He Left Me to Burn for My Sister

Chapter 2

"That was my eldest brother. I've played the fool all these years just to find out how he died!"

His eyes gentled as they landed on his sister. "And it's all thanks to Jennette that I've survived until now."

I gripped my clothes until my knuckles turned white as I realized what had happened. In my past life, he pretended to be a fool to get close to me because my sister was already betrothed to Morris. He needed a cover, and I was the unlucky pawn.

Father's expression changed instantly. Wringing his hands, he shot me a glare. "Jessica, you see, since Mr. Hodgson favors Jennette..."

"I choose Morris," I cut him off flatly.

Everyone was stunned.

Morris reacted like a scalded cat, "Jessica, have you lost your mind? How could I possibly..."

"Why not?" I smiled from ear to ear. "Didn't Prof. Crankston always say he admires educated women the most? Well, I did attend a girls' school, after all."

Larry's face darkened instantly. He strode over and grabbed my wrist, "Say that again?"

"Watch your conduct, Marshal." I shook off his hand. "You came to propose to my sister. This is a bit inappropriate, isn't it?"

My sister suddenly burst into tears, "Jessica, are you angry with me? I didn't mean to..."

"Hush now, Jennette." Larry immediately released me and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Your sister's temper is no secret," Larry said, trying to coax Jennette.

Morris also hurried over to comfort her, not forgetting to shoot me a glare, "Jessica, can't you be more sensible?"

Mother pulled Father aside, whispering and occasionally pointing at me. Standing in the center of the hall, I suddenly found it all laughable. In my past life, I gave everything for Larry, only to be told in the end, "Don't marry me in your next life."

Now, given a second chance, they were still the same.

I said calmly, "Father, since my sister is to marry the Marshal, and Prof. Crankston looks down on me, then I choose neither."

Father slammed the table and stood up. "Nonsense! You're already eighteen. If you don't marry soon..."

I turned to leave. "Then let me die an old maid here. It's not as if this family has ever needed me anyway."

Larry suddenly called out to me, "Jessica!"

I turned back, and he was looking at me with complicated emotions. "You'll regret this."

I smiled, even as my eyes burned from the tears welling up. "Don't worry, Marshal. The thing I regret most was already done in my past life."

Every heartbeat I wasted on him, every foolish sacrifice—they are my deepest regrets. As I walked out of the hall, I cau ght my sister's honeyed question, "Larry, do you think Jessica hates me?"

Larry's voice was cloyingly sweet, "Ignore her. She's always been this ungrateful."

I looked up at the sky, and the sunlight was stinging my eyes. In this life, I won't have to humiliate myself anymore.

I sat by the window, watching snowflakes drift down one by one. The boat ticket in my vanity case was crumpled from being clutched too tightly. The warm sunshine was nearly within my grasp.

"Are you still angry?" My younger sister pushed the door open, Larry's military coat draped loosely over her shoulders. "You will come to my engagement banquet tomorrow."

I shoved the ticket into my sleeve. "I'm busy."

"That's not up to you," she added, suddenly dropping her voice. "Father said if you don't go, he'll throw your mother's memorial tablet into the woodshed."

I shot to my feet, but she stepped back with a light laugh. "Larry says you're always putting on airs, and this is how to deal with you."

Late at night, I sat on the bed, clutching my mother's tablet. When I was engulfed in flames in my past life, my deepest regret was not taking Mother far away from here.

Heated whispers came from outside the door.

"You're really going to marry Jennette?" It was Morris. "Who was the one who said they were just using her to break off the engagement with Jessica?"