Chapter 1: The Unwilling Fiancee

HELENE

“I refuse to marry that cripple! Whoever wants to marry him can, but it’s definitely not going to be me!”

My younger sister, Noemie Laurent, sobbed in our mother’s arms, tears streaming freely down her face.

I sat opposite them, my expression unchanged. Inwardly, however, I found the scene laughable.

Just a month ago, she had still been playing the role of Lucien Blackthorne’s devoted fiancée. Yet less than a month after the accident that left him permanently bound to a wheelchair, she was already clamoring to break off their engagement.

How ridiculous.

And yet, even more ridiculous things were yet to come.

A faint frown appeared on my mother’s carefully maintained face.

“The Blackthorne family really knows how to put us in a difficult position,” she said. “What happened to Lucien was unfortunate, but they can’t use it as an excuse to tie you down.”

My pinky finger curled slightly.

When they were enjoying the benefits of the engagement, they hadn’t hesitated for even a second. Now that the time had come to fulfill their side of the agreement, it had suddenly become an excuse to tie her down?

Lowering my gaze, my lips curled into a faint, mocking sneer.

These people’s bottom line truly kept sinking lower and lower.

If it weren’t for the weekly family dinner, I wouldn’t even be here listening to this nonsense.

For a brief moment, I considered making up an excuse and leaving—anything to spare myself this irritating conversation.

Sure, it would invite criticism.

But did I care?

I had listened to their complaints for so many years that my ears had long grown numb to them.

But barely had that thought settled when I heard the sound of a car pulling up outside the family villa.

Busted, I thought.

That would be either my father or my elder sister—or, if I was unlucky, both. Whichever it was, my plan to quietly slip away would no longer work.

As expected, a moment later, the front door opened.

Heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed through the living room, followed closely by the crisp click of heels against the floor.

As if on cue, Noemie lifted her tear-streaked face. Her sobs grew louder and more pitiful, while my mother tightened her arms around her, her expression turning heartbreakingly tender—playing the role of a loving mother to perfection.

The sight stirred nothing in me.

I remained calm and indifferent, nothing more than a bystander watching a farce unfold.

“What’s going on?”

The voice of my father, Henri Laurent, cut through the noise. His brows were already drawn together in displeasure as his gaze swept across the room.

Instead of answering, Noemie broke into even louder sobs, the sound spreading through the living room.

My mother sighed and spoke in her place.

“Mrs. Blackthorne invited Noemie and me out today…” she began, her tone helpless and aggrieved. “She said she’d like to move forward with the marriage.”

“I don’t want to marry Lucien anymore, Dad,” Noemie added between sobs. “I really can’t marry a cripple. It’ll ruin me…”

My father’s expression darkened, following which he cut her off sharply.

“Enough crying!” he snapped. “Do you think breaking an engagement is something you can decide on your own? This is not some childish whim.”

As he spoke, he walked over and dropped into the armchair at the head of the room. His irritation was evident as he continued.

“You were the one who kept insisting you’d marry no one but him. Now you suddenly want out. Who wouldn’t know what you’re afraid of?”

He let out a cold laugh.

“When word gets out, what will the Blackthorne family think? What about my business partners? We’ll lose both credibility and reputation!”

At least he knows what’s truly at stake, I thought dryly.

Though I doubted how long this principled stance would last. After all, our parents had always doted on Noemie. All she needed were a few tears and sweet words, and their bottom line would crumble.

Meanwhile, I expected my elder sister, Camille Laurent, to take the armchair beside Father, as she always did. Instead, she walked over and sat down next to me.

I was momentarily puzzled, but I didn’t show it. After exchanging a brief nod with her, I lowered my eyes again and continued playing the role of the dutiful bystander.

Then she spoke.

“Dad,” Camille said calmly, her voice composed as ever. “Noemie does have a point. The Blackthorne family’s situation has changed.”

“With Lucien’s current condition, it remains to be seen whether he can still retain his position as heir. If we make a careless move and end up standing on the wrong side…” She paused slightly. “Our situation would become awkward if someone else takes over in the future.”

The calculation beneath her words rubbed me the wrong way.

Before the accident, they were barely qualified to speak a word in Lucien’s presence. Now, they were openly discussing whether he was still worth backing.

I found their entitlement sickening.

My father’s brows furrowed thoughtfully, clearly finding her words reasonable.

“…But breaking off the engagement outright would offend both Lucien’s mother and his grandfather—the two key decision-makers of the Blackthorne family,” he said slowly. “Even if we want to change sides, I’m afraid it won’t be that simple.”

“So, we need a middle ground,” he concluded. “A compromise that offends no one.”

Still holding Noemie—who had finally quieted down—our mother sighed softly.

“Finding a solution to something like this is easier said than done.”

She then turned to Camille.

“You brought this up. I assume you already have something in mind.”

I didn’t lift my head, but I listened carefully, my curiosity quietly surfacing.

“I do have a solution,” replied, her tone measured. “But if I say it out loud, I’m afraid you might think I’m being excessive.”

Before either of our parents could respond, Noemie snapped impatiently.

“Then just say it already. We’ll decide whether it’s excessive or not.”

Camille’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. Our mother showed no reaction either, as though Noemie’s rudeness were perfectly normal. Only Father looked faintly displeased, but in the end, he said nothing.

I wasn't surprised.

It was exactly these small indulgences that had fueled Noemie’s arrogance over the years. So much so that she was beginning to disregard even the future head of the family.

She seemed to believe our parents would live forever…

“Since younger sister is so eager…” Camille said unhurriedly. “I’ll speak plainly.”

Then I felt her gaze land on me.

I looked up, meeting her inscrutable eyes, and felt a chill crawl up my spine.

This matter… doesn’t have anything to do with me, right?