Chapter 6 Engagement II

SARAH

I almost puked at Amara's pretense.

This was the highest form of betrayal she had seen?

I snorted.

I had seen worse. They were making out while I was drowning-moaning while I was dying.

What did she even know about betrayal? Anyone who saw Amara overreacting would think she truly cared about me, when it was all about her own interests. Their plans must have been ruined by me tonight. Yeah... they were supposed to make out after the engagement party, but I thought that wouldn't be able to happen because of Gerald's affected mood.

"End it with him, Sarah. Now." Amara's authoritative voice wafted into my ears, pulling me out of my thoughts.

One of my brows rose. "Huh?" I blurted out.

"Yes, Sarah. You will break up with him and accept Gerald's engagement ring. Gerald loves you. Knox doesn't. That man is a devil."

The last strand holding my patience snapped the moment she called Knox a devil. My hand moved before my mind could catch up, and the slap echoed between us. She staggered and slumped onto the floor, clutching her reddened cheek.

"You slapped me, Sarah," she cried out. "Because of that bastard? What has he done to you?" she shouted.

"If you weren't on the floor, I would have slapped you one more time for calling him a bastard," I threatened, and she gasped, her eyes widening. "Watch your mouth when you speak about my man, Amara. I don't care what you have against him, but you don't get to disrespect him," I shouted, pointing a warning finger at her.

She couldn't believe her eyes.

I also couldn't believe my hand could be so quick to hit her. Well, I was glad it did, even though it was nothing compared to the pain she caused me in my past life.

She stood up and pointed a finger at me. "You are making the wrong decision, Sarah. You chose a man over your sister. You are going insane." She took steps backward as she spoke. I guessed she was scared of another slap.

"Let me make the wrong decision, sister," I responded. "If you want him so badly, Amara... then have him. Marry him. I'm sure you both suit each other," I shot back.

Something shifted in her eyes the moment I said that, but it disappeared before I could name it. With gritted teeth, she made a "fuck you" gesture and bolted off.

I erupted into hysterical laughter as I watched her run away. She was terrified. That was enough for me for the day. My engagement party was successful.

I was still laughing when I felt a familiar grip around my waist. Before I could see who it was, he dragged me closer, my back hitting his chest. His scent hit me instantly-sharp, familiar, and grounding-and my lips subconsciously curled into a smile.

"I shouldn't say this... but watching you slap her was satisfying. I wouldn't mind seeing that again," he murmured in a breathy whisper against my neck.

A mixture of warmth and cold spread through my body. Closing my eyes, I inhaled his scent and nodded. "You were watching?"

"You didn't think I'd stay back as you told me, did you?" he replied, still holding me in place. We moved gently to the soft music drifting from the hall.

"Why?" I asked in a low voice. "You still don't trust me?"

Silence followed my question. I felt his hands grow cold, and our movement briefly halted before resuming.

"The one I have a problem with is Amara. She has your loyalty. Who knows what she might be telling you?" he mumbled.

He neither said he trusted me nor denied it, which meant he didn't. It stung, but I didn't expect his trust so easily, barely twenty-four hours after I chose him as my fiancé. My actions were suspicious, so his feelings were valid.

Turning, I faced him and placed my hands on his shoulders. "You don't need to worry about Amara, Knox. Focus on me," I assured him.

Silence followed. We moved rhythmically to the soft music, listening to each other's gentle heartbeat. The breeze blew softly, slow but steady. Everything seemed perfect in that moment. Maybe that was the reassurance I needed to remind myself that I had made the right decision.

"Sarah," my mother's voice called from behind me.

Knox and I broke apart, and I turned.

There they were... my parents, and from their expressions, I knew it was time to explain myself.

I turned to Knox and muttered, "Excuse me, Knox. I'll join you after I speak with my parents."

He nodded and gave me a reassuring smile.

"What is happening?" my mother asked as soon as we settled in the car. It was the only quiet place we could talk, since everywhere else was noisy and filled with people. Reporters could be lurking around, and being trending news was not the kind of drama my family wanted to be involved in.

"Mum, Dad... do you trust me?" I asked, studying their faces to gauge their reaction.

As expected, they remained neutral. That was typical of them. The truth was, they actually liked Knox. In fact, he had been their first choice, but I had been blinded by love and deceit and kept choosing Gerald. Since they loved me so much, they had no choice but to accept him.

Now, it seemed everything had worked out for the best. I had ended up with the first man my parents chose.

"You know we do, damsel. Talk to us. What's the problem?" my father urged. "Why him, Sarah? Why Knox instead of Gerald?"

"I don't think the one I truly love is Gerald," I replied truthfully. Or maybe it was a lie, because I had loved him until twenty-four hours ago. "I think I love Knox."

"You think?" my mother cut in. "Do you think so, or do you truly love him? Do you know jumping between both men will only bring disrespect to the family when people find out?" she added, her voice growing harsher. I saw Father tap her gently, signaling her to calm down.

"I know what I want, Mother. I was just confused for a moment because I thought he was the one who saved me from drowning."

My mind froze when I realized I had almost revealed the truth. My parents stared at me suspiciously.

"I... I mean... I was just attracted to him because he saved me. The one I truly love is Knox," I said quickly, throwing out whatever explanation I could think of and silently praying they wouldn't probe further.

"Are you sure, damsel? What if you change your mind tomorrow?" my father asked softly.

"I won't, Father. Trust me. There's no reason for me to change my mind when Knox treats me better," I said firmly.

The two of them exchanged glances, then looked back at me and nodded in unison.

"We will trust you one more time, damsel. But you know there are consequences for every action."

"I know, Dad. And I promise there won't be any regret. Just trust my decision," I urged, holding their hands and pouting.

They smiled and nodded in approval.

And that was it.

I had no concerns anymore.

This time, I wouldn't be the victim. I would be the one who destroyed everything.