Standing nearby, Ivy's father, Vince Carlton, let out a heavy sigh of regret. "Honestly, Jon is a much better match for Vivi."
I glanced down at the light-colored T-shirt I was wearing. Sure, I wasn't a supermodel, but in the past, Ivy used to tell me I was the most handsome man she'd ever seen before curling up against me like a kitten.
Jonah smiled graciously. "Mr. Carlton, you shouldn't say things like that in front of Theo. He'll get upset."
Ivy's parents scoffed. Only then did Ivy finally look at me, her face twisted with displeasure. "My parents watched Jon grow up. Can you stop being so petty? It's such a small thing to take offense at. No wonder my mom always says upbringing is everything. You were raised by your grandfather in the countryside and only came to the city at 18. Clearly, you weren't raised properly."
My brows furrowed. I couldn't believe she'd say something like that. "Ivy, you know exactly how good my grandfather was to you. Don't you think your words would break his heart?"
A flicker of guilt flashed across her face, but with the Carlton family watching, she doubled down. Her expression darkened. "Jon and I are just childhood friends. Don't let your male ego and jealousy make him feel bad."
It was always about Jonah. I suddenly felt exhausted. The last ten years felt like a mountain pressing down on my chest, suffocating me.
After a long pause, I said, "I actually came today to tell you—"
Jonah interrupted, his voice intentionally loud. "Vivi, one of my best friends also wants to go to Staravia for the ceremony. Are there any seats left on the flight?"
Ivy nodded immediately. "Yes, I'll arrange it."
Chase hesitated. "Ms. Carlton, wasn't the last seat reserved for Mr. Sterling…"
"Oh. Forget it then. I don't want to upset Theo…" Jonah mumbled.
Ivy couldn't stand seeing Jonah upset and made a decision on the spot. "Theo can take another flight. Jon's friend doesn't know anyone else there; he should travel with us."
Jonah lit up with joy and tugged at her wrist. "Vivi, you're the best!"
The looks around me turned even more contemptuous.
"Ivy arranged two direct flights for the wedding. In the end, the groom doesn't even get a seat."
"So what? Theo is desperate to save the Sterling family. Forget a separate flight—he'd walk there if he had to."
Mockery surrounded me. Yet, Ivy's eyes were fixed only on Jonah. She didn't hear a word I said. As always, I was just an outsider.
I sighed inwardly and turned to leave, planning to bring up calling off the engagement another day. That was when I noticed the gold watch on Jonah's wrist—its design identical to the pocket watch Grandpa had left me.
I exploded. "Where did you get that watch?"
Before my fingers could even touch Jonah's wrist, Ivy shoved me. "Theo, are you insane?"
Jonah turned deathly pale, immediately shrinking behind Ivy. "Theo, I know I upset you, but we're still at the Carlton family gathering. I'll apologize first. Once lunch is over, you can yell at me or hit me however you want, okay?"
People around us frowned and crowded around him, their words full of comfort.
Ivy's face darkened. "Look at Jon's manners, then look at yourself! My parents just praised him once, and you lost your mind. If I actually married you, I can't imagine how much you'd humiliate this family."
But at that moment, I was already burning with fury. I pointed at the watch on Jonah's wrist, clenching my teeth. "I've lost my mind? He took the antique pocket watch my grandfather left me and modified it into a wristwatch. And I'm not even allowed to ask about it?"
