Switching Vows

Quinn looked at Sadie with mockery in his eyes.

"And who do you think you are? Trying to decide my life? Do you even deserve that?"

Sadie's face turned crimson. She looked at Quinn with a pitiful expression, but he was completely unmoved.

Quinn walked over and handed me a stack of books.

"I thought it might be inconvenient for you, so I went ahead and bought them for you."

His thoughtfulness only fueled Sadie's jealousy, which burned brighter in her eyes. She turned her gaze to me with an aggrieved look.

"Renee, we grew up together. I've always seen you as an older sister. Why are you taking Mr. Green from me?"

She clasped her hands together, tears streaming down her face like a tragic heroine.

"I really want to be with Mr. Green. Please, I'm begging you—could you let me have him?"

Quinn let out a cold laugh.

"Do you not speak the same language? I already said, even if she let me go, I still wouldn't get together with you!"

His tone carried undisguised contempt, and I instinctively glanced at him. It was odd—at this point in time, he should not have known Sadie very well.

Before I could dwell on it, Sadie stomped off in frustration.

Quinn turned back to me. "Don't even think about letting her have me, got it?"

I nodded. "Alright."

I carried the books home, but I was struck on the back of my head before I could set them down.

"Where did you get the money to buy books, you little brat?" my mom, Kate Summers, yelled out. Her face was stormy with anger.

"A friend gave them to me," I replied.

"What friend? You're lying! Did you steal money from the house?" she accused.

Her expression darkened further.

"Are you insane? That money was for your brother's health supplements. He finally has a weekend to rest, and I wanted to prepare a nice meal for him. How could you spend it instead?"

Everything was so chaotic that day, and the details were a blur. All I remembered was how embarrassed I felt the next day when Quinn saw my bruised face.

"Sorry, the books you bought for me... my mom returned them," I said awkwardly.

His face turned grim.

"Don't worry, I'll pay you back."

"It's not about the money," he said with a sigh, but did not press further.

That evening, Quinn showed up at my house with several bags of fruit. I had no idea what he discussed with my mom, but after he left, she was all smiles and told me to prepare for marriage.

"Oh, my! I didn't realize my daughter had such good taste. You managed to find a teacher! Ren, when you're successful, don't forget to take care of your brother!"

I said nothing and watched as she cheerfully headed to the kitchen. It did not matter—once I got into college, I would leave anyway.

…

Soon, I married Quinn.

The day when he brought the fruit to my mom, it was to formally propose. The wedding was rushed, but every necessary ritual was properly observed.

I sent invitations to both Sadie and Henry, but neither of them attended.

During the reception, my mother-in-law, Jill Appleton, suddenly asked me to honor the family tradition by kneeling and bowing to their ancestors.

It reminded me of Sadie's stories about her in-laws creating unnecessary hurdles for her. I hesitated, but chose to go along with it.

I knelt and lowered my head three times, trying to appear composed, even though my knees ached on the hardwood floor.

Jill laughed softly at my seriousness. She then leaned forward with a warm smile and clasped a delicate emerald bracelet around my wrist.

What?

Was this the "deliberate humiliation" Sadie had complained about?

I looked at the verdant bracelet, and there was a mix of emotions stirring in my heart.

Quinn took my hand and said softly, "Since Mom gave it to you, just accept it."

After the guests left and the house quieted down, I sat on the wooden bed, feeling a rare sense of shyness.

It was absurd to think about, but Henry barely touched me anymore after my miscarriage. The few times he did, he would sit against the headboard afterward, smoking silently for what felt like hours.

I only learned after my death that the miscarriage had been caused by medicine Sadie gave me—something to "improve blood circulation".

Quinn came out of the bathroom, now in his pajamas while holding a towel. He walked over to me and gently began wiping my hands.