Chapter 1 Another Choice

I placed Seraphina Oliviera's picture in front of my parents. They exchanged a look, and I knew they were worried about me.

"Sieghart, we know you've always liked Rachel. How about you…"

I shook my head. "If God wants me to marry Seraphina, who am I to say no to Him?"

Not to mention, I knew the tragedy that awaited me if I married Rachel Osborne, no matter what. I would get myself and my family killed. My whole family's wealth would be stolen. I would not make the same mistake this time around.

Since my decision was made, my parents went with it.

"Okay, then we'll talk to the Olivieras. But we're both famous families, so we're going to keep this a secret until the engagement is official. Just in case any unwanted problems show up."

"Yeah, I know," I said.

I was going to a charity gala that night, but the reporters heard the news, and they surrounded me. "Mr. Shaw, so who will you be marrying?"

Before I could say anything, another reporter said, "Your family is the nation's top aristocratic bloodline. All the heiresses around the country are dying to marry you, but we know you only have eyes for the Osbornes' only girl. You went with her, didn't you?"

I raised my eyes and met Rachel's gaze. She'd just gotten in. The cameras turned to her, and she showed her usual disdain for them. "Sorry, make way."

Her bodyguards pushed the reporters away, then she pulled the pale Zacharias Newman closer to her. "Zacharias is the only man I love. Even if I have to marry someone else because my family tells me to, I'm never going to give him the love I gave for Zacharias."

Touched, Zacharias pulled Rachel into his embrace. The reporters took as many photos as they could. Some even turned back and took my photos, just in case they missed my heartbroken look.

Some of the heirs, my rivals, laughed at me.

"So what if he's the only son of the top family? Ms. Osborne doesn't care about him. She only wants the upstart's son."

"Man, he embarrasses his family. All this just to be a side piece."

The mockery was getting louder. Zacharias raised his head and gave me a challenging look without Rachel seeing.

I turned around and focused on the gala. Then, the organizers made her sit with me. Even when she was taking her seat, she did not bother hiding her fury.

"I told you a million times, I don't want to marry you! Why won't you let go of me?"

Yes, and I'd heard that a million times. Still, it made me sad. "I am letting you go."

Rachel clenched her fists and slammed the table. The disgust she had for me grew worse. "Then, why are you making me marry you? Just because your family's high on the hierarchy, you think you can decide my life for me? You're trampling all over my dignity! Even if we do get married, I'll never give you a moment of my time!"

Yes, that was a promise, and she made sure she saw it through in my previous life. She did not give me an ounce of her love.

And then, the guy she loved with all her heart came over. With tears in his eyes, he apologized to me.