Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Roseline's POV

If I had a knife right now, I'd stab my boyfriend in the heart without a second thought.

That bastard. What the hell is he doing?! He actually proposed to Ann-one of my best friends. He betrayed me!

I glanced down at my delicate dress. I had thought this engagement party was for me. Last night, Isaac's grandfather had texted me, insisting I come to witness a "surprise."

But when I saw them kissing under the spotlight, I painfully realized-I wasn't the heroine of tonight's story.

I was deceived! Isaac and I had been together for five years! Just last night, he gave me an engagement ring. Today was supposed to be our fifth anniversary-but after we made love, he slipped that ring onto my finger.

I was blinded by happiness. I accepted his excuse about not being able to join me for dinner tonight.

Combined with Isaac's grandfather's text, I thought he was hiding a surprise on purpose. I thought that surprise was our engagement.

Watching them kiss so deeply, I felt all the blood in my body freeze. My teeth started to chatter.

"God bless this happy couple!" Isaac's grandfather announced to the crowd enthusiastically as their passionate kiss ended.

Applause erupted around the room.

I immediately stepped forward. I had to know the truth.

Isaac finally noticed me, his eyes widening in shock.

He was clearly stunned to see me.

But I didn't back away-my best friend Ann walked over to me excitedly and took my hand.

"Rose-is that really you?!" she exclaimed in surprise. "It's been five years! Did you come just to bless me?"

Isaac gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and explained softly, "Sweetheart, remember? Ever since her parents died, she's practically been like my sister. She was raised under my grandfather's care."

Sister? Then why didn't he say that when his dick was inside me?

"Yes, exactly!" Ann held my hand tightly again, speaking sincerely. "You know, Rose and I used to be good friends before I went abroad. And now, look at us-we're reunited! Rose, this really means so much to me." she said, hugging me tightly. "I hope we can be close again."

I swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in my throat as I glared at Isaac. His eyes carried a clear warning.

I ignored him and gripped Ann's hand tighter. "Of course. And as good friends, we don't keep secrets. I'd be more than happy to share mine with you."

Isaac reached out, trying to drag me away, but just then, Grandpa Jones appeared between us.

"Roseline, I'm so glad you made it," he said kindly. "After finalizing the guest list with Isaac at midnight, I realized you weren't on it. I figured he must've seen you as family and forgot to send an official invite. But. this is Isaac's most important moment. As a member of our family, I had to make sure you were here."

No.

I was set up.

I blinked, holding back tears. Grandpa knew Isaac and I were a couple-he knew we were seeing each other in secret. His real purpose. was to humiliate me to my face and make it clear I would never be accepted.

He wanted me to witness this disgrace firsthand.

Tears burned in my eyes again. Grandpa, the only person besides Isaac who had ever treated me kindly in this house-why would he do this?

"Listen, Rose," he whispered as he hugged me tightly, his voice low with warning. "Family should always forgive each other's mistakes, right?"

He was warning me. I clenched my fists. When someone chooses to betray you like this, they're no longer family.

I pushed my grandpa aside and walked towards Annie, but grandpa stopped me and pretended to laugh, "Rose, why don't you go and have dessert first?"

"What a surprise, you know, Ann-I had no idea your boyfriend was Isaac. How long have you two been together?" I said loudly.

Isaac's jaw tightened, and Grandpa gave me a sharp look-a silent command hidden in his stern gaze. I ignored it. I'd always behaved obediently, so they thought even if I was humiliated, I wouldn't bite back.

But I waited for Ann's answer.

Oblivious to the tension between us, Ann giggled and turned to Isaac. "It's all Isaac's fault," she teased. "He said announcing the engagement like this would be a huge surprise. Our parents started discussing our marriage with his grandfather two years ago."

The floor beneath me felt like it cracked open.

Two years.

Isaac had been betraying me for two years-and it had all been orchestrated by Grandpa.

My heart twisted in pain.

These past two years, Isaac told me he was busy because Grandpa wanted him to take over the family business soon. I believed him without question. After all, Grandpa had seen Isaac kiss me in the garden and said nothing-I took that as silent approval.

I was so naive.

I wanted to slap his face-but suddenly, a three-tiered wedding cake came flying at me.

"Watch out-!" someone shouted.

Before I could react, Isaac shoved me roughly to the side.

Smack!

The cake smashed into me. Cream splattered in my eyes, frosting stuck to my lashes. Laughter exploded around me. Some people even pulled out their phones to record.

Through the sticky sweetness, I saw Isaac holding Ann protectively-he didn't even glance at me. As if the five years we spent together had all been a lie.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." A concerned voice suddenly cut in. It was Grandpa Jones. He pushed through the crowd and helped me up.

"Roseline. are you alright?"

"You ruined the cake, Roseline," Isaac's sister Alice sneered loudly. Ever since I moved into their house, Alice had taken every chance to humiliate me.

"Shut up, Alice!" Grandpa barked. "Roseline is family. And we must forgive family unconditionally."

He repeated the same line again.

I wished the floor would open up and swallow me-because there's nothing more humiliating than being disgraced at your ex's engagement party.

I saw Ann trying to come over and help, but Grandpa Jones stopped her.

"You two are the stars of today's celebration. Just focus on entertaining the guests. Roseline is our friend-I'll take care of her," he said.

Then he turned to me. "Roseline, come upstairs. I'll have the maid bring you some clean clothes."

Numbly, I nodded at Ann and followed Grandpa Jones out of the room.

"Grandpa, you didn't have to humiliate me like that," I said as we escaped the suffocating crowd. "If you wanted me and Isaac to break up, you could've just told me."

I stared at his back. He paused, let out a heavy sigh, and slowly turned to face me. "I know. But this was the most effective way."

My eyes widened, but he quickly tried to soothe me. "Roseline. no matter what happens between you and Isaac, remember-you'll always be family."

"Not anymore," I snapped, glaring at him.

"Suit yourself," Grandpa Jones cut me off sharply. "But hear me-whatever happened between you two, I don't care. Isaac's wife must be Ann. That's final. And if not. I can't guarantee your safety."

He threatened me. Coldly, cruelly. Then he left.

I stood frozen in place, fists clenched tight.

After my parents died, Grandpa had always supported me-until I turned eighteen. He was my grandfather's best friend and the person I respected most in this world.

Two years ago, he saw me and Isaac kissing in the garden. He didn't object. I took that as approval.

I worked even harder in school and my job, hoping to earn my place in the family.

When I received that invitation, I truly believed tonight would mark the official recognition of our relationship-that we'd finally receive everyone's blessing.

I came here wearing my best clothes, full of hope-

And ended up facing betrayal and humiliation. I needed to find out the truth behind all of this.

Just then, I heard the maids giggling nearby.

"I always knew Young Master Isaac wouldn't marry that orphan. Ann brought the best dowry-what does that orphan have?"

My blood boiled. Don't cry. Not here. The air here was already sickening enough.

But when I finished changing and opened the door-

He was there.

Isaac!

He actually dared to come back?!