Trading Love For The Devil’s Ring

"Veronica, we can finally be together!"

Nico grabbed her hand and bolted, no doubt eager to parade their epic romance for all to see.

I watched their retreating backs, my expression cold, then turned to my parents.

How ironic. When I had confessed my feelings for Nico in my last life, they had reacted as if I’d committed a mortal sin.

We were nominally brother and sister, and they’d called our bond a twisted, incestuous scandal. They had called me shameless and disgusting.

But now that Veronica was the one in the spotlight, their affair was suddenly a true romance worthy of a blessing.

Perhaps realizing how obvious his favoritism was, my father coughed dryly.

"Scarlett, don't worry. We will prepare a generous dowry for you, so the Volkovs won't look down on you."

I let out a soft, hollow laugh. "Alright."

I had long since stopped expecting anything from them.

Whatever scraps of affection they deigned to toss my way, I’d take them.

I went to a high-end couture shop to choose a gown, only to run into Nico and Veronica right inside.

They were all smiles, whispering to each other about wedding plans.

In my last life, I too had longed for a real wedding. Nico had refused.

"We're technically siblings," he had said. "A grand wedding will just attract gossip. A small family dinner will suffice."

And now, watching him go to such lengths for Veronica felt like swallowing shards of glass.

I turned to leave, but Veronica's sharp voice stopped me.

"Well, what a coincidence, Scarlett. Here to pick out a dress too? Where's my future brother-in-law?"

She gasped dramatically. "Oh, I forgot. He's 'the Monster,' isn't he? I doubt he can even leave the house."

Nico chuckled softly. "Marrying a monster, are we? Why bother with a dress? You're just a bargaining chip for an alliance. It's a waste of good fabric."

I froze.

I never thought such vicious words could come from his mouth.

I slowly turned, ignoring Veronica's triumphant smirk, and fixed my gaze on his eyes.

"So, is that what you've always thought of me?"

For a fleeting moment, guilt flickered in Nico's eyes. He quickly looked away.

His silence was the only answer I needed.

Veronica cut in, her voice dripping with saccharine concern.

"Nico is right. Your fiancé is a monster, so why bother? You're just dressing up for no one."

My expression hardened. "I chose to marry into the Volkov family to make you two happy. Don't forget, I won the coin toss."

Before the words were even out of my mouth, tears welled in Veronica's eyes. "I know you like Nico, but you're the one who wanted to marry into the Volkov family for power. And now you're blaming me?"

The tears streamed down her cheeks, each one catching the light as if perfectly staged.

Nico panicked instantly, rushing to wipe her tears away.

"Apologize to Veronica." His voice was pure ice.

In that moment, I finally saw him clearly. He was the same man, the same demon who had held me down and ordered his men to destroy me.

Ice flooded my veins. I turned to leave, but the sharp crack of a slap sent me stumbling.

"This is to remind you of your place," he roared. "Veronica is your sister. Don't you dare make her cry again."

My cheek burned. I kept my head down, but he grabbed my chin, forcing my face up, and slapped me again, harder this time.

"And this one is to remind you—you don't deserve me."

A twisted satisfaction flashed in Veronica's eyes before she stepped forward, pretending to shield me.