Chapter 3

Paul even went along with Janet's comments.

He said all I ever do is show off.

But he conveniently forgot that he always decked out in gold and silver, wasting money just as much as I do.

Why didn't Janet roast Paul as well?

Janet was always whispering behind my back, exaggerating everything and spinning tales about how I bullied her because she didn't have a father to rely on.

Paul totally believed her.

Maybe that was when he started holding a grudge against me.

At the legendary wedding everyone was talking about, someone happened to catch Paul and Janet getting all cozy, wrapped up in each other's arms.

Paul stopped caring and, right in front of everyone, bluntly announced he was calling off our engagement. He said the girl he'd always wanted to marry was someone strong and kind, like Janet.

When Mom and I rushed into the front hall, we saw Paul holding Janet's hand, kneeling right there in front of Brian and Tamzin, confessing everything.

Paul was holding Janet's hand before his parents and confessing everything.

Paul said, "Dad, Mom, Janet's the only one I've ever loved. I never had any big ambitions. I only want to spend my life with the girl I truly care about. Please, I hope you both can understand."

When Brian and Tamzin saw us walk in, they looked really uncomfortable.

Tamzin was visibly panicking, clearly anxious about the whole situation.

She was the one who arranged my engagement to Paul in the first place.

Brian had more than just Paul for a son.

Brian was always distrustful and never intended for his first wife's child to inherit.

It was only because of the business marriage between the Finch and Anderson families that he started acting nicer toward Paul.

Now that this whole embarrassing mess had blown up, Tamzin had no clue how to face the Finch family or even explain things to Brian.

The Anderson family's business resources still relied on the Finch family's influence.

Brian always had to keep my father in mind.

Vincent was a power player in the finance world, and Madeline was a classy lady from a well-known scholarly family.

Brian was always eager to curry favor with our family.

Right now, Brian exploded with rage.

At the wedding, every guest's eyes were fixed on me.

As soon as Paul saw me walk in, he reflexively pulled Janet, who was also wearing a white wedding dress, into his arms, like he was scared I'd go after her again.

I gave a bitter smile.

My parents always thought Paul was a talented young man with a bright future, someone whose background they understood well, and believed he'd be the kind of guy I could trust with my whole life.

Dad truly cared about me. He'd never make decisions about my marriage lightly, and he'd never force me to sacrifice myself for some business deal. All he wanted was for me to find a man I genuinely loved.

Tamzin weighed her options and saw the Finch family's influence as something worth pursuing. Outwardly, she treated me like her own daughter, but behind the scenes, she was always arranging chances for Paul and me to be alone together.

And honestly, I did end up falling for Paul.

That year, Paul was the talk of the school. He was quiet, aloof, and cold as ice.

He was always at the top of the class, a straight-A student with killer looks and that untouchable aura. It was no wonder every teenage girl had a crush on him.

I was no exception. I couldn't help but notice that straight-A loner.

People naturally admired those who were strong and outstanding. I envied him and made him my role model.

He was captivating on the basketball court. I'd get lost watching him play. We were all visual creatures. Good-looking people were always a pleasure to watch.

My best friend laughed at me, saying, "Isn't his mom super nice to you? If you two ever got married, you'd never have any mother-in-law problems."

My cheeks turned red. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Tamzin always joked that Paul and I were meant to be together, and if we ever tied the knot, she'd treat me like her real daughter.

I understood how tough things were for him. With so many half-siblings, he was constantly on edge, always having to bend over backwards to please his dad.

So even though I knew something was going on between him and Janet, I couldn't bring myself to walk away from him. I kept giving him chance after chance.

After all, in my world, Paul was always my childhood sweetheart, the prince to my princess. I always believed we'd have our happily ever after.

I always said, "Paul is being kind. People are seeing what they want to see. Nothing is going on between them. He feels sorry for Janet, seeing her cry so hard. He thinks she is missing her dad. That was why he wanted to comfort her, nothing more."