"We recently signed her as our brand ambassador. It's normal for her to try on the ring," he said.
"Samantha." He then rebuked me, "Clara is still your sister. After all, you both are family. Don't be so petty."
Initially, Clara's father was my family's driver. One day, he got into an accident while driving our car under the influence and passed away. My mother, feeling sorry for Clara's mother, allowed her to work as a housekeeper in our home.
I never expected that less than three months after my mother’s death, my father would marry Clara’s mother. He knew how much this upset me. To make matters worse, Clara betrayed me. She stole my fiancé, Gerry Donaldson, at my lowest point. No, he called me petty?"
When he saw me lower my gaze in silence, Shane sighed and pulled me into his arms as he coaxed me, "Samantha, I know you feel like she took your father away and that you long for a real home. Yet, your career is still on the rise so I don’t want you to waste your talent by getting married now."
Back then, Clara had also said she didn’t want me to waste my talent. She even took the initiative to send me my design submission. However, on the last day, she tearfully claimed she had lost my draft.
I did not ask her to be responsible for her negligence. Instead, I put the blame on myself for not sending it personally.
That day, I went without food or water, desperately redrawing my design. I submitted it at the very last second. Yet, instead of getting the award that I had been waiting for, I was branded as a plagiarist who imitated a newcomer's idea. I had never imagined that it was all Shane's handiwork.
What's more, I never imagined that he would dare to have the cheek to ask me to join their company and help them make money!
"Shane, you once said we’d get married if I got pregnant. Did you mean it?"
My fingers clenched around the pregnancy test report in my pocket. I lifted my gaze and watched him carefully because I did not want to miss any reaction on his face.
He stiffened slightly and lowered his eyes to the floor with a hoarse voice he said, "I … I also want to have a child with you, but the doctor said that your body is not suitable for pregnancy. It's not that I don't want to be responsible, it's just for your own good!”
The paper in my hand crumpled as my grip tightened. A sharp ache spread through my chest, my eyes stinging. I lowered my head because I did not want him to see my tears.
"Alright," I said.
For my sake? What a joke.
For years, everyone said Shane adored me. That he cherished me so much like I was his treasure. Every single day, he held my hand and whispered his love for me even in his drunken stupors.
I had naïvely believed he was given to me as the way heaven compensated me. I was sent the perfect man when I was at my lowest. However, it was all a lie. He had only been pretending to love me for Clara's sake.
I felt a large void open in my heart as the cold wind was rushing into it.
"Samantha, your father’s birthday banquet is in two days. I’ll go with you, alright? Be good."
I didn’t say anything, yet an ominous feeling grew stronger deep in my heart.
On the day of the banquet, I arrived early to help with the arrangements. Yet, I couldn't reach Shane the entire day.
It wasn't until Clara walked into the venue with him on her arm. They were like a pair of couples. They were then surrounded by the crowd.
When Clara saw my father's face a bit gloomy, she unhurriedly went up to hold my father's hand and acted cute in front of him.
"Daddy, I’m the ambassador for Shane’s company now! Of course, I should be walking in with him."
Shane chimed in, "Uncle Gregory Jenkins, Gerry has been busy with a new project lately. Since Clara is pregnant, I’ve been looking after her instead."
Clare turned to me then, her eyes wide with faux surprise. "Oh! Sister, why are you wearing white? While white is pretty, don’t they say it’s best worn at funerals…? Ah! No, I mean, today is Daddy’s birthday so you should’ve worn something more festive."
I had been about to retort that this was the outfit that Shane had picked for me as a couple. However, when I turned around, I saw that he was wearing a blue suit and I froze.
