Chapter 5

Nora's eyes flickered, and she lowered her voice. "He didn't say much. Just asked about my name and family background."

I nodded. "Did he mention that he's my fiancé?"

Nora's face changed, and she whispered, "He did."

I asked, "Did he say when we're getting married?"

Nora's face grew even more troubled. She bit her lip and shook her head.

I patted her hand. "Let me tell you then. It's set for March next year. If you're still living with us then, you must join the wedding party."

Nora's face went pale for a moment, but she forced a smile. "Of course, Isabelle. Congratulations."

I smiled and nodded, letting go of her hand. I turned to say a few words to my mother and then left with Yasmin.

Outside in the courtyard, Yasmin couldn't hold in anymore. "Miss Northwood, why are you still being nice to her? She's clearly doing it on purpose."

I looked up at the clouds and smiled, "Yasmin, what do you think of Arthur?"

Yasmin paused. "Mr. Grant is the heir of the Grant family. He's got everything, looks, brains, and a good reputation. You two are made for each other."

I cut her off. "I mean, do I need to worry about him being lured away?"

Yasmin was stunned.

I went on, "I've only seen him six times, and every time it was a glance from across a crowd. He's never talked to me alone, never sent me a letter, and never given me anything. All that's between us is engagement."

Yasmin opened her mouth, but was at a loss for words.

"If a guy like that gets taken from me, am I supposed to cry?"

Yasmin shook her head and then nodded, totally confused.

I patted her shoulder. "Come on, let's go back and check the accounts."

The brocade shop in the south of the city made a good profit this month, so I planned to use that money to buy another property outside the city.

And Arthur could "bump into" Nora as he likes. After all, he would realize Nora wasn't a young lady of a wealthy family at all.

She was a poor relative of our family.

I thought I could stay calm about it until the day Arthur came to visit in person.

I was in my room, going over the accounts, when Yasmin rushed in, looking flustered. "Miss Northwood, Mr. Grant is here. He's talking to Mr. Northwood in the front hall, and Mr. Northwood wants you to go over there."

I looked up. "Is he alone?"

Yasmin nodded. "Yes, he's alone."

I set the ledger aside, a bad feeling creeping in.

The live comments started rolling in: [Here we go! The iconic breakup scene is coming.]

[Ladies, get ready. This is about to make you furious.]

[Arthur, you fool! You're gonna regret this.]

[Poor Isabelle, she's about to get totally embarrassed.]

I slowly got to my feet.

Yasmin helped me change and fix my hair. I took a deep breath and headed for the front hall.

The comments kept rolling in as I walked: [I'm so pissed! Arthur is actually dumping Isabelle for Nora.]

[Does he really think Nora is all that good? Just wait, he'll be sorry one day.]

[Poor Isabelle. She didn't do a thing wrong, but now she's getting dumped. How is she supposed to hold her head up after this?]

I pressed my lips together, saying nothing.

I arrived at the front hall.

My father sat there, his face dark with anger. My mom was beside him, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

Arthur stood in the center, wearing a brocade suit, his features sharp and refined, looking every bit the gentleman.

To my surprise, Nora was there as well.

She stood quietly in the corner, her head down, hiding her expression.

As soon as I walked in, every eye in the room turned to me.

Arthur's gaze settled on me, calm and composed, without a trace of guilt or unease.

The last bit of wishful thinking I had disappeared.

I walked over to Arthur and said, "Mr. Grant, what brings you here today?"

Arthur hesitated for a moment and then spoke, "Miss Northwood, I've come today to call off our engagement."