Chapter 3

• Her world tilted, and she suddenly wished the floor would swallow her whole.
• She was so stunned as she stayed still on the spot.
• He looked even more handsome than she remembered. His hair was neatly styled, his sharp jawline was clean-shaven.
• But it was his gaze that affected her most, blue eyes stared back at her not even looking at Roselyn who seemed to want to get his attention.
• He was the one to break contact from her as her parents approached him. The guests all approached Roselyn and Jayce, they seemed to not notice Josephine's expression of shock.
• Josephine on the other hand thought her mind would explode. She had the urge to run out of the room as cold sweat appeared on her forehead. She looked around for an escape route but at that moment her mom spotted her and waved her over.
• She groaned inwardly as she slowly approached them, avoiding his eyes which were now on her as guilt was eating her up.
• “Your daughter’s portrait doesn’t do her justice,” he said smoothly, his lips curving upward. “She’s as beautiful as a flower.” But he wasn’t looking at Roselyn, his eyes were completely locked on Josephine.
• The people in the room noticed this and started to whisper.
• Roselyn noticed this too and quickly clapsed his hand tightly, marking territory. She noticed the expression on Josephine's face was and a surge of glee ran through her. She knew her sister was jealous of her and she'll never have what she had. Smiling inwardly, she learned into Jayce. That bitch better cry! This man is mine!
• Little did she know that she was far from the truth.
• Guilt was eating Josephine’s up and she couldn’t even look at her sister. Words refused to leave Josephine’s mouth as she stared at him in disbelief.
• “This is Josephine, our eldest,” her mother introduced, giving her the stink eye in response to her hesitance.
• Snapping out of her stupor, she said in a shaky voice. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Anderson.” She extended her hand, and he took it, pressing his lips to the back of her hand and lingering for a moment too long.
• Surprised by the action, she quickly pulled her hand back, avoiding his gaze. More gasps and whispers filled the room as the people were also surprised at the action.
• Why was Mr. Anderson acting that way around Josephine? Was there something between them?
• Josephine could easily read the room and wanted them to stop. She knew this man remembered her and wanted to show her that he did. Can’t he see she was in distress?! She wanted to run out of this place.
• Her parents took over throwing him into a conversation.
• “My uncle sends his regards and regrets he couldn’t be here to meet you himself.” Jayce Anderson said.
• “He was concerned you might not return from your vacation in Spain in time.” Her father said eagerly.
• “I arrived yesterday,” the man replied, his tone was smooth. “When I was informed I was to be married, I was curious to meet my fiancée.” He looked at Roselyn briefly before brazenly looking at Josephine, and she averted her eyes, her stomach churning.
• “Now that you’re here, let’s all have a drink together and discuss wedding arrangements.” Her father laughed and Josephine cringed, by future arrangements he meant the dowry and other benefits.
• She sat on the second sofa alone as Roselyn and Jayce sat side by side on another facing their parents in another couch.
• “I’m very pleased to finally meet you, Mr. Anderson, when my parents announced our marriage, I must admit, I was surprised. I mean, you chose someone as good as me. Honestly, I can’t imagine you even considering anyone else. It’s not every day a man like you gets a chance at perfection.”
• Josephine looked open mouthed at her sister’s boldness. Why the hell would she say something like that, although she wasn’t really surprised, her sister was never the shy type and had always been arrogant, but in the case, she needed to stop before she said the wrong thing.
• Unfortunately, Roselyn didn’t stop.
• “I know someone of your class is probably used to models or those Instagram types, they’re all looks and no substance. But let’s be honest, Jayce, none of them could ever hold a candle to me. I’m the whole package, beauty, class, and brains.”
• Her mother cleared her throat, indicating that Roselyn should stop but her feather brained sister didn’t take the hint.
• Jayce chuckled, catching Josephine off guard. He didn’t seem to be annoyed by her sister’s words. Instead, he looked very amused.
• “Class? Interesting choice of words. Although Roselyn, it’s rare to meet someone so… confident in themselves. When you put yourself on such a high pedestal, don’t be surprised when people start looking up just to laugh.”
• “I didn’t intent to jest.” Roselyn snapped, her face filled with annoyance as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
• “I didn’t think you were..not on purpose anyway. I didn’t expect my future wife to be so shallow but I guess every diamond has it flaws, don’t you think?” Josephine looked at him, surprise at his comeback. He had a very relaxed look, like he was simply asking someone about the weather.
• “I think we should—” Her mother tried to stop the conversation.
• “Flaws? Are you calling me flawed? Do you even know who you’re talking to? I’m Roslyn Laurent! Men would kill for a chance to be with me.” She raised her voice drawing attention to them. Roslyn felt insulted, and when she felt insulted, she often said and did irrational things.
• But Jayce continued, unbothered. “Yes, I’ve heard, though I can’t say I envy them, If I wanted someone filled with vanity and entitlement, I would’ve just married one of those Instagram models, you despise, at least they wouldn’t come with your complications.”
• Josephine was about to say something to ease the growing tension but thought better of it, she wanted to see how this would end.
• Roselyn was now fuming, her face slowly turning red. She looked like she wanted to slap Jayce Anderson.
• “How dare you? I don’t need this or you! If this is how you think you’re going to speak to your future wife, you can forget it. I refuse to marry a man who will speak to me like that! “Her voice cuts through the stubbed murmurs of the guest. .
• “Roselyn, calm down,” their father barked. “ You’re making a scene.”
• But Roselyn wasn’t done. Her fury only grew. “I won’t calm down! I’m not going to sit here and be humiliated by him!” Her voice breaking as tears filled her eyes.
• Then to everyone’s astonishment, Roselyn stormed out of the room, shoving past a server in her path.
• Her parents exchanged alarmed looks before hurrying after her, their mother muttering apologies to the guests as she went.
• Unable to stop herself, she followed her parents down the hallway. Roselyn’s sobs were audible even before they reached her, echoing faintly from the garden. Josephine quickened her pace, stepping outside just as her mother reached her sister.
• “Roselyn, darling, what’s the matter?” their mother asked, her voice dripping with concern.
• Roselyn spun around, her tear-streaked face contorted with rage. “He’s awful! He insulted me. I can’t believe you’re forcing me into this!” she spat.
• Their father crossed his arms, his face stern. “Roselyn, stop this nonsense. Mr. Anderson is not someone you can do brazenly insult, besides you were the one who was talking nonsense. You’ll ruin everything with this childish behavior.”
• Roselyn looked up in surprise, looking between her parents and then at Josephine, who lingered at the edge of the scene. Josephine was also surprised, her parents had never yelled at her before.
• Roselyn shook her head furiously.
• “I refuse to marry that man and you can’t make me. This engagement is off. He’s a fucking asshole!.” Roselyn shouted at him
• SLAP!
• Josephine gasped inaudibly. Her father had slapped her sister for the first time ever. Roselyn clutched her face, fighting back tears.
• “Shut your tongue young lady. You will go back there and apologize to him now!" He screamed, his face filled with rage.
• Roselyn shook her head in disbelief and darted off in the distance, past Josephine.
• They turned to Josephine . “Go get your sister, she needs to apologize to Mr. Anderson. I just hope much damage hadn’t been done.” Her mother instructed, worry evident on her face.
• She nodded and went in search of her sister, she couldn’t deny the satisfaction at seeing her sister lose her usual composure.
• She followed the direction Roselyn had taken, the muffled noise of the party fading behind her.
• She turned down a quieter corridor, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. Just as she was about to round a corner, a strange sound made her pause.
• Her heart skipped a beat as she strained to listen. The noises grew louder, soft moans, low grunts and the unmistakable sound of bodies moving in rhythm.
• Her breath hitched in her throat and she took a cautious step forward. Peering around the corner, her eyes widened in shock. There, in the shadowed part of the room, was Roselyn.
• Josephine almost let out a squeal.
• Her sister was facing the wall, her crimson dress hiked up around her hips. The server, to Josephine’s utmost surprise still clad in his uniform, was behind her, his hands gripping her waist tightly as he moved vigorously.
• Roselyn’s head was tilted back, her lips parted as she let out soft, breathless moans. The server leaned in, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses to her exposed shoulder, his fingers digging into her skin. Josephine was completely unnoticed by them.
• She covered her mouth in shock as she stood frozen watching the scene. What the hell was her sister doing?!
• “God, you feel so good,” the damned server murmured, his voice low and rough, his pace quickening as Roselyn gasped in response.
• Josephine stared, open-mouthed, her body frozen in place as her sister’s cries of pleasure filled the air.
• “Harder,” Roselyn whispered, her voice trembling with desire. The server obliged, his movements becoming more deliberate, more desperate.
• Oddly, it reminded Josephine of the previous night with the stranger and she felt her heart quicken.
• A smooth, low voice sounded from behind her, sending a chill down her spine.
• “We should try that position.”
• She whipped around, her face flushing crimson as she came face-to-face with Jayce Anderson.
• He leaned casually against the wall, his arms crossed, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. His eyes gleamed with amusement as they roamed her body checking her out.
• Josephine’s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
• Jayce arched a brow, his smirk deepening. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell if you won’t.”