Choosing the Right One

It was the day of my birthday party. George didn't show up until the elders had gradually taken their leave, arriving with Isabella in tow.

Her cheeks were flushed, and his neck bore bold red marks. Anyone who saw it could guess what they had just been doing.

If this had been the old me, I would've broken down right there—sobbing and demanding answers. How could they do such a thing?

One was the man I loved, and the other was my sister, after all. Did my feelings mean nothing to them?

But now, I only spared them a glance before turning back to chat with the people around me.

George noticed my gaze lingering on the marks for just a moment. Instantly, he stepped in front of Isabella, shielding her.

Seconds ticked by, and still, I didn't make a scene.

My silence seemed to irritate him. He forced a smile and asked, "Beatrice, you're not pretending to be all gracious just because you're afraid I won't marry you, are you?

"Well, that might be for the best. I'm going to be the head of the Chapman family soon. I can't be expected to stick to just one woman. There'll be plenty of ladies in my life. But since you're being so understanding today, I'll give you a little reward."

With that, George pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.

Just as he was about to hand it to me, Isabella snatched it from his hand, exclaiming, "This is gorgeous! Isn't this the limited edition bracelet from that luxury brand? It's impossible to get!"

George immediately withdrew his hand. "Do you like it, Bella? Then it's yours."

"I shouldn't. This is your gift for Beatrice's birthday. I can't just take it," Isabella responded with a dry chuckle.

However, her eyes stayed locked on me as she spoke, her tone dripping with triumph.

"Don't be silly. Just take it. As for her, I'll find something else later. As long as it's mine, she'll think it's perfect," said George.

His humiliating words sent a ripple of low laughter through the room.

Suddenly, memories from the past surged within me. At that moment, I realized it had once been true. I used to believe that anything George gave me was worth treasuring.

I remembered bringing gifts to the Chapmans one holiday and getting caught in the rain. George had casually handed me a jacket, and I had kept it for years.

Later, he'd caught me secretly sniffing it.

"How can you be so shameless?" he had spat.

That one sentence had crushed my teenage heart. I was utterly embarrassed.

Back then, Mr. Chapman Senior had even smacked him with his cane. "She's just a young woman. What nonsense are you spouting?"

Even so, George simply laughed it off. After that, he exaggerated the story whenever he retold it. Before long, I had become a joke to everyone.

Looking back now, all of it felt so pathetic.

At that moment, I turned to leave.

But George stopped me. "What's the matter? Are you upset? Can't keep up the act anymore, huh? I knew it. An evil woman like you could never be understanding."

He gripped my wrist tightly as he spoke. I looked down at his hand, then yanked myself free.

"Have some respect, Mr. Chapman."

George froze momentarily before retorting, "Respect? What for? Aren't you the one who's been dying to marry me? We'll be living together soon, so what's the act for?"

"Who said I was marrying you?" I shot back.

A stunned silence fell over the room. A beat later, everyone burst into laughter.

"Who else would you marry?" George responded with a sneer. "You're obsessed with me. Do you really think you'd marry someone else?

"Besides, the only other eligible bachelor in my family is Nathaniel. But ever since his accident, he's been in bad shape. He's always sick, and no one knows how long he's got.

"I've even heard that certain 'abilities' of his are damaged. Do you want to spend your life with a man who can't give you anything?"