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At the restaurant he reserved, he said, "Sarah Collins, I love you."
"People say you pursued Nathan for seven years without shame, but I think you pursued love boldly and passionately."
"Nathan simply didn't deserve you."
"Sarah, you shine so brightly that I can't help but love you."
"You're amazing, but those around you were too dark, trying to overshadow you."
We officially started dating.
He continued weekly therapy, and we made time for daily dates, like any ordinary couple.
Once I could speak normally, I applied for jobs and got a job at a company.
Life returned to normal.
At a charity gala, as Daniel's date, I inevitably bumped into Nathan and Claire.
Nathan seemed less attentive to Claire, who trailed him silently and unnoticed.
Seeing me with Daniel, his face darkened.
"Mr. Reed, It ‘s been a long time since we last met."
Daniel smirked, pulling me away.
Nathan spoke again. "Sarah, if you want, I'll announce our engagement right now."
"No need to use Daniel to get under my skin."
I stared and then laughed.
"Nathan, I pursued you for seven years. You think that makes you special?"
"I don't want your title of your fiancée."
"Save it for your so-called sister. 'She seems eager."
Claire bit her lip, her eyes tearing.
"Sarah, you're misunderstanding me"
"There's nothing going on between me and Nathan. Why won't you believe me?"
I scoffed. "Claire, your damsel-in -distress act gets old."
"Is Nathan still as kind to you as before?"
Her face paled. She persisted, tears welling up.
"Sarah, you've got the wrong idea about me"
The crowd—familiar faces from our social circle—knew bits of my history with Claire.
Their expressions ranged from mockery to scorn.
"That's the Collins heiress?Cast out by Brooks and now back?"
"Hmph, probably attached herself to the Reed heir."
"Look at her scars—disgusting. She must've gone through a lot."
"Proud as she was, she's just clinging to men for support."
I narrowed my eyes, scanning them with a cold gaze.
Claire's gaze held a smug, provoking look.
I sneered. "It seems Ms. Dawson has forgotten how I got these scars."
She froze, panic flashing in her eyes.
"Sarah, what're you referring to…"
I turned to Nathan, who had been silent till now. "Nathan, I said you were blind, and you really can't see."
"You think Claire helped me, and I refused?Do you know how she really helped'?"
I took out my phone, playing a recording.
"It was Ms. Dawson!She ordered us to do it!"
"She hired us to make your life hell—steal your money, pretend to be drunken thugs and rough you up. As long as you were miserable, she was happy!"
I paused it, smiling. "Should I continue?"
Claire's face turned pale.
Nathan's eyes widened with disbelief.
I sneered. "Mr. Brooks, you thought I lived a normal life those three months."
"You were wrong. Beatings from thugs were routine. After being robbed and left with no money, I ate from trash. Routine."
"Nathan, how am I supposed to forgive you?"
Daniel held me, gently tracing my scars with his fingers.
He glared at Nathan and Claire. "Mr. Brooks, you didn't know?The hospital called about Sarah's grandma's critical condition during the auction you were hosting."
He gave Claire a meaningful glance. "But I recall a woman answering."
Nathan's shock turned into rage. He stared at Claire.
"Claire!You hung up!You hired those thugs!"
She sobbed and clutched his sleeve. "No, Nathan, listen…"
"Get out!The Brooks family's through with you!"
He shoved her. Her head hit a table, knocking over a champagne tower onto her.
Screams erupted. Someone called the police and an ambulance. Chaos broke out.
I squeezed Daniel's hand and winked.
"Let's go home."
