The fake heiress who had stolen Juliet’s place for over twenty years.

She blinked at me playfully, her lips curling into a teasing smile.

"If my sister doesn’t want you, can’t I?"

I flinched, yanking my shirt back on, desperate to put distance between us.

Genevieve had spent over two decades as a wealthy heiress, carrying an air of effortless detachment. Now that her position in the family had grown uncertain, she usually steered clear of conflict with Juliet whenever possible.

This was the first time she had ever taken the initiative to fight for something.

I never expected that something to be me.

"You must be joking, Miss Genevieve."

She didn’t seem offended. Instead, she simply shook the medicine bottle in her hand, her tone light.

"I wouldn’t joke about this. I think you’re great, capable, good-looking, definitely my type."

Though she wasn’t truly an heiress, the confidence ingrained in her over the years remained intact.

I studied her, trying to decipher her motives. Maybe this was just her way of reclaiming something, anything after Juliet had taken so much from her.

Scoffing at myself, I took the medicine from her and sank onto the chair.

"Miss Genevieve, Juliet already has a new target. You don’t need to waste your time on me."

She didn’t argue. Instead, her gaze swept over my small quarters before she turned and left.

By dinnertime, the two who had spent all day locked away finally emerged.

The family welcomed Sebastian with warmth, inviting him to join them at the table.

As they settled into their seats, Sebastian pulled out a chair for Juliet, his every gesture brimming with attentiveness.

Her parents beamed, nodding in approval.

"I’ve always heard that Young Master Remington isn’t like the others in his circle, that he’s loyal. We’ll be at ease entrusting our daughter to you."

The meal unfolded harmoniously, except for my mistake.

Archer Radcliffe, Juliet’s father, had always been aware of my past with her. He usually turned a blind eye, but when I accidentally dropped a glass, my injured hand failing me, his gaze darkened. He didn’t see it as an accident; he saw it as a provocation.

Sebastian, ever the opportunist, seized the moment to taunt me.

"This bodyguard is really dedicated, Uncle Archer. Juliet spent the night at my place and he called all night."

Archer slammed his palm against the table, his face darkening as he pointed at me.

"Get out! A bodyguard has no right to meddle in his master’s affairs!"

I kept my head down, silent. As long as Juliet didn’t order me to leave, I refused to go.

My lack of response only fueled Archer’s rage.

"We can’t afford to keep you! Get lost before you ruin my daughter’s marriage!"

I turned to Juliet.

She didn’t even glance my way, too busy plucking the best cuts of meat for Sebastian, her laughter soft, sweet, indifferent.

The silence stretched until Genevieve finally spoke, her voice calm yet deliberate.

"Dad, why not assign him to protect me instead?"

Archer hesitated, momentarily thrown off by her request.

Juliet, who had been all too focused on Sebastian, finally reacted. Her gaze turned sharp, cutting straight through Genevieve.

"My people are not for you to take. Who do you think you are?"

A flicker of something reckless ignited in my chest.

Juliet still couldn’t let me go.

But her next words sent me plummeting into the abyss.

"Come here and peel shrimp for Young Master Remington."

My fists curled tight, my feet refusing to budge.

She noticed the shift in my expression and quickly changed course.

"Forget it. Young Master Remington brought plenty of gifts for Mom and Dad. Go move them inside."

I made trip after trip, hauling boxes in and out more than ten times until every last gift had been carried inside.

Scattered across the floor were familiar treasures, remnants of a past that now belonged to someone else. My gaze drifted to Sebastian, my mind clouded with unspoken thoughts.

Sebastian barely glanced at the gifts before steering the conversation toward the wedding.

I knew if I stayed silent any longer, there would be no turning back. Even if it meant offending them, I had to speak.

"Master, this man’s background is unclear. You can’t let Miss Radcliffe marry him."

The entire family turned to me as if I had lost my mind. The once-harmonious dinner unraveled into uneasy silence.

That night, I slipped into Juliet’s room.

Her fists rained down on me, each blow landing on my wounds like fire searing into my skin.

"What the hell do you know? I was born to marry someone of this status! The Remington Family is the most powerful among my potential matches. Even getting into this family was a stroke of luck for me! If you ruin this for me and they end up marrying Genevieve instead, I’ll kill you."

She was in a foul mood tonight; I knew that. Yet, despite the pain coursing through me, I still reached into my pocket and handed her the diamond bracelet I had prepared.

"This is my family’s keepsake. Trust me, I can give you the future you want."

"With what? A bodyguard’s salary?"

She plucked the bracelet between two fingers, barely sparing it a glance before tossing it aside. The delicate piece shattered on the floor, the sharp crack echoing in the silence.

"Edmund, my sister is watching my every move. If I marry a bodyguard, she’ll die laughing."

At that moment, Genevieve appeared at the doorway, leaning against the frame with an unreadable expression.

"I wouldn’t laugh. Brother Sebastian is a great man. I’d love to marry him."

Juliet stiffened, taking her words as a deliberate provocation, a challenge to her claim over the Remington Family.

She turned, plucking a diamond ring from the pile of gifts and holding it up between her fingers.

"See? Even Sebastian’s gifts outshine your worthless keepsake. Give up already. I’m marrying him."

Juliet had grown up in comfort, shielded from the true worth of things. She couldn’t recognize the rarity of the bracelet, a treasure once auctioned off years ago.

I had begged my mother for it with everything I had.

Genevieve, however, understood its value. Her gaze lingered on it for a moment, but she said nothing.

I bent down, picking up the bracelet, its fractured beauty mirroring the hope I had clung to.

"I resign. Juliet, I quit."

"Go ahead," she scoffed. "Once I’m married, I’ll bring you back. By then, you can do whatever you want."

It had been a long time since I had been home. The moment I stepped through the door, my mother’s eyes landed on me, curiosity gleaming in her expression.

"So, son, whose daughter is my future daughter-in-law?"

She was more interested in the bracelet’s fate than anything else—after all, in over twenty years, this was the first time I had pursued a girl.

"I gave it to my fiancée."

Her eyes lit up. "What kind of person is she?"

"She’s from the Radcliffe Family."

Relief flooded her face, her excitement barely contained. She all but danced with joy, reassured that her son wasn’t into men.

Still unconvinced, she pressed again.

"Invite her over this weekend. Your dad’s sponsoring a kid and he’s bringing his girlfriend, too. It’ll be a great chance for everyone to meet."

Her words triggered a thought.

I smiled. "No problem. Let’s make it lively."

When Sebastian brought Juliet into our home, I was still upstairs, resting.

Hearing their voices, so painfully familiar, I finally confirmed what I had suspected all along, Sebastian’s true identity.

Downstairs, my mother’s voice brimmed with admiration as she showered Juliet with praise, calling her generous and well-mannered.

Then, the doorbell rang.

Juliet’s tone shifted in an instant, her voice edged with unease.

"Genevieve, what are you doing here? The Remington Family isn’t a place for you!"

My mother, sensing the tension crackling in the air, hurried to smooth things over.

"Girl, you must be mistaken. This is my future daughter-in-law."

My mom’s excited voice carried through the house as she called out to me.

"Son, come down quickly; your girlfriend is here!"

"Auntie, isn’t the Remington Family supposed to have only one son? How is there another one?"

The stage was set. I took my time descending the stairs at a slow, deliberate pace. A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I met Juliet’s gaze head-on.