Chapter 3

Edward was here. He really showed up fast. I let out a cold laugh inside and slowly turned around.

He stood not far away, wearing a blue robe, tall and upright. He looked every bit the charming gentleman. If I hadn't been betrayed and hurt by him twice, maybe I really would have fallen for that handsome face again.

He strode up to me with that usual gentle, almost doting smile on his face. "Isabelle, stop making a fuss," he said, like I was some kid throwing a tantrum.

"I know you're still upset about me talking to Charlotte the other day. That was my fault, and I'm sorry. I've brought all the gifts. Come home with me, alright?"

He reached out to take my hand, but I stepped back, dodging him.

Emily and the other servants kept their heads down, not daring to look at what was happening. To them, Edward was my future husband, and what I was doing was basically making him lose face in front of everyone.

But that was exactly what I wanted, to embarrass him. I didn't bother to look at him. Instead, I turned to the butler beside me and said, "It's getting late. Tell the people up front to hurry."

"Yes, Miss Hartwell," the butler replied and hurried off.

My ignoring him completely pissed off Edward. His smile vanished, and his voice turned cold. "Isabelle, what the hell are you trying to do?

"Our marriage was settled ages ago. Now you're taking my gift and going to marry someone else? Where does that leave the Sterling family's honor?"

I finally looked him straight in the eye. "Mr. Sterling," I said, my voice calm and steady. "First of all, those so-called gifts were the property my mother left me. Second, our engagement was a verbal agreement. It wasn't officially recorded.

"So it's perfectly reasonable for me to back out now. As for the Sterling family's reputation." I let out a quiet, mocking laugh, my eyes full of scorn. "To be blunt, does the Sterling family have any reputation left to speak of?"

Edward was left speechless, his face turned red. He probably never imagined that the Isabelle who used to hang on his every word and loved him more than life itself would ever say something so defiant.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Isabelle, I know you don't really want to marry the Duke," he said, his voice softening as he tried to tug at my feelings.

"You're doing this to get back at me. If you marry Alexander, things won't end well for you. He's someone you really shouldn't mess with."

"Mr. Sterling, you seem to know the Duke quite well," I interrupted, a hint of amusement in my voice.

He froze, his eyes flickering. That was the look I remembered. In my previous life, whenever he brought up Alexander before he died, he always had that same expression, fear, hatred, and helplessness all tangled together.

So he remembered too, just like me, and the discovery thrilled me so much I could barely stifle a laugh. Perfect. If I were the only one who still carried the hatred from that previous life, then this game would have been far too boring.

I wanted him to remember how I forced him, step by step, into utter ruin; remember how he took his last breath right in front of me. And then, I wanted him to watch, powerless, as I married the very man he feared most.

I wanted him to spend this entire lifetime trapped in endless fear and despair from the very start. That was the sweetest revenge.

Edward clearly realized he'd let his guard down, and he quickly tried to cover it up. "I-I've heard some rumors."

"Oh, really?" I looked at him with a bright smile. "Well, let me tell you something too."

I stepped in close, leaned toward his ear, and whispered so only he could hear. "Mr. Sterling, who I choose to marry, or not marry, is my own business. I pointed at that long line of carriages. "I'm sending these gifts to Blackwood Manor."

The moment I finished speaking, I watched the color drain from Edward's face. It wasn't shock or anger. It was a terror and disbelief that seemed to come straight from the depths of his soul.

His lips trembled, his eyes went wide with pure horror. He stared at me like I was some demon crawling out of hell.

Edward tried to say something, but not a single word came out.

Watching his reaction with satisfaction, I stood tall and aded my sleeves. That was exactly what I wanted.

I didn't bother to look at his ghostly face again. Turning away, I strode toward my carriage without a backward glance. "Let's go."

Behind me, Edward stood frozen, shattered like he'd been hit by a bolt of lightning. As for me, I was heading straight for my new battlefield. Now, the real game began.