A sharp sound of something breaking echoed through the house. Helena rushed in and saw shattered pieces of a vase lying across the floor. She turned to Isabelle and shouted,
"Go on—break everything! Maybe burn down the whole house too, that'd be better!"
Isabelle clenched her teeth, fury flashing in her eyes.
"It's Selena again!" she hissed. "Why is it always her?"
Helena sat down on the couch, forcing herself to calm down. She sighed.
"Don't worry. There's still a lot ahead," she muttered, her gaze fixed on the broken pieces. "She still needs to find a husband. Do you think it'll be that easy?"
An evil smirk spread across her face as she looked up and blew a mocking kiss at Isabelle.
Isabelle let out a short, sarcastic laugh.
"She escapes every time, you know. Before this, she even managed to survive that damn accident!"
Helena's face turned slightly pale at her words.
Suddenly, the main doors opened. Both Helena and Isabelle froze, their faces draining of color as Selena appeared before them.
Isabelle gritted her teeth and stepped forward.
"What are you here for?" she snapped.
Selena crossed her arms and smiled.
"Sister, don't forget—this is my house. I can come anytime I want."
Isabelle's body trembled with anger. She shot Helena a look, but Helena remained silent, her eyes locked on Selena as she rose from the couch.
"You've grown quite bold," Helena said coolly. "But sorry, your father's gone. You can't boss anyone around anymore."
Selena's fist curled, but she stayed composed.
"I never boss around," she said with a faint laugh. "It's just that some stray dog found shelter here and now claims to be the master."
"You—!" Isabelle raised her hand to slap her, but Selena grabbed her wrist and shoved her back. Isabelle fell onto the broken shards, a cry escaping her lips as she cut her hand.
Helena rushed to help her up.
"What do you think you're doing, Selena!" she shouted.
Selena calmly took out a tissue, wiped her hands, and tossed it onto Isabelle.
"I'm not here to argue," she said coldly. "I just had some spicy news."
Isabelle looked up, confused. Selena chuckled and sat down.
"I'm getting married next week," she said with a smirk. Her eyes locked on Helena, whose face was burning with anger. "I'm just here to invite my dear family to the wedding."
Helena let out a sharp laugh.
"Oh really? But I heard your contract marriage fell apart halfway. The groom got kidnapped, didn't he?"
Selena smiled, pulling out her phone.
"I believe you should hear this," she said, pressing play.
A distorted voice came from the speaker.
"It was Helena Marchand. She ordered us to kidnap him. She paid us one million. "
Helena's face turned grey. She hadn't expected Selena to have this.
"Well, well," Selena said, smirking. "The kidnappers already confessed. And these—" she threw a set of papers at them "—are the money transfer records."
She stepped closer, her voice low and cold.
"But don't worry, Helena. I won't let you go that easily. You owe me—a lot."
With that, Selena turned and walked out. Helena and Isabelle stood there speechless, shock frozen across their faces.
Outside, Selena got into the car.
"How was it?" Mika grinned.
"It felt so good seeing their damned faces. The color just drained out of Helena's face," Selena chuckled.
"Then I missed a good show," Mika smiled, starting the car.
---
Selena leaned back, finally letting peace settle across her features. But just as she relaxed, her phone buzzed. She picked it u--
"Where are you?" a sharp voice demanded.
She flinched slightly. "At home. Is something wrong?"
"Meet me at the city hospital within an hour."
"But… what's this about?"
"Meeting Grandma," Daniel's voice replied curtly. Then he added, "Wear something decent. And remember—you've been my girlfriend for a year. Understand?"
"Umm… okay."
Before she could say anything else, he hung up. Selena exhaled deeply, grabbed her bag, and rushed to her room.
"Mika, can you drive me to the city hospital?" she said quickly over the phone. "It's urgent."
"Hey, is everything alright?"
"It's not me. Daniel asked me to be there in an hour."
"Is that so? Fine. I'll be there in five minutes."
Selena hung up and got ready in a hurry.
Hope I won't mess this up, she thought, checking herself once before rushing out.
Soon, they reached the city hospital. Selena got out and walked quickly to the entrance.
"Miss Selena—you're here," Daniel's secretary greeted her.
"Mr. Secretary," she murmured. "Where is Daniel?"
"He's waiting for you. Please follow me."
Selena nodded and followed him down the corridor.
"Mr. Daniel, she's here," the secretary announced.
Daniel stood up and approached her. His gaze was cold, sharp. She flinched as he got closer. Without a word, he extended his arm toward her.
"Darling," he said softly but firmly. "You're my girlfriend."
She stared at his arm, confused, then looked up at him.
Daniel gave a faint smile. "Don't let her catch on."
Selena took a deep breath and nodded, placing her hand on his arm.
They entered the room together.
"Grandma," Daniel greeted.
Grandma looked up and smiled warmly.
"Finally, you're here," she said, taking Selena's hand. "My future granddaughter-in-law."
Selena felt her heart flutter nervously.
"Come, sit here," Grandma said, pulling her into a gentle hug. "Oh dear, my granddaughter-in-law is so pretty."
Selena smiled awkwardly, glancing at Daniel, who sat quietly on the couch, expression unreadable.
"What's your name, dear?" Grandma asked, patting her head.
"S–Selena. My name is Selena Leonard."
The air shifted. Grandma's smile faded, her expression turning blank as her eyes moved slowly from Selena to Daniel, who was still looking out the window.