Chapter 2

2

The gift box was elegantly wrapped, but its sharp corner sliced right across my chin.

People gasped, yet no one dared to step forward.

I reached up and touched the cut. My palm was instantly smeared with blood.

The Weston standing before me felt like a stranger, yet he was exactly the man who had humiliated me for Zoe in my past life.

My heart turned to ice. "I won't apologize for something I didn't do."

"Fine. Don't regret this later!"

Weston wrapped his arm around Zoe and stormed out.

My parents were frantic when they saw the wound. They rushed me home and called a private doctor immediately.

Watching them fuss over me, I felt a wave of relief.

I was so grateful that fate gave me a second chance to fix my mistakes.

This time, my parents were safe. My family's legacy wasn't in the hands of a traitor.

I was going to stay as far away from Weston and Zoe as humanly possible!

A few days later, the York family sent over the engagement gifts. They filled the entire villa.

Among them was an heirloom bracelet, a sign of how much they valued this union.

A lump formed in my throat.

In my past life, the Weston family knew I was obsessed with him. They told everyone they hated me as a daughter-in-law and only let him marry me because I begged.

We had no engagement party. There were no gifts. Even the wedding was just a cold dinner between two families.

Thinking of how his parents mocked me at that table while Weston watched with indifference made me even more glad for Caleb.

I decided to personally pick out an engagement gift for Caleb.

I was at a heritage boutique discussing cufflink designs with the master tailor when Weston walked in, holding Zoe's hand.

"What are you doing here?" Disgust flashed across his face.

The tailor chimed in helpfully. "Miss Jensen is being very thoughtful. She's designing a custom suit for the groom."

Weston glanced at the sketches on the table with a sneer, his chin tilted high.

"I told you I don't want this. No matter what you do, I'm not changing my mind."

"And for the record, I hate initials on cufflinks. It's tacky."

I looked down at the 'C' I had sketched. He clearly thought this was for him.

"Actually, these are for―"

"Weston, look at this dress! It's beautiful," Zoe interrupted.

She pushed past me to touch a stunning red silk gown hanging on the rack.

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

"But I want to wear it tonight. For the concert."

Zoe's voice was a sugary pout. Weston smiled and turned to the tailor with a commanding tone.

"Alter this to fit Zoe's measurements. Do it fast. We have a concert to get to."

I frowned. "Weston, that's my engagement dress."

He didn't even look at me. "I'm busy. I don't have time for your little Jensen family dress-up party."

"Besides, Zoe wears silk better than you ever could."

Zoe had her back to him, her expression smug and triumphant.

But her voice was full of fake guilt. "If Miss Jensen doesn't want me to have it, it's fine. It looks so expensive... a nobody like me shouldn't wear it."

"Don't say that. The woman I love is not a nobody. Stella is nothing without her parents' money. She's not better than you."

Weston handed the dress to the tailor without a second thought.

The tailor didn't move, waiting for my command.

After all, the Jensens had been their top client for generations.

Weston started to look angry at the tailor's hesitation. "You―"

"If Miss Zoe wants it, let her have it," I interrupted.

Weston finally relaxed.

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

He looked so arrogant, as if he were tossing me a few crumbs of affection.

In that moment, I realized why his attitude changed after he found out my family was the top of the social ladder.

I used to love his fearless, rebellious spirit. I thought he didn't care about money.

But ever since then, he kept bringing up "your family." He constantly belittled me to soothe his own ego.

He was just deeply, pathologically insecure.

The thought made me laugh out loud.

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