Chapter 4

From the second floor, Josie listened, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.

A sister?

Seven years of marriage.

Countless nights of supposed love and intimacy.

And in the end, she was reduced to nothing more than “a sister.”

Even though she had already decided to let go, the words still stabbed deep.

Down in the living room, silence fell like a dead weight.

Susan stared at Zac in disbelief, then turned to look at Suzy beside him.

Suzy bit lightly at her bottom lip, as if she felt torn and guilty about the situation.

Susan pointed at Zac, her chest rising sharply with anger.

“Zac Lucas! When did you two start this? What do you take Josie for?

“You think you can marry Josie when it suits you, and then just decide not to when you feel like it? And now you want to marry her instead?”

Her hand shot toward Suzy, shaking with anger.

“Suzy Bell! In the past six months since you came back, name one time our family ever treated you badly. Is this how you repay us?

“After everything Josie did for you. She treated you like family, introduced you to connections and friends. And this is what you do in return?

“Where is your conscience? What happened to the values you were raised with? Did they just disappear?”

Josie frowned.

She had never seen Susan this enraged, this unhinged.

In her memory, Susan had always been gentle and elegant. She was a refined society lady who always spoke with grace and restraint, never losing her composure, and certainly never using such harsh words.

This time, Susan was genuinely furious and deeply hurt.

Josie turned to the housekeeper at her back. “Please, take me downstairs.”

In the living room, Suzy’s eyes were already filling with tears.

She choked up as she looked at Susan. “Mrs. Lindsay, I am so sorry. I never meant to ruin Josie’s engagement. But feelings are not something I can control. I genuinely did not want this to happen.”

Zac immediately stepped in front of her protectively.

“Mrs. Lindsay, this is not her fault. I was the one who fell for her first. This has nothing to do with Suzy.”

Susan let out a short, disbelieving laugh. Then she turned to Carl, who had remained silent like a spectator.

“Carl Lindsay, are you really going to say nothing? You are the head of this family. What are you going to do about this?”

Carl had an awkward but overly civil smile on his face. There was not a trace of anger.

He cleared his throat and tried to calm her. “Susan, take it easy. Let’s discuss this calmly.”

He looked at Zac with an unsettling amount of approval.

“Zac, I admit this is sudden. But love is unpredictable. Young people’s feelings are never simple.

“As the saying goes, everyone has their own fate. You cannot force a bond that isn’t meant to be. If you and Josie are not meant for each other, but you and Suzy have genuine mutual feelings, then that is its own kind of destiny.”

Susan could hardly believe what she was hearing.

She stared at Carl with disbelief and burning anger.

“Carl Lindsay! Do you even hear yourself right now?

“Josie was publicly rejected. Her fiancé was taken from her. And as her father, instead of defending her, you are talking about destiny? Do you even care about her at all?”

Carl’s face stiffened at being called out by Susan in front of others.

“Susan Spencer! Watch your tone! This is completely inappropriate!”

He straightened his posture, putting on a show of being the bigger person.

“This is their issue. Let them resolve it. There is no need for us as parents to interfere too much.

“What do you want? To tear them apart and make a huge scene so no one can show their face in public afterward? Is that what will satisfy you?”

He turned to Zac and Suzy, his tone suddenly much gentler.

“Zac, Suzy, do not feel pressured. In matters of love, mutual affection is what matters. I understand both of you.”

Susan tried to speak but anger choked her words. Her hand pointed at Carl, shaking violently.

And at that moment, the elevator doors opened.

Josie appeared in her wheelchair, being gently pushed forward by the housekeeper.