Marrying the Hired Suitor

On the day of Simon’s grandmother’s birthday banquet, the family estate was packed with guests.

As Simon and his father’s influence in the business world grew, nearly everyone eager to forge a connection with them showed up.

Dressed in an elegant white dress, Yara looked young and radiant, her soft beauty accentuated by the delicate fabric.

Standing beside her, Simon had his arm wrapped around her waist, the two of them toasting guests like a perfect married couple.

I watched them from a distance, my heart tightening as if a giant hand had clenched around my heart, making it hard to breathe.

A nearby servant noticed my pale expression and quickly approached, bowing respectfully. "Miss Rosalyn, you’re here."

The lively chatter around us suddenly quieted.

Guests turned to glance between me and the pair at the center of attention, curiosity and speculation flickering in their eyes.

Soft whispers rose behind me.

"So, she’s Simon Page actual fiancée?"

"Then who’s the one standing with him…?"

"Shh, don’t talk about things like this. If you offend the Pages, you’ll regret it."

I clenched my fists at my sides.

The moment Simon’s gaze landed on me, I forced a composed smile.

But instead of restraining himself, my presence only seemed to embolden him.

Right in front of everyone, he laced his fingers through Yara’s and strode toward me, his voice dripping with mockery.

"You're late. That’s hardly the behavior expected of my future wife. If you can’t fulfill the role, maybe it’s time to let someone else take your place."

He didn’t say the name of the woman who would take my place, but it was obvious to everyone who he had in mind—the woman in his arms.

Simon’s brows furrowed as he looked me over with open disdain. "Honestly, I must’ve been out of my mind to ever be with you. You’re nothing but an embarrassment."

Gasps rippled through the crowd, and judgmental stares fell on me as hushed murmurs spread.

Meanwhile, Simon acted as if I no longer existed, his gaze softening as he turned back to Yara.

Simon held Yara close, his voice ringing out across the banquet hall.

"My engagement to Rosalyn Saunders was never my choice. The person I truly love has always been someone else."

He lowered his head and pressed a lingering kiss to Yara’s lips before continuing, "I hope that from now on, whenever you come across Yara, you’ll look after her for my sake."

Standing there, I felt as if I had been drenched in ice-cold water, my entire body trembling uncontrollably.

I became nothing more than a joke—a spectacle for everyone to mock and trample on.

My face paled as I listened to his words, my heart crumbling into dust.

In that moment, every ounce of love I had held for Simon over the years shattered, vanishing without a trace.

I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to remain composed.

Then, steadying my steps, I walked up to him and, in front of all the guests, declared with unwavering resolve, "Simon, let’s call off our engagement."

For a split second, he froze.

Then, with a smirk, he sneered, "Are you serious? Don’t regret it later."

I shook my head. "I will never regret it."

Reaching for the diamond-encrusted bracelet, an heirloom passed down to the Page family’s daughters-in-law, I slipped it off my wrist and placed it in Yara’s hand.

"It belongs to you now."

Simon’s gaze flickered as he stared at the bracelet on her wrist, his expression darkening.

"Rosalyn, are you sure about this? Even if you end up on your knees begging to come back, I won’t take you back."

I met his eyes, my face devoid of emotion.

"Understood. Don’t worry, I won’t be in your way anymore."

With that, I turned on my heel and walked away without looking back.

Just as I reached the door, his voice, laced with amusement, drifted behind me.

"Just wait and see. I know her too well. She’ll be begging for my forgiveness in less than three days."

I stiffened.

Without hesitation, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number I had yet to save in my contacts.

"Would you marry me?"