Chapter 2

After Dad brought Aurora to our home, his first demand was that I relocate to the servants' quarters, insisting Aurora shouldn't face any discomfort.

On my birthday, despite knowing about my strawberry allergy, she ordered a strawberry cake. Following my allergic reaction and subsequent hospitalization, Chris told everyone it was all in my head.

Aurora even meddled with my eye drops, leading to my blindness, yet Chris held her close, accusing me of using sympathy to try and drive her from the family.

In that desperate moment, I hit rock bottom and jumped off the top of the hospital building.

When I woke up, I found myself back on the day Aurora was first brought home.

Reflecting on the past, I realized my competitiveness had driven Aurora to such extremes. This time, I decided to take the initiative.

I quietly arranged for the doctor to issue a fake certificate declaring my blindness and committed to playing the role of someone who couldn't see.

However, in this new timeline, Chris didn't reject Abram's marriage proposal. I thought he had changed, but they'd been plotting this switcheroo from the start.

I finally understood that Chris had always felt insecure, living as a guest in our home, thinking I looked down on him. That's why he felt such empathy for Aurora, seeing her situation as similar to his.

My years of affection and devotion to him went entirely unnoticed.

Enough. This time, I would show them what it's really like to be at someone else's mercy.

With a steely voice, I said, "Let's check the security footage."

Chris scoffed, "Looking at the cameras means doubting Aurora. She's honest and innocent—she couldn't lie."

Ridiculous.

Just as I was about to reply, a guest nudged him with a grin, "Mr. Gray, I heard you’ve built a theme park on the lakeside? Sounds extravagant!"

Chris gave a slight smile, "Aurora has loved merry-go-rounds since she was a child, so I wanted to make her dream come true."

I was taken aback—on the lakeside property?

I instinctively responded, "Chris, I've already negotiated with the South District Group to build a high-tech factory there. The entire future of the Jenkins project depends on it this year..."

He interrupted, "Nellie, you're a useless blind woman, and you still want to run a factory? Is money all that occupies your mind?"

He gestured towards Aurora, who was chatting and laughing with the guests, "Unlike you, Aurora is pure and loves amusement parks. I'll use that land to preserve her childlike wonder, no matter the cost."

Bold of you to use my family’s property to cater to her whims, isn't it?

"I'm not heartless," he continued. "Since you're still legally my wife, I'll grant you some managerial rights. Stop playing the victim—it's quite pathetic."

I'd never seen someone disguise theft as charity so blatantly.

"Wife?" I echoed, "Haven't you already consummated your marriage with Aurora?"

He sighed impatiently, "I know you're jealous of Aurora."

"Don't worry about your engagement to the Elliott family. With Izaiah out of town, I can pretend you've passed away and keep you by my side. How about that?"

"But I'll give you the title. My heart belongs only to Aurora."

I calmly asked him, "Are you so certain I want any title from you?"

Chris's face darkened immediately, "What do you mean? If not me, who else do you plan to marry?"

"Are you really attracted to the wealth of the Elliott heir?"

I smirked, "Compared to a stray dog like you, he certainly has more class."

Chris's face turned grim. "Nellie, I used to think you were just stubborn, but now I see you're a shallow woman, easily swayed by wealth and power!"

"Is that all you care about? You think the Elliott heir would take an interest in you? Looking like that, he wouldn't even glance your way!"

"To be honest, Aurora was supposed to marry him, not you."

As soon as he finished, Aurora burst into tears.

She ran over and clung to him, "Chris, stop... I'm not worth fighting with my sister over..."

She looked at me tearfully, "If my presence really bothers you, I can leave the Jenkins family forever, if it makes you happy..."

She said this as she began to kneel.

I didn't move, just smiled, "Fine, then go."

Aurora's tears stopped abruptly, disbelief etched across her face as her performance was cut short by my simple sentence.

The next moment, Chris slapped me across the face, "You're too much! Aurora is just a young girl, who are you to drive her away?"

"I'm telling you, no matter what you do, you won't take Aurora's place in my heart. She's the true future lady of the Gray family."

I laughed, "You just mentioned the Gray family? Sure. Then take her and leave our Jenkins family now."

This whole celebration turned into a mockery in front of all the guests.

But it also revealed who were the true friends and who were Chris's scheming allies.

Chris pointed at me and said angrily, "Fine! I'll see who ends up being kicked out of the Jenkins family!"

I couldn't be bothered to respond and turned to leave.

In just a month, Izaiah would return to the city.

The infamous heir rumored to have outlived three wives—I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid.

But staying with Chris was not an option.

Even if Izaiah was as cursed as the rumors said, I was willing to take the chance.

The worst outcome was death.

But before that, I had to make sure Chris and Aurora were out of the Jenkins family.

Time was not on my side.

I made a call, "Regarding that project..."