I'm Your Stepping Stone but His Gem

After my 99th confession, my childhood best friend, Michael Leight, finally says yes.

I am overjoyed, believing that my years of unrequited love have finally paid off.

But when I walk past the pantry, I overhear him speaking tenderly to our family chef, Tahlia Duvey.

"Once I take everything from the Kingstons, I'll kick that idiot Ariel to the curb and throw us a grand wedding. Everything here will be yours."

My heart feels like a sword has been plunged into it.

That night, I storm into Grandpa's study and point at a photo of the Gordon family's heir—Charles, known for always keeping his distance from women.

"Grandpa! I want to marry him!" I announce.

"Grandpa, I've made up my mind. I want to marry into the Gordon family."

Grandpa's pen slipped from his hand, clattering onto the table in surprise at my sudden announcement.

"Nonsense! Aren't you and Michael getting along just fine? Charles has dedicated himself to the religion of Treyism, which requests him to keep his distance from women and renounce all worldly attachments. And he's his family's only heir."

I looked at Grandpa, my voice firm.

"The way I see it, it's better to choose one person who has renounced all worldly desires instead of one of the three greedy men I have to constantly keep an eye on. And this way, our family can keep its peace."

Grandpa, seemingly sensing something, asked, "Has Michael done something?"

Just then, Michael suddenly swung the door open, his face full of anxiety.

"Mr. Kingston Senior, Ari is just a little mad at me. I'll be sure to spend more time with her from now on," he said, looking wronged.

I coldly watched as he continued his act, not feeling anything inside.

Howard and Jeremy squeezed themselves into the room behind Michael, too.

"Ari, why are you throwing a tantrum?" Howard asked, pretending to be concerned.

Jeremy was even more direct. "I heard you wanted to marry that Treyist from the Gordon family? Stop joking. I bet he's never even touched a woman's hand before."

"Exactly. How can someone like Charles Gordon possibly be worthy of you?"

Michael took the chance to grab my hand. "Don't be stubborn, Ari. I know you're just testing my sincerity."

These three were only putting on a show in front of Grandpa. They certainly didn't treat me like this behind closed doors.

Michael Leight, Howard Wilkins, and Jeremy Zadinski were all underprivileged students whom Grandpa sponsored. Grandpa, feeling sorry for them, treated them like his own grandchildren.

Moreover, Michael was clever and good at making himself appear to be a great person, so Grandpa trusted him immensely. As long as I was willing to give my heart to Michael, he would immediately be Grandpa's grandson-in-law.

Grandpa, feeling unwell, cut us off.

"All of you should leave. Stop bothering me every time you have an argument—you're all grown adults!"

Though I was upset, Grandpa and I had relied on each other after my parents passed, and I couldn't ignore his health.

I had to come up with some other way to cancel my engagement to Michael without affecting Grandpa's health.

I had just stepped out of Grandpa's room when Tahlia Duvey coincidentally appeared in the hallway, carrying a steaming bowl of soup.

Her eyes were red, and she opened and closed her mouth a few times, looking hesitant to speak.

"Ms. Kingston, please don't be mad at Mr. Leight anymore. He really cares about you."

Her voice was as soft as a whisper, but just loud enough for everyone to hear her. She always made herself look pitiful like this, and as she walked toward me, her steps were shaky as if she might topple at any moment.

Sure enough, she suddenly let out a loud gasp, and the bowl fell to the floor with a crash.

Tears streamed out of her eyes, and she glanced over at Michael pitifully.

I watched this familiar scene unfold with cold eyes.

"Tally!"

Michael darted over and gently took her hand, clearly feeling sorry for her. "Why are you so careless? Were you scalded badly?"

His tone was so gentle, and it was one he had never used with me.

Tahlia bit her lip. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back.

"It's nothing, Mr. Leight. I was the one who was careless…"

Michael turned to look at me, his eyes full of reproach.

"Ariel, why do you always bully her? Look at how badly Tally's hurt."

At my last birthday, Tahlia had accidentally knocked over my birthday cake and gotten her clothes dirty. Without hesitation, Michael took off his jacket and draped it over her, and my birthday party turned into a stage for her performance.

The funniest part was that I had bought a necklace for her, intending for it to be a gift to recognize the work she had done.

Who would've expected Michael to confront me the very next day?

"Why would you humiliate Tahlia with something so cheap? She cried the whole night, saying that you did it on purpose!"

I couldn't defend myself, and he only berated me further.

Now, this woman was trying to pull the same trick again.