Chapter 2

NELLY:

"Nelly, where are you going to?" Elena's sharp voice stopped me as I strode towards the door to exit the white mansion and the exquisite living room, which buzzed with soft music and the clinking of glasses.

I froze, my fists tightening as I didn't want to speak to her or congratulate her.

If my mother hadn't insisted that I attend the engagement ceremony, I wouldn't have. It was Saturday evening, and I had no excuse because I didn't work on Saturdays.

I served as a new intern at Santiago Group, a tech company led by Rowan's father before it was handed over to him as the new head of the family.

I slightly turned back to meet Elena's gaze and saw her standing next to Rowan. She walked up to meet me amidst the intense stares of everyone present in the living room.

"Nelly, you're the only one who hasn't wished me congratulations on my engagement to Rowan. Aren't you happy that we'll become family soon?" Elena asked, clasping my hand.

She pretended to hold my hand gently amidst the heavy stares from her family members and mine, who were watching her. But then, her long nails dug into my palms, hurting me.

My brows furrowed, knowing this was one of Elena's tricks. She pretended to be soft, innocent, and like a broken doll, whereas, in secret, she was a ruthless tigress.

"Elena," I started, keeping my voice steady and calm. "It's not that I don't want to congratulate you. I wish you and Brother Rowan well, but I don't want you to feel awkward since we don't usually get along."

I finished my statement and gently yanked my hand away from hers.

Elena's smile faltered, but she stepped forward and said, "We're going to be one big family now. So let bygones be bygones. I was hoping to see you arrive with your boyfriend or potential fiancé. Don't you have one?"

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to me. Heat crept up my cheeks as I struggled to reply.

"No. I mean, that's not important. What matters is your engagement."

Elena's eyes narrowed, and she retorted, "Unless you don't have a boyfriend. No one wants to date a chubby girl like you. Don't worry, Nelly. I'll help you get some slimming tea so you can lose weight, alright?"

Elena expected me to scowl and look hurt, but I was done being her puppet.

My lips curled into a smile as I replied, "Don't worry. I like my size. You should worry about yourself."

"Nelly!" Elena's face darkened as she said, "I'm only trying to amend our relationship, and you're insulting me."

"Nelly!" My mother's voice broke the tension as she gently cautioned me. "Don't be rude to Elena. She's only trying to help you. The majority of men won't find your figure attractive, so it's best to lose weight."

My face reddened as I hadn't expected my mother to publicly humiliate me. She was siding with Elena because of the Raphaels' family influence and to mend their old feud.

My jaw tightened as I looked over at my mother, seeing her standing next to Harry. Their gazes were fixed on me, urging me to cooperate.

When I looked away, my eyes met Rowan's. His expression was unreadable, as though he didn't care about me.

"Alright, Mom." I bit my bottom lip and replied, "I'll look into it."

Before I could march away and storm out of the living room, I felt the weight of everyone's stares on me. They peered at me as though I were a zombie or someone disgusting to have among them.

My mother was a striking beauty, even at 45. I didn't resemble her, except for our unique blonde hair colour. While Mom had a captivating oval face and light blue eyes, mine were a light shade of brown, and I had a round face.

I decided not to break down in front of them or give Elena the joy she craved.

I swallowed the hard lump that had formed in my throat as I prepared to leave, but Elena's loud voice froze me in place.

"Nelly, where are you going? As your future sister-in-law, I want you to join me at the club where I'm hosting a party to celebrate my engagement to Rowan. All our coursemates will be there, as well as Rowan's friends. So you should come. The venue is Royal Five Star Resort. Time: 8 p.m."

My eyes darted back to meet Elena's gaze. I wanted to outright refuse because I didn't want to attend any party she hosted. What if she set me up? What game was she playing?

But under the weight of everyone's stares, I bit my bottom lip and replied, "Fine. I'll be there."

"Thank you, Nelly. Wait a moment. Let me give you an invitation card," Elena chirped, her eyes glinting with interest as she moved back to get the golden card. Her long black dress flowed around her figure and swept across the marble-tiled floor.

Once she collected the golden card from one of the staff, Elena rushed forward to meet me and muttered, "See you there, sister-in-law."

My fist clenched around the golden card as I despised the term sister-in-law. I didn't want to be associated with Elena, but she was Rowan's fiancée now.

Rowan met my gaze, and I felt my nerves tingle as I met his icy blue eyes. Even on his engagement to Elena, I expected Rowan to look happy and proud about getting married. But his cold expression didn't soften. Was he being forced to marry her?

Who cares?

I clenched the card in my palm and strode out of the Raphaels' mansion. Thankfully, no one called me back.

But my heart pounded against my chest as I moved towards my small black car in the parking lot to leave the residence.

I stared back at the grand mansion and shook my head. Though I felt saddened that Rowan was getting engaged to Elena and that we hadn't connected as siblings, who was I kidding? He didn't appreciate me calling him my brother. He didn't want me to get close to him.

I blinked away the tears that finally slipped down my cheeks as I pulled my car door open and hopped into the driver's seat.

"It's time to let go of your crush on Rowan, Nelly. You're 23 now, and you should get your own boyfriend," I whispered, offering myself comforting words as I fastened my seat belt and prepared to drive out of the mansion.

Just before I could ignite my car, someone clinked against the glass window beside me, snapping me out of my trance.

My head shot up, and I tilted it to see who was there as I felt my heart skip a beat. But recalling that the Raphaels' mansion was heavily guarded by security men in black, I relaxed a little.

However, when I wound the car window down to see who it was, I froze, seeing Dave, Elena's older brother, standing there with a mischievous glint in his eyes.