His Brother’s Rejected Bride

Chapter 4: Public Rejection

The Grand Crystal Ballroom was sparkling under thousands of lights.

Champagne poured, music played, all the city’s elite gathered under the majestic chandeliers, dressed in exquisite designer dresses and tailored suits. This was not an ordinary engagement banquet, because tonight Brittney Ashford announced her engagement to Damien Blackwood. The merger of two powerful and influential families was finally going to happen. Every guest in this ballroom knew that Brittney would accept Damien’s proposal. She had always accepted everything that was given to her his apologies, his forgiveness, his love. At least that was what everybody believed, including Damien.

Standing at the top of the staircase, Brittney surveyed the crowd below, watching every familiar face, trying to catch every look directed her way. Her eyes locked on one in particular Selena, her gorgeous silver gown made her look like a princess, her laughter echoed in the ballroom as she stood close to someone who looked charming. Selena was touching Damien’s arm, flirting with him and smiling at him like he already belonged to her. Three years ago, Brittney would have swallowed all those jealous feelings and anger down, but not tonight. She noticed every detail, every look, every word that was said. A cold smile curled on Brittney’s lips as she looked at the scene before her.

Enjoy it while it lasts,” she thought.

“Miss Ashford?” The master of ceremonies approached her. “Young Master Damien is ready.”

Of course, everything was perfect. The ballroom, the speeches, her dress, the ring, everything, except for one tiny detail of her answer. Brittney stepped down the stairs, causing a hush to fall over the guests. Some looked at her with adoration, others with envy and curiosity. It all didn’t matter to her, because she already knew what was going to happen tonight and she knew she was going to change it. As she stepped on the ballroom floor, tall and beautiful, her future husband was waiting for her. He looked spectacular in his custom tuxedo, the same way he always looked. Handsome and charming, the golden heir that everybody wanted to follow. For years his smile had made her heart pound in her chest, but now she felt nothing but disappointment.

Damien smiled at her the same way he always did when he saw her. “Brittney,” he said softly, “you look beautiful.” It was all so horribly scripted, the words slid down her throat like sand. She gave him a polite smile in reply. “Thank you,” she said. His smile faltered slightly as he studied her face. This was not the first time he was disappointed by her response, but this time it hurt more than ever. Before he could say something, the ballroom was plunged into darkness and the whole crowd fell silent. The moment had come at last. The whole ballroom buzzed with anticipation as a bright spot of light shone on the dance floor. Damien took Brittney’s hand in his, holding it as they stared into each other’s eyes, while the guests eagerly watched the proceedings. Phones came out, cameras clicked, people wanted to see the love story of the year, the most anticipated proposal that was going to change Brittney’s life forever. Damien led Brittney to the center of the ballroom, then he turned to the audience and began speaking.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, a broad smile plastered on his face as he looked out over the crowd, “tonight is a very special evening for me.” The whole ballroom burst into applause. Damien smiled wider. “Tonight, I invite you all to witness the most important event in my life,” he said. The crowd cheered. Across the ballroom, Selena’s eyes practically popped out of her head as she watched Damien take Brittney’s hands. “Yes, yes, this will be wonderful!” she thought to herself. “It’s going to happen tonight. I know it!”

Damien looked back at Brittney with soft eyes. “Ever since I’ve met this amazing woman, she has been a big part of my life,” he said. “Brittney has always been my future.” The last part resonated painfully in Brittney’s chest, as if it had stabbed her there. Future. She crushed his future with her lies. “She is intelligent,” the whole ballroom erupted in applause at his words. “Beautiful,” another round of applause. “And she is the only woman I want to be with,” he said. The whole ballroom went wild. Applause, cheers, whistles, the guests were all having a great time. Brittney almost laughed out loud at his words. So very ironic. And then, Damien reached into his pocket to produce the ring. The guests gasped as he got down on one knee. “Brittney Ashford,” he said, “I love you.”

“Brittney Ashford,” he said, “I trust you.” “I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” the ring sparkled under the lights as all eyes were on Brittney. Everyone was waiting for her answer. Three long years, and this was the moment she had been preparing for. The moment she would finally cut all ties with the past and move on. But instead of tears of joy cascading down her cheeks, she felt an empty sadness in her heart. Three years ago she would have sobbed, she would have said yes before he had finished proposing. But this Brittney was long gone, buried under a mountain of regrets and betrayal. And now she stood before Damien Blackwood, the man who had broken her heart, and she said the words that would change her life forever. She told the truth. With trembling legs, she looked at him, waiting for the next move. And then she smiled politely.

“I want to wish you the best in your life and move on. Thank you for everything, Damien.” With those words, she turned her back to him and walked away, vanishing into the darkness. The whole ballroom gasped in shock as several guests dropped their glasses in surprise. One particular woman screamed in horror. What happened? Was this some kind of nightmare? Did Brittney just reject the most eligible bachelor in the whole country? Damien’s face contorted in disbelief. Good. Now he knew what it was like to experience betrayal. “I said NO,” she shouted loudly enough for the whole ballroom to hear. Her voice echoed off the crystal walls. Every guest stared at her in utter shock. Every camera was focused on her face. Every phone took a picture of her horrified expression. Humiliation spread across Damien’s face as his hands gripped the ring box tightly.

The whole ballroom was buzzing with commotion. “Did you hear that?” some whispered. “She rejected him!” others gasped in disbelief. “Impossible!” There was no way Brittney Ashford would say no to Damien Blackwood. Not when he was the most eligible bachelor in the country. Across the ballroom, Selena was nearly choking in horror as panic spread across her pretty face. This was supposed to be the best night of her life. Nothing was going to ruin this for her. Her plan was impeccable, everything hinged on Brittney being engaged to Damien. If Brittney rejected him, everything would change. “Brit!” Selena all but shrieked as she ran up to her cousin. “Come on, Brittney, say something!” she exclaimed, forcing a laugh. “You know you want to be with him!”

Brittney slowly turned around to face her cousin. The smile on Selena’s face was stretched too far, her eyes were full of fear. For the first time in years, Brittney felt a sense of amusement at seeing her cousin’s face. “No,” she said, watching Selena’s face drain from all color. Finally, Damien stood up from the floor. His expression was dark and unreadable as he stared at Brittney. “Explain,” he said quietly. The whole ballroom went silent as people turned to watch the confrontation. Brittney met his gaze without flinching. “I don’t want to marry you,” she said softly. She hated the way the words sounded, but she hated him even more. This was probably the most humiliating experience of his life, and she found herself feeling grateful. “Explain,” he said again, his voice like ice. She searched his face, wondering if he was going to hit her.

“I wish you the best,” she finally said. Then she turned around and walked away. The guests parted as she passed them, not a single one daring to touch her. It was surreal to watch, as if she was walking through a ghost town. All eyes were on her as she disappeared into the night. At the far end of the ballroom, Adrian raised his champagne glass, a knowing smile appearing on his face. For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely pleased. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of pride. Brittney had finally made the right choice. It was the least she could do

Finally, Brittney reached the ballroom doors. All she had to do was take a few more steps and she would be free. But suddenly strong hands encircled her wrist, sending electricity surging through her veins. The entire ballroom fell silent as all eyes were on her again. Damien stood behind her, his grip firm, his jaw tight, his piercing eyes burning with something dark. “Brittney,” he growled low and menacing.

“Brittney, you are not leaving.” The ballroom held its breath as everyone watched the confrontation. Damien took a step closer to her so she could hear the next words. “You are not leaving until you explain this,” he said, his hands tightening around her wrist. It sent an odd sensation through her spine. She barely heard his words. She only looked at him and smiled. For the first time in years, Damien Blackwood looked like he had lost his mind. His hands trembled as he took in her expression. “You will explain every single word,” he said, his teeth clenched. “You will tell me why.” No one said a word. The ballroom was silent as everyone waited for her response. Brittney only looked at him and smiled. “I wish you the best,” she said softly. She turned around and walked away, leaving Damien standing there, rooted to the spot. His heart pounded furiously in his chest, as if trying to escape. At the far end of the ballroom, Adrian watched the scene unfold with a satisfied smile. For the first time that evening, he felt truly happy for Brittney. Her life had changed forever, that much he knew for sure. But for now, watching Brittney walk away from this nightmare seemed like the best thing that could happen to her.