Reborn to Walk Away Before the Wedding Ever Happens

I slammed the black card onto the counter. “First come, first served, Eliana doesn’t even understand the most basic rule?”

Eliana’s hand shot out, yanking my wrist, her nails almost digging into my skin. “Louis, must you go against me on everything?”

Her voice dropped, sharp and cold. “The more you act like this, the more ridiculous you look. If you want to marry me, just say it. Why bother with these games?”

I pulled my hand free with force. “You think far too highly of yourself.”

Turning to the shop assistant, I said evenly, “Please wrap it up for me now.”

The shop assistant took my card with visible unease, while Eliana’s face darkened into something dangerous.

Seeing her expression, Jovan quickly clung to her arm. “Eliana, forget it. I don’t want it anymore…”

“No.” Eliana snatched the shoe box straight from the assistant’s hands. “In Roseville, there’s nothing I can’t get.”

With that, she dragged Jovan away without a single glance back.

The next morning, an ornate gift box appeared on my office desk.

As soon as I untied the ribbon, a foul metallic scent hit me. Inside was a pair of black leather shoes, stained with something ominous, with strands of hair tangled around the heel.

My phone vibrated, Jovan’s name flashed on the screen.

“Louis, I thought it over and realized I shouldn’t keep what’s yours. Sending your shoes back. I wore them while dancing with Eliana last night, but… I may have gotten them dirty.”

Swallowing back my revulsion, I hurled the shoes into the trash without a second glance.

Then another message arrived, this time from my mother. [Louis, the Ramsey family’s dowry list is unbelievable!]

I opened it and was stunned; the marital endowments alone could purchase three Briones Corporations.

The Ramsey family had always been cloaked in mystery and known for their restraint, yet for me, they had cast aside that reserve, displaying a sincerity that could not be mistaken. Even the rare treasures they offered were enough to leave anyone speechless.

At the annual Sierra Vista business banquet, I was enjoying light conversation with a few friends when the doors to the hall slammed open.

Jovan sauntered in, draped in a garish sequin suit and diamond cufflinks that screamed excess.

The whispers started almost instantly.

“Goodness, why is he dressed like that? It’s so tacky…”

“I heard he used to be nothing more than a servant in the Anderson family. Somehow, he climbed his way up to be Eliana’s assistant.”

“Men like him? Ambition and greed, through and through.”

Jovan’s face betrayed nothing as he strode directly toward me.

“Louis,” he thundered, making sure everyone heard, “why aren’t you wearing those limited-edition shoes?”

I took a measured sip of wine, my voice calm and almost lazy. “They were touched by something filthy, so I threw them away.”

For a split second, his composure slipped before he gave a cold, sharp laugh. “Louis, mark my words, you’ll never be a match for me.”

Before his words had even faded, Jovan suddenly toppled backward with a heavy crash, sending the champagne tower collapsing in a glittering cascade. Glass shattered in every direction.

“Ah!” His scream cut through the air, instantly drawing every gaze in the room.

Before I could move, Eliana was already at his side, her hand shoved me hard, and I staggered backward, my palm pressing down on jagged shards. Blood welled instantly, warm and slick.

“Louis!” Eliana’s arm supported the trembling Jovan. “What are you doing?”

Leaning against her, Jovan’s voice quivered. “It’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have appeared before Louis and offended his eyes.”

“He… he said I’m lowborn…”

“Apologize.” Eliana’s tone was cold, the command in her voice brooking no refusal.

I clenched my bleeding hand. “Why should I?”

In an instant, she snatched the diamond pendant from my neck, the only keepsake my grandmother had left me.

“No!” I lunged forward, desperate to grab it.

The pendant struck the floor, splintering into pieces before my eyes.