"Oh my god! The Sterling family really lives up to the hype. That kind of generosity is next-level."

"Sienna should be on her knees thanking the Wests. If it weren't for them, how would some orphan like her even dream of marrying into a family like that?"

"Sure, the Sterling heir's got a bit of a reputation, but come on, she's about to be swimming in money."

The noise around me only grew louder, a blend of envy, judgment, and false admiration.

I could feel their eyes on me, cutting in ways they probably thought were subtle. Caitlin's expression had already gone sour, twisted up in jealousy, but she was trying to keep it from cracking in public.

And honestly? Even I was caught off guard.

I mean, I was just the adopted daughter, not even part of their bloodline. And yet, the Sterling family had gone all out for me like that?

Or so I thought.

Right then, the attendant who'd delivered all the betrothal gifts stepped forward again.

His voice was calm, smooth, and sharply clear. "These gifts are from Mr. Lance Sterling, sent to congratulate Miss Caitlin West on her acceptance to Southridge Tech University."

The entire room went dead quiet. No one moved. I felt my whole body lock up.

'Wait… what? The gifts weren't for me?' I thought as I felt my stomach drop.

Whispers started up again like a fresh wave.

"Wait, so they were just congratulatory gifts?"

"Why such a huge display then? You think Caitlin and Lance Sterling have something going on?"

"Honestly? I'm starting to think he's into her. It makes a lot more sense now."

"Right? Maybe he actually wanted to marry Caitlin, but the adopted sister swooped in and took her place. No wonder the engagement with Sienna—this is gonna be brutal for her."

Cold sweat prickled at the back of my neck.

In my past life, Lance Sterling had never shown even a hint of interest in Caitlin. Nothing like this had happened.

Why was everything suddenly so different in this life?

And as if everything was perfectly timed, Caitlin, who had just been burning with jealousy, suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Please thank Lance properly for me," she said sweetly like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

Then she tossed out, like it was an afterthought, "Oh, and by the way, my sister's wedding to Lance is the day after tomorrow. Just wondering why her betrothal gift hasn't arrived yet."

The steward paused for a second, his brow twitching like he was trying to figure out how to say it gently.

"Miss West, it's possible Mr. Sterling simply forgot."

And just like that, every head turned toward me. Their stares weren't curious or concerned—they were soaked in mockery and fake pity.

The mood had turned fast. The snickering started up again, the whispers gaining momentum.

Then, as always, Caitlin swooped in for the kill, stepping toward me with this ridiculous air of concern. She reached for my hand as if we were still playing sisters.

"Sis, don't take it the wrong way," she said, tone dripping with pretend kindness. "I'm sure he's just been slammed at work, and it slipped his mind. He might send it tomorrow."

Someone in the crowd snorted loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"Oh, Caitlin, you're way too sweet. Come on. Lance Sterling remembered your little school party and sent a literal mountain of gifts. And we're supposed to believe he forgot his own fiancée's engagement gift? Please. He just doesn't care about Sienna."

The noise picked up again, voices overlapping, the tension thickening by the second.

And I… stayed quiet.

Because honestly? I didn't care what they thought.

I'd already escaped one fire only to land in another. I didn't want to argue or play their games. All I wanted was a life of my own—quiet, simple, on my own terms.

But Caitlin wasn't about to let that happen.

She leaned in closer, too close, her voice dropping into something darker. "What's with that blank look, Sienna? You care. I know you do. You're dying inside, aren't you?"

She gave a low, satisfied little laugh and kept going.

"Let me spell it out for you. Mom and Dad only adopted you because I was bored. I wanted a new toy. Watching you act so grateful for a roof over your head and a couple of scraps from our table? Honestly, it's pathetic."

Caitlin snorted and derided, "You think marrying Lance instead of me will stop what happened last time from happening again?"

My eyes flew open, and I froze in place. I hadn't expected Caitlin to say that. Not out loud.

"You—"

Caitlin just smiled, calm and self-satisfied. "Sienna, you're just a stray. What makes you think you could ever compete with me?"

And then, in the blink of an eye, she screamed.

"Ah!"

Then, she dramatically plunged into the ornamental pond behind her.

"Help! I can't swim! Sienna pushed me!"

Gasps exploded through the banquet hall like someone had fired a gun.

Dean didn't even hesitate. He ran toward the pond and dove in like some kind of discount action hero, pulling Caitlin out of the water seconds later.

She came over coughing, sputtering, soaked right through, her hair dripping and makeup streaming down her face. Her eyes were red and frantic as if she were scared, but underneath, I could see it.

She was playing them all.

"Sienna," Caitlin sobbed, her voice trembling just enough to sound real. "I've always treated you like my own sister. Even if you were jealous… how could you try to kill me?"

And that was it. That was the match to the powder keg.

Hearing this, my adoptive parents' faces turned stormy with anger.

"Sienna! That marriage was decided fairly, with lots drawn!" my adoptive father snapped. "Your mother and I didn't favor either of you!"

Right. Because this? This was what fairness looked like.

"That's right! Sienna, you volunteered for this. And now you're out here shoving Caitlin into the water?"

Dean's voice roared as he stormed toward me and slapped me hard across the face.

The impact rang through my skull, hot and sharp. My cheek flared up, swelling almost instantly from the blow.

"Sienna, if you've got a problem, then bring it to me. But who the hell gave you the guts to lay a hand on Caitlin?"

Around us, the crowd didn't hesitate.

They jumped in like they'd been waiting for this moment, their voices cold and cruel.

"Oh my god, did the Wests seriously raise such an ungrateful brat?"

"All that love and care they gave her, and she turns around and pulls this crap? Jealous just 'cause the heir of the Sterling family gave Caitlin a few gifts instead of her?"

"Who knows what she's been doing to Caitlin behind the scenes all this time?"

Dean grabbed my arm and yanked me toward Caitlin so hard my shoulder nearly popped.

"Get over there and apologize!"

Since I first put up with this, I have been bottling up a huge amount of resentment.

But for something I didn't even do? I refuse to apologize.

I yanked my arm back and looked him straight in the eyes, my voice steady.

"I'm not apologizing. I already told you that I didn't push Caitlin."

Right on cue, Caitlin burst into tears, her voice trembling like she'd just been stabbed.

"Sienna, what are you even trying to say? That I made up the whole thing up? That I'd risk my life just to frame you? Why would I ever do something so awful?"

Dean's face twisted, disgust written all over it.

"Sienna! You're really sticking to that lie? Fine. Guess I'll knock some sense into you for Caitlin."

And just like that, without a shred of hesitation, he shoved me into the pond.

The moment my body hit the water, panic overwhelmed me. I couldn't swim. The cold struck like ice, but it was the memories that truly drowned me.

All at once, I was back in that past life, gasping for air, sinking, dying.

I thrashed and struggled to keep my head above the surface.

“Help… Help me…”

But no one came.

People just watched. Some turned away, while others smirked as if this were entertainment. None of them moved. And every time I got close to the edge, Dean was right there, shoving me back under like it was some sick game.

My limbs started going numb. My lungs burned. Despair wrapped around me tighter than the water ever could.

Then, slicing through the noise like a blade, a low, cold voice full of authority emerged.

"Who gave you the nerve to lay hands on my fiancée?"

Before I could even process the words, someone dove into the water.

The next thing I knew, I was on solid ground, coughing and soaked, fighting to breathe.

My vision blurred, but I caught a glimpse of a face above mine—sharp, chiseled, unfamiliar, and yet unmistakable.

Warm lips pressed to mine. My heart stuttered. My cheeks flared.

He was giving me CPR.

Little by little, the world came back into focus. The party had gone completely silent. Every single person stood frozen.

A steward appeared nearby, his posture stiff and respectful as he held out a jacket.

"Sir Lance, here's your coat."

That presence… it was almost too much. Cold, sharp, and so commanding that the whole room felt like it was holding its breath.

This was Lance Sterling—the man I was supposed to marry.

He didn't say anything at first. Just took the coat from the steward, gently wrapped it around me, and then, without asking, lifted me into his arms.

I gasped, shocked by the sudden closeness.

He frowned slightly as if reading my tension.

Then, in a voice softer than I expected, he said, "Don't be afraid. I've got you."

He carried me over to the nearest couch and set me down gently like I was something fragile.

Then Lance turned to the crowd, his whole demeanor shifting, sharp, and in control.

"Which one of you just said they were gonna 'knock some sense into my fiancée'?"

The room went dead quiet.

Right then, Dean's face drained of color.

But Caitlin? She moved fast, stepping forward with a well-practiced, sweet smile.

She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes wide and innocent.

"Lance, it's all just a misunderstanding," she said softly. "My sister was just playing around, and I accidentally slipped into the water. I couldn't swim, so I panicked. Dean just got worried and overreacted, that's all. But I'm fine now. Please don't be upset."

Her voice was so sweet it practically dripped honey.

Caitlin looked up at Lance like she expected him to smile back. Like the gifts she had earlier received, they had given her permission to hope for more.

But Lance turned to her slowly, his face hard as stone.

Then he said flatly, "Who gave you permission to call me by name?"