The Cursed and the Curse-Breaker

Eloise's POV

Everyone was stunned.

“Wait, what?! She was the one who started that fire at the Shelton estate two days ago? What a monster. Typical ugly on the outside and even worse on the inside. If I were her parents, I’d have disowned her ages ago!”

All I wanted to do was laugh coldly.

Ever since we were kids, my sister had always had her eyes on what was mine. Then she’d twist the story, acting like I was the one who stole from her, playing the victim with her soft little voice and pitiful eyes.

And my parents? They always took her side. They helped her steal everything that was supposed to belong to me.

So now, when I spoke up, I didn’t hold back.

“You locked me up. Took away my freedom. What, I’m not even allowed to save myself?” I shot back, calm and sharp.

But my father slapped me across the face. “You really want to say that in front of everyone? You know exactly why we locked you up. It's because you shamelessly chased after your sister’s fiancé!”

“What?! What’s going on here?” Tristan’s parents had just arrived, clearly confused by the chaos.

After hearing my sister and parents pile their accusations against me, they exchanged uncertain glances.

“But… when we came last week to propose, she didn’t say anything about wanting to marry Tristan,” Mrs. Clark said.

Still holding my stinging cheek, I let out a laugh. “Mr. and Mrs. Clark, you’ve always been reasonable, and I appreciate that. I’ve already said it—me showing up at the bridal shop, and now here, was a coincidence. The man I’m marrying happens to be holding his wedding upstairs on the second floor.”

The crowd burst into laughter.

“The second floor? Isn’t that reserved for private VIP events? I’ve never heard of anyone holding a wedding up there!”

My parents turned even redder with embarrassment.

“Eloise! You’re such a liar, it’s disgusting. Get out! As of today, we no longer have a daughter like you!”

In contrast to their expected reaction, I smiled with satisfaction. “Perfect. Everyone here heard that, right? I want you all to be witnesses. I don’t want anything to do with them anymore. I won’t be dragged down by this family ever again.”

Mr. and Mrs. Clark paused, confused. “Dragged down? What do you mean?”

I pointed directly at my sister. “She can’t save your son. She never could.”

My sister’s face turned pale, her eyes welling with tears. “Eloise, don’t you remember? A fortune teller said when we were born that both of us had the blessing to break the curse. Are you really going to stand here and accuse me just because you were the one who had to marry into the Clark family instead?”

Tristan immediately pulled her into his arms, glaring at me like I was filth. “Give it up, Eloise. The only woman I’ll ever love, ever marry, is Bianca. You could stand in front of me naked and I still wouldn’t want you.”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed, “You’re in such a rush to die, what do you want me to do, stop you? Well, I'm sorry, but I just feel sorry for your parents.”

With that, I turned to leave, but Mrs. Clark stepped in front of me. “Eloise, what you just said, is it true?” Her voice trembled slightly. “If it is, will you marry my son instead?”

A mother’s heart was always the same. Just like in my last life, she was willing to cancel the wedding in front of everyone, just to protect her son.

But Tristan growled through gritted teeth. “Mom! I told you I’m not marrying that woman! Don’t beg her!”

He then turned to me, his expression dark and twisted. “Eloise, stop trying to manipulate everyone. I don’t care what tricks you pull, but I’ll never marry you.”

But before anyone else could speak, a calm, steady voice rang out from behind us.

“My woman doesn’t need to marry you.”

The whole room went silent. Gasps echoed through the hall.

When people turned to look, they saw a tall, sharp-suited man standing at the doorway.

Mr. Clark’s eyes went wide. “Drake?!”

Drake Clark gave a polite, faint smile. “Long time no see. How have you been, my brother?”

Mr. Clark was so flustered, he nodded quickly. “Good, good!”

It was only then that the truth came out.

The man in front of us was the son adopted by Tristan’s grandfather, the very same day Tristan was born. Technically, that made him Tristan’s uncle, even though they were the same age.

And when Tristan realized that I was marrying his uncle, he completely lost it.