I Burned the Past, and He Burned for Me

That man's profound blue eyes held a hint of languor. His lips curled into a gentle smile. He was none other than Don Bryant's eldest son—William Bryant.

William continued, "It'll be my 23rd birthday in just a week. I'm sure that the honorable and magnanimous Oliver won't mind yielding the chance to lift the curse to me since there is more than one qualified person at the moment."

Don Bryant seemed to suddenly recall William's existence and glanced over at him. He had been the designated heir, yet after his mother perished saving Don Bryant, he acquired a stepmother and was consequently relegated to the fringes. He was almost entirely forgotten.

Mom and Dad immediately drew back nervously, saying, "That wouldn't be appropriate, Don Bryant. Cynthia's in love with—"

"I agree to William's proposal!" I said quickly, cutting in before they could get another word in.

Dad exchanged a quick look with Mom, who immediately pulled me to the side, saying, "You can't marry that powerless good-for-nothing even if you can't have Oliver! He'll be turning 23 years old soon, and if the curse isn't lifted before that, Ella will be implicated because of you, Cynthia!"

I looked at her coldly and said, "If you're so worried about being dragged down by me, you should just cut ties with me completely. I'm of no value to you anymore anyway."

I then walked back to the center of the main hall and smiled faintly at William. He looked stunned for a moment before he turned his face away. However, the flush rising along his neck couldn't be hidden.

Don Bryant got up from his seat and declared, "Cynthia has agreed to it as well, so she is now betrothed to you, William. You two, come along with me."

In the end, the date for the wedding had been settled.

I had just returned home when the door was suddenly thrown open. Oliver then walked in with his arm around Ella and a wedding invitation in his hand. "Your sister and I are going to have the most extravagant wedding, Cynthia. You'd better arrive on time for it."

I lowered my gaze and noticed that the date on the wedding invitation matched the one Don Bryant had fixed for William's and my wedding. I then stated flatly, "I won't be attending it since I'll be getting married on that day, too."

Oliver instantly flew into a rage. "What's with all the pretenses, Cynthia? You clearly accepted William's hand in marriage just to provoke me! How could a man of his standing possibly love you? You're just the means to ending the curse!

"You just want my attention, right? You see, because you adore me so fiercely, Ella, being the generous soul she is, will permit you to be my mistress, Cynthia. You are required to treat her with the utmost respect and wait on us diligently, though. Otherwise, you won't even merit the role of a side-piece."

Ella feigned a concerned expression, saying, "You're my sister, Cynthia. I can't bear to see you be this miserable, so come join me in attending to Oliver. It's more preferable to be married to a man who does not genuinely care for you, Cynthia."

I, however, still noticed her fists tightening beneath the drape of her wide sleeves.

I sneered contemptuously before the image of William's face involuntarily flashed across my mind. I recalled him kneeling on one knee and saying, "I know this proposal is sudden, and I came unprepared, but give me three days, and I will ensure that you have the most gorgeous diamond ring the world has ever seen."

I was experiencing, for the very first time, the sensation of being utterly treasured. I looked into his profound eyes then, recalling my past life, where he refused to marry Ella and instead, committed suicide by shooting himself on the night before he turned 23 years old. I deeply wished that I had been the one to save him back then.

I looked at him and stated deliberately, "I don't need your concern, future brother-in-law. I have no affection for you after all! I'm going to marry William, no matter what!"

I paid no heed to either of them after saying that and turned to leave.

It was then that Ella rushed forward with a feigned concerned expression and grabbed my hand. "I know I'm a thorn in your side, but you must realize that Oliver's love is not something that can be seized by force, Cynthia!"

I hadn't even had the chance to get a word in when Ella suddenly stumbled backward, screeching hysterically. "I shouldn't have usurped your position as Madre, Cynthia! I'll head to the Bryant family right now to clarify everything, so please stop attacking me with your witch powers!"