Chapter 3

When my father found out Alvarado had ditched me and stormed off, he was so mad that he started pacing around the room.

He grumbled, "That jerk! And his mother had the nerve to tell me that once you married Alvarado, she'd treat you like her own daughter.

"Who treats their own daughter like this, huh?"

I couldn't help but laugh.

Honestly, my father was acting more like a flustered housewife than the fierce general everyone knew him to be.

Seeing me grinning made him even more annoyed. "You think this is funny? I'm worried sick! I heard the Crane family has many rules! Who on earth needs that many rules in their house?

"For crying out loud, with that many rules, are they even raising people? They must be expecting saints!"

As he spoke, he paced around the room a few more times.

He sighed, worry etched all over his face. "Florrie, you lost your mother so young and grew up a bit rough. How are you supposed to handle all those rules?

"Maybe, like Mrs. Peyton said, you should just marry Alvarado..."

"Father," I cut him off, "even if the Crane family is dangerous, there's no way I'd marry Alvarado Peyton."

He froze, then came over and sat beside me. "Florrie, be honest with me. Has Alvarado Peyton been treating you badly?"

Was he really all that bad? Not completely.

Alvarado and I had known each other since we were kids. We were childhood friends.

Even if he kept his distance, the Peyton family never let me go without. I always had good food, nice clothes, and the respect.

But he never came to my room, and when his mother nagged me for not giving him any children, he never spoke up for me.

When gossip was swirling all over Greenvape, he never tried to clear my name or set the record straight.

Alvarado wasn't the type to argue with people.

So he never stood up for me. He'd just tell me to ignore it and not let it bother me.

I never wanted to live like that again.

No matter how many problems the Crane family had, at least there was one good thing about them.

Sebastian lost both his parents early on, so among his siblings, he was the one calling the shots.

Even though he never married after I rejected him in my past life, I'd read his essays.

Every line he wrote showed a spirit that would rather break than bend.

I figured a man like that would never stand idly by if his wife was being mistreated.

Seeing Father so tense, I gave him a reassuring smile. "Father, honestly, if I married Alvarado Peyton, I can't imagine ever being happy."

He finally relaxed, nodding in agreement. "You know what, you're right.

"You chased after him all the way to Riverdale Academy, went through all that hardship, and he never even bothered to notice. With your bright and lively nature, marrying him would really be selling yourself short."

I nodded so fast, watching him expectantly, hoping he'd agree.

He gave me an exasperated look and let out a sigh. "If you really don't want to, then we'll just drop it.

"I used to think the Peyton family was a good fit for us. But the Cranes don't scare me either. If they ever mess with you, I'll stand up for you."

My nose started to tingle, and I quickly looked down at the floor, pretending to study the bricks so my father wouldn't see how emotional I was getting.

Despite all my bravado, when the Crane family actually showed up with their matchmakers and gifts, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous inside.

In my last life, I'd heard the Crane family prized loyalty above all else. They absolutely despised anyone who was fickle or unfaithful in their feelings.

I'd spent years pining for Alvarado, and now I was about to marry Sebastian.

How could that not be considered fickle?

My father wanted to discuss details with them, so he had me wait in the side courtyard by the main hall.

The gifts were carried in. It was such an extravagant gesture, showing just how seriously the Crane family took this marriage.

It was odd.

Everyone in Greenvape was making a fuss, saying Sebastian deserved way better, but the Cranes didn't bat an eye.

I mumbled under my breath, "Is it possible Sebastian ticked off the King? Maybe this marriage is just a way to insult him?"

Suddenly, someone behind me laughed and chimed in, "The King knows a good thing when he sees it. He gave me such a great match. How could that be an insult?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin, spun around, and ended up crashing right into his arms.

The breath between us carried the scent of magnolia and pine—so familiar, it tugged at something deep in my memory.

Where did I smell this before?

Before I could place it, he bent down, and his impossibly handsome face appeared right in front of me.

He was so gorgeous that I was completely dazed. My brain turned to mush.

The reaction brought with it a rush of memories, suddenly bursting out from long-buried corners of my mind.

And just like that, everything became clear. Without thinking, I murmured, "Crane?"

He grinned, eyes narrowing playfully. With a patient smile, he corrected me, "You can call me Seb."