Chapter 3

The air seemed to freeze in that moment. Richard's words struck like poisoned nails, piercing Emily's heart.

He asked her to call off the engagement? Gave up everything that rightfully belongs to her, so Grace could have it? Why should she?

Because they were her parents? Because they gave her life and then left her for eighteen years?

Emily thought it was ridiculous and funny. She looked at Richard, at that entitled, matter-of-fact expression on his face, and suddenly felt the urge to laugh. She couldn't help herself, and she actually did.

A soft laugh escaped her, shattering the silence in the living room.

"What are you laughing at?" Emily's laugh made Richard feel exposed and flustered, so he snapped back, his face flushed with humiliation.

Emily's smile disappeared, her gaze icy. "I laugh at how delusional you are."

Richard's face turned beet red with rage. His hand shot up, threatening to hit her.

"Dad, no." Michael grabbed Richard's arm before he could strike. "Let's talk."

Then Michael turned to Emily, doing his best to keep his cool as he tried to reason with her. "Emily, I know this is a lot to ask of you. But Grace needs this engagement.

"She's always thought she'd be Mrs. Reed. If she finds out it was all a joke, she'll break down."

Again. Same excuses, every time. Grace would break down? And she was supposed to be fine? Who was ever cared about the pain she'd been through these eighteen years?'

"That's her business, not mine." Emily's voice was as cold as ice.

"Emily, how can you be so cold-blooded?" Victoria shrieked, pointing accusingly at Emily. "Grace is your sister. How could you stand by and do nothing?"

Her sister? Emily couldn't help but find it ironic. The so-called sister who stole eighteen years of my life? The one who wasted no time trying to humiliate her the second they met?

And now, they expected her to give up everything for so-called sister.

"Let me make this clear one more time. She's your daughter, not my sister," Emily said, her voice cold and deliberate. "My life is mine. I make my own choices. None of you gets to decide for me."

With that, she ignored these unreasonable people and turned to leave.

"Stop right there." Richard stopped her again. This time, his tone carried a warning edge. "Emily, you'd better think this through. Everything you have comes from the Sutton family. You're living under our roof and eating our food.

"If you don't do as you're told, I have plenty of ways to make sure you won't last another day in this house."

Richard was threatening her directly, using her only refuge in this house against her.

Emily stopped in her tracks, turned back to him, and smiled. That smile carried a hint of resolve and madness. "Alright then. I'd like to see you try."

*****

With those words, she walked straight out of the residence, not even glancing back.

The sunlight outside was harsh, making Emily squint as she took a deep breath.

Without that nauseating perfume from the Sutton residence, the air felt so much cleaner. She finally felt a bit of relief.

She had nowhere to go, so she walked the streets with no purpose.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.

Emily paused, debating whether to answer, but decided to pick up anyway. "Hello?"

"It's me." A deep, magnetic voice resonated through the phone. It was Alexander.

Emily's heart skipped a beat, yet she sounded perfectly calm. "Is there something you need?"

"Where are you?" Alexander didn't answer her. Instead, he replied with a question of his own.

"Is there something you need?" Emily wasn't about to tell him where she was. She wanted to keep her distance from him.

There was a brief pause, then Alexander let out a soft, amused laugh. "I see you."

Emily was caught off guard, her eyes darting around as she instinctively scanned her surroundings.

Not far away, a black Bentley was parked by the curb. The window rolled down slowly, and Alexander's face appeared, devastatingly handsome. He was watching her, a barely-there smile lingering on his lips.

Emily frowned, hung up, and headed over to the car. She stood by the car, her tone cool and guarded. "Did you need something?"

Alexander didn't answer. Instead, he reached over and opened the passenger door. His tone made it clear he wasn't taking no for an answer. "Get in."

Emily hesitated, but still climbed in. She knew she wasn't in a position to say no.

The car eased into traffic, gliding smoothly through the streets.

Inside, it was almost silent. The air carried a faint hint of sandalwood, surprisingly soothing.

"Did the Sutton family mess with you?" Alexander suddenly spoke, shattering the silence.

Emily didn't answer. She stared out the window, watching the city rush by.

"Did they try to make you call off the engagement?" Alexander asked.

Emily turned to look at him, surprised. "How did you know?"

"A guess," Alexander said lightly. "With the way they're blinded by greed, it's hardly surprising they'd stoop to this."

His words stirred something unfamiliar in Emily's heart. Maybe Alexander wasn't as bad as she'd imagined.

"Did you come find me to talk about this?" Emily didn't want to dwell on this topic any longer.

"No." Alexander shook his head. "I came to tell you something."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Three days from now is my grandmother's birthday party." Alexander looked at her, enunciating each word. "I want you to attend as my fiancée."

Those words crashed into the calm surface of Emily's heart, sending waves of turmoil through her. She knew exactly what it meant.

It meant she was about to completely sever ties with the Sutton family. And it also meant her fate would be bound to Alexander.

"Why me?" Emily shot him a questioning look, genuinely baffled. "Seriously, with your status, you could have any woman you want. Why stick to this crazy engagement?"

"Because it's my grandmother's last wish," Alexander said, his voice tinged with a subtle sadness. "Her only wish before she died was to see me go through with this engagement."

"So, you're really doing this because of your grandmother's last wish?" Emily felt an unexpected sense of ease.

"That's one way to put it." Alexander didn't deny it.

"Naturally, if you're not willing, I won't force you. But if you agree, I promise the Sutton family won't dare touch you again," he promised.

His words were undeniably tempting. Emily couldn't deny it. She felt herself wavering.

She had no intention of ever going back to that suffocating home. She was done with all those phony smiles and hypocrites.

She needed a real backer, someone strong enough to help her break free from the Sutton family for good. And right now, Alexander was hands down her best shot.

"Alright, I'll do it." Emily didn't even pause. Her mind was made up in a heartbeat. "But I have a condition."

"Go ahead," Alexander said.

"We're allies." Emily met his eyes, speaking seriously. "When the time comes, I'll end the engagement. After that, we're even."

Alexander looked at her, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Alright, deal."

*****

The car stopped outside a fancy private club. Alexander walked in with Emily.

"What is this place?" Emily asked.

"Let's get you something new to wear," Alexander spoke, his tone indifferent. "My fiancée can't go around looking shabby."

His words reminded Emily of Victoria. When Victoria said the same thing, it felt suffocating. But coming from Alexander, it was a whole different vibe.

A team of elite stylists quickly gathered around Emily, ready to work their magic.

From her hair and makeup to her gown and jewelry, every detail was carefully chosen to make Emily look her absolute best.

A few hours later, when Emily appeared before Alexander, he was captivated for a moment by her transformation.

The girl standing before him had traded her simple clothes for a starry blue evening gown, elegant and eye-catching.

Her makeup was expertly done, accentuating her delicate features and making her look even more mesmerizing.

But it was her eyes that truly drew him in, like stars forged from ice, clear and brilliant, cold yet dazzling.

"You look stunning," Alexander murmured sincerely.

Emily fidgeted, feeling awkward in her new look. This was her first time ever wearing something so glamorous. She felt totally out of her element.

Alexander held out his hand to Emily. "Come on, let's go. I'm taking you somewhere."

Emily hesitated for a second, then slipped her hand into his palm.

His hand was large and warm, enveloping her cool fingers and filling her with an unexpected sense of security.

The car sped through the city, finally coming to a stop in front of a sprawling, luxurious estate. This was the Reed residence.

Alexander led Emily inside.

The birthday banquet had already begun. The residence was filled with guests, glasses clinking, and the atmosphere was lively.

The moment Alexander walked in, everyone's attention snapped to him.

And when they saw Emily standing right next to him, people couldn't help but stare, their eyes full of surprise and curiosity.

"Who's that girl? Never seen her before."

"If Mr. Reed brought her along, she must be a big deal."

"Is she his new flame?"

Emily could hear all the whispers and gossip swirling around her. Feeling tense, she instinctively held onto Alexander's arm.

Alexander sensed her anxiety, leaned in close, and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. I'm with you."

His words were like a soothing balm, instantly calming Emily's nerves.

Just then, an ill-timed voice suddenly rang out. "Emily? What are you doing here?"

Emily turned and saw Grace, jealousy and resentment written all over her face. Grace was clutching Michael's arm, gawking at Emily in utter shock. It was clear they'd been invited, too.

Grace's showing up sent the gossip into overdrive.

"Isn't that the real daughter the Sutton family brought back?"

"What's she doing with Mr. Reed?"

"Wait, are the rumors for real?"

Grace's expression twisted with anger and jealousy as she listened to the gossip swirling around her.

She marched right up to Emily, confronting her with a sharp, accusing glare. "Emily, what are you doing here? Who do you think you are, showing up here?"

Before Emily could respond, Alexander stepped protectively in front of her.

He shot Grace an icy, unforgiving stare. "I brought her. Who are you to question if she belongs?"