Bella's POV
The following morning, Ursula called for me to come to her courtyard.
When I walked in, Ivy was already positioned there, kneeling dutifully next to Ursula while working her hands along the older woman's legs in a gentle massage.
The second I appeared in the doorway, Ivy bolted upright like she'd been caught stealing. "Bella," she stammered, barely meeting my eyes before shuffling sideways to clear the space she'd been occupying—the perfect image of wounded innocence.
Jasper's jaw tightened, irritation flashing across his features. "Ivy, you live under this roof too. Stop acting like some beaten dog around her."
His gaze swung to me next, cold and cutting. "Nobody here owes you a damn thing. So quit walking around with that attitude like the world wronged you."
Genevieve cleared her throat delicately into her handkerchief. "Jasper, enough."
He glanced her way and bit back whatever else he'd planned to say—but the frost in his stare didn't thaw, and his mouth stayed pressed in a hard line.
I got it then. He was defending Genevieve. Word must've reached him about me turning her away last night.
My eyes found Genevieve, who looked stiff and mortified.
She opened her mouth like she wanted to explain herself, but when our gazes locked, she seemed to lose her courage and retreated. Frustrated, she whirled on Jasper instead. "Go see if your grandmother's medicine is finished brewing."
He knew she was getting rid of him—and honestly, he looked just as eager to escape my presence. He swept out with a dramatic flip of his sleeve.
"What a hothead," Ursula grumbled once he was gone, then motioned me over. "Bella, come sit with your grandmother."
I moved to her side and settled down. Ursula captured my hand in both of hers, her voice turning soft and caring. "You've been through so much, dear."
I covered her hands with my free one. "Having you makes it bearable, Grandmother."
Ursula exhaled slowly, then cut straight to what was really on her mind. "Bella, I need to ask you something important."
"Go ahead, Grandmother."
"Do you still have feelings for Lucius? Is he truly the only man you could ever love?" Her voice wavered with uncertainty, her expression heavy with worry.
Since I'd returned to the estate, the Thorne family had been sending quiet messages—very carefully—hinting that they wanted to swap me out of the engagement.
Ursula had been protecting me from the humiliation by turning their messengers away with polite excuses.
I caught on immediately. "They want out of the engagement?"
Three years locked up in that military compound had destroyed my reputation completely. Of course the Thornes wouldn't want damaged goods for a daughter-in-law anymore.
Ursula nodded reluctantly. "Not exactly breaking it off... They want to substitute someone else."
My attention shifted to Ivy, who immediately looked away, guilt radiating from every inch of her as she stared at the floor.
The pieces clicked into place.
My name was mud. If the Thorne family officially ended our engagement, it would insult the Fairfax family and create enemies.
But they were done with me. Trading me for Ivy—sweet, untouched Ivy—solved their problem perfectly. And clearly, Ivy was more than happy to step into my place.
Everyone in this room was focused on saving face for the duke's household—but none of them had bothered asking what I actually wanted.
No wonder they all looked so tense.
They expected me to throw a fit. Too bad I wouldn't give them the drama they were bracing for.
"I accept, Grandmother," I said flatly, keeping my expression neutral and my voice steady as if I were discussing dinner plans. "I agree to the substitution."
Ursula and Genevieve gaped at me.
"But you used to be so devoted to Lucius. What changed so drastically?" Ursula asked, clearly thrown.
I had once loved Lucius so completely I would've died for him. That's the only reason Ursula had even bothered consulting me about this.
But I kept my face blank. "That was years ago, Grandmother. People grow up. I stopped caring about him a long time ago."
Genevieve practically sagged with relief. She turned to Ivy with an affectionate, knowing smile.
Ivy gripped her arm, eyes downcast, practically glowing with bashful joy.
The intimate moment between them made the whole charade seem even more ridiculous to me.
The decision had obviously been made already—so why the pretense of asking my opinion?
Ursula studied me with deep sadness in her weathered features. "Bella, don't worry. Even if the Thorne family walks away, I'll move heaven and earth to find you a decent husband."
But I could see the truth in her eyes—Lucius had been the best option available.
With my reputation in ruins, there was no way to arrange an equal match now. No respectable family would touch me. As far as society was concerned, I was finished.
Ursula's heart was breaking for me—her beloved Bella had suffered too much.
But I just gave her a small smile, as if none of it mattered anymore. "All I need is to stay here with you, Grandmother."
"Don't talk nonsense." Ursula sighed heavily. "You can't waste your entire life taking care of me."
She hated seeing me wronged like this, but this was the best solution left. If the Thorne family publicly broke our engagement, my reputation would be completely destroyed.
Eventually, Ursula grew weary. After I helped her get comfortable for her afternoon rest, I slipped out quietly.
As I left, I pressed a folded piece of paper into Elena Nguyen's palm. "Use this recipe for Grandmother's medicine from now on."
Elena blinked in surprise. "Lady Bella, where did you get this?"
"A friend gave it to me. Have a doctor check it if you're not sure." I didn't offer any more explanation.
I handed over the prescription and walked away.
The moment I stepped through the gate, I froze—Lucius stood directly in my path.
With the sun blazing behind him, he looked like some dark omen blocking my way.
"Bella," he said, stopping right in front of me.
His imposing height cut off the sunlight completely.
The ice radiating from him sent a chill through my bones.
Even after three years, being this close still sent a sharp pain through my chest.
Without warning, Lucius's fingers clamped around my thin wrist, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "This engagement was arranged years ago. You don't have the right to break it."