Chapter 3

3

By evening, my father returned home after failing to get any information from the Sterlings. He paced the living room, clutching his phone.

He wanted the connection to the Sterlings, but he feared Soren's ruthless reputation.

Suddenly, he stopped.

"The Sterlings said they were sending gifts. Why hasn't anything arrived?"

I shook my head. "I don't know."

He let out a sigh of relief. "Maybe they changed their minds. How could a small family like ours match with them? Something must have gone wrong."

He muttered to himself before glaring at me again.

"In that case, you'd better marry Sawyer."

I asked coldly, "Am I even your biological daughter? Why are you forcing me to marry a cheating scumbag?"

"If it weren't for the Montgomery family's help, my company would have collapsed years ago. Sawyer is willing to marry you; that's a blessing you don't deserve to question!"

"So in your eyes, I'm just a tool for your business?"

My father, stung by the truth, flew into a rage.

"Shut up! What do you know? If it wasn't for this family, do you think I'd want to beg the Montgomerys?"

"Since you care so much about them, why don't you tell Sawyer that your daughter was chosen by the Sterlings?" I mocked.

His face changed instantly. He raised his hand to hit me.

"You brat! Do you want to destroy the Thorne family?"

The door opened, and he quickly pulled back his hand.

Lulu walked in with Sawyer, shaking a jade bracelet on her wrist.

"Dad, does my new jewelry look good?"

I recognized it immediately as part of the betrothal gift.

My father's anger vanished, replaced by a smile. "Beautiful! My precious daughter looks good in anything!"

He was secretly thrilled, thinking Sawyer was being generous.

I watched with folded arms. Sawyer suddenly handed me a cheap plastic bead bracelet.

"Lulu picked this out for you while we were shopping. You should wear it at the wedding."

Lulu added fake sincerity, "Don't hate it, Shae. It's not expensive, but it's the thought that counts~"

I was numb to this.

Whatever Lulu wanted, my father and Sawyer would give her.

I only got what she didn't want.

In the past, I would have screamed about the unfairness.

Now, I calmly took the bracelet and said to Sawyer, "As you wish."

I appeared submissive, but I was calculating.

Even if the Sterling house was a pit of fire, I wanted to see my enemies burn first.

My father thought I had agreed to marry Sawyer. "Good girl, finally listening!"

"Once you marry Sawyer, you can help take care of Lulu and the baby. I'll be at peace."

Lulu's eyes turned red. "I won't make Shae angry anymore. I hope she can accept me and the baby."

Sawyer tightened his grip on Lulu's waist.

"Lulu's morning sickness is bad. I'm taking her to the suburban villa to rest. It's quiet there."

He gave me a warning look. "Don't try any tricks. Just get ready for the wedding."

I didn't respond.

After they left, my father's face darkened.

"No matter how Sawyer treats Lulu, it's out of gratitude. Stop being so stubborn."

"Lulu has his child, and you'll be his wife. You'll both be under the protection of the Montgomerys. Be grateful for such luck."