In a Miami yacht marina, Alex appeared before me. “Olivia!” He pushed through the crowd, rushing towards me. “I finally found you.” I took off my sunglasses, eyeing the tanned man for a good two seconds. “Do we know each other?” He offered an apologetic smile. “Come on, stop pouting. My journey’s over, and I’m back to make you my wife.” Only then did I recognize him—my ex-fiancé. The man who’d abandoned me at our wedding two years ago to travel the world with his adopted sister. “Alex,” I said, smiling, as I traced the wedding band on my ring finger. “Didn’t anyone tell you? I’m already married… to your uncle.” Miami, South Beach Yacht Club. I had just finished my speech for the Ocean Conservation Foundation’s auction and was walking along the pier towards my waiting car. “Olivia!” A figure quickly approached from the side, blocking my path. The man wore a wrinkled linen shirt, his skin deeply tanned. Beside him, Luna, equally sun-kissed, stood watching. “Two years,” Alex’s voice was a little hoarse, his eyes strikingly bright. “You haven’t changed a bit.” I studied the dark-skinned man for two seconds, then politely stepped back half a pace. “Alex? My apologies, you’ve changed quite a bit.” Luna immediately scoffed, crossing her arms. “Don’t pretend! Everyone in Miami knows you’re here today. Didn’t you just find out Alex’s boat was docking and ‘happened’ to show up?” She eyed my custom white suit up and down. “Still so arrogant. What else do you have besides that pretty face and the Rockefeller name?” Alex lightly touched her arm. “Luna.” His tone was one of helpless indulgence. He turned to me, his gaze softening. “Don’t mind her. She’s been through a lot on the sea these past two years, and it’s made her a bit rough around the edges.” “You know, her father died saving my life years ago, and on his deathbed, he entrusted her to my care. She said she wanted to fulfill her father’s dying wish—to sail around the world. I couldn’t refuse.” He extended a hand, as if to touch my face. “Now I’m back. It’s time to make good on our engagement.” I subtly tilted my head, avoiding his hand. Then I raised my left hand, letting the afternoon sun pierce through the ring on my finger—a perfectly cut ten-carat pear-shaped diamond, refracting a cold gleam in the daylight. “Mr. Winston, I think you’re mistaken. I’m here today for a charity auction. I knew nothing of your itinerary. And our engagement was voided two years ago. I’m already married.” Alex’s expression froze for a moment. Then, he burst out laughing, shaking his head as if he’d heard a childish joke. “Olivia, stop messing around.” “The union between the Winstons and Rockefellers was front-page news two years ago. You were left at the altar, everyone saw it.” He took a step closer, lowering his voice, laced with pity. “I know it was a huge blow for you, but no respectable family would take you in after that, not unless it was me.” He actually thought I was just waiting for his charity. No wonder he dared to abandon me for two years. His arrogance was truly laughable.
Back then, Alex was very resistant to our arranged marriage for business, but after meeting me, he pursued me fiercely for six months. I only agreed to the union because I found his looks and character acceptable. But I never expected him to have Luna, his adopted sister, whom he adored beyond measure. On our wedding day, everyone in New York’s high society was there. Just as we were about to exchange vows, Alex received a call from Luna. “Take me on a round-the-world trip! I’m waiting for you at the airport, and if you don’t come, I’ll jump!” He spared me only a fleeting, apologetic glance, then let go of my hand and walked out on everyone. I received two texts, then couldn’t reach him again. 【Her father saved my life. I can’t let anything happen to her.】 【When I get back, we’ll go to Tahiti for our honeymoon. I love you.】 Grandpa Winston was absolutely livid. He promised me, “Olivia, the Winston family has wronged you. Name your compensation, anything you want.” I set down my untouched champagne, my gaze falling on the man silently seated in the corner— Sebastian Winston, Alex’s uncle, the actual controller of the Winston Group. “If I must be compensated,” I heard my calm voice say, “then give him to me.” “The wedding is already set, the guests are still here. Just a change of groom.” The Miami sun hurt my eyes, Alex’s tall figure blocking my path. “Olivia?” His voice pulled me back to reality. “Grandpa’s hosting a dinner at the estate tonight, a welcome home for Luna and me,” he said. “You should come. We need to talk properly.” Luna added, her tone dripping with condescension. “Even though you behaved disgracefully before, Alex is giving you a chance. Don’t be ungrateful.” I almost laughed out loud. My phone vibrated then, a message from my husband. 【Auction go well? Just finished my meeting, heading to the airport now. Should be home before dinner. Miss you.】 It included a picture of the sky outside his car window. I replied: 【Very well. Had a small unexpected interruption, I’ll tell you tonight. Waiting for you to come home.】 I added a kissing emoji. I looked up. Alex was staring at my phone screen, a sarcastic smirk playing on his lips. “Still playing games? Olivia, when did you learn such childish tricks?” He pointed at my neck. “If you really married someone else, why are you still wearing the ‘Heart of the Ocean,’ the necklace Grandpa passed down to the Winston matriarch?” That antique blue diamond necklace was indeed given to me by Grandpa himself at my wedding to Sebastian. “This necklace—” “It’s the ‘Heart of the Ocean’!” Luna gasped, her eyes fixed on the diamond, swirling with jealousy and desire. “Alex, you said, Grandpa said that necklace was meant for the future lady of the Winston house!” She grabbed Alex’s arm, her voice turning tearful. “I’ve loved it since I was fifteen! But Grandpa never let me touch it! And now he’s given it to her because she’s a Rockefeller, and I’m just the housekeeper’s daughter, right?” Alex’s expression immediately softened, and he put his arm around her shoulder. “Luna, don’t say that.” He looked at me, his tone becoming difficult. “Olivia, you know Luna has insecurities. This necklace has special meaning to her. Could you please take it off for now? I promise to get you something even more expensive later.” I watched their touching display of ‘brotherly’ affection, my patience finally running thin. “First, Luna Miller, you’re twenty-five, six months older than me. Stop acting like a naive little girl.” “Secondly, this necklace is now the property of Mrs. Sebastian Winston. It has nothing to do with either of you.” “Finally—” I pressed my car key fob, and an Aston Martin Valkyrie flashed its lights in the distance. “I’ll be at the dinner, as a member of the Winston family.” I walked towards the sports car, hearing Luna raise her voice behind me. “She’s driving an Aston Martin Valkyrie! One of only 150 worldwide! Alex, she must have rented it just to spite you!” Alex’s sigh drifted on the breeze. “She’s just trying to get my attention this way. Forget it, we’ll talk tonight.” I slid into the driver’s seat, the engine giving a low growl. In the rearview mirror, I saw them standing there. Alex was looking down, gently comforting a sobbing Luna, his movements tender and practiced. How truly touching. Too bad tonight’s “family dinner” wouldn’t exactly follow their script.
That evening, at the Winston Estate. I deliberately arrived half an hour late. At the entrance to the estate, Alex and Luna were kneeling on the steps. Howard, the old butler, quietly told me: “Grandpa was furious when he heard his second grandson, Alex, brought Luna back, and he ordered them not to enter the house.” Grandpa Winston, the patriarch of the family, held absolute authority within the Winston clan. Alex saw me step out of the sports car and immediately stood up. “Olivia! You’re here to plead with Grandpa for me, aren’t you?” He grabbed my wrist. “I know you’re still mad, but just help me out this once. You’re the only one Grandpa listens to.” I pulled my hand back. “Alex, please show some self-respect.” Luna, still kneeling on the ground, looked up, her eyes red and swollen. “Olivia! Did you say something to Grandpa? Alex is his favorite grandson! You must have stirred things up!” She suddenly lunged at me, trying to grab me. I stepped aside. She stumbled a few steps, deliberately falling to the ground, scraping her knee slightly, and immediately burst into tears. Alex instantly knelt, carefully examining her injury, pulling her into his arms and softly comforting her. “Does it hurt? Don’t be scared, it’s okay.” That scene, how similar it was to our wedding two years ago. After consoling Luna, he turned to me, his face showing disappointment. “Olivia, you’ve changed. Luna was just scared, why can’t you be a little more understanding with her?” “If you marry me, you have to accept her as part of our family.” Luna nestled into his arms, saying timidly, “Alex, I think I twisted my ankle. It hurts so much.” “I’ll take you to the hospital.” “No need.” Luna looked at me, a flicker of cunning in her eyes. “If Olivia is truly sorry and willing to give me that sports car, I’ll forgive her.” The Aston Martin Valkyrie, worth three million dollars. Alex nodded, stating to me as if it were obvious. “Since you caused her injury, just give her the car as compensation. I’ll take you to buy a new one tomorrow.” I quietly watched them for a few seconds. Then I smiled. “Alex,” I said, enunciating each word. “You disgust me.” “Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to decide for me?” “Tell me to give you my sports car? Not a chance.” I turned, heading directly for the estate gates. “Stop right there!” Alex roared from behind me. “Olivia! If you don’t apologize to Luna today, don’t expect me to marry you!” The instant his words fell— “Bang!” The heavy oak doors of the estate burst open from within. A dark blur flew out, striking Alex precisely on the back of his head. Grandpa’s powerful roar echoed from inside the doors, reverberating through the entire front courtyard: “Idiot! Who are you going to marry? That’s your aunt!”
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “336914”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #擦边Steamy
Leave a Reply