Chapter 2

My dad once saved Yosef's grandfather's life. To repay the favor, he set up an engagement between Yosef and me.

After my dad passed away, I was left with no one to rely on. Yosef's father, Alex Sherman, had someone bring me to Orolen.

Yosef was never particularly warm toward me, nor was he cold. Still, he was undeniably more familiar with me than with any other girl.

He'd take me shopping, wander with me through local fairs, and always bring me all kinds of fun, unusual little gifts.

When I first arrived in Orolen, I knew nothing of the strict etiquette at Sherman Manor and made a fool of myself more than once. Yosef always stepped in to defend me, reprimanding anyone who dared laugh at me.

I used to think I was different to him, that I actually mattered. But after Diana came into the picture, I finally learned what it meant to be cherished and what it meant to be kept at arm's length.

It turned out that when Yosef truly cared about someone, his affection burned bright.

For Diana, he kept postponing our wedding again and again, turning me into a laughingstock. And now he had even said he would rather take holy vows and become a priest than marry me.

That meal tasted like ash in my mouth.

Still dazed, I stumbled back to my courtyard, only to find the place completely wrecked. All the herbs I'd spent so much time growing had been torn out.

My maid rushed over, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ms. Hart, Mr. Yosef Sherman lost his temper for some reason and smashed up your courtyard."

I nodded, already knowing why. Yosef was angry, and since he couldn't vent it at his mother, he dumped it all on me instead.

Nervous, I pushed open the door, only for a cup to come flying at me. Luckily, I dodged just in time.

Yosef snapped, his voice dripping with anger, "Nina, are you really that desperate to get married? Just because I won't marry you, you run to Uncle Zack to complain? I got beaten up because of you. Are you happy now?"

I froze, completely stunned. I had no idea when Zack had even come back, so how could I have complained to him?

I bit back the bitterness and retorted, "I haven't seen General Sherman at all today."

Yosef gave me a suspicious once-over. "If it wasn't you, then who else? Uncle Zack never bothers with this stuff. If someone hadn't tattled on me, why would he beat me?"

I dropped my gaze and fell silent. I had no idea how Zack had found out, but I knew nothing I said would matter. Yosef had already convinced himself that I was the one who'd snitched.

I said, "It really wasn't me, Mr. Yosef Sherman. If you don't believe it, why don't you go ask General Sherman yourself?"

Yosef paused, a little stunned. I'd never called him "Mr. Yosef Sherman" before, and I'd never spoken to him so bluntly.

He snorted and smashed the last set of cups in my room. "Typical small-town girl: petty and uncouth. If only you had even half the class Diana does."

Back then, hearing Yosef compare me to Diana would eat at me for days. But now, I smiled lightly. "You're right, Mr. Yosef Sherman."

After Yosef stormed out, I sat down at my desk and started to write the formal notice ending our engagement.

Alex and Emily were both people of their word, and they never looked down on me for my humble origins.

During the five years I stayed at the Sherman Manor, Emily was preparing me to be the future lady of the Sherman family.

She genuinely hoped I'd become her daughter-in-law. But Yosef didn't care for me, and that left Emily always caught in the middle, struggling between us.

I signed my name on the paper, waited for the ink to dry, then folded it and tucked it into a box. I was waiting for the right moment to let Alex and Emily know.

The Sherman family was the new rising star in Orolen, and all eyes were on them.

If I called off the engagement suddenly, people would jump at the chance to accuse them of being ungrateful, pushing around a girl with no one to back her up. I had to think carefully and find the perfect excuse to call it off.

Once I decided to call off the engagement, the affection I once had for Yosef seemed to quietly slip away.

After that day, I stayed confined to my quarters, rarely stepping outside. For two whole months, I never went looking for Yosef, nor did I care about what he was up to any longer.

Once, even a day apart had felt like an eternity. Now, after two months without seeing him, I realized I hardly thought of him at all anymore.