Marry Me Instead

3

Chapter 3 — The World Was Watching

The moment Evelyn stepped through the grand entrance of the Hawthorne Grand Hotel, a sea of flashing lights blinded her.

Click. Click. Click. Cameras erupted from every direction. “There she is!” “Miss Sinclair!” “Miss Sinclair, over here!”

Within seconds, dozens of reporters surged forward, microphones stretched toward her as security struggled to hold the crowd back.

“Miss Sinclair, is it true Mr. Hawthorne left you for your adopted sister?”

“Did he call off the wedding because of Miss Sophia Sinclair?”

“Will the Sinclair Group pursue legal action against the Hawthorne family?”

“Were there problems in your relationship before today?”

“Do you have anything to say to Mr. Ethan Hawthorne?”

“Miss Sinclair, are the rumors about your adopted sister true?”

The questions came one after another, each more invasive than the last. Behind her, Richard Sinclair’s expression darkened.

“Get her inside the car,” he ordered the security team. “Now.”

Several bodyguards immediately moved toward Evelyn. She raised a hand.

“It’s fine.”

The simple gesture stopped them in their tracks. She turned to face the crowd. The flashes intensified. Every camera was pointed at her. Every news station was broadcasting live. Across the street, pedestrians had stopped walking.

Even passing vehicles slowed as drivers rolled down their windows, eager to witness the scandal dominating the city’s headlines. Evelyn stood alone before them. One reporter managed to push his microphone closer than the others.

“Miss Sinclair, everyone wants to know how you feel after today’s betrayal.”

A faint silence settled over the crowd. Everyone waited. Would she cry? Would she lash out? Would she expose Ethan? Evelyn met the reporter’s gaze.

“The wedding has been canceled.”

Her voice was steady. “Beyond that, I have no personal comments.” The reporters exchanged glances. She continued before another question could interrupt.

“Any matters concerning the Sinclair Group will be addressed through our official channels.” Then she offered a small, courteous nod.

“Thank you.”

Without another word, she turned and walked toward the waiting car. The reporters fell silent. For several seconds…No one spoke. One veteran journalist lowered his microphone.

“…That was impressive.”

“Not once did she blame anyone.”

“She protected both companies.”

“She handled herself better than most CEOs.”

The comments spread almost as quickly as the scandal itself. Inside the hotel entrance, Richard watched everything unfold. His relief lasted less than a second. His phone vibrated.

His assistant hurried over, looking visibly shaken.

“Chairman Sinclair…”

Richard answered the call immediately.

“What?”

“The company’s stock has already begun dropping in after-hours trading.”

His face hardened. “The board is requesting an emergency meeting.” The wedding scandal had become a corporate crisis. Richard pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Contact the communications team.”

“Immediately.”

“What statement should we release?”

He glanced toward Evelyn as she reached the car. For only a moment. Then he looked away. “Whatever minimizes the damage.” Not…How is my daughter? Not…Is she alright?

Only the company. Only the damage. A few meters away, Ethan stood beneath the hotel entrance beside Sophia. He watched Evelyn step into the waiting car without looking back.

Something felt…Wrong. She hadn’t cried. She hadn’t begged. She hadn’t asked him to reconsider. She hadn’t even looked at him after leaving the ballroom. It wasn’t satisfaction he felt Nor was it regret.

Just…An unfamiliar emptiness. As though something hadn’t gone according to plan. Sophia slipped her hand into his.

“You did the right thing.”

Ethan looked down at their joined hands.

“…Yeah.”

His answer came a second too late. Neither of them noticed the conversations happening nearby.

“So that’s the adopted daughter?”

“I thought she’d be prettier.”

“I still can’t believe she got with her own sister’s fiancé.”

“No matter what happened, today wasn’t the day.”

“I actually feel bad for Evelyn.”

Sophia’s smile faltered. Only for an instant. She had imagined today very differently. She thought people would celebrate Ethan finally choosing love.

Instead…The sympathy belonged almost entirely to Evelyn. Even those who believed Ethan had the right to end the engagement questioned the way he had done it. Sophia lowered her head, pretending not to hear. But each whisper lodged itself beneath her skin.

For the first time…Victory didn’t feel quite as satisfying as she’d imagined.

The black Bentley pulled away from the hotel, leaving behind the relentless flashes of cameras and the deafening noise of reporters.

Inside the car…Silence. Evelyn sat by the window, her bouquet still resting on her lap. White roses. The flowers she had chosen because Ethan once told her they were elegant.

How ironic.

She looked down at them for a long moment before placing them gently on the empty seat beside her. She never wanted to see white roses again. Across from her, Victoria Sinclair stole a glance at her daughter.

“Evelyn…”

No response. Victoria clasped her hands together.

“I know today has been difficult.”

Such a small word for the complete collapse of eight years. “You know Ethan has always been impulsive,” Victoria continued carefully. “Perhaps after everyone calms down…”

“There won’t be an ‘after.’”

Evelyn’s voice was quiet, but unwavering. Victoria fell silent. Richard, who had been reading messages on his tablet throughout the drive, finally looked up.

“The board has called an emergency meeting tonight.”

Evelyn nodded faintly.

“I expected as much.”

“The company’s reputation has taken a severe hit.”

Not once did he ask if she was hurt. Not once did he ask if she needed anything. He spoke to her as Executive Director. Not as his daughter.

“The PR department is drafting a statement.”

Richard looked directly at her. “I want you to attend the press conference tomorrow.” Victoria looked surprised. “Tomorrow?”

Richard ignored her. “You’ll deny any speculation regarding family disputes.” Evelyn turned from the window.

“And if I refuse?” Richard frowned. “You won’t.”

“I asked a question.”

A tense silence settled inside the car. Richard’s expression hardened. “The Sinclair Group cannot afford further damage.”

“And neither could your daughter.” His jaw tightened. “This isn’t the time to be emotional.” A quiet laugh escaped Evelyn’s lips.

Emotional?

She wondered if he truly believed that or if he had simply convinced himself she no longer had feelings. “For eight years,” she said softly, “I’ve done everything this family asked of me.” She met his eyes.

“I attended every charity gala.”

“I represented the company overseas.”

“I accepted every business engagement.”

“I even agreed to marry for the sake of strengthening an alliance.”

She paused. “And today…” Her voice remained calm. “I was abandoned at the altar.” “I fulfilled every responsibility expected of me.” She looked at her father without anger. “So forgive me if I decline taking responsibility for someone else’s decision.”

Richard stared at her. Perhaps for the first time in years…He had no immediate response. The car slowed as it approached the gates of the Sinclair Estate.

Tall iron gates swung open. Security guards bowed as the Bentley rolled onto the private driveway. The mansion stood exactly as it always had.

Yet somehow…It had never felt further away. The chauffeur stepped out and opened the rear door. Richard exited first without another word, already answering another phone call.

“The shareholders’ meeting is at seven,” he said into the receiver as he disappeared into the house. Business first. Always. Victoria lingered beside the car.

“Evelyn…I’m sorry.” Evelyn looked at her mother.

This apology…Unlike Sophia’s…Was genuine. But it still couldn’t erase years of silence. “I know.” It was neither forgiveness nor resentment. Just the truth. Victoria watched helplessly as Evelyn walked toward the mansion alone.

From the second-floor balcony…A familiar figure observed everything. Sophia. She had arrived before them.

No doubt escorted through the private entrance. She stood behind the curtains, watching Evelyn climb the marble steps one slow step at a time.

Then…Their eyes met. Sophia smiled. Not the innocent smile she showed the world. This one was different. A smile meant for Evelyn alone.

As if to say…I won.

Evelyn held her gaze for only a second. Then she looked away. Without a word, she walked through the front doors. She had already decided.

This would be the last day anyone would ever mistake her silence for weakness.