Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Showing Off Marriage to Her Ex and Sister

Half an hour later, Calista arrived at the Monroe residence. She asked Lancelot to wait for her at the intersection.

Lancelot leaned over and asked casually, "Should I go say hi to your parents?"

The words "your parents" struck a nerve. Calista cleared her throat awkwardly. "Not right now. They still don't know we're married. And you know... your son just got engaged to Felicity yesterday. We've gotta take it slow, alright?"

His son? Lancelot smirked, corners of his lips lifting.

"Sure. Whatever makes you happy."

Seeing that dangerously attractive smile on his face, Calista's heart skipped a beat.

What a devil.

The man's gotta be in his forties, pushing fifty, and yet he still looked downright irresistible, totally lacking that usual older-man vibe.

"You just stay here. I'll be quick."

Without giving him a chance to respond, Calista dashed off toward the front gate.

Lancelot chuckled softly as he watched her disappearing figure.

Just then, his phone rang. He swiped to answer. The voice of his trusted aide, Jack, came through.

"Boss Bennett, where've you gone? I've been trying to find you forever. Aren't you coming back to the estate tonight? The family set up a whole welcome dinner."

It had been years since Lancelot returned to Crownvale, and now he suddenly ghosted everyone the moment he got back.

Jack was clearly frustrated.

"Tell my brother I won't be joining them tonight. He doesn't need to bother."

Lancelot's voice was cool, and he ended the call right after, not giving Jack any room to question him.

Staring at the call-ended screen, Jack could only sigh and head off to break the news.

*****

Meanwhile, Calista pushed open the door and stepped into the living room, only to see her parents, Lucas, and Felicity all sitting together, laughing and chatting like one big happy family.

Lucas was holding Felicity's hand, his expression full of tenderness. The sight stung.

But then she reminded herself-legally speaking, she was now Lucas's stepmother. That thought did make her feel slightly better.

"Hey sis, you're back!" Felicity spotted Calista first and greeted her with a smile.

Calista barely kept the disgust off her face.

How had she never noticed how fake this woman was?

"Calista, your sister greeted you, and you can't even smile at her? What's with the attitude?"

She headed straight for the stairs without even glancing at Felicity.

Seeing her cold reaction, Wade Monroe and Vivienne Howard's smiles vanished.

"Why should I talk to her?" Calista turned back, eyes dark. "She stole my fiancé, and you still expect me to play the loving sister?"

"Calista, I know I messed up. Please don't be mad. We're sisters, right? If you really love Lucas, I'm willing to step aside."

"Felicity, you're the only one I love. After meeting you, I realized what I had with Calista wasn't love at all."

Felicity's soft, pitiful tone made Lucas's heart ache. He pulled her into his arms, his voice gentle as he comforted her.

"Lucas, I don't want to hurt her."

"This isn't hurting anyone. I never loved Calista. Even if we had gotten married, we wouldn't have been happy. Besides, you're my fiancée now."

Lucas spoke while looking tenderly at Felicity.

That got Felicity blushing as she leaned against him like she found her safe place.

Seriously, the two of them couldn't be more determined to gross Calista out.

Wade and Vivienne, their parents, showered Felicity with nothing but affection. But when their eyes fell on Calista, they instantly turned stern.

"You heard what Lucas said, right, Calista? He doesn't love you. Stop trying to mess things up. I've already arranged another engagement for you. The Jennings family's son grew up with you, and he likes you a lot. You two are a better match. I talked it over with Mr. Jennings, and we'll hold your engagement ceremony a few days later... same day as Felicity and Lucas's wedding..."

Calista lowered her head and gave a cold laugh, her beautiful face tinged with quiet mockery.

"Calista, we're doing this for your own good. Marrying into the Jennings family-"

"I'm already married. So maybe stop worrying about my love life."

She cut her mom off, those sharp dark eyes of hers filled with sarcasm.

Everyone froze. Felicity and Lucas especially looked stunned.

"Calista, what kind of nonsense are you talking about? When did you get married?" Vivienne snapped, convinced Calista was going off the deep end because of heartbreak.

"I'm not joking, and I'm definitely not crazy. Here's the marriage certificate. We haven't done a wedding yet, but I'm thinking of doing it on the same day as theirs. Shouldn't be a problem, right?"

She pulled out their marriage license.

Everyone went dead silent.

"Calista, marriage isn't something you can play around with-" Lucas burst out, staring at the red booklet in her hand, furious.

Calista paid him zero attention. She slipped the certificate back into her bag, threw a cold glance at Wade and Vivienne, didn't even spare Lucas or Felicity a look, and walked off without another word.

"It's my fault... She must've married someone random just to spite me," Felicity said, watching Calista disappear upstairs, a flicker of triumph and coldness in her gaze.

Wow. She really went and got hitched just like that?

Felicity was sure Calista's husband must be some nobody off the street.

Pathetic move.

"It's not your fault, don't blame yourself," Lucas said, patting her shoulder while his eyes darkened, drifting upstairs where Calista had gone.