âIâm not sure, but keeping my distance from all the ladies seems like the right move Romeo said, then looked up at Chasel and asked, âChasel, what brings you here?â
âBella said she wanted to take a walk alone, and I couldnât just sit still, so I came to check on her âSame hereâ
âAre you really not interested in Serena at all?â Chasel asked as they walked on, âIf Bella hadnât come back to this family, would you have married Serena?â
âNo wayâ Romeoâs voice was firm âActually, I even considered calling off the engagement before.â
Not only had he considered it, he had actually almost done it.
But then he found out that his betrothed was Bella, so he changed his mind at the last minute.
Hearing this, Chasel was taken aback. âDo you realize what calling off the engagement at the last minute would mean for our two families?â Tm awareâ
It would mean a total fallout between the two families.
It would mean he and David could no longer be brothers, It would mean heâd have a formidable competitor in the business world.
It would mean accusations from his family, a loss of the elderâs dignity, and the reputation of the McMillan family being completely tarnished.
âBut I canât commit to a lifetime with someone I donât love, and I believe you guys wouldnât want your beloved one being neglected by me either.â
Chasel was puzzled: âIs Serena really that bad? Over all these years, hasnât she attracted you at all?â
âI donât know if youâve noticed, Chasel, but ever since Bella came back home, Serena hasnât exactly been friendly to her,â Romeo pointed out, âincluding deliberately provoking and testing Bella at the dinner table and her inappropriate behavior.â
âRomeo, Serena is my sister!â
These words were hard to swallow.
Before Serenaâs true identity was revealed, every member of the Collins family had doted on her for eighteen years.
Not only Kenneth and Louisa, but all five brothers treated her like a princess, catering to her every need and protecting her at all costs.
This princess, whom theyâve watched grow up, might be a bit haughty, but surely sheâs not as bad as Romeo painted her to be?
Chasel was having a hard time hearing someone speak ill of his sister in front of him.
Romeo understood, after all, who would suspect their innocent sister of having ulterior motives? Just like he wouldnât suspect his family of being bad people without reason, right?
âSheâs been the princess for eighteen years, and suddenly everything she had no longer belongs to her. Itâs normal for her to feel left out and try to draw attention, Itâs just girly stuff as long as she doesnât hurt Bella.â
Just as Chasel finished, Romeo asked, âAnd if she causes trouble for Bella, would you stand by and do nothing?â
âIf she intentionally targets Bella, Iâll stop her once I notice.â
âAnd if it happens where you canât see? Or if you canât do anything about it?â
âRomeoâ Chasel looked at Romeo, seemingly dissatisfied. âIs Serena really that bad in your eyes?â
âYou saw what happened when she sent the fruit.â Romeo met his gaze, word by word, his voice firm:
âHer intentions werenât pure.â
âIf I heard correctly, she was trying to draw a line between you two.â
âI could hear your footsteps from far away, couldnât she?â