Chapter 3

The next morning.

The cruise ship docked. The elders of both the Rose family and the Vane family were already waiting at the pier.

Shaken and chilled to the bone, Seraphina was carefully carried off the ship in Dante's arms and taken straight to the hospital.

I followed behind, like a ghost nobody noticed.

When my father Edward Rose saw me, his expression darkened like a storm cloud.

"You're a disgrace! We barely brought you back and you're already causing trouble — you can't even get along with your own sister!"

He raised his hand, and I could see the slap coming straight at my face.

I didn't flinch. I just stared back at him, cold and steady.

"Before you hit me, Father, you might want to check the security footage first. Seraphina was the one who tried to push me. It backfired on her."

Edward's hand froze in mid-air, his face cycling between pale and ash-gray.

He knew exactly what Seraphina was capable of — but he didn't care.

All he cared about was the Rose family's reputation and interests.

"Whatever the truth is, people out there are already saying you're cold-blooded — that you tried to harm your own sister! How is the Rose family supposed to show its face after this?"

I let out a cold laugh.

"Is the Rose family's reputation really worth more than my life — your own daughter's life?"

My words left him with nothing to say. He could only yank his sleeve back in frustration and storm off.

Right then, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled slowly up to the pier.

The door opened, and Dante's mother Valerie Vane stepped out — dripping in jewels — leaning on her assistant's arm.

Her sharp eyes swept the crowd, and then landed on me.

My heart tightened.

In my past life, she was the one who had the final say — the one who forced my marriage to Dante.

But this time, it was Seraphina that Dante had saved. Surely she would change her mind now?

Valerie walked up to Edward and gave a small nod.

"Edward, both girls had quite the scare last night."

Edward quickly flashed a smile.

"You're absolutely right, Valerie. Liliana had no sense. I'm sorry if it caused any embarrassment for Dante."

Valerie raised a hand, cutting him off.

"Let's not dwell on the past. I'm here today to announce the marriage arrangements between our two families."

My heart skipped a beat.

The assistant behind Valerie produced two gold-embossed marriage contracts.

"The eldest daughter of the Rose family, Liliana — graceful and composed — is a perfect match for Dante Vane, the eldest son of the Vane family. We are pleased to join them in marriage."

"The second daughter of the Rose family, Seraphina — spirited and charming — is well-suited for Roman Vane, the second son of the Vane family. A wedding date will be set in due course."

The words hit me like a bolt of lightning.

My mind went completely blank.

How could this be?

Everything had changed — hadn't it?

It was Seraphina who had clung to Dante in the water last night, the two of them fighting to survive together!

So why — why were the marriage arrangements exactly the same as in my past life?!

I snapped my head up and locked my eyes on Valerie.

"Valerie, there has to be a mistake."

My voice trembled. I forced the words out through gritted teeth.

"Last night in the sea, it was Dante who saved Seraphina! Everyone saw them holding each other! How can you still have me marry Dante?"

Valerie's expression turned ice-cold in an instant.

She looked down at me, her eyes full of contempt and mockery.

"A mistake? Since when does anyone get to question a decision made by the Vane family?"

She stepped closer, dropping her voice so only I could hear.

"Liliana, do you think a marriage like this is something to play games with? Dante is the heir to the Vane Group. His future wife must be the true heiress of the Rose family — the one who holds full inheritance rights."

"As for Seraphina — she has no blood ties to your family. She's a fraud. The fact that she even gets to marry Roman, illegitimate as he is, is already a privilege she doesn't deserve."

"No matter who Dante saved last night — no matter who he loves — the position of the eldest son's wife in The Vane's Family belongs to you, and only you!"