Please Wait For Me

As for Tim, he was even more outrageous. If Isabella so much as sneezed, he would immediately drag people over to uproot the flowers I had planted with my own hands.

“I told you that these flowers would trigger Bella’s allergies. It’s a good thing we uprooted them all.”

I had always known they treated Isabella well, but I never thought they would humiliate me right in front of so many reporters and media cameras.

Isabella covered her mouth as she laughed softly. “Come on, Emma, don’t be angry. Even if the guys don’t want to marry you, if you’re willing to marry some CEO or businessman, Dad would definitely agree. I think Mr. Keller, whose wife just died, is pretty good. Sure, he’s older, but older men know how to take care of people. Don’t you think?”

I calmly shook my head. “No need. I already have someone I’m in love with.”

The group froze for a moment. Then, they burst into laughter.

Liam laughed the loudest. “Someone you’re in love with? Emma, someone who grew up in an orphanage like you thinks you have the right to talk about love?”

Tim waved his hand dismissively and said, “Hey, don’t be mean. Maybe it’s some street punk or some delinquent. With her background, trash like that is probably the only thing she can match with.”

George looked at me with open mockery. “Emma, even if I’m not marrying you, there’s no need for you to degrade yourself like that. How about this? I'll let you into my home and take you as my mistress. If I’m in a good mood, maybe I’ll even keep you around. What do you think?”

I looked at them quietly, but inside, my heart had gone cold. The three men who once swore they loved me were now tearing my heart to pieces.

Just then, a sedan pulled up at the entrance, and Dad stepped out. He didn’t even look at me. Instead, he walked straight toward Isabella. His voice was gentle, a far cry from the ruthless and decisive Mr. Deen everyone knew.

“Bella, the housekeeper told me that you’ve got your eye on a seaside house. I’ve had my assistant buy it. After dinner, I’ll take you to see it. You can decide how you’d like it done up.”

Isabella cheered and threw herself into his arms. “Dad, you’re the best!”

He smiled and tapped her lightly on the forehead.

“Oh, you cheeky little thing.”

I stood to the side like an unnecessary decoration.

As the father and daughter walked away together, Isabella suddenly spoke up again. “Oh, right, Dad. Emma said she’s in love with someone and that today's arrangement was all your doing.”

Dad paused. Then, he shot me a cold glance.

“Your value,” he said, “is to be married off as part of a family alliance, whether you like it or not.”

Liam let out a mocking laugh. “Exactly. When has someone from a wealthy family ever been allowed to choose their own marriage?”

He had forgotten that he wasn’t born into a wealthy family. If it weren’t for me, he’d probably still be tightening screws on an assembly line in some factory.

Perhaps noticing that my expression had fallen, Dad’s tone softened slightly. “Em, don’t be upset. Even though you can’t compare to Bella, as your father, I wouldn’t let you marry just anyone. What do you think about Mr. Jackson from today’s party? He just turned forty and finalized his divorce last month. He doesn’t even have a son yet. You marrying him would be perfect. You could give him an heir. Once you give birth to a son, you’ll have wealth and luxury for the rest of your life.”

I bit down on my lip. At that moment, I realized that they no longer looked upon me as a person.

Isabella wrapped her arm around Dad’s and asked, “Dad, weren’t we going to see the house? Let’s go.”

Dad nodded immediately and turned to leave with her. Before walking away, he even added a final instruction.

“Emma, don’t come with us. Bella says you always smell unpleasant. We don’t want you dirtying the new house.”

Three days later, it was my grandmother’s eightieth birthday, and the housekeeper had delivered a brand-new evening dress to my room. I didn’t think much of it, assuming Grandma had prepared it for me. However, the moment I arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall, Isabella rushed over excitedly and dragged me into the garden beside the hall.

“What are you doing wearing my dress? This was custom-made for me by an overseas designer whom Dad specially hired. What makes you think you can wear it first?”