chapter 3

When it came time to pick a dance partner, I held out my hand to Ethan.

He’d been Julian’s lifelong rival, always one step ahead.

At that moment, he sat there in a sharp suit, looking noble and proud.

A clear space of 55 yards formed around him.

After all, he was the promising youngest son of the Crawford family—did as he pleased, with no one on his mind.

But from his posture, it seemed he was waiting for someone.

When I reached for him, he curved his lips.

"This time, you’re really choosing me?"

His voice was hoarse. Ethan’s eyes were red as he took my hand, then glanced sideways at Julian, a hint of challenge in his gaze.

I smiled, feeling a rare lightness. "Yes."

Ethan stood up, loosening his tie. "Choose me, and you’ll have to take responsibility."

His long, slender fingers wrapped around mine. Before I could react, he swept me into the center to dance.

I was distracted, misstepping a few times and stepping on his foot.

"Um..."

I was too embarrassed to look up.

But he laughed, a warm sound. "Miss Clarke, you’re not paying attention. Are you thinking about Julian?

"If you need it, I can play along..."

Ethan wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.

His strong presence surrounded me, making my mind wander.

In my past life, Ethan had come to my house many times, asking to marry me.

He’d offered thousands of mansions at home and abroad, even shares of the Crawford family’s business, as wedding gifts.

But back then, my heart only had room for Julian.

I’d forgotten that Ethan and I were childhood sweethearts, too.

"I’m done with him.

"This engagement—it was my idea first."

Ethan smiled, stars seeming to flicker in his eyes.

Just then, a burning gaze landed on me.

I looked up, meeting Julian’s dark, heavy stare.

Before, I’d always chosen him as my dance partner.

But just then...

I turned my head, not wanting to spare him a single glance.

The dance ended.

Ethan winked at me. "I'm going to prepare for the matters of marrying you. It will be soon."

He’d barely left when Julian rushed over.

"Why are you getting so close to Ethan? Don’t you know we’re enemies?

"I’ll let this wrong choice slide, but don’t do it again."

I let out a cold laugh.

"Can’t I choose my fiancé as a dance partner? Young Mr. Hart, aren’t you overstepping?"

Julian froze.

"Fiancé?"

I nodded.

At that moment, Noah came down from the second floor, announcing loudly, "Thank you all for coming. I hereby formally declare that the Clarke family will form an alliance through marriage with the Crawford family. And our families will be united in an eternal bond of friendship."

Julian’s pupils shrank. He whipped his head around.

"You’re engaging to Ethan?"

Seeing my cold expression, he seemed to realize something, his tone uncharacteristically urgent.

"I don’t agree!

"Audrey, did you hear me?"

Choosing the right person brought happiness.

I stared straight at Julian, suddenly finding it laughable.

What right did he have to say that?

We’d already broken up.

"Audrey, I’ve got a surprise for you in the backyard. Come see?"

Ethan came to find me, his eyes bright like a puppy’s.

"Don’t go!" Julian snapped.

I ignored him, linking arms with Ethan.

"Sure."

Just as we were about to leave, Julian grabbed my wrist.

"Audrey, cut the act. Do you really think marrying Ethan will make me regret it?

"It won’t. It’ll only make me hate you more!"

So that’s what he thought—I was trying to get back at him...

Three years of love, and that was how he saw me.

I swallowed the bitterness in my throat.

Before I could speak, Ethan stepped in. "Let go of Audrey. She’s my fiancée!"

Julian sneered, moving closer to me, taunting Ethan.

"Ethan, have you kissed Audrey? Do you know how soft her lips are, how slim her waist is?"

"Julian..."

Lila appeared in the distance, dressed in a maid’s uniform—she must have snuck in.

She’d heard every word.

Her eyes fixed on Julian’s hand, still gripping my arm.

Her face went pale. She covered her cheeks and ran off.