Stretcher 24

A few days later, word got out that the Sterling family had found their real daughter. The Blackwood family–who had an old engagement contract with the Sterlings–showed up at our door.

The second Ethan Blackwood walked in, Charlotte practically threw herself at him.

“Ethan!” Then she seemed to notice Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood behind him and instantly switched to her sweet, innocent act,

“Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood! What brings you here?”

Mr. Richard Blackwood looked a bit uncomfortable. “Charlotte, sweetheart, are your parents home?” Check latest chapters at find·novel·net

“Dad’s in the living room reading the paper,” Charlotte replied.

“Good. We need to discuss something with your father. Charlotte, could you let him know we’re here?” Richard smiled politely.

“Sure…” Charlotte seemed confused. The two families had always been casual with each other–why so formal now?

Soon afterwards, she led them to the living room where Dad looked up from his newspaper. “Richard! This is quite the formal visit. What’s going on?”

Richard got straight to the point. “James, I’ll cut to the chase.”

“The engagement we arranged years ago was originally for Sophia and Ethan. When Sophia went missing, we obviously couldn’t move forward. But now that she’s back, shouldn’t we honor that agreement?”

Dad shifted uncomfortably. “Well, that really depends on what the kids want…”

During all those years I was gone, Charlotte had taken my place in everything. She naturally assumed the engagement was hers too, and while neither family made it official, they’d definitely been encouraging something between her and Ethan.

But now I was back. At the end of the day, I was the Sterlings‘ actual daughter, and that’s what mattered. Richard probably just figured the real heiress was a better investment anyway.

Ethan smiled calmly. “I’m fine with it, Dad.”

But Charlotte completely freaked out.

“Ethan, how… how could you want to marry THAT KIND of woman?”

Ethan used to be this cold, untouchable guy, but now there was this gentle warmth in his expression.

The moment Charlotte said that, everyone in the room went dead silent.

Because both families knew exactly how obsessed Ethan had always been with me,

“What kind of woman am I?”

I’d heard the commotion and come downstairs just in time to catch their conversation.

Dad saw me and waved me over, “Charlotte’s just a little upset, don’t mind her. What do you think about the engagement, sweetheart?”

After hearing the background, I just shrugged. “Teelings can grow over time. I’m okay with it.”

I looked at Ethan–still the same quiet, intense guy.

In my past life, even when everyone was trashing me with lies, Ethan stood by me. Unfortunately, he paid for it when Charlotte manipulated my family against him. They destroyed his company and he ended up in prison.

Upon hearing this, Charlotte lost it completely. “This is so unfair! I’m supposed to be Ethan’s fiancée!”

“I’m the one who’s been by his side all these years!”

“Ethan, they’re forcing you into this, aren’t they? They have to be! Let’s just run away together!”

Then she was getting hysterical, grabbing onto Ethan’s shoulders and shaking him.

Ethan just calmly removed her hands and looked directly at me. “She’s been one–sidedly clinging to me.”

Charlotte looked completely lost. “No… that’s impossible…”

Suddenly her eyes snapped to me with this crazy look. “This is all your fault! You ruined everything!”

And then she actually lunged at me like some kind of wild animal.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.