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Isabella and I were in the same car on the way home.
She sat beside me and smugly flicked her wrist. The diamonds caught the light, sparkling so brightly that I had to squint.
“So what if you marry George? You’ll never truly win his heart,”
she remarked.
To everyone else, Isabella was the epitome of a sweet, harmless woman. But in private, her true nature showed.
As I studied her, I couldn’t help but remember the time I caught her and George in bed in my previous life.
She had curled up in his arms, trembling like a scared child. He, on the other hand, had been afraid I’d hurt her. So, he shielded
her.
The shock of it had been so intense that I’d fainted right there.
After that incident, my parents sent Isabella to study abroad. She then married an heir living overseas. Her life had been far
better than mine.
But in this life, I decided to let her have George, I wanted to see how things would unfold for her.
With that in mind, my lips curled into a faint smile as I said, “You’re right. What’s the point of having him if I can’t win his heart? I hope you grow up quickly and marry him sogy
I wish 26 you both a lifetime of happiness.”
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For a moment, Isabella looked taken aback. A second later, she raised a brow and chuckled.
“You can pretend it doesn’t bother you. But no matter what, George loves me.”
Some time later, Thanksgiving arrived. Once again, my father asked me to deliver some gifts to Mr. Chapman Senior.
As soon as I entered the Chapman residence, I ran into Isabella. It had been days since she’d last gone home.
Dressed in a designer gown and matching jewelry, she exuded elegance.
Isabella smiled faintly when she saw me. “Beatrice, do you like my outfit? George gave me all of this. I told him I wasn’t into flashy stuff, but he insisted. He even said I’m the only one who deserves things like this.”
Annoyance bubbled up inside me. I frowned and tried to walk past her, yet she stepped right into my path.
“Beatrice, I just wanted to share my happiness with you. Why are you being so cold? I know you’re jealous of me, but love isn’t something anyone can control.”
The moment she finished speaking, tears started streaming down her face.
Preached out to push her aside. To my surprise, she conapsed 26
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dramatically onto the floor, wailing louder than before.
“Beatrice, how could you hit me? I’m your sister!”
Then, right on cue, George stormed in.
“Beatrice Layton, what the hell are you doing?” he barked,
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glaring at me. “Are you seriously mistreating your own sister? Do you even have a heart?”
My gaze flicked from George to Isabella. Then, I let out a chuckle.
“I can’t believe it, Isabella. You’re so young, and yet you’ve already stooped to such dirty tricks.”
No sooner had the words left my mouth than George slapped
- me.
“Don’t you dare talk about Bella like that!” he roared.
The sting of the slap burned my cheek. I instinctively wanted to strike him back, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw the guests.
I didn’t want to ruin the Chapmans‘ Thanksgiving banquet. So, I suppressed my anger and simply glared at them.
Right then, I caught the smug smile on Isabella’s face.
Realizing he had gone too far, George reached out to grab me. Before he could, Isabella clung to him, holding him in place.
eorgie, I think something flew into my eye. Can you take 22:26
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By now, the passing guests had started pointing at me and whispering.
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“Isn’t that the Laytons‘ eldest daughter? I can’t believe she’s picking fights with her sister just to steal a man. What a disgrace to her family!”
Meanwhile, George’s face twisted in disgust.
“Beatrice, apologize to Bella now! How did I end up with a woman like you? You’re such an embarrassment!”
Behind George, the other Chapman young men stifled their laughter with their hands over their mouths.
“Ms. Layton, this won’t do. If you can’t even tolerate your sister, what will happen when George starts getting close to other women? Are you going to drop dead from jealousy?” someone mockingly said.
Another person burst out laughing and added, “Don’t you know Ms. Layton here can take out every woman who gets too cozy with George?”
Back then, I had taken up kickboxing because of George. I even ran my mouth, saying I’d beat up anyone who tried to steal him from me.
Now, just thinking about it made me cringe.
Faughter rippled through the room as George stepped toward 26
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His voice dripped with disdain as he said, “Grandpa’s
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announcing our engagement today. If you really want to marry me, don’t forget what I told you.
“We’ll live separate lives once we’re married, and you’ll stay out of my business. That way, I’ll forgive you for being wicked and insufferable.”
I stared at him in disbelief. I couldn’t wrap my head around how someone so well–educated could say something so absurd.
George mistook my silence for agreement and looked even more
smug.
“As long as you listen to me, I’ll make sure not to embarrass you,” he added.
He was already convinced I’d never marry anyone but him.
The people around us looked on like they were watching a show. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from inside the house.
Mr. Chapman Senior’s assistant, Isaac Brown, stepped out.
“What’s all the ruckus about? It’s Thanksgiving. Are you trying to upset Mr. Chapman Senior?” he chided.
Trailing behind Isaac was Nathaniel. He wore a suit and wasn’t using a wheelchair. Moreover, he looked healthier than before.
When Nathaniel saw me covering my face, he walked past everyone and stopped in front of me. 5/8
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“Are you okay?” he asked in a low voice.
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The moment my eyes landed on him, a memory came rushing back. When I had lost all hope in my previous life, I wandered the streets like someone homeless.
Once, a car pulled up beside me. Then, the window rolled down, and Nathaniel’s face came into view.
“Bea, what are you doing here?” he had asked.
He had never once addressed me by my first name. Back then, I had assumed it was because he didn’t accept me as his sister–in–law.
It wasn’t until right before I died that I realized I had been
wrong.
I was still in a daze when Nathaniel asked again, “Does it hurt?”
I looked up upon hearing that and met his gaze. Tears welled in my eyes, but I answered with a smile, “No, I’m fine.”
Nearby, George scoffed. “Why do you care if she’s in pain? Nathaniel, she’s your future sister–in–law.”
A flicker of something unreadable crossed Isaac’s face. Yet, he said nothing. Instead, he simply urged, “Come now. Mr. Chapman Senior is waiting.”
As George brushed past me, he scratched his nose and muttered, “Don’t forget what I just told you.”
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holding the reins.
Unfortunately for him, that sense of triumph didn’t last long.
Once everyone had gathered in the living room, Mr. Chapman Senior made his way down the stairs, leaning on his cane for support. He then stepped onto the platform that had been set up earlier.
His hair was silver now, but his presence was still commanding.
After that, Mr. Chapman Senior took my hand with a smile. “Today is a wonderful day, and I have something important to announce.”
He paused, then continued, “Beatrice just turned 20. According to the arrangement her grandfather and I made, she’ll marry one of our family’s young men. After the wedding, I’ll be transferring 80% of my assets to the couple.”
Mr. Chapman Senior had spent decades building his business. At this point, his fortune was practically the stuff of legend. Even a fraction of it would be more than what most people could earn
in a lifetime.
Everyone in the room went wide–eyed with envy.
“Now, I want to witness their happiness with everyone present,”
he announced.
George straightened his back, lifted his chin, and took a step forward, only for Mr. Chapman Senior to stop him.
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By then, Nathaniel had changed into a new suit. Standing beneath the lights, he looked nothing like the sickly young man he used to be.
With a bouquet in hand, he walked to the front and said, “Beatrice, are you ready?”
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