I Refused to Marry Any of Dad’s Three Adoptees

Audrey's POV

The Ocean Deep wasn’t just any gift. It was an underground marine exhibit that had been under construction since the day I was born.

On its southeastern end, a rare patch of imperial green jade sat beneath the water. When the sunlight hit just right, the reflections shimmered like stars across a galaxy.

Six months ago, the project was nearly complete. My father entrusted the finishing touches to Melvin, asking him to officially present it to me during my upcoming birthday banquet.

But now, the Ocean Deep, something meant for me, had somehow become Addison’s.

I turned my gaze on Melvin. He was in charge of the final stages of construction. Without his approval, no one should’ve been able to access the unfinished site.

Caught under my stare, Melvin looked uneasy and turned away in irritation. “Addison grew up in the countryside. She’s never seen any marine exhibit, let alone something like this. I just wanted to give her a special experience. Besides, the ownership is still yours, isn’t it?”

Then he added, as if he were doing me a favor, “Stop being unreasonable. If it means that much to you, I’ll announce our engagement at your birthday party next month. Happy now?”

He looked at me like I should be grateful. For a second, I wondered if I was the one who’d been taken in.

What stung even more was that nobody else in the room thought anything was wrong. In fact, they all acted like Melvin was some kind of martyr.

“Why would you sacrifice yourself like that? Audrey is spoiled, arrogant, and downright cruel. Marrying her’s worse than becoming a monk,” Darren scorned.

Gerald even derided, “She’s probably over the moon now. Been dreaming of this for years.”

“Please, Melvin, don’t throw away your happiness for me! I’ll bow to Audrey, serve her like a slave. I’ll do anything!”

My throat felt dry, but I still managed to get the words out. “I’m not marrying you.”

Melvin’s eyes narrowed in disbelief while Darren and Gerald exchanged nervous glances, probably terrified I’d pick one of them instead.

I had grown up with these three, and now even they looked at me like I was some kind of burden. I suddenly wanted to get out of there before I cried.

I turned to leave, but Addison yanked my wrist, stopping me.

Her eyes welled up again, and just like always, she dropped to her knees.

“Please don’t be mad at Melvin,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “The three of them were taken in by your family. We’re already lower than everyone else. If you’re upset that they gave the Ocean Deep to me, and you’re planning to tell Mr. Rodgers, then please...” she lowered her forehead to the ground, “...let me apologize.”

She started bowing, hard again and again. Before long, her forehead was red and bleeding.

Melvin immediately rushed to pull her up, his expression dark with fury as he turned to me.

“You say you don’t want to marry me? Then prove it. Don’t pick me when the time comes!” he snapped. “You're making things hard for me again just to get what you want. Now, you’re using this to force her out!”

I stared back at him, cold and calm. “I don’t know what you’re even talking about. But don’t worry, I have no intention of choosing you.”

I thought that’d be the end of it, but Melvin suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“If not me, then who? Gerald? Darren?” he demanded. “Darren’s leaving the country to study art. Gerald wants a free life. Isn’t ruining my future enough? Now you want to drag them down too?”

Suddenly, he let out a heavy breath, then softened his tone a little. “If you promise to stop targeting Addison, I’ll marry you. Let’s just stop this nonsense, okay?”

He looked exhausted, like I’d been tormenting him for years.

I looked him straight in the eye nad said, “Everything will go exactly how you want.”

If he didn’t want me and was only worried about Addison, marrying Luke would fix everything. I wouldn’t have to look at Melvin again.

I stayed away after that. I didn’t see him until the day of the banquet.

When he finally showed up, his face was like ice. Darren and Gerald were with him, and they didn’t look too thrilled either.

I frowned and turned to my assistant. “Didn’t I make it clear that I’m not announcing my engagement to any of them today? Why are they even here?”