004

Amelia's POV

After what had happened between Alexander and me, I made a mental note to stay away from him until my sister's wedding day.

The house was busy, with everyone moving around to make sure everything was ready. Some of my cousins and relatives had arrived, and, as expected, they wasted no time making snide remarks and comparing me to Aurora.

I ignored them and headed towards the room where Aurora was getting ready.

When I entered, I found my parents fussing over her, treating her as though she were their only child.

My heart sank. They looked so happy, so proud of her. I couldn't help wondering if they had ever looked at me that way. Perhaps I had spent too many years hoping for something they had never intended to give me.

I turned and headed towards the living room. As I stepped inside, I noticed several guests gathered in small groups, their phones held up as they whispered among themselves. Intrigued, I glanced at one of the screens.

THE WHITMORES ARE ON THE VERGE OF BANKRUPTCY.

Beneath the headline was another shocking revelation. Sebastian had impregnated another woman and ran off with her.

I stared at the screen, trying to take it all in. Before anyone could process the news, the event planner came rushing into the room with an envelope in her hand. I watched as she hurried towards Aurora and handed it to her.

Aurora gently opened the envelope. The moment she read the letter, her lips parted, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

“Mummy, Sebastian has dumped me!” she cried, holding out the letter.

“What!” my parents exclaimed, rushing towards her.

Dad picked up the letter while I stepped closer to read it. There was no mistaking the message. Sebastian had emphasised that he was no longer interested in marrying her.

I turned away, but my gaze landed on Alexander, sitting calmly in the corner. His legs were crossed as he casually swirled a glass of wine in his hand. My brother sat beside him, apparently trying to convince him to invest in his business.

The calmness in Alexander's eyes sent a chill down my spine. How could he remain so composed while everyone around him was losing their minds?

“Amelia.” My mother's voice pulled me from my thoughts. I faced her as she approached, her expression shifting slightly “Could we talk privately, please?”

I narrowed my eyes, wondering why she suddenly needed to speak with me. Still, I nodded and followed her back towards Aurora's room.

Aurora was still on the floor, crying her eyes out. Her wedding dress, which had been carefully arranged earlier, was now spread carelessly around her. Her mascara had run, leaving dark streaks beneath her swollen eyes. Likewise, her makeup was ruined, and her hair was no longer as neat as it had been when I last saw her.

As soon as she noticed me, she hurriedly pushed herself to her feet and grabbed both my hands.

“Amelia, everything is ready for the wedding. I can't afford to lose it.” Her fingers tightened around mine. “Please, let me marry Alexander today. After the wedding, we can file for divorce, and he will go back to you.”

I stared at her, unable to believe what I had just heard. She wanted me to give Alexander to her? I stepped backwards, pulling my hands away.

Mum quickly caught my hand. Tears ran down her cheeks as she pleaded, “Amelia, darling, this is not the right time to argue with your sister. Please, this is important for the family. If everything goes wrong, your father is going to lose face in the business world. Just give her Alexander. After the wedding, they could get divorced, and both of you could go back to how things were.”

She searched my face, waiting for an answer, as though she still believed I would give in. I looked at her, my chest tightening. How could she stand before me and ask for this?

My thoughts went back to all the times they had taken what I wanted and handed it to Aurora. All the times I had been expected to step aside simply because my sister wanted something. I had swallowed my hurt, convinced myself to let things go, and pretended it didn't matter. But it had always mattered. And now, they wanted me to surrender Alexander too.

I looked at my mother, then at my father and Aurora. They were all waiting for me to give in, just as I had always done. I drew a breath.

“No.” The word came out quietly, but the reaction was immediate.

Mum's eyes widened, and her fingers slipped from mine. Dad turned sharply towards me, clearly taken aback. Aurora stopped crying.

For a moment, they all looked at me in disbelief. They had expected me to agree. They had expected me to step aside again. But not this time.

Aurora's face twisted with anger. “You bitch! What makes you think you can say no to me?” she screamed, springing to her feet and charging towards me. She raised her hand to slap me, but I caught her wrist before she could reach my face.

Then I slapped her. The sound rang through the room. She stumbled backwards and fell to the floor.

An arm slipped around my waist. I turned and found Alexander standing beside me, a smile playing on his lips. He must have heard the entire conversation.

“You should have aimed higher, maybe her eyes,” he whispered into my ear, pulling me closer. I stiffened at his sudden closeness. Before I could respond, my father's voice thundered through the room.

“Amelia, have you lost your mind!” he shouted, rushing towards Aurora to help her up.

A bitter laugh escaped me. Tears blurred my vision as I shook my head. Even now, after everything that had happened, his first instinct was to rush to her.

“Of course, that's what matters to you,” I said, my voice trembling. “For once, you have never seen me as your child. You've always given everything that belongs to me to her, and now you want to give my fiancé to her too? How shameless can you be, Father?”

He stopped and looked at me. His mouth opened, but no words came out. Alexander suddenly spoke.

“Oh, I almost forgot to inform you of something.” He glanced around the room before drawing me closer. “Amelia and I are married. So, I'm afraid there's no wedding between Aurora and me to arrange.” The room fell silent. Mum's lips parted. Dad stared at Alexander as though he hadn't understood his words. Aurora's face drained of color as she looked between us.

Alexander leaned down and kissed my forehead before slipping his hand into mine.

"Come on, Mrs. Brooks. Let's go home.”