"Besides, Nanette isn't being jilted—she's jumping out of a burning building before it collapses."
Uncle Maurice's expression finally softened.
But my dad's face grew darker.
He squinted at me, so furious he actually laughed. "Grace, you just admitted it's a burning building, and you're still rushing to throw yourself in."
"That lovesick brain of yours is hopeless!"
I'd chased Spencer for years—my dad had watched the whole pathetic spectacle.
He'd never approved.
Now, having heard Spencer's vile words with his own ears, he couldn't fathom why I'd still want to throw myself at the man.
But harsh as his words were, my dad's soft spot for his daughter was legendary.
After his rant, he shook his head. "No. Even if you hate me for the rest of your life, I'm going to tell Spencer myself—we're calling off this wedding."
I grabbed his arm before he could storm off.
"Dad, hold on."
"This alliance with the Gilbert family benefits us too."
"Weren't you trying to partner with them on that Westside development project?"
"If we burn this bridge now, what happens to the deal?"
My dad's voice dropped to a low growl. "I don't care how much I want that deal—I'm not trading my daughter's future for it!"
Uncle Maurice tried to calm him. "Grace, speaking as a father myself, I understand how he feels."
"No business deal is worth more than our children."
"Don't worry. The Gilberts may have an inside track on that Westside land, but if our families join forces, we still have a shot."
Nanette looped her arm through mine, her face full of concern.
"Come on, Grace. Just listen this time."
"I liked Spencer as much as you did, but today I finally saw him for what he is. He's not worth marrying. Don't make the same mistake twice."
The three of them talked over each other, leaving me caught between laughter and tears.
When they finally paused for breath, I seized my chance.
"Just hear me out."
"I'm not the one getting married."
They exchanged confused looks.
I pressed on patiently. "What I told Spencer was that the Fox and Gilbert families could still unite through marriage."
"As long as the bride is a Fox daughter, does it really matter which one?"
My dad still looked lost.
"You're my only daughter. If not you, then who?"
I smiled meaningfully. "Dad, after Uncle and Auntie passed away, didn't you adopt their daughter into our household?"
"Lindsay Fox is a legitimate daughter of this family too."
My dad waved the idea away instinctively.
"That cousin of yours is rotten to the core—a master manipulator. I shipped her overseas to get rid of her. You really want to marry her into the Gilbert family and watch the fireworks?"
My cousin Lindsay Fox was born bad.
My parents had raised her for years, giving her everything.
She repaid them with zero gratitude and relentless schemes to steal the family fortune.
She'd even caused the accident that shattered my mother's leg—condemning her to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
But my uncle had been my father's only family, the one who'd raised him from nothing.
Dad couldn't bring himself to send Lindsay to prison. The best he could do was force her to leave the country.
Looking back now, no one was more suited to marry into the Gilbert family than her.
Three days later, at the wedding I'd arranged in traditional style, Lindsay flew back and took my place beneath the red veil.
I watched Spencer lead the bridal sedan away.
Only then did Nanette and I step out from the shadows, walking side by side.
Nanette watched the procession disappear, curiosity in her voice. "So who do you think wins in the end—Abigail or your cousin?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled out my phone and booked two plane tickets.
"Doesn't matter who wins. It won't affect us."
"Let's go see the Northern Lights in Iceland. We'll take some photos and send them to Spencer and Abigail when we get back."
I have a feeling those two won't be making that trip in this lifetime...
