A Tale of Intrigue and Passion

Chapter 5

Christina’s heart was on the verge of bursting from her chest in a whirlwind of elation. Kaven was truly willing to marry her? This was beyond wonderful, an almost dreamlike perfection. She had originally feared that her hopes were too extravagant, but here was reality aligning itself with her plan. Her careful moves to draw near to Kaven, her thoughtful check-ins over the phone every so often—finally, a year and a half later, her efforts had paid off. And the reward she received was infinitely greater than what she had invested.

As she looked into Kaven’s deep, affectionate eyes, Christina’s joy was uncontainable. “Uh... of course I’m willing, but first you’ll need to come to my family to formally propose!” she said, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush.

“Of course,” Kaven replied with an easy smile. “I’ll find an opportunity to bring my parents, as long as they’re able to make time.” His answer was a soothing balm to her anxiety, filling her with the certainty that her dreams were on the brink of fulfillment.

“Sis, Kaven is going to marry me! He really wants to marry me!” Christina burst out with excitement the moment she saw Jessica walk through the door, laden with a large brown paper bag. Her eyes sparkled with visions of the future, her tone brimming with anticipation for the wedding that awaited her.

“Kaven?” Jessica’s voice held an almost imperceptible tremor. Throughout the past year and a half, she had often heard this name on her sister’s lips, accompanied by tales of gifts, concerts, and movie nights. From Christina’s enthusiastic recounting, Jessica knew that Kaven was a witty and charming individual—a flawless partner who met Christina’s every need and expectation, leaving her with no reason to fault him.

Yet, Jessica couldn’t deny that a small part of her heart still cherished feelings for Kaven. She reminded herself, though, that her attachment was only to the illusion of him. The real Kaven, as soon as his picture had fallen into Christina’s hands, had become hers exclusively. It didn’t matter, she thought; she had grown accustomed to such outcomes. Perhaps someone like Kaven, with his lively spirit, was simply not meant to be with someone as quiet and unremarkable as herself. What had begun as a mistake—a result of Christina’s deception—might actually be leading to a happy and perfect conclusion. And if the outcome was flawless, what did it matter how they had arrived here? The journey mattered less than the destination, after all.

“Oh… congratulations,” Jessica said, her voice laced with an indifference that belied her inner turmoil. She tried to mask her pain, yet every word felt like a fresh cut to her heart.

“Sis, what’s with that tone? I’m getting married! Kaven is going to be my husband—shouldn’t you be happy for me?” Christina was frustrated with her sister’s lackluster response, expecting not indifference but wholehearted enthusiasm.

“Or are you jealous? Are you bitter that I ‘stole’ Kaven from you?” Christina’s accusatory question left Jessica feeling helpless. How could she be envious of her own sister? Her heartache stemmed not from jealousy but from the sorrow of letting go of a love she could never claim.

“No, it’s not that. I covered three of Winston’s classes today, so I’m exhausted, and my throat hurts so much I can barely speak. What kind of response do you want from me? Please, just let me be,” Jessica replied, her voice tinged with weariness. She was too tired to endure her sister’s reproach.

“Oh, fine, fine, have it your way then. But, Sis, don’t you think it’s only right to at least feel a little happy for me?” Christina’s tone softened slightly, yet she still longed for her sister’s blessing.

“Fine. I’m happy for you. Does that suffice?” Jessica forced the words out, even as her heart ached with each syllable. She shook her head, feeling utterly drained.

“Oh, and by the way, I saw that Winston guy a few days ago. He actually mistook me for you…” Christina’s thoughts drifted onto a new topic, as they often did, never lingering on unpleasant subjects for long.

“He’s got worse eyesight than me.” Jessica managed a self-deprecating smile. “It’s obvious enough—our hairstyles are completely different, and he wears glasses while I don’t. That he could confuse us really takes the cake!” She tried to lighten the mood with a bit of humor.

Comparing her to Jessica was really selling herself short, Christina mused, though she kept this thought to herself, aware that such a comment would only upset her sister further.

“Is he interested in you? His expression seemed a little odd…” Christina ventured, ever curious about the private lives of others.

“Not likely; we’re just colleagues.” Jessica shook her head. Her interactions with the straightforward Winston rarely extended beyond a few words; there was hardly a topic of mutual interest between them.

“Hey, come on, we’re sisters, aren’t we? Part of the reason I can marry Kaven is thanks to you—let’s say you’re responsible for about thirty percent of it. How about I ask if he has any distinguished friends to introduce to you? Maybe you’ll get a taste of the high life too!” Christina suggested, her offer making Jessica uncomfortable. She had no need for her sister’s charity.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Jessica declined. She had her own sense of pride; she didn’t wish to become anyone’s accessory.

“Well, fine then. Just consider it me offering a warm face only to be met with your cold shoulder,” Christina said, clearly disgruntled by her sister’s rejection. She felt her goodwill had been dismissed, stirring a flash of indignation.

“By the way, Sis… they’ll be coming over in a few days to discuss the marriage proposal, so… I’d prefer if you weren’t here,” Christina trailed off, though her glance betrayed her concern. Despite her confidence in Kaven’s loyalty, she was reluctant to risk anything, even the smallest chance of interference.

“And what exactly do you expect of me?” Jessica asked, a hint of resignation in her voice. She knew her role in this drama was, at best, a supporting one.

“I just don’t want you here, just in case.” Christina’s honesty was biting. She would not permit any possible obstacles to her happiness.

“Also… could you look over this for me? Kaven wants me to pick a stock with stable growth for a long-term investment. I really don’t know a thing about this stuff, and you’re the expert.” Christina thrust a stack of papers into Jessica’s hands, knowing full well her sister’s competence in financial matters.

“I don’t have the time! Finals are coming up…” Jessica tried to refuse, unwilling to be drawn into her sister’s schemes.

“Busy, busy… do your students matter more than I do? What’s the deal with you these days? Are you that resentful of your one and only sister’s good fortune?” Christina shot back, unwilling to risk even the slightest setback. If her plans were to be foiled, it could only be after she had secured the title of Mrs. Taylor; only then would Kaven be unable to walk away.

“Christina, you’re being unreasonable. I really am swamped right now! If I weren’t, I’d be more than happy…” Jessica’s words were cut short as she noticed their parents emerging from their room. She fell silent, swallowing the rest of her sentence.

“Christina, what’s going on? Why are you shouting so loudly? Did something happen?” Their mother asked with concern.

“Dad, Mom… it’s all Sis!” Christina clung to her father’s side, feigning grievance. “I’m dating Kaven, the young master of the Lingkong Group—you’re both pleased with him, aren’t you? Having such a well-to-do son-in-law would surely make life easier for you in the future.”

“Of course, of course. So, what’s the issue here?” her father replied, visibly excited, his aspirations to have a wealthy in-law obvious in his demeanor.

“Well, that’s just it! Kaven’s planning to propose soon, and I’m sure a dowry of five million won’t be an issue.” Christina’s voice brimmed with confidence.

“That’s wonderful news! So what’s the trouble?” her mother asked, puzzled.

“Ask Sis! Just now, I practically begged her to help me review this file, but she refused, saying she was busy with her students’ finals. As if that’s more important than family!”

“Dad, Mom… I…” Jessica tried to explain, but her parents, their heads full of dreams of riches, weren’t listening.

“Just help Christina out, will you? You’re her elder sister; it’s only right you do a little something for her. Now get on with it! And if this marriage proposal is jeopardized because of this… just you wait!” her father declared sternly.

Jessica knew too well that her parents had always doted on her sweet-talking younger sister. No matter what Christina did, they would protect her, fostering her sense of entitlement.

“Fine… I’ll help with the file, but this will be the last time. I hope you won’t ask again,” Jessica said, her voice tinged with resignation. She felt the weight of familial expectations press upon her, leaving her with no other choice.

“Great, great!” Christina didn’t give Jessica’s words a second thought. Whether this was the last time or not was of no concern to her; as long as Kaven had requests, Jessica could handle them for her. All that mattered was her own happiness; as long as her life went smoothly, why worry about anyone else’s?

For Christina, life’s joys were meant to be seized, especially when within reach. What was the point in concerning herself with the shadows lurking in her sister’s heart? This was her moment to shine, to finally secure a future filled with privilege and prestige.