Chapter 4: Engagements and Rivalries

When I returned to the house, Grandma Carol was already waiting for me.

She lay half-reclined, a home nurse gently massaging her shoulders.

The living room smelled faintly of lavender and eucalyptus. She looked as usual, wrapped in her favorite blue knit shawl, but I knew she was in a foul mood.

Sure enough, when she heard my footsteps, she opened her eyes and looked me over:

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

My heart softened, and I shook my head.

She sat up, her face tense as she regarded me:

“Today, Noah sent word. He wishes to take Lillian as his fiancée, and the mayor’s wife has already agreed.”

Lillian—my half-sister.

I was stunned. This had never happened in my previous life.

Where had things gone wrong?

Grandma Carol was still smiling, but the smile never reached her eyes:

“I wanted her to be the main bride, but she insisted on just being engaged for now.”

“If I hadn’t promised the mayor to keep your engagement a secret for now, I’d really like to see her reaction when she finds out…”

I fell silent.

In my previous life, Grandma Carol married me to Noah, and Lillian became Captain Andrew’s wife. In this life, with Grandma’s influence, if I married Captain Andrew, she would surely try to make Lillian Noah’s wife.

Yet Lillian chose to be just a fiancée.

Recalling Grandma’s earlier words, my heart stirred:

“Grandma, do you know why the mayor wants the engagement kept secret? And for how long?”

Grandma thought for a moment before replying:

“Since the mayor’s wife passed, the mayor hasn’t treated Noah as before—perhaps he harbors suspicions.”

She looked at me as she finished:

“It can’t be hidden for long. Next month, when Captain Andrew returns from the base, the engagement will be announced.”

I silently calculated the days—thankfully, only about ten or so remained.

Lillian’s engagement party was set for three days later.

Noah wanted to bring her in before the big wedding, both to please his beloved and to give me a warning.

Because the engagement was rushed and she was only a fiancée, the party was modest.

But Noah personally came to escort her, even bringing a pair of wild geese he’d hunted himself, giving Lillian plenty of face.

The usually plain Maple Heights house was now adorned with string lights and colorful banners, brimming with festivity.

The neighbors all peeked in, whispering about how the Carter family sure knew how to throw a party. But if you looked closely, not a single tablecloth or gift box was bright red.

Even the bride’s dress was peach pink.

I watched the joy on Noah’s face fracture bit by bit, though he quickly forced himself to smile again.

Lowering my gaze, I saw their hands clasped—one seemingly joyful, the other shy and timid.

Noticing my gaze, he lifted his chin provocatively and tightened his grip on her hand.

I calmly looked away, ignoring his childish show.

It wasn’t until I left the living room and Grandma’s sight that Noah dragged me into a corner, his tone vicious:

“Rachel, are you jealous now?”

“You won’t even let Lillian wear a red dress, afraid people will know she’s just a fiancée?”

“By doing this, aren’t you stabbing her in the heart, making it impossible for her to hold her head up?”

I frowned deeply and shook off his arm:

“Noah, isn’t it proper for a fiancée to wear peach pink?”

“How is that proper? Lillian, she—”

“She what?” I looked at him, half-smiling.

His face flushed red, but he couldn’t speak.

I knew what he wanted to say: Lillian was the one he cherished most. How could she be like the others?

I spoke calmly:

“If you feel she’s been wronged, why not ask the mayor to make her your wife?”

A fiancée’s dress should be peach pink—what’s he being so dramatic about?

If he’s so afraid the one he loves will be slighted, why not ask for a decree and marry her as his wife sooner?

In the end, he simply doesn’t dare.

Sure enough, he grew angry out of embarrassment, glaring at me and laughing coldly:

“So this is the conduct of the daughter of the Turner family.”

“Since you won’t give Lillian face, then on our wedding day, don’t blame me for not giving you any.”

I said nothing. At that moment, Lillian came looking for him. I stepped aside and gestured for him to leave:

“Noah, please.”

He snorted and left, flicking his jacket.

But Lillian didn’t follow immediately.

She paused, her lips curling in that way that always meant trouble was coming:

“Sis, did Noah lay into you because of me again? I’m so sorry—”

She leaned close to my ear, her voice barely above a whisper:

“Sis, can you guess who’ll be First Lady in this life?”