I was the only girl among the heirs of the five great families. The other four were all my fiancés. For the longest time, I thought I would choose one of them to spend the rest of my life with. But everything changed when Charlie appeared.
That night at the bar, I saw it clearly–Easton, who had always been as cold and distant as the moon, kneeling at Charlie’s feet, kissing the back of her hand with obsessive devotion.
‘In this life, I will only love you. Even if Debbie chooses me, I will still be with you. On her birthday, no matter whom she picks, we’ll all refuse–for your sake.”
The other three men circled around her as well, echoing his words.
Charlie’s eyes shimmered with tears of gratitude.
If Miss Debbie ever finds out that her car accident on the day of the Design Gold Award happened because of me, I’m afraid she’ll blame you all…”
Easton gently wiped the tears from her face.
Connor, eager to prove himself, rushed to add, “She already has more than enough. It’s just a lesign award. You’re the one who truly needs it.”
My hand instinctively pressed against my chest.
Design had always been my dream. If I had won that award, I could have gone abroad to study lesign. But because Charlie wanted it, I was forced into that “accident.”
She was nothing more than the daughter of a servant, yet she had managed to win over all fou
of them.
couldn’t understand where I had lost.
felt as though I had fallen into an ice cellar.
At that moment, a drunken man suddenly stumbled up to Charlie. He grabbed her wrist tightly efusing to let go. The others, afraid of hurting her, could only hover around anxiously, warning he drunk without daring to act.
hat was when Easton’s gaze found me.
Vithout hesitation, he strode forward, seized my hand–and shoved me toward the drunkard.
This woman is even prettier, and much wilder. If you want to play, take her instead!”
With that, he pulled Charlie away while the drunkard was distracted.
The other three followed right behind him. Not a single one of them cared about my safety.
watched their silhouettes fade into the distance.
And at that moment, I finally understood–I had long since been erased from their hearts.
So perhaps it was time for me to leave too, and find someone who truly loved me.
But what puzzled me most was–why did they only regret it once they realized I no longer loved
them?
‘Debbie, your twentieth birthday is coming. It’s time for you to make your choice.”
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On the other end of the line, my father’s stern voice rang out.
Having only just escaped that drunkard at the bar, I was still trembling.
Before I could respond, he continued, “I know you like Easton, but Kenji, Connor, and Hayden are all excellent choices as well. You may choose freely–after all, my daughter deserves the very
best.”
His tone softened as he spoke, but my eyes instantly burned with unshed tears.
He didn’t know. He had no idea what they had just done to me.
thought of the way they looked at me–gentle smiles on the surface, yet hiding their disgust underneath.
My breath hitched, and I drew in a steadying breath before answering firmly, “Dad, I want tc choose Martin Addams.”
What?” Dad’s voice rose in shock.
Why would you choose Martin? He’s far too frivolous! I can’t entrust you to a man like him!”
lis voice carried real concern.
Our Sinclair family doesn’t need you to sacrifice yourself. Just choose the husband you love Veren’t you always happiest trailing after Easton? Yes, he may be calculating, and you’ll need t uard yourself against him in the future–but even then, he’s far better than Martin.”
lowered my eyes and gave a bitter smile.
ad still saw them as the boys of our childhood. He didn’t know that everything had changed the noment Charlie stepped into their lives.
Once, the four of them had surrounded me, laughing and quarreling with me each day. But wher Charlie arrived, she would linger silently in the corner, eyes shimmering with unshed tears- ooking as if we were bullying her.
t first, Easton and the others ignored her act, and even warned me.
Don’t be fooled. Women like her only look pitiful on the outside, but inside they’re full of poison.’
nd I believed them.
Intil that stormy night.
hey had taken a call, their expressions darkening before they left me one by one. On a strange mpulse, I followed–and what I saw shattered everything.
aston was cradling Charlie in his arms, soaked and bedraggled, his eyes full of tenderness. Meanwhile, Hayden and Connor stood to the side, their voices cold with disapproval.
Debbie is getting worse. She knows Charlie likes us, but she keeps flaunting herself in front of er. She’s truly vicious.”
If we weren’t afraid she’d lash out at Charlie once she learned the truth, we wouldn’t have kept pretending this long.”
And then Easton, with infinite gentleness, brushed away Charlie’s tears and murmured, “Don’t be afraid. Even if Debbie chooses me, I’ll reject her for you. None of us will ever agree to her proposal.”
At that moment, the truth struck me like lightning.
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They had long since been captivated by Charlie’s tears. All that “affection” toward me had been nothing but a performance–to keep me from hurting her.
I broke down and wept, unable to bear it.
Days later, still heavy with grief, a friend dragged me to a bar.
And there, when danger struck, Easton shoved me into the arms of a drunken stranger–just to keep Charlie safe.
It was then, and only then, that I truly believed… I no longer had a place in their hearts. Snapping back from my memories, I gripped the phone tightly and declared with resolve, “I’ve made up my mind. On my birthday in seven days, I will go abroad and marry Martin.”
Thinking of how Martin might react, I added, “You and Mom should go overseas first and arrange the ceremony. As for breaking off the engagements with the other four families, I’l handle that myself.”
My decision was final.
There was a long silence on the other end of the line before Dad finally agreed.
Exhaling, I turned my thoughts toward the preparations for the banquet seven days away.
But just then, a sudden noise sounded at the door. My instincts screamed, and I ducked intc hiding.
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Chapter 2
