Chapter 1

I smiled. "And? It's my life. I won't regret it."

My father's hands shook. "No, no! Skylar, please! Just pick one of those three. You know your life will be better this way."

My father loved my mother so much that he could not bring himself to love anyone else after she died. At the same time, he knew the company's board was waiting for a chance to strike and take our family business, so he had been worried.

"Cyrus' condition is unfortunate, but he has something we truly need. His company holds the Aslan-Pacific region," I added, my tone firm.

My father finally sighed.

…

The soiree opened in a dazzle of lights.

The room buzzed with conversation, but I stood alone in a corner.

Irina wore a pastel-pink evening gown. She approached with a graceful gait and a winning smile, then leaned close to my ear with feigned warmth. "Oh my God, why are you standing here all alone? You should be talking to the three princes your dad groomed for you, sweetie. Or… have you already found someone you like?"

My muscles tensed. I was about to respond when she suddenly cried out and fell backward, splashing wine across her dress.

"What was that for, Skylar? I was just trying to have a pleasant conversation!" she shrieked, voice trembling.

Corbin appeared at her side in an instant. He glared at me. "How could you? She's your sister-in-law!"

I had had enough and scoffed. "Oh, really? I doubt it. Why don't you tell everyone about your relationship with her? Everyone's here for the announcement."

Panic flashed in Irina's eyes. "W-What are you talking about?"

The hall had heard me. The noise faded, the air turned heavy, and every gaze fixed on us.

Corbin recovered with a smirk. "Seriously? You're this worried about losing your dad's favor? I didn't expect you to stoop so low as to make things up just to keep your little tiara, Princess."

Irina shoved me hard. "How dare you? I'm your brother's wife! Now that Dean is gone, you think you can bully me with lies?"

I stumbled but managed to steady myself. Anger surged, and I pushed her back. "Take this, you fraud. You're the one pretending to be someone you're not. You've lied about who you are and fooled everyone."

She screamed and lunged, clawing at my face. Her nails tore shallow, bleeding gashes across my cheek.

Furious, I swung my arm and struck her across the face.

Corbin stepped between us and shoved me away. I hit the floor hard as he shouted, "Have you gone mad, Skylar? We know you're rich, but you don't have to act like a spoiled brat who treats everyone like servants!"

Jared Fields, another of my father's "candidates," chimed in, "The Sothisby family's reputation is suffering because of your conduct, Miss Sothisby. You should be mindful of that in public."

Hector Thompson, the last of the three candidates, sneered, "I can't imagine what Dean would think if he saw you like this."

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

My father finally approached.

Irina changed her expression at once. She began to cry, all wounded innocence. "She slandered us, Dad. She said Corbin and I were… in a relationship. She even attacked me!"

Blood dripped from the corner of my mouth. "No, Dad. Listen. I saw them with my own eyes. I saw—"

"Envy isn't one of the seven deadly sins for nothing, sir," Corbin said with a snicker. "She treats any woman near me as a rival in love. That's not a healthy mindset, if I may be frank. We can't have the company's successor be so… small-minded."

"Have you already forgotten what your brother told you before he died?" Irina sobbed. "How could you go against his wishes?"

I had a retort. I truly did. But a wave of dizziness struck. I staggered backward, my body trembling.

My father sighed and steadied me. "You should rest, my girl."

I forced myself upright, shaking off the disorientation. Then I pushed through the crowd, my steps unsteady, and left the hall.

Whispers followed me like a shadow.