Chapter 2

“Ms. Stormcloud, this haute couture dress was commissioned by Mr. Theodore three years ago. It really suits you! You’re so beautiful!”

Listening to the staff, I marveled at Theodore’s thoughtfulness. Even knowing it came from a sense of duty, a sweet warmth still bloomed in my heart.

Suddenly, Lina’s voice rang out behind me.

“Sansa? What are you doing here? Is Grandpa Alexander having you spy on Benedict again?”

I turned at the sound.

Benedict frowned as he stared at me.

“You followed me all the way here? Don’t you have anything better to do? The Kiplings’ project is on hold because of you, and now I can’t even take Lina shopping?”

Their words left me confused.

“I just came to try on a dress. It’s pure coincidence.”

Thinking I was still making excuses, Benedict snapped.

“Coincidence? At the same time, in the same mall? Must be Grandpa’s spy telling you when to come.

"I messaged you last night, and you showed up today to try on dresses? Is this how you want to marry me?

“You know, Sansa, I don’t like you at all!”

Benedict’s gaze fixed on me, trying to savor the sadness he expected to cross my face.

But there was nothing.

I remained calm as I frowned at him.

“I know. I never planned to marry you. The one I want to marry is—”

Benedict interrupted, annoyed.

“Gonna say it’s my older brother again?

“Sansa, all these years, you’ve spun so many ridiculous excuses, clinging to me and the Bradfords. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

I sighed, at a loss for how to explain myself to Benedict.

After all, I’ll be his sister-in-law—making a scene wouldn’t do either of us any favors.

I had already tried on the dresses, so I just needed to change and leave.

But a staff member stepped forward to speak for me before I could.

“Mr. Benedict, you’ve misunderstood. The fitting appointment was booked a year ago—definitely not a last-minute decision.

“Here, the contract clearly states it in black and white. With the big day approaching, it’s best to avoid misunderstandings.

“Ms. Stormcloud also told us she’s about to marry her beloved.”

Benedict scanned the contract—custom-made three years ago, fitting scheduled a year ago, and the staff’s words about her marrying the one she loved.

He turned to watch me walk away in the gown, an aching bitterness swelling inside him.

He shouldn’t have rejected me like that.

Benedict released Lina’s hand and quickened his pace, catching up with me in three strides.

“My words just now were harsh. This is for you—a peace offering.”

I looked at the small box resting in his palm.

Inside lay a massive emerald ring.

Memories flashed in my mind.

When Benedict and I were children, we were close.

Back then, while playing house, he’d roll green leaves into fake rings, promising he’d one day buy a large green gem and marry me.

I looked up at him, a fleeting warmth washing over me.

Benedict might be having feelings for me?

Lina’s soft laugh shattered the strange tension between Benedict and me.

“Benedict, isn’t this the prank Eric threw together for two dollars that night?

“You were supposed to give her a fake ring so she’d embarrass herself wearing it out. Your birthday’s over—stop messing with Sansa.”

I smiled, lowered my gaze, then lifted my skirt and stepped past Benedict with a cold expression.

“Take it back. We’re not children anymore.”

My refusal stunned Benedict.

That sting in his chest welled up, sharp and dull all at once.

He closed the box, lost any desire to shop with Lina, and walked out silently.

Lina, thinking I’d embarrassed Benedict in public, reached for the ring.

“If Sansa doesn’t want it, I do. As long as it’s from you, Benedict, even if it’s a fake, I’ll treasure it.”

But Benedict, uncharacteristically, refused her.

“I’ll get you something else,” he said.

“This is the real deal. I promised Sansa.”