The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 176
Summer’s POV
“And miss my only sister’s birthday?” I replied, matching her saccharine tone. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
I reached into my purse and pulled out a small velvet box tied with an elegant silver ribbon. Victoria’s eyes immediately zeroed in on it, a flash of contempt briefly crossing her perfect features. I could practically hear her thoughts: What could little Summer possibly afford that would be worthy of me?
“Today’s your special day,” I said, offering her the box. “I don’t have much to give my big sister, but I spent a month’s salary on this necklace. I hope you like it?”
Victoria took the box, her fingers grazing mine with obvious reluctance. Her lips curved into that patronizing smile I knew all too well–the one that said, How cute that you think your pathetic salary could buy anything worth having.
“That’s… thoughtful of you, Summer,” she said, clearly preparing to feign delight before subtly belittling whatever modest trinket she expected to find inside.
She untied the ribbon with deliberate slowness, drawing out the moment for maximum effect. As she lifted the lid, her expression shifted from condescending amusement to stunned disbelief. Her perfectly manicured fingers trembled as they hovered above the
contents.
This… Summer, this is…” Her voice faltered, eyes widening in shock.
Inside lay the “Heart of the Ocean” necklace–the exquisite blue diamond pendant that had once been Alexander’s gift to me. The same necklace Victoria had coveted from the moment she first saw it around my neck.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I said, my eyes narrowing slightly as I smiled. “The moment I saw it, I just knew it would suit you perfectly. I’ve been saving up for months, living on ramen and tap water to buy this for you. It was worth every sacrifice.”
I lifted the necklace from its velvet cushion, the sapphire–blue stone catching the light, sending prisms dancing across Victoria’s
frozen face.
“Let me help you put it on, sis,” I offered, stepping closer.
“NO!” Victoria jerked back so violently she nearly dropped the box. “DON’T TOUCH ME!”
Her shriek echoed through the ballroom, silencing nearby conversations. Dozens of heads turned our way, eyes widening at the spectacle of the birthday girl losing her composure.
Victoria instantly recognized her mistake. I watched the calculations behind her eyes as she struggled to regain control, to find a
way to save face.
“I’m… I’m so sorry, Summer,” she stammered, forcing a tremulous smile. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just–this necklace is so incredibly valuable, I was momentarily overwhelmed. I’m just so touched that you would save for months to buy me something this special!”
Her performance was Oscar–worthy–voice breaking with artificial emotion, eyes glistening with tears that wouldn’t fall. But I could see the rage simmering beneath, threatening to boil over at any moment.
She knows exactly what this necklace is. She remembers every detail of the day Alexander gave it to me for my birthday. How her envy had eventually driven her to steal not just the necklace, but the man who gave it to me.
.A4
Of course,” I replied softly, maintaining my innocent smile. “You’re my only sister, after all. I couldn’t properly celebrate your wedding, so I wanted to make sure your birthday was special.”
1/3
Chapter 176.
I stepped closer, pressing the necklace into her palm and closing her fingers around it. “I wore it once or twice myself, but honestly, it suits you much better. I’m just so happy to give it to you. Aren’t you pleased?”
Victoria’s face had gone rigid, her complexion ashen beneath her perfect makeup. ‘You… Summer, you…”
I patted her hand, feeling the tension in her fingers as they clutched the necklace. “Be careful not to drop it.”
“You’re doing this on purpose,” she hissed, her voice low enough that only I could hear.
I blinked innocently. “Doing what? I came especially to wish you happy birthday.”
She was visibly shaking now, her knuckles white around the necklace but too aware of her watching guests to make a scene.
I leaned in, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Don’t worry about thanking me properly. I’ll be sure to bring even better gifts on your next birthday celebration.”
I watched with savage satisfaction as Victoria’s perfect mask began to crack. For years, I’d been the family doormat–the one who always stepped back, always gave in, always surrendered what was mine without complaint. I’d convinced myself that taking the high road meant suffering in silence, that dignity meant accepting mistreatment without fighting back.
But seeing Victoria’s face now, I realized how much power I’d given away by being the “good sister.” I’d let her believe she could take everything from me without consequences. I didn’t love Alexander anymore–hadn’t for a long time–but that didn’t erase the betrayal. They hadn’t just stolen my fiancé; they’d trampled my trust my dignity, and my place in my own family.
Being with Brandon had changed something fundamental in me. He’d shown me that I deserved more–that being selfish wasn’t à sin when it meant valuing myself enough to fight back. The world wouldn’t protect me; no one would stand up for me if I wouldn’t stand up for myself.
“You have so many guests to attend to,” I said, stepping back. “I shouldn’t monopolize the birthday girl.”
I released Victoria’s hand and moved away, feeling lighter than I had in years. The weight of being the family pushover had finally lifted from my shoulders.
I found a quiet corner and settled into a plush chair, watching the party unfold from a safe distance. Victoria had plastered on her socialite smile again, though her movements were stiffer now, her laughter a touch too loud. She’d tucked the necklace away somewhere–probably couldn’t bear to look at it.
My moment of triumph was short–lived when I spotted Charles Windsor moving through the crowd, his predatory gaze fixed directly on me. My stomach dropped instantly. Of all the people Victoria could have invited, why him? Every muscle in my body tensed as he wove between guests with determined grace, heading straight for my corner.
effectively trapped. The last time we’d crossed paths hadn’t exactly ended I looked around desperately for an escape route, but I well, and Brandon had explicitly warned me to stay away from him. Charles Windsor was dangerous–the kind of danger that came wrapped in bespoke suits and smooth charm.
“Miss Taylor, it’s been a while.”
I jumped slightly at his voice, now right in front of me. My hands instinctively gripped my clutch tighter as I looked up to find him looming over me, champagne flute in hand and that unsettling smile playing on his lips.
