Chapter 3: The Side Character’s Awakening

I stepped forward, jaw clenched, about to demand an explanation. My voice trembled with anger and hurt, but before I could speak—

But just then, another barrage of comments shot across my vision:

[Oh, here we go again—the jealous side character’s about to drop the ‘I saved him’ line, hoping for sympathy. Even if she gets to be the side chick, big deal. The guy only loves Savannah.]

[Does she really expect the Hamiltons to back her up? Please. Savannah’s the real deal. The governor’s son wouldn’t just swap brides for no reason.]

The words spun in my mind, dizzying and cruel. I felt exposed, like someone had peeled back my skin and let the world see every desperate hope I’d ever had.

I stared blankly at the barrage, my mind thrown into chaos by what I saw.

For a heartbeat, the room faded away, and all I could hear were those voices. Was I really just a footnote in someone else’s story?

The ‘spiteful side character’—is that me?

The realization hit me hard. My throat tightened, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying. I looked down at my hands, suddenly unsure of who I was.

When Carter fell into the lake at eight years old, all the other kids ran away in fright. Only I threw a plank into the water, then scrambled to find a stick to pull Carter out.

I could still remember the panic in my chest, the chill of the water, Carter’s terrified eyes as I reached for him. Everyone else had run, but I’d stayed. That had to mean something, didn’t it?

Using gratitude as leverage? Ridiculous. After I saved Carter, he willingly became my little shadow.

He’d followed me everywhere, always eager to help, always quick with a smile. We’d been inseparable—two kids against the world.

When I climbed trees to steal apples, he’d run around below to catch whatever fell, gathering it all up: “Evelyn, you’re amazing.”

His voice echoed in my memory, bright and full of admiration. Those days felt simple, safe—a world away from the cold formality of the capital.

When I fished by the river, even though he was afraid of water, he’d squat and dig up worms for me. When I finally caught a fish, he’d ignore the smell and hurry to help me unhook it.

I could almost smell the muddy riverbank, hear the laughter as we tumbled back to the house, soaked and triumphant. I’d thought those memories would last forever.

We grew up together, from eight to eighteen—not just a day or two, but a full ten years.

Ten years of shared secrets, inside jokes, and promises whispered under the stars. Ten years of believing we belonged together, no matter what.

But the boy who once followed me everywhere had become the governor’s heir. He frowned at my rolled-up sleeves and said, “Savannah’s a good person. She agreed to let you move in—after the wedding. Today’s about Savannah and me. Don’t make a scene.”

His words stung. I looked into his eyes, searching for any trace of the boy I’d known. But all I saw was cold calculation. The room felt smaller, the walls closing in.

My cousin Savannah’s eyes were red, her head bowed. “Evelyn, I know you saved Carter, but you can’t force feelings. Besides, you’re lazy and don’t like managing things. In the future, I’ll handle the house, and you can still go out and play with Carter.”

Her voice trembled, but there was a smugness beneath the surface. I saw the way she glanced at Carter, as if she’d already won. I wanted to scream, to shake her, to make her see the truth.

Carter looked at Savannah with pity. “You’re just too understanding and kind; that’s why she bullies you. In the future, when she’s a mistress, set some rules for her. Don’t let her saving me make her forget her place.”

He spoke like I was already gone, an inconvenience to be managed. My hands curled into fists at my sides. I wanted to shout that I was more than a footnote, more than a stepping stone.

Mom shielded Savannah behind her. “You’ve always been unruly and never listen to advice. Today’s a good day for Carter’s proposal—are you really going to make a scene?”