Chapter 3
Everything was going exactly as I planned.
The wedding preparations had already begun, and everything was moving smoothly… or at least, that's what I thought.
Not until I started noticing my soon-to-be sister-in-law and her so-called best friend staring at me like I had suddenly grown a second head. At first, I ignored it.
People stare. It's normal.
But then it became constant. Whispering. Glances. That subtle tension in the air.
For a moment, I thought… maybe they saw through me.
Through the innocent, fragile mask I had been wearing so perfectly. I almost laughed at the thought.
But no.
It wasn't about me.
It was about them.
Apparently, my soon-to-be husband wasn't just any man.
He was hers.
Her first love.
Her obsession.
How unfortunate.
I tilted my head slightly, watching them from across the room, their expressions barely concealed.
So that's how it is.
Interesting… but irrelevant.
Who said I was marrying him for love?
I have no interest in playing house, or entertaining some childish love triangle.
Let them feel whatever they want.
It has nothing to do with me.
I have far more important things to deal with.
Whenever I caught them staring, I simply rolled my eyes and walked away. I wasn't interested in their lovesick drama.
Since the ridiculous engagement plans began, I had met almost every member of the Lynn family. I played my part well — polite, composed, everything I had practiced.
Perfect.
Everyone, except one.
My so-called husband.
Not once had he shown up.
Even William came around now and then to see Arya, but him? Nowhere to be found.
Not even a glimpse.
Not like I cared.
…Maybe just a little curiosity.
Out of humanity.
I scoffed.
Yeah. Right.
Fuck humanity.
I don't give a damn about him.
With everyone busy drowning in preparations, I took the opportunity to slip into my father's study.
Something wasn't right.
He had been acting strange even before the marriage arrangement. Too careful. Too calculated.
"An arranged marriage…" I muttered under my breath. "There has to be something behind it."
It wasn't part of my original plan.
But curiosity?
That was something I couldn't ignore.
The room was quiet as I stepped inside.
I searched through everything — drawers, files, documents.
Nothing.
Minutes passed. Still nothing.
Then it clicked.
A memory. Something I've seen somewhere
I had seen him once… holding a laptop. One I had never seen before.
"That's it."
I moved quickly, scanning the lockers until—
There.
"Got you."
I pulled it out and opened it.
Locked.
Of course.
I sighed, leaning back slightly.
"Seriously? Can the universe give me a break for once?"
I tried everything.
Birthdays. Names. His wife. Arya.
Nothing worked.
One last attempt.
If I got it wrong this time, the alarm would go off.
"Shit…"
I froze for a second.
Then something crossed my mind.
My mother's funeral.
Without hesitation, I typed the date.
Click.
Unlocked.
A slow smile spread across my lips.
"…Wow. Didn't know my old man was such a lover."
And then I saw it.
Everything.
The truth.
His company was collapsing.
Bankrupt.
And he was desperate.
Desperate enough to do anything… to protect his precious family.
Especially his daughter.
Even if it meant—
Selling me off.
To him.
The cold, ruthless son of Mr. Lynn.
I already knew I was going to marry him.
That was part of my plan from the very beginning.
But this?
This wasn't.
Being used as a transaction?
That wasn't in my script.
I leaned back slightly, staring at the screen, my expression unreadable.
Then slowly…
I smiled.
This game just got a lot more interesting.