As my memories surged, I fought to remain composed.
The banquet hall was filled with family and friends from both families, but after a long wait, there was still no sign of Sienna. With the guest of honor nowhere to be seen, the crowd began to whisper among themselves.
Harold and Marissa wore strained expressions, while a hint of worry crept up on my mother's face.
I gently placed my hand over hers. In this life, I would never allow her or my father to suffer even the slightest harm because of me.
More than half an hour passed again before the doors to the hall swung open. All eyes turned toward the entrance.
My parents stood, ready to greet Sienna, whom they hadn't seen in years. My mother even picked up the gift she'd prepared and nudged me forward. But she froze before she could take a step.
Sienna had indeed arrived, but her fingers were tightly interlaced with a foreign man's. Leaning closely against him, she made their relationship unmistakable to everyone present.
Tall and strikingly handsome, the man possessed distinct exotic features that transcended cultural notions of attractiveness.
Some guests glanced my way, their gazes clearly filled with sympathy.
Everyone knew we had gotten engaged right after high school. I had waited five years for her, turning down countless suitable matches. I had believed we would marry as soon as she returned.
No one could have imagined that she'd returned with another man.
Harold and Marissa looked furious, and my parents looked equally grim.
Harold pointed at the door and snapped, "Either he leaves now, or you both get out!"
Sienna clutched the man's hand even tighter, showing no intention of letting go.
Enraged, Harold raised a glass as if to smash it.
I stopped him, whispering, "Mr. Vaughn, let's not make things worse than they already are."
But Sienna didn't seem to appreciate the gesture. She strode up to Harold and Marissa confidently and announced loudly, "This is my boyfriend, Jacques. He is the only man I ever want to marry!"
The room erupted with murmurs of shock. Harold finally lost control and smashed the glass to the floor. "I will not agree to this! How could you do this to Vincent? He waited five whole years for you!"
I knew he was only using me as an excuse. He was only opposing because he didn't want Sienna to marry a foreigner, and because the Vaughn family still needed support from Hale Corporation.
In my past life, I had failed to grasp the truth behind the whole situation. Convinced she was meant to be my wife, I had tried desperately to win her back. But I had forgotten that the only things that could be reclaimed from a heart that had already turned away were hatred and resentment.
Sienna married me only because she was pressured to, and she did so unwillingly.
For three years, she endured and deceived everyone, making them believe she was a devoted wife. All the while, she was quietly dismantling Hale Corporation from within, securing control and waiting for the right moment to strike.
She had been the perfect hunter, and we were merely her prey.
Just then, Jacques spoke up in broken Branese. "Sen, you're engaged?"
"Honey, that was arranged by my family. I never loved him. I only love you, and you're the only one I want to marry," Sienna replied.
"Oh, I love you too," Jacques said.
Their public display of affection only deepened Harold's fury.
Just as he was about to flip the table, I grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Mr. Vaughn, let's terminate the engagement. Sienna already carries someone else in her heart, and I'm willing to let her go. From today onward, we'll go our separate ways. The Vaughn family and the Hale family will have nothing more to do with each other."
Before I could finish, Harold cut in, "That won't do!"
"Well, what would you have me do then, Mr. Vaughn? Remember, while the Vaughn family's reputation matters, the Hale family's dignity isn't something to trample on either!"
With that, I took my parents by the arm and walked out.
Behind us came the sharp sound of a slap, followed by Harold's furious roar. "You're such a disgrace!"
