Spencer turned around, his face dark with anger.

"Nanette, I told you—our engagement is off."

"In three days, I'll be marrying into the Fox family."

Nanette let out a cold laugh. "Spencer, you really think just because you're not marrying me, Grace will agree to marry you instead—"

"I will."

My voice wasn't loud, but it left Nanette staring at me in stunned silence.

I didn't rush to explain. Instead, I continued addressing Spencer. "The Fox family is willing to form an alliance with the Gilberts through marriage."

"But since Miss Dickerson is unwell, I imagine you're in no mood to plan a wedding. So let me handle it."

"Three days from now, just come to the Fox residence for the ceremony. We can file the marriage certificate afterward."

Spencer looked pleasantly surprised, an instinctive smile crossing his face. "Grace, you've always been so sweet and understanding."

I raised a hand to stop him.

"But I have one condition."

"I witnessed everything that happened today. The facts are exactly as Nanette described."

"So have your Miss Dickerson apologize to her."

Abigail protested, unwilling to concede. "Spencer, she's slandering me—"

Spencer's brow furrowed, his voice turning cold.

"Grace, and here I thought you were reasonable. Turns out you're just as bad as Nanette!"

I gave a bitter, self-mocking smile.

"Spencer, the three of us grew up together. We know each other better than anyone."

"Why won't you ever believe me and Nanette?"

Spencer scoffed dismissively.

"Because I know what kind of person Abigail is!"

"Every time we go cycling, she makes a point of visiting the elderly and the children left behind in those areas, buying them food and clothes."

"Someone that kind-hearted would never frame Nanette!"

"The way I see it, you two are just jealous and ganging up on her!"

"If my family wasn't forcing my hand, I'd never even consider either of you!"

The disappointment I felt mirrored Nanette's.

I shook my head helplessly. "So you don't actually want to marry either of us, is that it?"

Spencer answered without hesitation. "That's right. You should count yourself lucky I'm willing to marry you at all."

"Don't expect anything more."

"Behave yourself, and you'll always be Mrs. Gilbert."

"Step out of line, and don't blame me for what happens."

Nanette was seething, but I stopped her before she could say anything.

I kept my voice calm. "Fine. I understand."

"I'll have the wedding ready. Don't be late."

As we turned to leave the hospital room, Nanette grabbed my arm. "Have you lost your mind?"

"I came here to kill my feelings for him—what are you doing jumping in?!"

"Wasn't one lifetime of suffering enough? You're actually going to marry him?!"

I closed the door behind us before answering.

"Relax. I said the families could form an alliance."

"I never said I'd be the one walking down the aisle..."

Before Nanette could press further, two men appeared at the end of the hallway—our fathers—and each grabbed one of us, practically dragging us out of the hospital.

Nanette spotted the man beside me and blinked in surprise. "Uncle Chad Fox? What are you doing here?"

I smiled. "You're allowed to call your dad for backup, but I'm not?"

But neither of our fathers was in any mood for jokes.

Their faces were equally thunderous.

Uncle Maurice James was shaking with rage. "Nanette, you called me here just to watch you get humiliated and dumped?"

Nanette scratched her head awkwardly.

"No, I was worried Spencer might try to settle the score with me. I knew I couldn't take him in a fight, so I called you for backup."

I quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Uncle Maurice, it's actually a good thing you came."

"At least now you know what kind of person Spencer really is. You'll know to watch out for him in business."

"Besides, Nanette isn't being jilted—she's jumping out of a burning building before it collapses."

Uncle Maurice's expression finally softened.

But my dad's face grew darker.

He squinted at me, so furious he actually laughed. "Grace, you just admitted it's a burning building, and you're still rushing to throw yourself in."

"That lovesick brain of yours is hopeless!"

I'd chased Spencer for years—my dad had watched the whole pathetic spectacle.

He'd never approved.

Now, having heard Spencer's vile words with his own ears, he couldn't fathom why I'd still want to throw myself at the man.

But harsh as his words were, my dad's soft spot for his daughter was legendary.

After his rant, he shook his head. "No. Even if you hate me for the rest of your life, I'm going to tell Spencer myself—we're calling off this wedding."

I grabbed his arm before he could storm off.

"Dad, hold on."

"This alliance with the Gilbert family benefits us too."

"Weren't you trying to partner with them on that Westside development project?"

"If we burn this bridge now, what happens to the deal?"

My dad's voice dropped to a low growl. "I don't care how much I want that deal—I'm not trading my daughter's future for it!"

Uncle Maurice tried to calm him. "Grace, speaking as a father myself, I understand how he feels."

"No business deal is worth more than our children."

"Don't worry. The Gilberts may have an inside track on that Westside land, but if our families join forces, we still have a shot."

Nanette looped her arm through mine, her face full of concern.

"Come on, Grace. Just listen this time."

"I liked Spencer as much as you did, but today I finally saw him for what he is. He's not worth marrying. Don't make the same mistake twice."

The three of them talked over each other, leaving me caught between laughter and tears.

When they finally paused for breath, I seized my chance.

"Just hear me out."

"I'm not the one getting married."

They exchanged confused looks.

I pressed on patiently. "What I told Spencer was that the Fox and Gilbert families could still unite through marriage."

"As long as the bride is a Fox daughter, does it really matter which one?"

My dad still looked lost.

"You're my only daughter. If not you, then who?"

I smiled meaningfully. "Dad, after Uncle and Auntie passed away, didn't you adopt their daughter into our household?"

"Lindsay Fox is a legitimate daughter of this family too."

My dad waved the idea away instinctively.

"That cousin of yours is rotten to the core—a master manipulator. I shipped her overseas to get rid of her. You really want to marry her into the Gilbert family and watch the fireworks?"

My cousin Lindsay Fox was born bad.

My parents had raised her for years, giving her everything.

She repaid them with zero gratitude and relentless schemes to steal the family fortune.

She'd even caused the accident that shattered my mother's leg—condemning her to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

But my uncle had been my father's only family, the one who'd raised him from nothing.

Dad couldn't bring himself to send Lindsay to prison. The best he could do was force her to leave the country.

Looking back now, no one was more suited to marry into the Gilbert family than her.

Three days later, at the wedding I'd arranged in traditional style, Lindsay flew back and took my place beneath the red veil.

I watched Spencer lead the bridal sedan away.

Only then did Nanette and I step out from the shadows, walking side by side.

Nanette watched the procession disappear, curiosity in her voice. "So who do you think wins in the end—Abigail or your cousin?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled out my phone and booked two plane tickets.

"Doesn't matter who wins. It won't affect us."

"Let's go see the Northern Lights in Iceland. We'll take some photos and send them to Spencer and Abigail when we get back."

I have a feeling those two won't be making that trip in this lifetime...