~Stella's POV~
One final glance at the mirror, and I was ready for the evening. My red-wine mermaid dress hugged every curve perfectly, my ebony wavy hair cascading down my back in a sharp contrast against my fair, baby-soft skin.
I might not be the perfect beauty, but I've always believed I have just the right proportions in all the right places. Dressed like this, I was confident I could turn heads anywhere.
Just as I placed my hand on the doorknob, Linda's voice drifted over, soft yet probing.
"Ella, are you really going through with this engagement?"
I froze and slowly turned around, confusion knitting my brows as I met her gaze.
She had been unusually quiet since she helped me get dressed, and though she'd asked that same question more than once, she'd never explained what she meant by it
"Linda," I said, forcing a smile. "You know how long I've prayed for this moment."
She shook her head, eyes clouded with worry. "I know, Ella. You've always loved him, placed him above everything, adored him, and cared for him more than yourself. But think about it…does he feel the same way for you?"
My heart lurched, her words stung. Though, deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that her words might be true but then I smiled lightly.
Linda had never liked Bruce for anything and had always been against my relationship with him.
She had always been skeptical about him, often calling him pretentious and self-centered.
Sometimes, I'm left to be the mediator between them.
Even earlier, while the stylist was fixing my hair, I'd seen Linda's patience wearing thin, as though she was restraining herself from snapping.
"Inda," I called, my voice softening. "I know you and Bruce have always been incompatible, but he's definitely a good man. You will come to like him with time," I tried to pacify.
Though I had that lingering feeling that it's quite impossible, but then I wish they could.
She scoffed, rising slowly to her feet. "Like him? Impossible."
She walked over to me, her hand draped across my shoulder, her voice heavy with emotion I couldn't place.
"Can you just walk away from this engagement and… and start over again with someone who loves you?"
I unclasped her arm from my shoulder, my gaze meeting hers. "I'm certain he loves me, and I know you don't like Bruce, but then I can't walk away… not now… not…?"
She placed her hand across my lips, shutting me up before the last word left my lips, a soft smile on her lips, yet her eyes held a mix of emotions, one I couldn't place.
"You don't have to go to the extreme," she said, sighing exasperatedly. "I will see you after the banquet." And with that, she turned and walked out, the door closing softly behind her.
I could tell she was already angry but we couldn't continue to argue over this. I sighed, hoping to seek her out after the banquet, possibly explaining to her.
With a deep breath, I left the room, deciding to head to the banquet hall.
"The banquet must be starting soon," I muttered, feeling relieved and happy.
The moment I entered the hall, the brilliance of it all stole my breath. A bright smile plastered on my face. I wasn't just smiling to please anyone, but in fact, I was exceptionally happy.
Crystal chandeliers cast golden light over elegantly dressed guests. Music drifted gently through the air, mingling with the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses.
Everyone looked glamorous, the men in razor-sharp suits, women glittering in evening gowns.
Carefully, they milled around the hall with their wine glasses in hand. No doubt amidst this banquet, business must go on.
But for me, it doesn't matter. It was already my blessing to find the top echelon and power players of Crown City gracing my engagement.
Yet amid all the wealth and prestige, my heart swelled with pride.
This was my engagement. My night. A dream came true.
It didn't matter that most of them were here because of my father, James Norton, or because of Bruce. Tonight, I was the reason they'd gathered.
I took a glass of wine from a passing waiter, weaving through the crowd with a polite smile. For a moment, everything felt perfect.
But the next moment, the lively chatter in the hall turned into hushed, soft murmurings.
Slowly, I turned around, and my breath caught. My hand trembled slightly before it tightened on the glass in my hand.
My eyes widened with disbelief. Bruce George, my fiancé, had his hand wrapped around my sister's waist as they marched into the hall, footsteps in sync.
A glance, and you would think they were walking down the aisle. I couldn't help but wonder if they had rehearsed these footsteps for this moment together.
His gaze was gentle, his eyes soft, and reverence etched on his face as he whispered to her, her cheeks flushed with shy delight.
The scene was too intimate and
misleading, or so I thought, while dread gnawed at my heart.
"Phina?" I whispered, my voice trembling with shock.
As though she heard me, she raised her brow, a cold smirk played on her lips.
I blinked, hoping I was mistaken. Maybe it was my illusion.
Yet they were there, his arm snaked around her waist, bodies clasped together. Her dimples showed how happy she was.
My heart fell.
Low gasps and murmurs broke out in the hall. I swallowed the bitterness that had welled up in my heart, my feet unconsciously moving towards them.
Several thoughts raced through my mind just to qualify the reason why they both came in together or why he had his arms around her waist.
Yet, none could appease the bitterness clutching in my chest nor deny the fact before us.
"Sister," I called, my gaze trained on their intimate posture. "You came together?" I asked after a deep exhale.
I only hoped this would diffuse the suspicion already brimming within the hall about their relationship. But I was wrong.
"Yes," Bruce replied flatly, his tone void of warmth. Without sparing me a glance, he brushed past, still holding her hand tightly as if afraid to lose her.
He led her straight to the stage, his every gesture toward her tender and gentle. When his gaze flicked to me, it turned cold, the strangers' eyes.
I felt my pulse race as he took the microphone from the MC.
"I have an announcement to make," he said, his deep voice echoing through the hall.
My stomach dropped.
I glanced around the hall, their faces now twisted with curiosity and anticipation. Some already had their phones raised, recording.
Please, Bruce, not here… not like this. I prayed.
I hoped and prayed he would preserve whatever dignity I had left, so I walked to the foot of the stage.
"Bruce, what's the problem?" I asked, my voice shaking.
He didn't look at me. "You'll soon find out."
Then he turned back to the guests. "My distinguished guests, I'm sorry for the sudden change in arrangement," he said, his eyes glinting cruelly.
A shiver ran down my spine. I didn't want to believe my suspicion.
"Can we talk about it first?" I tried to reason with him—to find out what had gone wrong.
"..."
"I was supposed to get engaged to the second daughter of the Norton family, Stella Norton," his voice hardened
My fist clenched by my side as I stared at him, my heart already dreading what he might say next.
"But I discovered she wasn't who she claimed to be. She is a whore who has been cheating on me."
His words landed like a sledgehammer.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
My knees buckled, and I stumbled backward shaking my head in denial. "Whore? No, I'm not."
My body trembled, my fists clenched by my side as I struggled to keep myself from falling.
My denial was swallowed by whispers and judgmental stares, I turned my gaze towards him.
"Bruce George?" I gasped.
He smirked. "Are you shocked?... That I found out?... It was all thanks to your sister, who had always felt sorry for me…who pitied me for being treated shamefully," he said.
I found myself suddenly too slow in comprehension, despite my brain ticking like a clock, asking questions at the speed of nanoseconds.
With no answer coming forth, my head snapped to one person mentioned—my sister. "Phina, you said…" My voice trembled with rage.
"Sister," she interrupted smoothly, her tone sickeningly sweet. "You just have to admit it."
I stared at her, horrified. "What are you saying?"
She lowered her head, feigning embarrassment. "I didn't want to say this here, it's really embarrassing but… I…I felt sorry for him. He doesn't deserve to be humiliated like that."
That was it.
My footsteps faltered, my head spun. "No, Bruce, no, I have never had any relationship, nor have I ever cheated on you," I said anxiously.
I glanced around the hall, their smiling faces long gone, gazes now cold with mockery, disappointment, detached and indifferent.
"Didn't expect she was the slut?"
"Cheating before marriage, what happens after marriage?"
"What an innocent face, yet a vile heart?"
"Luckily, she had a kind-hearted sister."
"What a green tea bitch?"
"I suggest you don't marry."
"I really thought she was a good girl."
"Who would have thought I wasted my time because of a whore?"
"Send her out into the streets to satisfy men."
My ears trickled painfully as their words cut deeper than I cared to admit.
My heart clenched with betrayal. My eyes glistened with tears, but I dared not let them fall.
It was all a lie. I had no boyfriend except him, and we had done nothing but hold hands.
How had I turned into a slut, a whore!
My thoughts raced.
Bruce's voice tore through the murmurings as he continued with his speech.
"Having reached this marriage agreement with the Nortons' family, I will take Phina as my wife in place of Stella. Our wedding will be held in four days."
Four days.
My heart shattered.
I gasped for breath, my last defense broken, my tears fell as my gaze swept through the hall hoping they wouldn't believe him blindly.
Desperate, I rushed to my father kneeling beside him, I tugged at his sleeve "Dad… that wasn't true,"
My father lowered his gaze to meet mine. "Dad…"