On Benedict Bradford’s birthday, he posted a link on social media with a taunting offer:

[$1.99 buys you a prank—target: Sansa Stormcloud.]

So when I arrived at his party, the guests drenched me in water, hurled glasses, smashed cake in my face, and shoved me down the stairs.

Benedict sneered as he stood over me, arm slung around Lina Kipling.

“You think you’re fit to marry into the Bradfords? Pathetic.

“You’re not even in Lina’s league. You’re worth nothing more than a couple of dollars!”

I picked myself up, dusted off my dress, and handed him an invitation.

“You know, Benedict, the Bradfords have another heir.

“And shortly afterwards, you’ll address me respectfully as your sister-in-law.”

Benedict Bradford froze.

He slowly reached for the bright red invitation, but then suddenly slapped it away before laughing out loud.

“Sister-in-law? Are you insane—or am I?

“You expect anyone to believe that nonsense? Everyone knows Theodore is abroad. You think he got engaged to you?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the room erupted in laughter from his gang of rich, spoilt friends.

Before I could explain, a nosy rich brat in the crowd named Eric Pullman shouted, “Benedict, I just spent another 1.99 on a new idea. I promise it’s hilarious!”

Benedict glanced down at his phone, then immediately picked up his glass of red wine and splashed it at my face as he grinned.

“Looks like an oil painting. Good idea!”

His childish and disrespectful behavior shattered my last shred of patience.

I just wanted to get Grandpa Alexander Bradford’s task over with and leave.

“It’s your birthday today, and I don’t want to embarrass you. This is your gift. Happy birthday.

“And Grandpa Alexander asked me to tell you to drink less. It’s bad for your health. Don’t forget to come home for dinner this weekend.”

The moment I mentioned Alexander, Benedict’s face darkened with irritation.

“Stop using Grandpa to lecture me all the time!

“Everyone knows your parents once helped him out. That’s the only reason you think you’ve got a shot at marrying into my family. It’s why you cling to me like this.”

He pulled Lina Kipling into his arms and flashed his phone screen at me like a challenge.

“In my heart, Lina is the only one who matters. See this?

“You, Sansa, are worth no more than a few dollars.”

I said nothing. Drenched in red wine and smeared with cake, I picked up my bag and walked out.

Benedict watched my limping figure disappear down the hallway.

After a long moment, he finally set down his wine glass with irritation.

“I’ll go walk her out, so she doesn’t run off and tattle to Grandpa.”

Flustered, Lina grabbed his arm and yanked him back.

“Don’t go, Benedict!” she pleaded.

“Sansa is always playing the victim. Why else would Grandpa Alexander force you to marry her? Why would he let her control you like this, taking away your freedom?

“Or… do you actually like that woman?”

“Only a dog would like her!” Benedict snapped.

“I wish she’d give up on me already.”

Lina glanced at the discarded invitation and let a smug smile tug at her lips.

“That’s easy enough to fix. I’ve got another idea, Benedict. Fake an engagement!

“On the day of the event, the fiancé disappears. Then let’s see if Grandpa Alexander and Sansa still dare to push you around after that!”

Benedict hesitated.

He didn’t want to take a joke that far, not when it involved something so serious.

But Lina stirred up the crowd, and under their jeering encouragement, he couldn’t say no.

“Fine,” he said.

“Let’s fake it.”

Meanwhile, I was on the phone with Alexander.

“Sansa, Theodore said he’ll be back in a few days for the engagement. Seeing you end up with someone you truly care for puts my heart at ease.

“You’ve worked hard all these years, looking after Benedict for me.”

Yes, I had.

The person I loved had never been Benedict, but his older brother, Theodore Bradford.

Back then, when Alexander insisted I was destined to be his granddaughter-in-law, everyone naturally assumed I would marry Benedict.

Even Theodore had not reacted to the news.

And when I finally gathered the courage to confess my feelings to Alexander, and Theodore agreed to marry me, he didn’t say much either.

Maybe, in his eyes, it didn’t matter who he married.

But still, the thought of being with him made my heart flutter.

“Three days from now, at the engagement party, I’ll personally announce your engagement to Theodore!”

Just as the call ended, a new message popped up on my phone.

It was from Benedict.

[We'll get engaged in three days.]

“Ms. Stormcloud, this haute couture dress was commissioned by Mr. Theodore three years ago. It really suits you! You’re so beautiful!”

Listening to the staff, I marveled at Theodore’s thoughtfulness. Even knowing it came from a sense of duty, a sweet warmth still bloomed in my heart.

Suddenly, Lina’s voice rang out behind me.

“Sansa? What are you doing here? Is Grandpa Alexander having you spy on Benedict again?”

I turned at the sound.

Benedict frowned as he stared at me.

“You followed me all the way here? Don’t you have anything better to do? The Kiplings’ project is on hold because of you, and now I can’t even take Lina shopping?”

Their words left me confused.

“I just came to try on a dress. It’s pure coincidence.”

Thinking I was still making excuses, Benedict snapped.

“Coincidence? At the same time, in the same mall? Must be Grandpa’s spy telling you when to come.

"I messaged you last night, and you showed up today to try on dresses? Is this how you want to marry me?

“You know, Sansa, I don’t like you at all!”

Benedict’s gaze fixed on me, trying to savor the sadness he expected to cross my face.

But there was nothing.

I remained calm as I frowned at him.

“I know. I never planned to marry you. The one I want to marry is—”

Benedict interrupted, annoyed.

“Gonna say it’s my older brother again?

“Sansa, all these years, you’ve spun so many ridiculous excuses, clinging to me and the Bradfords. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

I sighed, at a loss for how to explain myself to Benedict.

After all, I’ll be his sister-in-law—making a scene wouldn’t do either of us any favors.

I had already tried on the dresses, so I just needed to change and leave.

But a staff member stepped forward to speak for me before I could.

“Mr. Benedict, you’ve misunderstood. The fitting appointment was booked a year ago—definitely not a last-minute decision.

“Here, the contract clearly states it in black and white. With the big day approaching, it’s best to avoid misunderstandings.

“Ms. Stormcloud also told us she’s about to marry her beloved.”

Benedict scanned the contract—custom-made three years ago, fitting scheduled a year ago, and the staff’s words about her marrying the one she loved.

He turned to watch me walk away in the gown, an aching bitterness swelling inside him.

He shouldn’t have rejected me like that.

Benedict released Lina’s hand and quickened his pace, catching up with me in three strides.

“My words just now were harsh. This is for you—a peace offering.”

I looked at the small box resting in his palm.

Inside lay a massive emerald ring.

Memories flashed in my mind.

When Benedict and I were children, we were close.

Back then, while playing house, he’d roll green leaves into fake rings, promising he’d one day buy a large green gem and marry me.

I looked up at him, a fleeting warmth washing over me.

Benedict might be having feelings for me?

Lina’s soft laugh shattered the strange tension between Benedict and me.

“Benedict, isn’t this the prank Eric threw together for two dollars that night?

“You were supposed to give her a fake ring so she’d embarrass herself wearing it out. Your birthday’s over—stop messing with Sansa.”

I smiled, lowered my gaze, then lifted my skirt and stepped past Benedict with a cold expression.

“Take it back. We’re not children anymore.”

My refusal stunned Benedict.

That sting in his chest welled up, sharp and dull all at once.

He closed the box, lost any desire to shop with Lina, and walked out silently.

Lina, thinking I’d embarrassed Benedict in public, reached for the ring.

“If Sansa doesn’t want it, I do. As long as it’s from you, Benedict, even if it’s a fake, I’ll treasure it.”

But Benedict, uncharacteristically, refused her.

“I’ll get you something else,” he said.

“This is the real deal. I promised Sansa.”

Since that day, something had been off with Benedict.

Even the friends he usually fooled around with had noticed his unusual mood.

“What’s wrong with you these days, Benedict? You’ve been totally out of it.”

“It’s just a fake engagement, right? Don’t tell me you’ve come down with pre-wedding jitters?

“I heard Sansa’s been busy at the mansion, getting everything ready for the engagement party. With a grand gesture like this, I bet the old man and Sansa will never dare to meddle in your life again!”

Benedict’s hand paused mid-air with his wine glass. A light flickered in his eyes.

“She’s still going through with the engagement party?”

Eric chuckled. “Of course! Everyone in our circle knows she’s getting engaged tomorrow.

“Honestly, Lina’s fake engagement plan was brilliant. Sansa’s about to lose a lot of face!”

Before the words had even fully landed, Benedict stood up and rushed to Alexander’s mansion.

Meanwhile, I was reviewing details with Theodore’s personal assistant.

“Ma’am, these are some of the gifts Mr. Theodore has sent over. The rest will arrive in the next few days. A lawyer will be here later to handle the personal asset notarization.”

Stacks of property deeds were piled high. Jewelry glittered across every surface of the room, crowding the space with its brilliance.

I nodded as I went down the checklist.

“Sansa!”

Benedict’s urgent voice rang out from behind me.

I turned, watching him jog toward me with purpose, assuming something important had come up.

But once he reached me, Benedict suddenly faltered.

“I…”

I didn’t have much time to spare. The engagement preparations were intense, and the schedule was tight.

“Benedict, what exactly are you trying to say?”

Even with the words at the tip of his tongue, Benedict still hadn’t learned how to speak properly.

“The engagement party hasn’t happened yet. Call it off while you still can. I don’t even like you, so why are you putting on this whole show?

“You might not care about your reputation, but the Bradfords still have one!”

I sighed wearily.

“Whether or not you like me has absolutely nothing to do with this engagement. If you don’t have anything useful to say, don’t waste my time. I’m genuinely busy.”

Hearing that only made Benedict angrier. He practically jumped in frustration.

“So in your eyes, marriage is just some casual arrangement?

“You’re willing to marry into the Bradfords just so you can control me? Don’t you even care whether I like you or not? Sansa, is your love really that cheap?”

His accusations left me baffled.

I had no idea what he was trying to get at.

“Relax,” I replied. “You won’t have to deal with me much longer. Theodore told me last night he’s shifting his focus.

“The Bradford Enterprise headquarters will concentrate on the domestic market, and all the overseas affairs will be yours to manage. Isn’t that the freedom you always wanted?”

That quieted him. But then, with a scowl, he asked, “And what about you? Are you planning to come abroad with me?”

I frowned. Since when did a sister-in-law tag along with her husband’s younger brother?

“Why would I go with you? If you're feeling lonely, you could always ask Lina.”

That lit a new fire in Benedict as he grabbed my wrist.

“So that’s it? As long as you can marry into the Bradfords, you don’t care where I go?” he shouted.

“You’re only ever strict with me because of Grandpa’s orders, not because you actually care. And now you’re pushing me toward Lina?

“Sansa, do you even have a heart?”

Just as Benedict and I were in the middle of our escalating quarrel, Alexander stepped in to defuse the tension.

“Benedict, can’t you just speak like a decent human being for once?

“Sansa, go take care of the preparations. Let me have a word with this foolish boy.”

I walked off, leaving the two of them—grandfather and grandson—alone in the hallway.

“Grandpa, let me be blunt,” Benedict started as he folded his arms defiantly.

“I only said I wanted to marry Sansa to mess with her. I’m not getting engaged to her tomorrow. So please, stop wasting your time. I won’t marry her.”

Alexander’s brow furrowed.

“Do you actually think the engagement is between you and Sansa?”

Benedict scoffed.

“Sure, I know. Sansa’s supposed to get engaged to Theodore, right? But then you will tell me he's stuck overseas and can't come back in time. You want to trick me into standing in for him with this ridiculous excuse. Grandpa, I’m really sick of your manipulations.”

He drew a deep breath and added with exasperation, “If you insist on going through with it, fine. But just know, an engagement party without a real fiancé will make Sansa a laughingstock.

“You should talk some sense into yourself, and her. Even if she’s materialistic, her marriage shouldn’t be the price she pays for your control over me.”

Something in Benedict’s words struck a nerve. Alexander gripped his cane tightly, his knuckles pale.

“I’ll ask you one last thing,” he said slowly. “Do you like Sansa?”

Benedict hesitated, then muttered, “No. I don’t like anything you’ve arranged.”