Isabela POV:
Eleanor cleared her throat, beginning her performance. "Isabela, as you know, Georgia has just refused the match with the Beaumont family. We all understand her position. Tristan's reputation is... difficult."
She paused, looking at me with an expression of profound expectation. "However, the alliance with the Beaumonts is crucial for the Carter family, especially with the council seat elections approaching."
Her tone hardened. "As a member of the Carter family, everyone has an obligation to contribute."
There it was. I listened silently, my heart as still as a frozen lake. The words were identical to the ones I'd heard in my past life.
Alex lost his patience with Eleanor's theatrics. He looked directly at me and issued his command. "Isabela, the family has decided. You will marry Tristan Beaumont in Georgia's place."
His words fell into a dead silence.
Everyone stared at me, waiting. They expected shock, fear, and then, a forced, tearful acceptance.
Georgia even had the gall to chime in with false sympathy. "Isabela, I know this is asking a lot, but for the family..."
I smiled.
It wasn't a cold sneer or a bitter grimace. It was a genuine, almost joyful smile.
My reaction stunned them into silence. They had prepared for tears, for begging, for anything but this.
My brother, Brad Carter, frowned in confusion. He probably thought I'd finally lost my mind.
Into their bewildered silence, I spoke one, clear, calm word.
"No."
The word was a bomb.
Alex's face turned a blotchy, furious red. Eleanor's practiced smile froze on her lips.
"What did you say?" Alex slammed his hand on the desk and shot to his feet. His Alpha's authority washed over me, a wave of pressure meant to force submission.
In my past life, I would have trembled. But a person who has already died has nothing left to fear from a bully's anger. I sat perfectly still, finding the display almost laughable.
I met his furious gaze and repeated, word for word, "I said, no. I refuse to marry Tristan Beaumont."
Eleanor finally found her voice, her tone sharp and incredulous. "Isabela, are you insane? Do you have any idea what you're saying? This is for the family!"
"For the family?" I finally let my smile fade, my eyes turning to ice. "For the family, I should be sacrificed to secure Georgia's happiness and your political ambitions?"
I turned my gaze to Georgia, who flinched as if struck. "If this alliance is so important, why must an Omega be the one sacrificed? Georgia is a Carter. She has the same obligation, does she not?"
Georgia immediately sputtered, "I... I can't marry him! He'll kill me!"
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "He'll kill you, but he won't kill me? Or is it that in your eyes, my life is simply worth less than yours?"
The question was so direct, so sharp, it silenced the entire room. Because deep down, they all knew the answer was yes.
My other brother, Benton, tried to use his business logic on me. "Isabela, don't be so emotional. This is a transaction. Georgia provides more value to the family than you do."
"Finally, the truth," I nodded. "So this isn't about family obligation at all. It's a business deal. And I refuse to be the asset you trade away."
I stood up, looking around at my stunned "family." I offered my own suggestion. "Since this marriage is so important, I suggest it should be carried out by the originally chosen person. If someone else is chosen, what if the other party is not satisfied?"
Georgia's face went white. She stared at me as if I were a demon.
"Of course," I added slowly, "if she's truly that frightened, you can provide her with the best bodyguards. Give her the most lavish dowry to appease the Beaumonts. Surely that's a better deal than sacrificing a 'less valuable' asset like me, isn't it?"
I used their own cold logic against them, and they had no answer.
"I'm done here," I said, turning toward the door. "My fate is my own to decide. From this day forward, don't ever think you can control me again."
I pulled the door open and walked out, leaving them in a state of shocked, furious disbelief.
Behind me, I heard Alex's enraged roar and Georgia's panicked sobs.
But it had nothing to do with me anymore. Walking down the hall, even the air felt fresher. It was the first time in two lifetimes I had ever felt so free.
