Chapter 6

Lilian did not return home for two days, and Irina could easily guess where her cousin had been.

In her previous life, Lilian had shamelessly whispered to her that she had spent a passionate night with Aaron, then mocked Irina because Aaron had never touched her.

Both then and now, Irina was actually grateful that she had remained untouched.

When Lilian finally returned, she walked over to Irina and sat down in front of her as though Irina had been waiting for her all along.

Without hesitation, Lilian reached for the cup of coffee in front of Irina and took a sip without asking.

“Sis, do you know where I’ve been these past two days?” she asked, a blatantly smug smile spreading across her face.

“I don’t think I need to know,” Irina replied flatly. “Go see Daddy. He wants to speak with you privately.”

She quickly cut off the sweet yet barbed words Lilian had undoubtedly been rehearsing throughout her journey home—the same words that had once been meant to hurt Irina, but now left no mark on her whatsoever.

Lilian’s face immediately paled with panic.

Anyone who had just done something seriously wrong would naturally react that way.

“What did you tell him?” she demanded accusingly.

“Just go see him. If you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong, there’s no reason to look so panicked,” Irina added casually.

Lilian swallowed hard.

She rose to her feet, straightened her slightly rumpled clothes, and hesitantly made her way toward Landon Crawford’s study on the other side of the house.

Irina heard a knock on the door before turning her attention back to her book.

A short while later, Lilian emerged from the study, her face filled with a mixture of shock and excitement.

“Irina, is it true? You…”

Before Lilian could finish, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them.

Aaron appeared, dressed in a crisp suit and looking as fresh and composed as ever.

“Aaron, you’re here!” Lilian greeted him cheerfully, immediately looping her arm through his.

Irina watched as Aaron slowly and gently tried to free himself from Lilian’s grasp.

She was certain her father had sternly warned Lilian not to reveal the bride-swapping arrangement to anyone—including Aaron.

That was why Lilian restrained herself instead of immediately announcing that her future husband had changed from Elijah to Aaron.

“I came to deliver some jewelry from my mother,” Aaron said coldly as he placed a paper bag in front of Irina.

Inside was a dark blue velvet box.

“Mother wants you to wear this at the wedding.”

Irina didn’t even touch the box.

She simply let Lilian eagerly lean forward to open it and see what was inside.

After all, she would be the one wearing it in the end.

“This is… absolutely beautiful,” Lilian murmured in awe, her fingers gently brushing over the glittering gemstones inside the box.

“Irina, isn’t Aunt Rebecca so thoughtful? You’re really lucky to have a mother-in-law like her.”

“How about you try it on first? I want to see how it looks,” Lilian said as she took out the necklace and carefully guided it around Irina’s neck.

“I’ll let you try it on for the first time, because starting tomorrow, this necklace will belong entirely to me,” Lilian whispered sharply into Irina’s ear.

Irina merely gave a faint smile.

“Look, Aaron! She looks stunning in this necklace. And it matches the dress Irina tried on the other day so perfectly,” Lilian praised, pretending to be impressed.

Irina carefully removed the necklace and returned it to the velvet case.

“Thank Rebecca for me. I’ll repay her for this ‘gift’ tomorrow. I’m sure she’ll be very surprised when she sees what her future daughter-in-law looks like standing at the altar,” Irina said as she picked up the jewelry box and rose to her feet.