Chapter 3
Owen sat for a moment, his expression softening, as if preparing for what he was about to say. “I know he hasn’t been easy for you out there,” he began, his voice heavy with faux sympathy. “We owe you for those lost years.
To make it right, your mother and I have found a good family for you. They may not be a prestigious lineage, but they can ensure you a comfortable life.
His tone was dismissive and condescending, like he were offering charity to a beggar.
In her last life, when Owen had said those words, Ophelia had begged and pleaded. She hadn’t wanted to be forced into a marriage when she’d been reunited with her family.
But now, she only wanted to cut herself free from this so–called “family” and never look back.
“Dad, are you seriously going to marry Ophelia off to the owner of Rosewood Manor? The voice came from the doorway, a youthful but indignant tone. It was Scott Hastings, Owen’s youngest son. He was a freshman in high school and the only person in the house who treated Ophelia like a family member.
“You little brat, stay out of this.” Owen snapped, his face darkening with irritation. He didn’t take kindly to being challenged, least of all by his teenage son
Scott wasn’t having it, though. “Tm not a kid anymore. Is she really your daughter? I’ve heard about that old man living in Rosewood Manor. He’s not just old. He’s mentally unstable and disabled. You’re sending her there to live as a widow in all but
name.
“Shut your mouth.” Owen’s voice thundered through the room, a command that silenced the air around them. In this house,, Owen’s authority was law, and no one dared defy him.
Nathan strolled up behind Scott and threw an arm around his younger brother’s neck, shushing him mockingly. “Hush, Scott, Mom and Dad are talking. You don’t get a say in this.
He shot Ophelia a smug, sideways glance, thinking, ‘Good riddance. She’s finally gonna get lost. This chick from the slums is the reason why I’ve been the laughing stock among my rich friends for six whole months. They all think I might catch some disease from her.
Scott tried to fight back and say something, but Nathan was much stronger, dragging the boy up the stairs, his hand clamped over Scott’s mouth. Despite his protests, Scott was still just a teenager and couldn’t compete with Nathan’s muscular build.
Now that Scott had pointed out the ugly, glaring truth, Owen decided to drop the pretense. Emily, the daughter he had raised with such care and attention, was meant for a grand marriage alliance with the prestigious Lewis family.
As for the marriage to Rosewood Manor’s owner, it was an old arrangement left behind by Owen’s father, Lennon Hastings. At first, Owen had dismissed it as unimportant. But now, with the estate offering 30 million dollars to secure a bride, Owen wasn’t about to turn that kind of money down.
“This marriage is part of your grandfather’s legacy. Owen said, his tone firm. “Emily’s health isn’t suited for it, and as our biological daughter, it’s only right that you marry the owner of Rosewood Manor. If you refuse-”
Tll marry him.“Ophelia’s words were quick and sharp, leaving no room for argument.
Owen blinked, caught off guard. He hadn’t expected her to agree so easily. In fact, he’d been ready to wield the ultimate threat -to cut her off from the family if she refused. But now, with her sudden compliance, he swallowed back the words, unsure of what to say next.
A grin slowly spread across his face, trying to mask his surprise. “I knew you’d be reasonable. Our family won’t forget this, Ophelia. If you have any requests, just ask. I’ll do my best to fulfill them.”
His sudden shift to warmth made her stomach turn. She wasn’t used to his smiles–they were always laced with hidden motives. “I only have one request,” she said, her voice steady but with a cold edge that even Owen couldn’t ignore
“Go ahead,” he replied, still smiling.
Ophelia’s lips curved into something resembling a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “My identity papers. They were never corrected after my return
Chapter 3
“Oh, that’s all?” Owen chuckled, relieved. Tll have someone take care of it on Monday. Don’t to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but Ophelia stepped back before he could touch
Her expression hardened, all traces of a smile vanishing. “There’s no need. As of today, I’m bun.. Hastings family. From this moment on, I, Ophelia, have nothing to do with any of you
hed out, intending.
es with the
Oddly enough, as those words left her lips, Ophelia felt a sharp stab of pain in her heart. Yet, it didn’t matter anymore; she believed that true strength came from a place of indifference.
Owen’s expression darkened, the brief flicker of softness vanishing as his brows knit together in anger. “What do you mean by that?” His voice had a dangerous edge to it now.
“Exactly what I said.” Ophelia replied calmly, her gaze unwavering.
Nathan, always the opportunist, sauntered down the stairs, his lips curling into a sneer. “You sure about this, Ophelia? You’re really going to give up all the wealth and comfort that comes with being part of this family?” His tone dripped with disbelief He didn’t think she had it in her.
If she was really so tough, why did she come crawling back in the first place? he snorted inwardly.
“Elia, don’t be so stubborn.” Harry added, his forehead creased with concern, though Ophelia knew better than to believe his act. “What will you even do without us? Where can you go?” He looked genuinely worried, but she saw through him no
In her last life, Ophelia had thought Harry truly cared for her. It wasn’t until much later that she realized his concern was never about her; it was about avoiding any embarrassment to the Hastings family. He was just like Owen–always putting the family’s image and interests first, and her needs last.
“I managed just fine without the Hastings family for twenty years,” she said, her voice steady and composed. Her gaze shifted toward Owen. “And after that disaster of a reunion party last night, no one outside the family even knows I’m your biological daughter. No need for any more public statements. It’s cleaner this way.”
Owen exhaled heavily, irritation flashing across his face, but he quickly masked it.
“Fine, if that’s your decision, I won’t force you. We’ve done our part to make up for you these last six months. We’ve set you up to live comfortably for the rest of your life. As parents, we’ve done all we can.” His words were less for her and more for his own conscience, an attempt to wash his hands of any guilt
Ophelia didn’t respond. Instead, she turned on her heel and headed back to the maid’s room. Two minutes later, she reappeared, a faded black backpack slung over one shoulder. She was dressed exactly as she had been when she first arrived six months ago–light blue jeans, a white button–up shirt, her hair pulled high into a ponytail.
But for her, one lifetime had passed since then.
She walked through the halls of Hastings Villa one last time, not with any nostalgia or sentimentality. She was done with this family. All she wanted now was Kenneth.
Owen waved his hand dismissively toward the family driver, Corey Young. “Aaron, take her to Rosewood Manor.” With that, he headed upstairs.
Emily blinked in confusion, stunned at how quickly Ophelia was kicked out of the family. She had expected more of a fight, but it seemed Ophelia was slipping out of their lives so easily.
Her eyes met Ophelia’s as she stood at the doorway, and for a moment, an uneasy chill ran down her spine.
Ophelia’s eyes were mesmerizing, with a haunting beauty that always seemed to captivate. The small mole under the corner of her eye only added to her allure. Something in that look made Emily’s stomach twist. “What is she planning? Is this some sort of trap?
Outside, as Ophelia made her way to the car, she could still hear Nathan’s voice from inside the house.
Nathan was yelling to the maid, “Finally, the place is clean again. Lola, make something special for dinner tonight. Emily’s just come home from the hospital, so we’ve got to treat her right. And for goodness, clean out that maid’s room. That poor dog of Emily’s had nowhere to sleep because of–well, you know who. Make sure you disinfect it. Twice”
“Comparing Miss Ophelia to the family’s dog? Disgraceful. Even Aaron Graves, the driver, seemed to bristle at the audacity of Nathan’s words. It was painfully obvious–they thought Ophelia wasn’t even worth as much as Emily’s dog.
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Chapter 3
“Let’s go. Aaron.” Ophelia’s tone was light, as if the words hadn’t even touched her.
She wasn’t done with the Hastings family–not by a long shot. She would make sure they’d pay for what they’d done.
She knew that even though she walked away and married the owner of Rosewood Manor, they’d changed their minds when
they found out who she was really marrying, just like they had done in her last life.
But she wasn’t in a hurry. She would take revenge for every humiliation she’d suffered in her past life.
Night fell over Dellanex, the city slowly coming to life under the glow of neon lights. As the car sped through the streets toward Rosewood Manor, Ophelia’s heart raced.
The scenery outside the window blurred past her, both familiar and foreign, as if she were caught between two worlds–her past and her future.
The drive felt like it stretched on forever as they approached Rosewood Manor. At last, they arrived at the foot of a modern villa perched halfway up a hill, its sleek lines and minimalist design stark against the natural backdrop.
Her heart thumped in her chest as the car rolled to a stop. There was a nervous flutter in her stomach, an odd mixture of excitement and fear. Seeing Kenneth again, after everything, after two lifetimes, stirred something deep inside her.
Aaron exchanged a few words with Liam Dixon, Rosewood Manor’s butler, before turning back to Ophelia. With a respectful nod, he handed her the backpack. “Miss Ophelia, this is where I leave you.”
“Thanks, Aaron,” she said, accepting the bag. Without a glance back, she followed Liam inside, her head held high.
This was her new beginning. And this time, she wasn’t going to let anyone stand in her way.
