After My Fiancé Abandoned Me I Married My Stepbrother Chapter 02
I stayed silent for a long time.
From what Vincent had said, it was obvious he did not know tonight’s banquet was different.
We had known each other for more than ten years.
I did not want to give up just like that.
I wanted an answer.
Only one answer.
I said to my stepbrother, “Let me think about it. Before noon tomorrow, I will give you my answer.”
Then I clenched my teeth and ran all the way to Isabella’s residence.
The door was open.
Inside, dim candlelight flickered. Isabella was leaning in Vincent’s arms.
“Vincent, I… I’m really scared,” Isabella sobbed. “No one chose me. I keep feeling like I’m worthless. I’m not as likable as all of you. No one ever notices me.”
Her voice was weak, trembling with a trace of deliberate pleading.
Vincent gently patted her back, his face full of pity.
“Don’t say that, Isabella. I notice you.”
Isabella lifted her head with perfect timing.
Tears filled her eyes as she slowly moved closer to Vincent’s lips.
Then she kissed him.
I waited for him to push her away.
My heart screamed the same words over and over.
Vincent, push her away.
Please.
But Vincent only froze for one second.
He did nothing.
Hope flashed through Isabella’s eyes.
“Vincent, you chose me. Does that mean you are willing to be engaged to me too?”
Vincent frowned deeply, but shook his head with certainty.
“My future Donna will only be Serafina.”
Isabella’s smile vanished. Tears poured down her face.
“Vincent, I’m not asking for a title. But I know there must be a place for me in your heart, or you would never have chosen me.”
“If you cannot give me the title of Donna, then can you at least put the family ring on my hand first?”
In the candlelight, my heart tightened.
I could vaguely see hesitation on Vincent’s face.
His hand was still around Isabella’s back.
I stood in the shadows, almost unable to breathe.
Stubbornly, I waited for an answer.
Finally, in the dark night, I heard Vincent answer in a low voice.
“All right.”
The next instant, he took out the family ring and slowly slid it onto Isabella’s ring finger.
The ring glowed coldly in the candlelight.
Like a decision made in silence.
My heart hurt.
It hurt even more than when he had not chosen me at the banquet.
I wanted to leave, but then I heard Isabella continue:
“Then tonight, can I truly have you?”
At those words, my heart nearly burst.
I did not even dare wait for Vincent’s answer.
I called him, hoping the call would stop him.
But Vincent only paused for a moment.
Then he let the phone ring.
It rang for a long time.
At last, the sound stopped.
Then a message arrived on my phone.
[Serafina, it’s late tonight. I’ll come find you tomorrow.]
And then I saw him enter Isabella’s bedroom.
I understood.
That was his choice.
I did not wait until noon the next day.
I called my stepbrother back at once.
“I’ve decided. Tomorrow, I’ll leave with you.”
Cold wind blew past.
Harbor lights fell across the street.
My heart went completely cold.
The next morning, the family had already gathered in the square.
My father was one of the most respected men in the family. He stood in the center and looked at me with worry, but he would not change the rules for me.
I stood silently in the corner of the crowd.
Then I saw Isabella appear with her arm looped through Vincent’s.
When Vincent saw me, he walked over quickly, his tone deliberately gentle.
“Serafina, did you not sleep well last night?”
He reached out, wanting to touch my hair.
I turned aside and avoided him.
His hand froze in midair.
For a moment, he seemed not to know what to say.
Just then, my father’s deep, powerful voice rang through the square.
“Everyone, quiet.”
“Last night’s family marriage banquet has ended. According to the agreement between our family and Gray Harbor, today I will announce the final marriage candidate.”
“Based on last night’s result, the woman to be sent to Gray Harbor for the alliance is Serafina Valerius.”
“What?!”
The moment my father finished, Vincent lost control and shouted.
The tenderness on his face vanished, leaving only shock and anger.
He rushed to my father and demanded, “What marriage alliance? Wasn’t last night a normal family marriage banquet? What does this have to do with Gray Harbor?”
“Impossible! Why Serafina? I didn’t know! I had no idea the candidate would be decided like this! I chose Isabella last night only to help her out. I didn’t know it would become this!”
His voice was full of panic.
The shock in his eyes did not look fake.
It was as if he truly knew nothing.
My heart clenched.
The little hope that remained in me surfaced again.
Seeing Vincent’s panic, even my father could not help feeling pleased.
“Since you say you did not know, I can give you one more chance.”
“Choose again between Serafina and Isabella.”
“The one not chosen will go to Gray Harbor and complete the ceasefire marriage.”
The square fell silent at once.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Vincent.
I could hear my own heartbeat clearly.
That faint remaining hope made me almost hold my breath.
I looked at Vincent with a tiny expectation I could not hide.
I hoped he would say my name.
I hoped he would stand beside me as firmly as he once had.
Vincent’s brows drew tight.
His gaze moved back and forth between Isabella and me.
His face was full of hesitation.
When he looked at me, there was guilt in his eyes.
Struggle.
And a hint of uncertainty.
Then he looked at Isabella.
Isabella was already crying too hard to speak. Her body trembled slightly as she clutched his sleeve, her eyes full of fear and pleading.
Everyone watched him.