Chapter 1

Karli Bright's POV

I stared at the dazzling brooch pinned to Isabelle's outfit, feeling as though something heavy had slammed me right in the chest, leaving me with a dull and suffocating pain.

Before I could even say anything, my best friend, Clara Goodwin, who was standing next to me, snapped, "Karli, Isabelle has gone way too far! Everyone knows that this brooch is meant to be a gift for you this evening. Yet, she took it away from you. I'm going to get it back for you!"

I reached out and pulled her back, shaking my head slightly. "Forget it."

Now that things had come to this, it was no longer necessary to fight for anything.

I lifted my eyes and looked toward Douglas Sullivan and Isabelle Sullivan. Isabelle had linked her arms with his, resting her head against his shoulder in an intimate manner. Instead of pushing her away, Douglas raised his hand and stroked her hair gently.

Such intimacy was completely inappropriate. It had crossed the line of what was acceptable between siblings.

The guests were Douglas's and my friends and family. They looked at me with sympathy in their eyes, their gazes making me feel even more uncomfortable than if they were to mock me.

Clara studied me with heartache in her eyes. She was so furious that I could even hear the tremble in her voice. "Isabelle is doing this on purpose. Just because they aren't biological siblings, she not only steals your things, she's even throwing herself at your fiance right in front of everyone!"

A bitter sting welled up in my eyes as my romantic feelings of six years slowly died out. I responded in a soft and calm tone, "It's fine. Don't let it get to you. Since nothing has come out of it after all these years, it's about time for me to let go."

Clara widened her eyes, staring at me in disbelief. "Karli, I've seen how much you love Douglas all these years. Y-you even got p-pregnant… Are you really p-planning on giving up just like that?"

My eyes reddened slightly as I forced myself to hold back my tears. "I—"

Before I could even finish speaking, Douglas walked toward me. He wrapped his arms gently around my shoulders, asking in an extremely tender voice, "What's wrong, Kay-Kay? Why are you upset? Belle likes this brooch. Just let her have it, okay?"

Upon noticing my silence, he gently stroked my head, soothing me patiently. "There, there, babe. We're getting married sooner or later. There's no need for you to care so much about a mere object, is there?"

I looked up at him, quietly asking, "Tell me, then—when are we getting married?"

The smile on Douglas's face stiffened slightly at my question. He quickly recovered, his voice carrying a perfunctory tone as he said, "There's no rush. The reason I say that is because I want to give you the most perfect wedding in the world. Good things are always worth the wait."

He wanted me to wait. Again.

It had already been six years. Every year, he promised we'd get married. Year after year, I waited in full anticipation, only to be disappointed every time.

I forced a smile, my eyes brimming with sorrow. "What if I were pregnant? Would I still have to keep waiting?"

Douglas froze instantly, a tinge of panic flickering across his eyes. "That… That would be impossible. We have always used protection, so something like that will never happen. You… You're kidding right?"

He stared straight at me, desperately searching for an answer from my expression. But instead of fighting with him like I usually did, I leaned against the wall wearily. "I'm tired, Douglas."

Seeing that I was dropping this topic, he naturally assumed he had seen through my lie. The anxiousness on his face dissipated instantly, replaced by the same doting look he always gave me.

"You've been in those high heels for so long. It's no wonder you're tired. Come on, let's get you home so you can rest."

I took a step back, glancing toward Isabelle, who was just a short distance away. "It's fine. Just go ahead and take Isabelle home. Otherwise, you're gonna have to pick her up when we're halfway there."

Douglas was clearly taken aback, probably because he hadn't expected me to be so understanding. He lowered his head, planting a kiss on my cheek.

"You really are becoming more and more understanding, sweetheart."

I wasn't being understanding. I just couldn't be bothered to argue anymore. This was where my six years of devotion came to an end.

After stepping out of the door, I took my phone out, my hands shaking. "Mom, Dad, I've thought it through. I'll proceed with the marriage alliance with Leonard Kane."