My Lover’s Obsession with My Sister Became My Freedom

At the engagement banquet, my mother placed my favorite sweet and sour ribs in front of my younger sister. Smiling at her with meaning, she said, “You girl, since childhood, you’ve always snatched everything from your sister. But when it comes to marriage, how come you’re willing to fall behind?”

Ophelia Hansen picked up the last rib and, with deliberate provocation, dropped it into my fiancé’s bowl. “Isn’t it true we haven’t married yet? Who’s first and who’s second is still uncertain.”

On the side, several uncles and aunts whispered to my father, saying Kendrick Beckham was originally introduced for Ophelia, that I was shameless, scheming to steal my sister’s boyfriend.

I was about to flare up when the man beside me suddenly pressed my hand down.

——

And in the next instant, the entire table flipped over, soup and dishes splashing everywhere.

The private room froze in silence, every eye turning toward Kendrick, too stunned to utter a word.

Only Ophelia slammed down her chopsticks, glaring in fury. “Kendrick, what do you mean by this?”

Kendrick stayed calm, shielding me behind him.

“Nothing much. I’m just standing up for the one I love. I’ve seen clearly how Cassidy has been treated in this family. I never cared about people like you, but today I came here for her. If you dare bully my fiancée, don’t blame me for being rude.”

The Beckham family was large and powerful, and Kendrick himself was wealthy. They dared to call me shameless, yet none of them had the courage to offend him or the power behind him.

My mother quickly calmed Ophelia, then forced a smile and rushed over.

“We didn’t mean it like that. We’re family, just eating together and joking around. Don’t take it seriously…”

But just as the air began to ease, Ophelia suddenly stood and strode straight toward Kendrick.

She sneered and splashed red wine across Kendrick’s face. With a sharp tug, she tore open his shirt, her red nails tracing the blurred tattoo as her eyes gleamed with scorn.

“Fine words. But being with Cassidy, isn’t it just revenge on me for rejecting you back then? Ten years ago, I didn’t want you. Ten years later, I still don’t! You think finding someone like this can scare me? Dream on!”

With that, Ophelia slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out without a glance back.

When the echo of her heels faded, only Kendrick’s ragged breathing filled the silence. Everyone else sat frozen, too afraid to move.

I didn’t wait any longer. I pulled Kendrick away.

When we reached the parking lot, Kendrick suddenly lifted his head. In the dim light, his eyes were dark and unreadable.

“Cassidy, do you also think I’m with you just to spite Ophelia?”

“How could I?” I answered without hesitation.

Ten years, countless days and nights together, countless moments of sharing hardships. How could I doubt Kendrick’s sincerity because of a few words from Ophelia that provoked me?

Yet when I saw him absentmindedly stroking his wound, my heart still trembled.