“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.”

On the day of the engagement party, the Bradford estate buzzed with excitement.

Even Lina and Benedict’s circle of friends showed up, each casting me curious glances as though they were here to witness a spectacle.

The only one absent was Benedict himself, but considering his long-standing disdain for me, that wasn’t surprising.

“Benedict, what are you doing here?” Lina’s startled voice cut through the chatter.

I turned toward the entrance.

Benedict had come after all.

But his choice of attire felt overly formal though he was a family member.

Dressed like that, he looked more like a groom than a guest.

Jealousy flickered across Lina’s face. “Didn’t you say you weren’t coming?”

“I’m taking responsibility for my actions,” Benedict replied stiffly.

“Running away solves nothing. I’m here to make things clear with Sansa.”

He refused to understand his true feelings, but he had instinctively chosen the suit that best matched my gown before leaving the house. Nor did he want to admit that even if I was vain and clingy, his heart still softened at the thought of me.

With a guarded expression, he walked straight toward me. “Sansa, I lied in the message.”

I remained calm. “I didn’t take it seriously. I figured it was another one of those cheap tricks someone came up with for a laugh.”

His frustration mounted. “Then what is all this? Are you and Grandpa trying to force me into marrying you?”

I frowned.

“Benedict, what nonsense are you spouting now?

“I’m getting engaged to Theodore. He’ll be here any moment,” I said firmly.

Benedict scoffed. “He’s still abroad. How exactly is he going to show up and get engaged?”

Without another word, he grabbed my hand against my will and began dragging me toward the main hall.

“Come on. I’ll help you announce the cancellation of this engagement. If there’s backlash, I’ll take full responsibility. You just need to stay silent.”

I stared at him in disbelief and tried to yank my hand free.

“Benedict, are you insane? It’s been three whole years. I’m finally about to marry the man I love! Who are you to tell me to call it off?”

Tears of frustration sprang to my eyes. I had waited too long for Theodore.

Secret love was its own form of torture, and I didn’t want to wait any longer.

When our eyes locked, Benedict froze.

He saw the tears on my face, then glanced down at the suit he’d worn without thinking, the one that just happened to match mine.

A bitter smile tugged at his lips.

He stepped closer, gently raised a hand to brush away the tear slipping down my cheek.

“Don’t cry, Sansa. I’ll marry you.”

But before his fingers could reach me, a hand seized his wrist in a tight grip.

Benedict turned sharply.

It was Theodore.

He wore a calm smile, but the pressure of his fingers on Benedict’s wrist could make bones crack.

His eyes were calm but sharp as blades.

“Benedict,” he said quietly, “why are you harassing Sansa again?”

Then, more sternly, “Come on—apologize to your future sister-in-law.”