Revenge Of The Jilted Bride

Jilted Bride 3

Chapter 3 Severing Ties

Owen sat for a moment, his expression softening, as if preparing for what he was about to say. "I know life hasn't been easy for you out there," he began, his voice heavy with faux sympathy. "We owe you for those lost years.

"To make it right, your mother and I have found a good family for you. They may not be a prestigious lineage, but they can ensure you a comfortable life."

His tone was dismissive and condescending, like he were offering charity to a beggar.

In her last life, when Owen had said those words, Ophelia had begged and pleaded. She hadn't wanted to be forced into a marriage when she'd been reunited with her family.

But now, she only wanted to cut herself free from this so-called "family" and never look back.

"Dad, are you seriously going to marry Ophelia off to the owner of Rosewood Manor?" The voice came from the doorway, a youthful but indignant tone. It was Scott Hastings, Owen's youngest son. He was a freshman in high school and the only person in the house who treated Ophelia like a family member.

"You little brat, stay out of this," Owen snapped, his face darkening with irritation. He didn't take kindly to being challenged, least of all by his teenage son.

Scott wasn't having it, though. "I'm not a kid anymore. Is she really your daughter? I've heard about that old man living in Rosewood Manor. He's not just old. He's mentally unstable and disabled. You're sending her there to live as a widow in all but name."

"Shut your mouth." Owen's voice thundered through the room, a command that silenced the air around them. In this house, Owen's authority was law, and no one dared defy him.

Nathan strolled up behind Scott and threw an arm around his younger brother's neck, shushing him mockingly. "Hush, Scott. Mom and Dad are talking. You don't get a say in this."

He shot Ophelia a smug, sideways glance, thinking, 'Good riddance. She's finally gonna get lost. This chick from the slums is the reason why I've been the laughing stock among my rich friends for six whole months. They all think I might catch some disease from her.' Scott tried to fight back and say something, but Nathan was much stronger, dragging the boy up the stairs, his hand clamped over Scott's mouth. Despite his protests, Scott was still just a teenager and couldn't compete with Nathan's muscular build.

Now that Scott had pointed out the ugly, glaring truth, Owen decided to drop the pretense. Emily, the daughter he had raised with such care and attention, was meant for a grand marriage alliance with the prestigious Lewis family.

As for the marriage to Rosewood Manor's owner, it was an old arrangement left behind by Owen's father, Lennon Hastings. At first, Owen had dismissed it as unimportant. But now, with the estate offering 30 million dollars to secure a bride, Owen wasn't about to turn that kind of money down.

firm. "Emily's health isn't suited for it, and as our biological daughter, it's only right that you marry the owner of Rosewood Manor. If you

quick and sharp, leaving no room for

been ready to wield the ultimate threat to cut her off from the family if she refused. But now, with her sudden compliance, he swallowed back the words, unsure of what to say next. A grin slowly spread across his face, trying to mask his surprise.

sudden shift to warmth made her stomach turn. She wasn't used to his smiles-they were always laced with hidden motives. "I only have one request," she said, her voice steady but with a cold edge

he

but it didn't reach her eyes. "My identity papers. They

Monday. Don't worry." He reached out, intending to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but

cutting ties with the

stab of pain in her heart. Yet, it didn't matter anymore; she believed

together in anger. "What do you mean by that?" His voice had

Ophelia replied calmly, her gaze

this, Ophelia? You're really going to give up all the wealth and comfort that comes with being part of this family?" His

she was really so tough, why did she come

so stubborn," Harry added, his forehead creased with concern, though Ophelia knew better than to believe his act. "What will you even do without us? Where can you

had thought Harry truly cared for her. It wasn't until much later that she realized his concern was never about her; it

just fine without the Hastings family for twenty years," she said, her voice steady and composed. Her gaze shifted toward Owen. "And after that disaster of

his face, but he

done our part to make up for you these last six months. We've set you up to live comfortably for the rest of your life. As parents, we've done all we can." His words were less for her and more for his own conscience, an attempt to wash his hands of any

over one shoulder. She was dressed exactly as she had been when she first arrived six months ago-light blue

one lifetime had passed since

the halls of Hastings Villa one last time, not with any nostalgia or sentimentality. She was done with this family. All she wanted now

the family driver, Corey Young.

was kicked out of the family. She had expected more

she stood at the doorway, and

seemed to captivate. The small mole under the corner of her eye only added to her allure. Something in that look made Emily's stomach twist. 'What is she planning?