His Curse, Her Blessing

HIS CURSE; HER BLESSING

Laughter filled the grand Carter estate, elegant and refined, except the amusement wasn’t born from joy—it was at my expense. I stood near the grand staircase, my hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms as the whispers grew louder.

"She actually thought she’d get engaged tonight."

"Pathetic. Did she really believe someone would want a girl like her?" A voice trolled from the crowd. 

I kept my head down, my gaze fixed on the marble floor, trying to ignore the hurting words.

 But how could I?

 Every single guest at the engagement banquet seemed to find some amusement in my humiliation. 

Tonight was supposed to be perfect. The night my elder sister, Evelyn, would be engaged to Ethan Seedorf—the heir to the Seedorf empire, a man of power, wealth, and influence.

 But more importantly, it was supposed to be the night my family acknowledged me as something more than a woman trying to be recognised and moved out of Evelyn's shadow.

But instead, I was just a spectacle. The unwanted daughter, the one who had no right to dream.

A loud but gentle clinking of a glass silenced the murmurs, and my father’s voice rang across the hall. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate you all joining us tonight for this graceful occasion. As you know, tonight was meant to celebrate my eldest daughter’s engagement to Ethan Seedorf. However…" He paused dramatically, allowing the tension in the room to thicken.

Gasps filled the room. My head snapped up, my heart pounding. 

What?

Once again, my hope dashed. I had hoped with Evelyn out of the picture, I was going to be finally recognised by my father but hearing what he said made me wonder what was going on. 

Evelyn, standing beside our father in a shimmering blue gown, put on her best mask of sorrow. But I knew that look. It wasn’t sadness—it was relief.

"Due to Ethan’s condition," my father continued, his voice dripping with insincerity, "my daughter cannot, in good conscience, bind herself to such an unfortunate situation. We wish him the best, of course, but Evelyn’s future must not be burdened by such… constraints."

A murmur of agreement spread through the crowd.

The words were clear—Ethan Seedorf was no longer the powerful man he once was. He was a cripple, a man bound to a wheelchair after his sudden accident. 

And my family had no use for someone who had lost his ability to stand at the top.

I should have felt pity for Ethan, but all I could feel was the heavy weight of disgrace. I knew that feeling, to be cast aside, not wanted by anyone. Even your family looks down on you. 

This was it.

 This was the moment my father would once again remind the world that I was nothing but a mistake, a burden he carried out of obligation.

He turned to me then, his gaze piercing. "But the Carters are not heartless," he announced, his lips curling in mock kindness. "We understand business ties are important, and while Evelyn cannot take this path, another can."

I knew what was coming before he even said it.

My stomach twisted as my father smiled—a cold, cruel smile. "Isla will marry Ethan Seedorf in Evelyn’s place."

A hush fell over the room.

For a moment, my ears rang with silence, the weight of his words crashing over me like a sea of ocean. 

Evelyn smiled sheepishly as she covered her face with the palm of her hands.

I looked at my father’s face, hoping—praying—that this was some cruel joke. But the way he looked at me, like I was nothing but a pawn to be sacrificed, told me otherwise.

Gasps, muffled laughter, and whispers erupted once more.

"Isla? The unwanted daughter?"

"The cripple and the disgrace—what a perfect match."

"Ethan Seedorf is already ruined. Now, he’s truly finished."

Evelyn sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her heart as if this burden pained her. "Father, are you sure?" she asked, her voice dripping with false concern. "Would Ethan even accept such a… substitution?"

The question sent another ripple of laughter through the guests. I felt my nails digging into my palms again, my pulse rising and my heart beating fast against my chest. 

I wanted to scream, to tell them all to shut up. But I couldn't. My throat was dry, and my pride was already in shambles.

My father gave me a pointed look, one that said you will do as you are told. He turned back to the crowd, completely unfazed by the humiliation he had thrown onto me.

 "Whether he accepts or not is not our concern. The offer will be made, and Isla will ensure this marriage proceeds. I am sure Ethan would be more than glad we are not writing him off, afterall, he deserves to have a bring from my family and we will not deny him that right.” My father said with a grin looking over to the Seedorf’s representative who were in a corner of the room 

He had already decided. My fate had been sealed with a single sentence.

But it wasn’t just my father who was watching me now. Everyone in the room had their eyes locked on me, waiting for my reaction. Some with amusement, others with pity, but most with nothing more than cruel anticipation.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and straightened my shoulders. I had spent my entire life being treated like I was nothing. Tonight wasn’t the first time.

But this time… this time, I refused to let them see me break.

Lifting my chin, I forced my voice to remain steady as I spoke the words that would change my life forever.

"I will marry Ethan Sinclair."

The room exploded into chaos, laughter, and disbelief.

And for the first time in my life, I realized something—sometimes, the weakest move on the board could change the entire game.