If they want to be together, then fine.

In this life, I'll step aside. I'll stay as far away from them as I possibly can.

When Colin heard his mom's question, he didn't hesitate. "Mom, Denise's the only woman I truly love. She won the piano competition fair and square, so by the rules I set, she's my fiancée. She's the only one I'll ever love."

Belinda let out a long, exasperated sigh. "If you want to marry her, I won’t stop you. But marriage between two families isn’t a trivial matter, Colin. I hope you’ll think this through. It’s not just about love. It includes financial stability and raising future generations... it all matters."

She looked directly at Denise.

On the other hand, Denise's eyes were locked on Colin, full of nothing but devotion. I guess love really does make people bold.

She took a small step forward, her voice trembling just enough to sound sincere. "Mrs. Fitzwilliam, when I marry Colin, I'll give him a son, run the household, and raise the next Fitzwilliam generation well. Colin promised he wouldn't marry anyone else."

Denise continued, persuading Colin's mom, "Every woman wants to spend her life with the one she loves. I'm sure you understand that, Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Please, let us be together."

As soon as she finished, the room went quiet.

Then expressions shifted, especially among the wives of families whose daughters had hoped to be Colin's bride.

Their faces darkened.

"Denise really has guts, bossing Colin around before she's even officially part of the family," one of the girls commented.

The one beside her smirked and said, "Which successful man doesn't have a few women circling? And Colin's the only son. What is she playing at? What if she can't have a son? Is she ready to end the Fitzwilliam line?"

"Looks like she wants exclusive rights to Colin. Bold move," the third girl expressed.

Even though Colin knew it was a gamble, he stood up for her. "Mom, please, I want to marry Denise. I'm asking for your blessing."

Belinda closed her eyes for a moment. Then she lifted her hand and waved it, tired and resigned. "You've made your choice. I won't stop you. I'll send someone to the Smythe residence with a formal proposal in three days."

The crowd began to file out, murmuring among themselves. I hadn't even made it to the door when I heard someone call my name.

"Lucy!"

Denise appeared, a servant trailing behind with jewelry from Colin.

She walked up to me, smiling sweetly. "I'm so sorry for the incident. I had no idea you wouldn't be performing tonight. Honestly, I thought you'd win."

I gave her a small smile. "Congrats, Denise. Looks like you got what you wanted."

Her eyes were red-rimmed. "You're not upset with me, are you? I know Mrs. Fitzwilliam really liked you. But I love Colin so much, and he told me he wanted to marry me. I didn't mean to come between us. I just couldn't let him go. Please don't be mad."

She pulled out a necklace, the massive diamond glinting under the chandelier light.

"Colin gave me this. But I want you to have it as a gesture of friendship. I hope you find someone you love soon. And may you have lots of beautiful children."

Before I could even respond, a hand snatched the necklace right out of mine.

"I gave that to you, Denise!" Colin snapped. "Why would you give it away? It was meant to wish us a happy marriage and a child-filled future. Why are you being so careless?"

Denise looked at him demurely. "Colin, Lucy's probably upset after not winning. I just wanted to cheer her up. Don't be so stingy."

Colin turned to me with a mocking grin. "Upset? Lucy, it's my mom who likes you, not me. She's probably impressed by your dad's connections. But once I get all the shareholders' approval and become Fitzwilliam Enterprises' heir, everyone answers to me. Including her. Don't you think?"

Cutting right through my non-responsive answer, he then boasted, "I'm not building my career on some woman's family name. And I never said I'd marry you. I used to enjoy our conversations. You were well-mannered and clever, but I never realized just how ambitious you are. You really thought you could become Mrs. Fitzwilliam?"

Watching Denise and Colin echo each other's words, I had no patience left to continue the conversation.

So I took a step back and said, "Colin, I came to your birthday party because your mother invited me. All this talk about using women to climb the ladder or about marrying me is exhausting. Don't waste your breath. We wouldn't want your fiancée to overthink things, right?"

I raised my eyebrows and added, "Because if she does, she might assume that you think her family lacks influence. How exactly do you expect her to fit into your family, then?"

With that, I turned and walked away.

By nature, Denise had always been suspicious and petty. The Smythe family had long since lost their stature and influence in Harbor City's elite. Compared to my family, hers was barely a footnote.

...

Three days later, the Fitzwilliams sent an official proposal to the Smythes.

Colin and Denise's marriage was set.

Right then, Denise threw a lavish party, inviting all the young women of Harbor City's upper crust.

With Colin's name attached, who would dare say no?

At the party, Denise was adorned with jewels, all gifts from Colin and his mother, Belinda. Though she wasn't Colin's wife yet, she carried herself like she already was.

I couldn't help but remember our past life when Colin favored her for her modesty, her disdain for flashy jewelry, and her effortless elegance.

But in this second life, would Colin still see that in her?

In front of everyone, Denise grabbed my hand tightly. "Lucy, will you be my bridesmaid? I'd really like it if you could stand beside me on my big day. Having a few close sisters nearby will make me less nervous."

Her face pleaded, but her eyes sparkled with triumph. In her mind, she had already won in life, and now she wanted to humiliate me in public.

"You're going to be the future Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Whoever you choose as your bridesmaid wouldn't dare refuse. No one in Harbor would dare disrespect Colin Fitzwilliam's fiancée. What do you say, Lucy?"

The one who spoke was none other than Colin. He had just arrived, stepping in to support Denise's party, clearly smitten.

Meanwhile, all eyes turned to me, waiting for my reaction.

Say yes, and I'd bow to the title of Mrs. Fitzwilliam.

Say no, and I'd be throwing shade at Colin himself.

Confident and smug, Colin and Denise forgot one thing: my father was the president of the Morgan Group.

In Harbor City, apart from a few elders, I answered to no one.

I yanked my hand free. "Sorry, I won't be attending your wedding, Denise. My father sent someone to bring me home. The plane ticket's booked on the same day as your wedding."

Denise's eyes welled up. "Lucy, are you mad at me? Then why would the chairman of the Morgan Group send someone to pick you up like this?"

Beside me, Janet, my friend, spoke on my behalf, "Lucy's dad's envoy arrived last night. He has already arranged a marriage for her. Besides, Lucy's been here six months. It's time she returned home to prepare for her own wedding."

As soon as she said that, Colin's face twisted in frustration. "You're going back to Lakeside City? Your father sent you here to marry into a good family here at Harbor, didn't he?"

Then, boldly, he proposed, "I know you don't like that I chose Denise as my fiancée. But what if... I told you that I'll marry her, but I can still be with you?"

Denise's face went sour.

Before she could say a word, I gave a cold smile. "What are you even talking about, Colin? Didn't you already tell your mother that Denise was the only one you ever wanted to marry? And besides, how could a daughter of the Morgan family like me be a homewrecker?"

Colin clenched his jaw. "Lucy, do you really want to become my wife? Is that what you care about?"

I looked at him, disbelief evident in my eyes. "Colin, I never said I wanted to be your wife. I've been here long enough. My family misses me. I have no relatives here. Going home is only natural. Or are you suggesting I don't even have the right to go back?"

Colin looked furious. “And what if I don’t agree? What if I don’t let you leave?”

“Well, then I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed, Fitzwilliam,” came a voice from behind me. “Because Lucy and I are already engaged. Are you trying to steal another man’s fiancée now?”

I turned around and saw Hunter Grosvenor walking in.

Hunter, my childhood friend from Lakeside City, arrived looking sharp, though still showing signs of travel. It was clear he had come directly here.

He walked up to me, positioning himself just slightly in front of me, subtly yet unmistakably providing me with some protection.

Colin’s eyes narrowed. “Hunter, you’re supposed to be in Lakeside City. What are you doing here?”

With confidence, Hunter smiled. “I’m closing a deal for Mr. Morgan and here to escort Lucy back home.”

Then he looked down at me, his eyes warm and full of nothing but me. “Lucy, parties like this bore me. I heard there’s a fireworks show tonight on the pier. Want me to take you?”

I smiled and rose to my feet, turning toward Colin and Denise. “I’ll take my leave now. I may not be around when your wedding day comes, so let me offer my congratulations in advance. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.”

With that, I followed Hunter out of the Smythe estate.

Behind us, Colin stormed out after us. “Lucy! Are you seriously telling me that being with me isn’t worth more than being Hunter’s fiancée?”

Still yelling, he declared, “When I take over Fitzwilliam Enterprises, I’ll make sure you have the family you want—our child, even!”

Hunter opened the door to the sleek black sports car waiting out front and gently helped me inside.

I sat down with a smile, closed the door behind me, and watched through the tinted glass as Harbor City and Colin Fitzwilliam faded away in the rearview mirror.

...

Colin’s wedding was the event of the season.

On the morning of the ceremony, my bags were packed and my car was ready to head out.

But fate had other plans.

We’d deliberately chosen a quieter street to avoid running into his wedding procession, yet somehow, by some twist of irony or design, Colin’s convoy had picked the same route.

He stood in front of our car, dressed in his groom’s suit, blocking our way.

“Lucy, are you really leaving?”