Chapter 2

2

The gift box was wrapped beautifully, but the sharp corner sliced right across my chin.

The crowd gasped, but no one moved to help. I touched the cut, and my palm came away red with blood.

Joelle looked like a stranger to me now. This was exactly how she had treated me in the past―humiliating me for Kian's sake.

My heart finally turned to ice. "I'm not apologizing for something I didn't do," I said.

"Fine! Don't regret it later!" Joelle spat. She grabbed Kian's arm and stormed out of the gala.

My parents were horrified when they saw the cut. They rushed me home and called the family doctor to patch me up.

Looking at their worried faces, I felt a wave of relief. Thank God I had a chance to fix this.

In this life, my parents were still here. Our wealth was still ours.

I was going to stay as far away from Joelle and Kian as possible.

A few days later, the Lincolns sent over the traditional engagement gifts. Huge crates filled the foyer of our mansion.

There was even a vintage heirloom watch from their family. It was a sign of how much they respected this union.

It made my chest tighten with a strange emotion.

In my past life, the Jones family knew I was crazy for Joelle. They told everyone I was a stalker and that they were "pitying" me by letting her marry me.

We didn't have an engagement party. They didn't provide a dowry. Even our wedding was just a cold dinner between families.

I remembered how her parents mocked me at that table while Joelle ignored me. Comparing that to the Lincolns' respect made me realize how blind I'd been.

I decided to go out and personally pick a gift for Lia.

I was at a boutique jeweler's, discussing a necklace design with the master craftsman. Suddenly, the door swung open. Joelle walked in, holding Kian's hand.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her face twisted in a sneer.

The jeweler chimed in, "Mr. Sterling is very thoughtful. He's designing a custom piece for his bride."

She glanced at the sketches on the table and tossed her hair back.

"I told you, I'm not marrying you. It doesn't matter how much jewelry you buy."

"Also, engraving initials on a pendant is so tacky," she added, looking at the letter Q on the sketch.

I looked down at the drawing. I realized she thought the Q stood for Qiao, her Chinese family name.

"Actually, this is for―"

"Joelle, look at this suit! It's incredible," Kian interrupted. He ran over to a bespoke tuxedo hanging on a mannequin.

Joelle's expression softened. "If you like it, I'll have them make one for you."

"But I want to wear it tonight," Kian said in a velvet-soft voice. "I want to look good for you at the symphony."

Joelle smiled at him, then turned to the jeweler like she was giving an order.

"Alter that suit for Kian's size. Do it fast. We have a concert to catch."

I frowned. "Joelle, that's my engagement suit."

She didn't even blink. "I'm busy. I don't have time for whatever little party the Sterlings are throwing."

"Besides, Kian looks way better in a suit than you do," she added.

Kian had his back to her, giving me a look of pure triumph.

But his voice sounded tiny and guilty. "If Mr. Sterling doesn't want me to have it, it's okay. It's a rich man's suit. I'm just a nobody…"

"Don't say that!" Joelle snapped. "The man I love isn't a nobody. Sterling is just a trust-fund baby. He's not better than you."

She handed the suit to the jeweler without another word.

The jeweler looked at me, waiting for my command. My family had been their biggest client for generations.

Joelle got angry that he wasn't moving. "Did you hear me?"

"If Kian likes it, let him have it," I interrupted.

Joelle finally looked satisfied.

"Since you're finally being sensible, maybe I'll agree to have dinner with you once a month after we're married," she said.

She acted like she was handing out crumbs to a stray dog.

In that moment, I finally understood her. Ever since she found out the Sterlings were the top-ranked family and the Joneses were barely in the top ten, her attitude had shifted.

I used to love her because she seemed so fearless and unimpressed by money.

But after the rankings came out, she started throwing "you Sterlings" in my face constantly. She put me down to feel better about herself.

She wasn't strong. She was just deeply insecure.

I actually laughed out loud.

"Joelle, what makes you so sure I'm even marrying you?"