Love on Sale

On Benedict Bradford’s birthday, he posted a link on social media with a taunting offer:

[$1.99 buys you a prank—target: Sansa Stormcloud.]

So when I arrived at his party, the guests drenched me in water, hurled glasses, smashed cake in my face, and shoved me down the stairs.

Benedict sneered as he stood over me, arm slung around Lina Kipling.

“You think you’re fit to marry into the Bradfords? Pathetic.

“You’re not even in Lina’s league. You’re worth nothing more than a couple of dollars!”

I picked myself up, dusted off my dress, and handed him an invitation.

“You know, Benedict, the Bradfords have another heir.

“And shortly afterwards, you’ll address me respectfully as your sister-in-law.”

Benedict Bradford froze.

He slowly reached for the bright red invitation, but then suddenly slapped it away before laughing out loud.

“Sister-in-law? Are you insane—or am I?

“You expect anyone to believe that nonsense? Everyone knows Theodore is abroad. You think he got engaged to you?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the room erupted in laughter from his gang of rich, spoilt friends.

Before I could explain, a nosy rich brat in the crowd named Eric Pullman shouted, “Benedict, I just spent another 1.99 on a new idea. I promise it’s hilarious!”

Benedict glanced down at his phone, then immediately picked up his glass of red wine and splashed it at my face as he grinned.

“Looks like an oil painting. Good idea!”

His childish and disrespectful behavior shattered my last shred of patience.

I just wanted to get Grandpa Alexander Bradford’s task over with and leave.

“It’s your birthday today, and I don’t want to embarrass you. This is your gift. Happy birthday.

“And Grandpa Alexander asked me to tell you to drink less. It’s bad for your health. Don’t forget to come home for dinner this weekend.”

The moment I mentioned Alexander, Benedict’s face darkened with irritation.

“Stop using Grandpa to lecture me all the time!

“Everyone knows your parents once helped him out. That’s the only reason you think you’ve got a shot at marrying into my family. It’s why you cling to me like this.”

He pulled Lina Kipling into his arms and flashed his phone screen at me like a challenge.

“In my heart, Lina is the only one who matters. See this?

“You, Sansa, are worth no more than a few dollars.”

I said nothing. Drenched in red wine and smeared with cake, I picked up my bag and walked out.

Benedict watched my limping figure disappear down the hallway.

After a long moment, he finally set down his wine glass with irritation.

“I’ll go walk her out, so she doesn’t run off and tattle to Grandpa.”

Flustered, Lina grabbed his arm and yanked him back.

“Don’t go, Benedict!” she pleaded.

“Sansa is always playing the victim. Why else would Grandpa Alexander force you to marry her? Why would he let her control you like this, taking away your freedom?

“Or… do you actually like that woman?”

“Only a dog would like her!” Benedict snapped.

“I wish she’d give up on me already.”

Lina glanced at the discarded invitation and let a smug smile tug at her lips.

“That’s easy enough to fix. I’ve got another idea, Benedict. Fake an engagement!

“On the day of the event, the fiancé disappears. Then let’s see if Grandpa Alexander and Sansa still dare to push you around after that!”

Benedict hesitated.

He didn’t want to take a joke that far, not when it involved something so serious.

But Lina stirred up the crowd, and under their jeering encouragement, he couldn’t say no.

“Fine,” he said.

“Let’s fake it.”

Meanwhile, I was on the phone with Alexander.

“Sansa, Theodore said he’ll be back in a few days for the engagement. Seeing you end up with someone you truly care for puts my heart at ease.

“You’ve worked hard all these years, looking after Benedict for me.”

Yes, I had.

The person I loved had never been Benedict, but his older brother, Theodore Bradford.

Back then, when Alexander insisted I was destined to be his granddaughter-in-law, everyone naturally assumed I would marry Benedict.

Even Theodore had not reacted to the news.

And when I finally gathered the courage to confess my feelings to Alexander, and Theodore agreed to marry me, he didn’t say much either.

Maybe, in his eyes, it didn’t matter who he married.

But still, the thought of being with him made my heart flutter.

“Three days from now, at the engagement party, I’ll personally announce your engagement to Theodore!”

Just as the call ended, a new message popped up on my phone.

It was from Benedict.

[We'll get engaged in three days.]