Chapter 2

It was almost funny. At first, Ethan had acted as if he’d rather die than agree to an arranged marriage.

Then he fell for me at first sight and declared that I was the only woman he would ever marry.

He shamelessly pursued me for over six months, sending flowers every day and inviting me to breakfast.

He was good-looking, he didn’t have any other lovers, and a marriage would benefit both families. Eventually, I agreed.

But before long, his adopted sister, Sophie, appeared at his side, pampered like a princess.

On the day of our engagement, the Blackwood council room was filled with elders. Family security had the entire estate sealed tight.

Then Ethan received a call from Sophie.

“Ethan, do you remember what you promised me? You said you’d take me to India for the Festival of Colors.”

“I’m waiting at the airport. If you don’t come, I’ll jump!”

“Cancel the engagement.”

Ethan gave me one apologetic glance, released my hand without hesitation, and ran out, abandoning a room full of guests.

I received two texts from him. After that, I couldn’t reach him again.

[Sophie’s dad saved my life. She was his only daughter. I can’t let anything happen to her!]

[Don’t worry. Once she finishes filming her documentary, I’ll come back. A week at most. Then we’ll finish our engagement and go to Tahiti for our honeymoon.]

The Blackwood elders were furious. My family looked just as grim.

Under Blackwood rules, no one could leave a family gathering until the head of the family dismissed them.

Yet Ethan had trampled both families’ dignity into the dirt for his adopted sister.

To make things right with the Bennetts, the Blackwood elders made me a promise in front of everyone.

“Claire, this is our fault for failing to raise him properly. Tell us what compensation you want.”

I pointed at Richard Blackwood’s younger son, Adrian—the man who now controlled the family.

“Then give me him. This engagement party still needs a groom.”

The council room fell silent.

Adrian sat at the head of the long table, turning a cuff link engraved with the family crest between his fingers. He watched me for a few seconds, then said calmly:

“All right.”

And just like that, I married Ethan’s uncle.

Richard immediately had the family attorney draw up the paperwork. The share transfer, the revised marriage agreement, and the family trust arrangements were all finalized.

Ethan was unreachable in India. Naturally, he never learned that on the very day he walked out, the head of the Blackwood family married me.

Remembering that, I checked the time. Adrian’s private jet should have landed by now.

I had no interest in wasting any more time with those two. I wanted to step outside and send Adrian a message.

Before I could ask where he was, his text arrived.

[Darling, my flight is delayed. I may be very late. Don’t wait for me. I’ll have your driver pick you up.]

The usually stern head of the family had even added a heart.

A small smile tugged at my lips, and my brow relaxed.

Ethan folded his arms, looking displeased. He stared at my phone for a moment, then laughed.

“Oh, so you hired an actor to make me jealous? Where did you find this extra? His flight’s delayed? Not very reliable, is he?”

“Claire, don’t joke like this again. You know I get jealous.”

He suddenly stepped closer and reached for my hair.

I quickly backed away, leaving his hand hanging in the air.

“I told you I’m married. Keep harassing me, Ethan, and you may go home tonight to have your legs broken for disrespecting the family.”

As if I’d said something hilarious, Ethan pointed at my chest and raised an eyebrow.

“That emerald brooch you’re wearing? Grandpa said it would go to the wife of the head of the Blackwood family. You’re wearing it, yet you expect me to believe you married someone else?”

“I’ll be the family head someday. Are you really that impatient?”

Richard had indeed given me the brooch. Just not as his granddaughter-in-law.

He’d given it to his daughter-in-law.

“I told you I’m married. And the man I married is—”

Sophie cut me off.

“Grandpa actually gave you the family emerald brooch?”

She stepped between Ethan and me. Once she got a good look at it, her eyes instantly reddened.

Clinging to Ethan’s arm, she said miserably:

“I begged Grandpa for that brooch so many times, and he always refused. Now he’s given it to an outsider.”

“Maybe he’s never liked me because I don’t come from a good family.”

That apologetic look returned to Ethan’s face as he turned to me.

“Sophie’s young, and she’s had such a hard life. She always feels insecure. Can’t you be generous?”

“She likes the brooch. Just give it to her. I’ll buy you one with a top-quality emerald later. I promise it’ll be prettier and better than this one.”