Chapter 4
“Alright, everyone says first love is unforgettable. Can’t she cherish the memory?”
Eldric snorted with laughter, his expression relaxed and somewhat smug.
What’s that old saying again?
Even after siblings fight, they still come home for Christmas together.
How ironic that it applied to us now.
Olivia’s expression instantly soured.
She pointed at the slice of prime rib she’d placed in my bowl. “Why aren’t you eating, Seraphina? Do you disapprove of me as your sister–in–law?”
“I never eat fatty meat.”
Under the table, a leg stretched over and brushed against my ankle with deliberate pressure.
“Eat it, Seraphina.”
Eldric held his girlfriend’s hand, their fingers tightly intertwined, his gesture full of reassurance.
“It’s your sister–in–law’s first time at our place, so don’t piss her off.”
My stepfather was about to speak but my mother interrupted him.
“That’s right, listen to your brother. Eating a piece of prime rib won’t kill you.”
I kept my face cold and didn’t move.
Olivia pouted prettily. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have served Seraphina food.”
“Still so impolite,” Eldric smirked, his movements beneath the table growing more suggestive.
“You’ll be twenty–eigh. You’re not as pretty as your sister–in–law, and you’ll have even fewer boyfriends to be chosen when you’re older.”
My nails dug into my palm, and a moment later, I stood up abruptly.
“Actually, I’m already married, my sweet brother.”
Chapter 4
“Oh?” Eldric found this absurd and chuckled.
“Seraphina, I know you’re anxious seeing me bring a girlfriend home. But there’s no need to lie.”
“Would you like to see my marriage certificate?” I looked down at him, my voice emotionless.
“You know my husband. His name is Kaelan Winters.”
My mother and stepfather were both shocked.
“Seraphina, are you serious? You’re married to the only son of Winters Enterprises?”
“Couldn’t you at least plan your lies better?”
Eldric lifted his eyes to glare at me, contempt written all over his face.
“With neither family status nor career achievements, why would Kaelan Winters look at you?”
Since Kaelan had officially taken control of his family business and introduced advanced algorithmic technology from abroad, Winters Enterprises had become an industry leader.
Even if I were Eldric’s biological sister instead of my mother’s daughter from her second marriage to his father, I wouldn’t qualify to be associated with Kaelan Winters.
Olivia chimed in, “A business empire like the Winters family doesn’t allow freedom in relationships. Ninety–nine percent of their marriages are business arrangements.”
She giggled. “I know you want to marry into wealth, but you can’t just make things up.”
Olivia’s words grew increasingly sharp, just short of calling me a gold–digger to my face.
Yet among those present–my family–not one person spoke up to defend me.
I sighed almost inaudibly.
“For me, he turned down his family’s arranged marriage.”
Chapter 5
