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.

suited for it, and

quick and sharp, leaving

easily. In fact, he'd 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. "I knew

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 replied, still

it didn't reach her

someone take care of it on Monday. Don't worry." He reached out, intending to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but Ophelia stepped back before he could touch

formally cutting ties with the Hastings family. From this

as those words left her lips, Ophelia felt a sharp stab of pain in her heart. Yet, it didn't matter anymore; she believed

as his brows knit together in anger. "What do you mean by that?" His voice

said," Ophelia replied calmly, her

curling into a sneer. "You sure about this, Ophelia? You're really going to give up all the wealth and comfort that comes with being part of this family?" His tone dripped with disbelief. He didn't

she was really so tough, why did she come crawling back in the first place?' he

act. "What will you even do without us? Where can you go?"

that she realized his concern was never about her; it was about avoiding any embarrassment to the Hastings family. He was just like

"And after that disaster of a reunion party last night, no one outside the family even knows I'm your biological daughter. No

heavily, irritation flashing across his face, but he quickly masked

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

later, she reappeared, a faded black backpack slung over one shoulder. She was dressed exactly as she had been when she first arrived six months ago-light blue jeans, a white button-up shirt, her hair

lifetime had passed

not with any nostalgia or sentimentality. She was

toward the family driver, Corey Young. "Aaron, take her to Rosewood Manor."

kicked out of the family. She had expected more of

at the doorway, and

always 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? Is this some sort of trap?' Outside, as Ophelia made her way to the car, she could still