Chapter 2
When I got home, I unexpectedly found Isabelle there.
She was boldly packing her suitcase with all kinds of luxury makeup, perfume, and the latest designer outfits.
She helped herself to all sorts of things from our house, even the toothpaste and toothbrushes weren't safe.
Looked like she was all set to elope with William.
When Isabelle saw me, she shot me a smug look and grabbed William's hand.
"Charlotte, I'm really sorry about the wedding, but William and I are truly in love," Isabelle said.
I couldn't take it anymore and slapped her.
"You bitch!" I spat.
I put every ounce of strength into that slap. Isabelle never saw it coming and went down hard, crashing to the floor.
Seeing her lying there all messed up didn't cool my rage one bit.
Just as I was about to slap her again, William grabbed my hand.
"That's enough. Isabelle didn't do anything wrong," William snapped.
Seeing William's face just made me even angrier.
"Who the hell do you think you are, talking like you're so innocent? You're just as guilty as she is," I shot back.
"You two had your fun running away, but did it ever cross your minds what kind of price the Carter family would have to pay for this?" I snapped.
Isabelle glared at me, tears brimming in her eyes, but refusing to back down.
Isabelle said, "I just didn't want to be shoved into some arranged marriage with a stranger. William and I are in love; we didn't do anything wrong.
"We're free people. We shouldn't be tied down by some stupid family arrangement!"
She's always been like that.
Ever since Isabelle moved in, she had never shut up about freedom.
Ridiculous.
Where did freedom come from within privilege?
"Charlotte," William said.
"Shut up, this isn't your place to talk," I shout.
I cut him off.
But William just wouldn't shut up, still spouting his useless nonsense.
"Charlotte, Isabelle is still your sister. How could you hit her?" William said.
My anger only burned hotter.
I snapped, "I'm not just going to hit her; I'm going to hit you too!
"You were supposed to be my fiancé, and you ran off with her? Is that what a marriage alliance means to you? Just a joke?
"Do you really think you're the main character in some wish-fulfillment story? Acting out your own idol drama here?
"She might not get what's at stake, but you do!"
William and I were childhood sweethearts. Growing up, I was always by his side, always playing the perfect fiancée.
I never questioned anything he did or said.
But it wasn't because I liked him, or because of love.
It was all just family interests and business.
This was the first time I ever called him out.
William just stood there, stunned, opening his mouth a few times, but nothing came out.
In the end, William just frowned, looking pretty annoyed.
"Charlotte, when did you become like this? You used to be," William said.
"Who do you think you are, even talking about me?" I snapped, not even letting William finish.
I gave Isabelle a frosty look.
"From now on, you're not part of the Carter family. Pack your things and get lost," I said coldly.
Isabelle's eyes welled up with tears, looking all pitiful.
"Who are you to decide anything? The Carter family isn't yours to run, and Dad hasn't even said a word yet," Isabelle said.
Isabelle kept talking about freedom, but couldn't let go of the pampered life she had with the Carter family.
Where could there be such a good thing?
This time, Dad was backing me up.
Dad's usual soft spot for Isabelle had completely disappeared.
Dad said, "Was Charlotte wrong about anything?
"You may have come from an orphanage, but we did our duty by you. Anything Charlotte got, you got as well.
"Even when it came to marriage, you were matched with someone even higher than Charlotte's. How did we ever wrong you?
"Pack your things and get out. And from now on, don't go around using the Carter name."