I Refused to Marry Any of Dad’s Three Adoptees

Audrey's POV

At the end of the day, they still couldn’t let go of the wealth behind the Rodgers name.

Darren, the most hot-tempered of the three, snorted, “Oh please. That sounds nice and all, but let’s be real—us three? We’re just dogs you Rodgers folks raised. Since when did dogs get to say no?”

Melvin shot me a cold look and remarked, “If you’re going to pick me, then fine. Just don’t make things hard for the other two.”

That single sentence moved Darren and Gerald. You could see it in their eyes. Like he was some kind of martyr, sacrificing himself for the greater good.

But all I felt was bitterness.

Before I could say a word, Addison suddenly showed up.

The moment she saw me, she shrank back like she’d seen a ghost and practically dove behind Melvin.

Seeing her reaction, he instinctively stepped in front of her and said, “She hasn’t done anything wrong. Just let her go today, alright?”

I looked at the two of them in confusion until I realized something that made my chest tighten.

The three men who were supposed to be protecting me were now all standing in front of her, shielding her like I was the threat.

Five years ago, when Addison first arrived at our house, she gave me a simple hair clip as a gift.

I returned the gesture with a bracelet worth over tens of thousand as a welcome present.

But just as I was about to open its box, Melvin suddenly snatched it from my hands and snapped, “That clip is all she has left from her mom, and you’re trying to take it from her?”

I stared at him, confused, hoping Addison would speak up and explain that she gave it to me willingly.

But instead, she suddenly dropped to her knees, tears spilling down her cheeks like a pitiful porcelain doll, and said, “She didn't take it. I gave it to her myself. She’s always been kind to me. She even gave me a bracelet. I’m not upset, I promise.”

She banged her head against the floor as she spoke. The sight made the three boys tear up, as if they’d been reminded of their own miserable upbringing.

One after another, they lashed out at me like knights defending a helpless maiden.

“Even if you’re the Rodgers’s heirress, you have no right to force someone to give up their mom’s last keepsake!”

“Sure, the bracelet might be worth more, but it means nothing compared to that clip. Give it back to Addison right now!”

“Same old Audrey—always getting what you want, no matter who it hurts.”

Switching to serious expression, I tried to tell myself it was just a misunderstanding, that it could be cleared up with a little honesty.

Swallowing my pride, I handed the hair clip back.

But Addison fumbled it on purpose, causing it to fall to the floor and shattered instantly.

Then, she bit her lip, eyes full of rage, and shouted, “If you’d rather destroy it than give it back, why pretend in the first place?!”

Melvin had always hated seeing poor people bullied. So, he turned to me and sharpply threatened, “Apologize to Addison right now! Or don’t blame me for breaking off the engagement.”

At the time, I had already confessed to Melvin. I told him I wanted to marry no one else but him.

But he used that against me, cornered me into bowing my head and apologizing to Addison.

Back then, I was too young, too scared to lose someone I thought I loved. So I apologized with red, burning eyes and a heart full of shame.

And that apology haunted me for five whole years.

Since then, every time Addison saw me, she acted like a scared mouse. She’d either fall to her knees or burst into tears.

But the truth? I’d never even laid a hand on her.

I turned to Melvin, face icy cold. “If you’re so afraid I’ll bully your precious Addison, maybe you should just tie her to your belt and keep her there.”

It was sarcasm, plain as day, but Melvin’s brows knit together and countered, “Was that a threat? What are you planning to do to her?”

Darren clapped dramatically and pointed at me. “Don’t tell me this is about the 'Milky Way' thing. You’re mad because we gave it to Addison, and now you’re looking for an excuse to go after her?”

Gerald narrowed his eyes. “You already have everything. But Addison? No one’s ever celebrated her birthday, not even once. It’s just the Milky Way necklace, why make such a big deal out of it?”

My eyes turned cold. “Just the Milky Way necklace?”