Chapter 2
Ever since I was little, everything that was supposed to be mine went to Ruby. My parents only had eyes for her.
When I stumbled upon Ruby’s secret, they just figured I was out to hex her.
Any chance at a decent match, and they would be tripping over themselves to set Ruby up, never me.
They never really saw me as their daughter, so why should I bother thinking of them as my parents?
I bit my lip and called the number I had saved in my notes.
[I’ll marry you, but you must agree to one condition.]
Maybe Sean was worried about losing his chance if he waited too long, so he and his parents met with Ruby today.
By nightfall, the whole city was buzzing with the news that Ruby was set to become the matriarch of the Gilbert family.
They were head over heels and had planned to tie the knot next week.
As fate would have it, that was the same week I was set to marry another guy, Keith Gilbert.
Keith, determined to give me the wedding of my dreams, kept me busy trying on a parade of bridal gowns.
I yawned, bored, as he gently kissed my hand.
“Sloane, I want to marry you. It’s not just because you saved my life. It’s because I love you. I want to give you the most spectacular wedding.
“Once we get through this busy time, I’ll take you on a round-the-world tour. Just hang in there a bit longer, okay?”
Looking into Keith’s loving eyes made my heart miss a beat.
In my previous life, he had asked me to marry him too, but back then, I was already promised to Sean.
The news of his tragic leap from a building filled me with sorrow.
However, there was no time to grieve. I had to save Ruby and shield my family from the Gilberts’ fury.
‘This time around, I won’t get caught up in my parents’ and Ruby’s fate,’ I thought, reminding myself.
With the wedding just three days away, he embraced me deeply and said he had to fly overseas to an auction to secure that one-of-a-kind diamond ring.
“Sloane, I’ve commissioned a top designer to create a wedding dress just for you. You’re going to love it.
“I have to travel abroad to win that ring. A unique dress for a unique ring, and you’ll be the most stunning bride.”
Keith kissed my forehead. His departure for the plane was filled with reluctance.
The following day, driven by curiosity about the dress, I visited the upscale boutique. The staff had me try it on to ensure a perfect fit.
Dressed in a gown tailored just for me, I felt like a fairy.
“Sean, that dress she’s wearing is gorgeous. I want one,” a voice said, intruding on my fitting.
I spun around and found myself looking straight into Sean’s eyes.
“Did you seriously think you could cause drama just because Ruby’s here trying on wedding dresses?”
Ruby’s eyes brimmed with tears as she clung to her mother, looking utterly heartbroken. “Mom, I bet she’s just upset because she’s not included in the wedding dress hunt. She’s probably throwing a fit again.”
Our parents exchanged a look of exasperation. “Sloane, you think you’re too grown-up now, huh? You haven’t been home in days, and now you’re picking fights with your sister?
“Hand that wedding dress to Ruby right now, or we’re disowning you!”
I was not about to let those guys spoil my mood, so I shot back. “If you’re so eager to disown me, go ahead.
“The dress is mine, and there’s no way I’m handing it to Ruby.”
My mom was livid with my icy response, and without another word, she started hitting me. “Would it kill you to let your sister have what she wanted?”
I tried to fight back, but Sean pinned me down with an iron grip.
In no time, my mother’s nails had scratched my face, and they stripped me of my wedding dress to drape it over Ruby.
“See? Only this dress is truly fit for my elegance,” Ruby said, gloating.
I tried to call out to the store clerk, but my mom’s hand struck my face once more. “Sloane, you don’t deserve to even think about having Ruby’s things.”
My dad just stared at me with icy detachment. “Apologize to Ruby and get yourself home, or I swear I’ll make you regret it.”
Before I could even put up a fight, Sean’s bodyguard hoisted me up and out of there.
Sean sneered from above, looking down on me. “Sloane, drop the act. You’re just trying to get my attention.
“You’re so hung up on me, huh? In two days, I’m marrying Ruby. I’ll spend the first half of the night with her, and if you’re so desperate, the second half with you.”
After that, Sean tossed me a room key.
