Chapter 2---I’ll Marry You Once Your Sister Pass Away
1314 Words
Chapter 2-----I’ll Marry You Once Your Sister Pass Away
I expected him to explode in anger, to yell at me for being greedy. But after just a brief pause, he simply said, "Fine. I’ll see you tonight."
Three years ago, we started a high-end fashion label together - Vanessa & Theodore Couture. It had taken off after years of effort.
He was the one who funded it while I handled the designs. For me, it was basically a no-risk deal. Now the company was worth hundreds of millions, and was ready to go public. And despite its endless potential, he was willing to give it all up just to be with Alyssa.
Is this true love between them I sense? Oh the irony.
Getting out of bed, I looked around at all the wedding decorations filling the house. Every piece of them made my skin crawl. I wanted to burn them all.
I called a mover company for help. "Get rid of everything in this house that belongs to him," I instructed the personnel who arrived at my place.
Thank God I insisted on waiting until our wedding before we performed s****l i*********e. By the time the house was cleared, I had already changed into fresh clothes and done my makeup carefully. Just as I finished, I heard a car pull up outside. It was Theodore. And he brought Vanessa Brooks - my almost-mother-in-law with him. Interesting. She must’ve thought that I would trick her beloved boy.
"You're here," I said coolly, not bothering to stand. I nodded at Theodore before glancing at Vanessa. "Mrs. Brooks."
She forced a laugh. "I thought we were past that? Shouldn't you call me Mom now?"
I smiled sweetly. "My mother is dead."
The unspoken words hung in the air: You’re not worthy.
Vanessa's face went completely blank, as if someone had physically slapped her.
Theodore looked equally grim as he stepped forward. "Audrey, I'm the one who wronged you. Don't take it out on my mother."
"Oh? So you're saying I should blame your father instead? After all, it’s your old man’s fault for not setting you straight, isn't it?"
"Audrey!" Theodore's voice sharpened—he was really losing his temper.
I simply shrugged at his response.
Vanessa tugged at Theodore's sleeve. "Calm down. Let’s talk this through properly."
With visible effort, Theodore reined in his anger. He straightened his trousers and took a seat in the armchair across from me, then slid a document across the coffee table.
"Here. As you demanded—full ownership of the company. In exchange, our engagement is terminated."
I picked up the contract and skimmed through it.
"Ownership of the company is one thing," I said without looking up. "What about my wedding dress? That doesn't come free."
Theodore frowned—clearly not expecting me to be this petty. "How much do you want for it?"
"Well, with a friends-and-family discount, a million."
Vanessa gasped. "Audrey, that's daylight robbery!"
"Mrs. Nelson," I said coolly, "would you like your son to remind you what my designs go for in the fashion world?"
My retort was met with silence.
"Of course, you're welcome to refuse," I added lightly, "But we both know Alyssa wants that specific dress. So no matter the price, Mr. Nelson here will pay for it anyways."
Theodore's eyes flickered with surprise. He knew I was right. From the moment Alyssa had entered the Shaw household, if I so much as glanced at something—even if it was literal garbage—she'd claw it away from me.
A wedding dress? She could easily get one. But no—Theodore had to take the one I designed with my own hands. And all because Alyssa had demanded it.
Sure enough, after a pause, Theodore nodded. "Fine. A million dollars it is."
Vanessa whirled on him. "Have you lost your mind? Why are you throwing away money like this?"
"Stay out of this, mom." Theodore brushed off Vanessa's protest and turned back to me.
"Alyssa's too ill to pick out jewelry for the wedding. She said since you've already chosen yours... she'd like to have it."
Despite already expecting it, the sheer audacity of his request still stunned me for a full second.
"Theodore," I said slowly, "if Alyssa asked for my head on a platter, would you hand it to her as well?"
"Ree, she'd never. Look, it’s just a misunderstanding" He actually had the nerve to look offended. "She's just too sick to plan anything. And it's not like you'll need those things anymore."
I watched him defend her, the corner of my mouth twitching with bitter amusement. "Do you remember what you promised me, Theodore?"
He promised me that he'd never betray me. That he'd love only me, for the rest of his life—because I'd saved his.
He met my gaze, guilt flashing across his face. "I do love you, Ree. I’m doing this out of... pity. She's so young Ree, two years younger than you! And she's dying. Aren't you even a little sad? She's your sister. "
Memories surged up: Alyssa at twelve, scissors in hand, gleefully shredding my favorite dress. Alyssa dumping roaches onto my bed, howling with laughter when I screamed. Of course, I'd chased her with those, trying to shove them down her throat—until she tumbled down the stairs.
My father and stepmother were furious. They beat me black and blue. So I waited until they left and cut every piece of clothing in their wardrobes to ribbons. All these years battling the Shaws, I'd taken my hits—but I'd given as good as I got. But I was alone. There was no hope of me ever coming out on top.
No one could understand the depth of my hatred for Alyssa and that woman she called mother.
And yet they expected me to feel sad now that Alyssa claimed to be dying?
"You're right," I sighed, laying a hand over my heart. "It’s such a tragedy Theo. To have a beauty withering away at such a young age. My dear stepmother must be devastated. How... awful."
The irony sailed right over their heads. Theodore actually nodded, eyes glistening, while Vanessa actually had a sad expression on her face.
"Exactly..." Vanessa's eyes welled up with tears. "Every child is a mother's flesh and blood. What mother wouldn't be devastated when their child is facing death? We'd rather die in their place."
"Mom, your heart condition..." Theodore immediately fretted, before turning to me with sudden gentleness. "Ree, I'll marry Alyssa first to fulfill her wish, but afterwards... I'll give you an even grander wedding."
The sheer audacity left me speechless.
"Let me get this straight," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "You want to marry Alyssa first, then—after she dies—come crawling back to me as your second choice?"
I, Audrey Shaw—eldest daughter of the Shaw family. Unfavored, perhaps, but still: my looks, education, talent, and career placed me at the top of Lorborough's elite circles.
What made Theodore Nelson think I'd grovel for his leftovers?
If I were to announce my intention to wed, this city's most eligible bachelors would line up at my door.
Watching my expression shift from shock to icy contempt, Theodore had the decency to look ashamed—but still doubled down: "You're the love of my life. Of course I'll marry you properly. Don't say it like that... To me, you'll always be my true wife."
I almost gagged at that statement. Without hesitation, I snatched the contract and signed it with a furious flourish.
"You want the jewelry? Fine. Add another million to the price." I stood, shoving the papers back at him. "Wire the money by tomorrow, and I'll personally deliver the set to the hospital and visit my dear sister while I’m at it."
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