thorne—the things they liked and disliked.

I barely knew Everett. He had only asked me out once, but I hadn’t been able to go because I was sick that day. Tessa didn’t know about it either.

She had only mentioned Everett in passing while talking about Blake and Dorian, so I had written down what she said.

I had also recorded how I felt after every outing with the men who pursued me. [I had so much fun today!] [They’re good to me, so I’ll be good to them too.] Ice spread through my body.

My voice came out hoarse. “So you not only went into my room by accident, but also happened to find the diary on my bookshelf and accidentally read it?” Unease flashed across Brooke’s face before embarrassment sharpened into anger. “Tessa told me once that you kept a diary!

I only flipped through it. How was I supposed to know you’d written all that?” I looked at Tessa. She sighed and started to speak.

Blake clicked his tongue and tossed the diary aside. “You even knew I liked mangoes, Mia.” He sounded as if he wanted to tease me in that lazy way he used to, but he stopped himself.

I tugged at the corner of my mouth. Yes. And what good had it done? He had still thrown away the mangofilled cake I made him.

Brooke picked at her nails. “Some people really think too much of themselves.

You knew they liked your sister, and you still threw yourself at them…” But I hadn’t been the one to approach them. Tessa had said she didn’t care.

She was the one who told me many of Blake’s and Dorian’s likes, dislikes, and interests and encouraged me to remember them.

And after learning the truth, I had stayed away from all of them. When I didn’t answer, Brooke rolled her eyes. “Everyone has always liked your sister.

You’ve probably resented her for years, haven’t you?” I looked at her. “Apologize to me.” Brooke stared. Tessa frowned. “Mia, she’s my friend.” I went still. My lashes trembled.

At Tessa’s words, Brooke’s smug smile returned. “You heard your sister. If anyone owes an apology, it’s you. You should apologize to Tessa—” “Enough.” A voice cut Brooke off