Another Turning

When I got home, my mom looked worried and asked if I was really going to marry another.

"Wendy, are you really going to marry Joseph? You've always loved Elliot, and now, you're having his baby. Don't make a choice you'll regret just because you're upset."

Mom did not know about all the tough times I went through before or how Joseph had come back from overseas in the middle of the night, crying and begging the doctors to save me after I lost my baby and was really sick.

It was only then that I realized that Joseph, talented as he was, had not gone abroad because he could not become the Lewis family's Don. He chose to settle abroad out of love for me, heartbroken at the thought of me marrying someone else.

Regret swallowed me whole.

Thinking back, I looked at Mom, more sure than ever, and nodded.

"Mom, this is the best decision I've ever made, and I won't regret it."

Mom just sighed when she saw how sure I was.

"Okay. It's funny. Joseph said yes right away when he heard you wanted to marry him. Too bad he's got a lot to do before he comes back home, so he might miss your birthday party tomorrow."

"That's okay." I gave a small smile, happy with how things were turning out.

…

At my birthday party the next day, Elliot was one of the first to show up, and Sheila was with him. They walked in side by side, and I could see some red marks on Sheila's neck that made me wonder.

Before, I would have loudly questioned them about it. However, this time, I just turned away quietly and looked at the present I had just received. It was from Joseph, who had sent it through a friend before he flew off somewhere.

Elliot seemed surprised that I did not make a fuss. He left Sheila behind and grabbed the card from my present. When he saw the name on the card, he looked worried and on guard.

"My big brother? Why did he send you a present? Isn't he out of the country?"

"Didn't your dad tell you? Your big brother's coming home."

Elliot looked shocked for a second, then he gave an awful smile and laughed with his friends.

"Looks like Joseph knows what's up. He knows I'm gonna be the Don soon, so he's sending gifts to get on my good side. Maybe he's hurrying back to congratulate me!"

Elliot thought he was going to be the next Don of the Lewis family because he remembered things from before.

What he did not realize was that in our previous life, he got to be the Don because I, the one who was supposed to take over, had picked him. In this life, things might not go his way.

"Who said I was going to marry you?" I faced him, keeping my cool.

Everything went quiet for a moment, and then everyone burst out laughing. Elliot laughed the loudest of all his friends.

"Everyone knows you're head over heels for me. You'd do anything to be my wife, even pulling every trick in the book to have my baby. Who else would you marry if not me? Joseph?"

He sneered, his laugh filled with scorn, "Joseph's lost his power in the family. He'd never marry you, especially if you're carrying my child. Cut out the silly jokes, Wendy!"

He leaned in close, his eyes scanning me in my sleek, fancy dress. "I'll admit, your new trick has caught my interest. Fine, let's find time to relive that night we had a bit too much fun."

He reached to pull me close, but then Sheila screamed from behind us. Elliot spun around to see Sheila clutching her face, which was covered in red blotches.

"Elliot! I'm so itchy. There are hyacinths everywhere, and I'm allergic to them!" Tears filled her eyes as she fell into Elliot's arms.

I loved hyacinths, so they were all over the party. As Sheila gasped for air, Elliot shot me a furious look. He accused, "You knew about her allergy, didn't you? That's why you put hyacinths everywhere!"

"Once we're married, you're never to bring those cursed flowers around again! Come on, Sheila needs a hospital!"

He lifted Sheila and, together with his friends, charged to the door. In their haste, they knocked over flowers, decorations, balloons, and tables, leaving the place a total mess.

Byron rushed over and had his team fix everything up. Thanks to him, the birthday party could go on.

He apologized to me, and I could tell he felt bad, but I was actually glad Elliot and his friends had left. I did not want Elliot there when my child was getting his name from grandpa. That child has nothing to do with him, after all.