Chapter 4

Fletcher was holding Sabrina in his arms, yet he still had the gall to talk about us.

The calm mask on Lucas' face cracked. His fury flashed through his features as he demanded, "So, you know she's your woman! You'd just stand by and watch your woman die?"

For the first time, I could see how much Lucas actually cared about me. When he said "your woman", his steady voice trembled almost imperceptibly.

It seemed Xavier hadn't told him that I had chosen him.

"She's the one in the wrong! She's about to marry me and still throws a tantrum over me giving Sabrina a gown! How could someone like that be a worthy Madre of the Quinn family?" Fletcher barked.

I pushed myself up, trembling from the cold. "I never even touched Sabrina. She was the one who dragged me into the pool. If you don't believe me, check the surveillance footage."

Sabrina's face blanched as her eyes darted to the corner where the surveillance camera hung. Clearly, she had been too busy trading barbs to remember that detail.

"Fletcher, I'm so cold. Please take me somewhere to rest," she said quickly. "Let Christina off the hook this once."

Fletcher gathered Sabrina tenderly in his arms. "For Sabrina's sake, I'll let this slide. But if you still want to marry me, you'll apologize to her today."

I laughed coldly. Even now, after all this, he still believed I would choose him. "If you want an apology, sure. We'll watch the footage first."

"Fletcher, forget about it," Sabrina whispered.

"How can I? She's not even my wife, and she's already this arrogant. If I don't teach her a lesson now, she'll never respect you in the future." With that, Fletcher turned and gestured to his subordinates. "Pull up the security footage."

At the sight of them together, so close and intimate, a wave of chill swept over me. I shivered, and Lucas shrugged off his coat and draped it around my shoulders.

…

Moments later, the footage arrived.

On the screen, it was as clear as day—Sabrina was the one who had pulled me down.

She paled instantly.

"Sabrina…" Fletcher stared at her in disbelief.

"Fletcher, you're getting married. I just… I feel so insecure. You know you're the only one I can depend on."

Sabrina's performance was flawless. That helpless expression could make anyone feel sorry for her, let alone Fletcher.

"What a fool…" he consoled her. "Even if I marry her, no one will ever replace you."

The sight of him made my stomach turn. I cut him off, my voice edged with impatience. "Well? Is it time for an apology now?"

For the first time, shame flickered in Fletcher's eyes as he looked at me. This might be one of the first glimpses he had of Sabrina's other side.

"Christina, I apologize on Sabrina's behalf. Sorry." He then added, "However, let me be clear. You're the one insisting on marrying me. You'll have to accept that Sabrina saved my life. She's the most important woman to me."

A bitter smile broke across my face when I responded, "Not only will I accept it, but I'll even give you two my blessing."

I would also make him see how great a mistake he'd made.

Fletcher's expression lit with a flicker of joy. Maybe he thought I finally accepted their affair.

"Fletcher, do you even hear yourself? A man of the Quinn family doesn't get to shrug off responsibility like that!" Lucas' voice rose, bristling with anger on my behalf.

Right then, Xavier's assistant approached, urging everyone into the main hall for the engagement banquet.

"Lucas, this is between Christina and me. What right do you have to lecture me?" Fletcher snapped. "Do you think you're more responsible than I am? Then, why doesn't she choose you instead?"

Lucas' expression darkened with hurt, and he had no words to fight back.

By family tradition, the son who married first was the presumed heir. Fletcher was so sure I'd choose him that he already carried himself like the future mafia Don of the family. That was despite the fact that he was far inferior to Lucas when it came to managing family affairs.

Xavier's assistant clearly pieced the story together by now. He looked stunned but said nothing, only urging us inside.

As we entered the hall, Fletcher caught my arm, leaning close to whisper, "Turn a blind eye to me and Sabrina. I'll give you wealth and power beyond your dreams."

He had said the same thing in my previous life, but all I'd wanted then was his love. That was why I lost my composure when I discovered their affair and paid the price for it.

Since God had given me a second chance, I wouldn't make the same mistake again.

Xavier soon made his way down the stairs. With the air of a benevolent father, he handed me a bouquet of flowers. He then announced, "Harry was like a brother to me. He died saving my life and entrusted Christina to my care. Today, I hold this engagement banquet as a promise to him.

"Christina will choose one of my sons to marry. I'm old now and ready to step down. The one she chooses will become the new Don of the Quinn family and inherit 90% of the family's fortune."

The bouquet trembled slightly in my hands. Xavier patted my back, encouraging me.

I drew a deep breath and searched the crowd for Lucas.

At that moment, Fletcher's lips curled into a smug smile he couldn't hide.

…

Meanwhile, Lucas stood tall and handsome at the far end of the hall, holding a glass of champagne, his expression tinged with a hint of loneliness.

Under the glow of the chandeliers, his eyes shone like starlight. Yet, I wondered why it had taken me so long to find the right man.

I walked toward Lucas, my bouquet in hand.

As I passed Fletcher, he was practically trembling with excitement, as if power itself were walking toward him.

However, I didn't stop.

In his stunned gaze, I walked straight to Lucas and asked, "Lucas, will you marry me?"