Chapter 4
With her mind made up, Iselle finally felt a faint sense of relief settle in her chest.
The moment she stepped through the front door, she nearly collided with Delphine, who stormed out with red–rimmed eyes. Delphine shoved her hard. “Get out of my way.”
İselle’s lower back slammed against the corner of the table, but Caelen caught her just in time.
Caelen’s expression darkened as he stepped between them, blocking Delphine’s path. “Apologize.”
“What is she to me? Why should I apologize to her?” Delphine shot back in disbelief. “Caelen, don’t push your luck.”
Without a word, Caelen lifted the hem of Iselle’s shirt, revealing a nasty bruise blossoming across her lower back. His face turned stormy.
His voice was ice. “Don’t make me do something you’ll regret.”
Delphine flinched, tears spilling down her cheeks one by one, looking for all the world like a wounded little rabbit.
There was a time when Iselle had longed for someone in this family to stand up for her, to be her shield.
But now that the moment had finally arrived, it felt almost laughable.
The scent of Caelen’s body wash was unmistakable–the very same as Delphine’s.
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Iselle was so tired. If someone didn’t truly care for her, what was the point of keeping them close?
She sidestepped Caelen’s support. “I’m fine. Grandma’s hosting a family dinner tonight. I need to go change.”
“You don’t want her to apologize?” Caelen couldn’t hide his surprise.
He remembered clearly–whenever he defended her in front of Delphine, there used to be a light in Iselle’s eyes. But now, her gaze was as still and deep as an old well–utterly unmoved.
For the first time, Caelen felt a strange pang in his chest. He quickly offered, “Can I go with you tonight?”
Iselle glanced at him, surprised, but when she saw the hope flickering in his eyes, she understood instantly. “Come if you want.”
Caelen never liked crowded events, but if he didn’t attend the dinner, he’d have to be apart from Delphine–a torment he could hardly bear.
Thankfully, in just two weeks, she’d be married off to the Durrell family. Once she was out of the picture, Caelen and Delphine could be together as much as they wanted.
That evening, the car pulled up to the Branor family estate. For Caelen- the so–called “poor” future son–in–law–this was his first time attending such a formal gathering.
Iselle didn’t wait for him. A flicker of annoyance crossed Caelen’s face, but he quickly replaced it with a polite smile and followed behind her, drawing admiring glances from all around.
“Say what you will, Iselle may not be much, but the husband she brought in is top–tier–looks and build both.”
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“No kidding. And since he’s marrying into the family, she won’t have to put up with any in–law drama, either.”
Iselle showed no reaction, but Delphine was fuming. She flung herself into her grandmother Isadora’s arms, pouting like a child.
Isadora cradled her, soothing her gently. “Poor Delphine, having to marry into the Durrell family and suffer. It’s all someone’s fault for not knowing her place–trying to steal our precious future son–in–law. If you’d gotten engaged sooner, you wouldn’t have to be a substitute bride now.”
A cold, mocking smile tugged at Iselle’s lips. It seemed everyone in the Branor family thought it was no big deal for her to be sent off to the Durrell family.
To Delphine, marrying into the Durrell family was a nightmare. But for Iselle, was it supposed to be paradise?
That night, in front of everyone, Isadora slipped the gold bangle off her left wrist and handed it to Delphine.
“This is our family heirloom. It’s only passed down to one person each generation. Delphine, it’s yours now.”
“No.” In the midst of the silence, a man’s steady voice rang out.
Iselle froze, turning to see who had spoken.
