Thinking of all this, I let out a long, quiet sigh, dismissed the servant, and turned to Russ nonchalantly.

"Russ, we still need matching pendants for the wedding. Let's go to Axie Jewelers and take a look."

Russ drew his gaze away from the window and looked at me, his eyes sharp and bone-chillingly cold.

"Just finished measuring your dress, and already you're eager to buy matching pendants? Kathy, are you really this anxious to marry me? Well, bad timing, because I have an appointment with Cadence today. You can go alone if you want to."

I forced the bitter ache in my chest down. "Since you have an appointment, go see her first. We'll meet at the entrance at sunset. That way, your parents won't notice."

Russ froze, his eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.

"Why are you so… considerate today? In the past, if Cadence's name came up, you'd make a scene. What's changed? Do you think that now we're getting married, she's no longer a threat?"

I let out a bitter laugh, but before I could answer, Russ had already turned and left.

I followed him out, circling the streets until nearly sunset, before heading toward the Williams estate.

I didn't see Russ, but instead ran straight into his parents, Gordon and Linda Williams.

With the wedding approaching, here I was, out shopping for wedding things alone with my maid. They immediately understood.

Linda stepped forward, her hand warm around mine. "Kathy, that brat is making you suffer again! Trust me, after a man marries, he'll change.

"He's just stubborn and reserved. Look—he even had Axie Jewellers attendants bring several pendant options. See which one you like. A wedding is a big deal—you must choose carefully.

"I've always hoped the two of you would be happy. Don't worry, I will make sure you marry into our family in style!"

They all assumed Russ and I had feelings for each other, just that he was stubborn and reserved.

But I knew the truth. His behavior was only out of habit and guilt.

In my last life, even without Cadence, we could never have been equal partners in marriage. He had treated me well, yes, but it was the care of a brother, nothing more.

I carefully chose the finest pendant for his future wife.

No sooner had the Axie Jewelers attendants left than Russ's personal servant came running in, holding a letter.

"Since you've chosen the pendant, from now on, you will behave as the lady of the Williams estate. Don't interfere in my matters."

A wave of sorrow struck me. I held back tears as I instructed the servant, "Please tell him I understand my place. He needn't worry."

The servant was about to leave when Linda stopped him. "Wait. Where is that rebellious boy?"

The servant trembled. "The Young Master… is at the Bree residence."

Gordon exploded with rage. "That insolent boy! Sneaking off to see Cadence again!"

"Kathy, don't be upset. I will take care of this for you. When he comes back, I'll make sure to break his legs!" Gordon's words had barely fallen when the manager of the Williams family shops came running up in a panic.

He reported that Russ, to smooth relations for Cadence's father, who was under investigation, had given away multiple shops and even money.

The intensity of his actions spoke for itself.

Gordon was livid, and Linda frowned deeply, patting my hand gently to comfort me, fearful I might be upset.

Watching their concerned faces, I couldn't help but feel my eyes grow wet.

Ever since my parents had passed, they treated me as their own. Knowing my heart was bound to Russ, they endlessly found ways to create chances for us.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard I tried, Russ and I were never meant to be.

I thought for a moment, then knelt before Gordon and Linda.

"I'm sorry I've been unfilial and caused you worry. You've always treated me as your own. I know it, but matters of the heart can never be forced.

"We both know that Russ's heart belongs to Cadence, and that he feels only brotherly affection for me. In that case, I'm begging you to fulfill his wish.

"I've already decided to head to Socalli City to live with my mom's family. Please allow Russ his happiness!"

Linda gently helped me to my feet, her voice full of concern. "Kathy, don't be stubborn. We've seen how he's cared for you all these years. He just doesn't understand his own feelings. Don't be angry. When he returns, I'll make sure you get justice.

"Think about it—if he didn't care for you, why would he have knelt, begging us to take you home in the first place?"

Gordon let out a resigned sigh. "The Bree family schemes and plots. They'll fall eventually. Russ is only being fooled by Cadence; he'll see the truth soon enough."

"And besides," Linda added, "Socalli City is so far away. How could we trust you to go alone?"

They spoke earnestly, trying to persuade me to change my mind.

They didn't know that in my past life, I had followed their wishes, carrying hope in my heart as I married Russ—and it had ended in tragedy.

This time, I would not repeat the same mistakes.

I led them to Russ's separate residence and pointed to a large chest. "These are all the gifts I've given him over the years. He hasn't looked at a single one—they've all been tossed in here.

"And yet, the little sugar figurine that Cadence casually bought? He treats it like a treasure. It's clear he doesn't love me.

"Gordon, Linda, forgive me for no longer wanting to deceive myself. If you can't bear to part with me, then accept me as your adopted daughter. This way, the affection of both our families is honored, and Russ can have what he desires."

Seeing my resolve, they let out a long sigh and gave up on trying to persuade me.

Linda pressed a stack of money into my hands, repeatedly telling me to take care of myself.

I held her hand and smiled through my tears. "Godmother, please don't tell Russ about this yet. I want it to be a surprise."

Back in my room, I tucked the money into a box.

Then, I had my maid bring out all the gifts Russ had ever given me.

Since I had decided to let go, it was time to deal with them once and for all.

We carried the chest to the backyard, and I lit a firebrand. Flames roared up.

Suddenly, Cadence appeared from nowhere. Without a word, she grabbed my hand and slammed herself hard against the wall.

Before I could react, Russ arrived just in time and struck me sharply across the face.

"Kathy! What are you doing?! Cadence is only here to thank our family for our help!"

My cheek burned and swelled. I stared at him, stunned.

Cadence's eyes were brimming with tears. "I knew you were about to be married. I only wanted to congratulate you in person. I never expected… that you would hate me so much you'd attack me…"

Russ's expression darkened instantly. His eyes blazed with fury.

"We aren't married yet, and you're already acting like the lady of the house? Not only did you stir up trouble, you even laid hands on Cadence! Kathy… why have you become like this?

"And did you… smear the Bree family's name today, bringing disgrace to Cadence's father?"

I stared at him, stunned, as if I were seeing him for the first time.

"I don't know what happened. The Bree family's affairs have nothing to do with me, and I never said a single bad word about Cadence in front of Gordon and Linda. I told you I would help you. I never go back on my word," I said.

Russ frowned. His sharp gaze landed on the chest, recognizing several of the things he'd given me over the years. Even the portrait he'd drawn for me was half‑burned.

His face darkened even more. "What are you doing? Trying to play some push‑and‑pull trick on me? I'm telling you—no matter what you do, I will never like you. Your petty theatrics only make me sick. And if anything happens to Cadence, I swear I won't let you off!"

He swept past me, holding Cadence—her forehead bruised from hitting the wall—and dragged me along as he rushed to a side room. On the way, she fainted in his arms.

In my past life, Cadence had no one to rely on and threw herself into the river in despair. This time, with Russ giving her everything he had, she still didn't intend to let me go.

Watching him panic over her, circling helplessly, my heart filled with a thousand tiny needles. My gaze dimmed.

Fortunately, the doctor said she was fine—just overly anxious these past days, and now overwhelmed, which had caused her to faint.

Russ let out a sigh of relief, shot me a vicious look, and said with absolute certainty, "This all started because of you. You'll keep vigil for Cadence tonight. Think of it as your apology."

Without waiting for a response, he walked out without looking back.

I stayed beside Cadence through the entire night.

Not long after dawn, Russ came in carrying a bowl of soup. Seeing how exhausted I looked, his expression softened slightly, despite himself.

"Why didn't you rest?"

"I'm not tired."

"You've worked hard. Go lie down for a while."

I never imagined that in this lifetime, I would hear anything comforting come from his mouth again.

I got up obediently.

My compliance seemed to please him; he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Tomorrow, I'll have someone from the tailor shop come again. The last design for the wedding gown was too plain. Try a few other styles.

"And… don't take what I said yesterday to heart. I spoke out of anger. I apologize.

"But Cadence is innocent. Don't make things difficult for her because of me, all right?"

I looked into his dark eyes. When it came to Cadence, anything I could've explained seemed unnecessary. As for my plan to head to Socalli City, he wouldn't care anyway.

I pressed my lips into a smile and said sincerely, "There's no need. As long as I can marry you, it doesn't matter what the wedding gown looks like.

"Russ… I wish you a happy wedding."

His expression tightened with suspicion, and he opened his mouth—but a movement from Cadence interrupted him.

She frowned and slowly opened her eyes. "What happened to me?"

At once, Russ forgot I existed. He helped her sit up, dutifully feeding her spoonfuls of the soup.

When he finally remembered me, I was nowhere to be found.

I had already returned to my own courtyard, quietly beginning to pack my belongings.

For reasons I couldn't understand, he actually had his personal servant invite me to Windmere Garden to watch a play.

It was "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate". My favorite.

It told of a story of two people in love. Once, I'd shamelessly begged him several times to go with me, but he had always dismissed it with cold disdain.

I understood immediately—this was his attempt at an apology.

But I was leaving soon. It no longer mattered.

Besides, Russ had done so much for me. Taking care of the woman he liked was the least I could do.