Love Rewind

Chapter 2

When they came back, their hands were tightly clasped together.

Stella's lips were swollen and red, and a clear hickey marked Charles's neck.

The room went quiet, and everyone turned their attention to me, clearly waiting for me to lose it.

In the past, whenever another girl got close to Charles, I would inevitably make a scene, clinging to him, trying to get his attention back.

But this time, Charles pulled Stella behind him, his face almost like he was bracing for something.

Minutes passed, and I didn't react.

Charles looked surprised. After a beat, he sneered, "Well, looks like you've finally learned to keep it together."

The party ended, and as we were heading out, Charles stopped me.

"It's late. Let me give you a ride. It's not safe," he offered.

I didn't turn him down.

But as I was about to get in the backseat, Charles quickly blocked the front passenger door.

"You sit in the back," he ordered, before helping Stella into the front seat.

"Sorry, sis. Charles is just worried about my motion sickness," Stella explained with a grin.

I said nothing, getting into the backseat as planned.

The whole ride, Charles and Stella chatted and laughed in the front, as if I wasn't even there.

At a red light, Stella asked Charles to help her apply lip balm.

Their eyes locked, their faces leaning in, close enough for me to hear their breath hitching as they exchanged looks that spoke more than words.

Suddenly, Charles jerked back, as though remembering I was in the car.

He glanced at me, saw me staring out the window, and his expression darkened. Without another word, he started driving again.

When we reached my house, Charles unexpectedly grabbed my arm as I was getting out of the car.

He shoved a bracelet into my hand, his voice laced with disdain.

"Enough with the act. It's beneath you."

"Consider this bracelet your engagement gift," he said, his tone sharp. "As long as you play nice, I'll give you the wedding. At least in name, everyone in North Boston will think you're my wife."

I lifted my gaze, calm, and asked, "So who are you really going to marry? Is it Stella?"

Charles's face twisted in anger, but there was a touch of smug satisfaction in his expression.

"I knew it. You've been pretending all along. Don't you dare tell our parents any of this!" His voice dropped to a low growl. "What Stella and I have... it's beyond anything you can imagine. She's kind, fragile, nothing like you and your petty games. If you hurt her, I'll cancel this wedding, understand?"

I couldn't help but laugh. He was the one too afraid to speak his truth, yet somehow I was the villain in all this.

I didn't say another word. I just turned and headed inside.

As soon as I stepped through the door, my phone buzzed with a new video from Stella.

In it, Charles was carefully fastening a necklace around her neck.

I immediately recognized the brand. The bracelet he'd just given me? It was the free gift that came with that necklace.

They leaned in close, their necks brushing together before they kissed passionately, their mouths making loud, wet sounds.

I felt a cold knot form in my stomach as I watched.

Then came the message from Stella:

[Cousin Natalie, Charles must have told you by now, right? After the ceremony with you, he's going to legally marry me.]

[A marriage that's not legally recognized? It means no inheritance rights. It's finally my turn to be the billionaire's wife!]