He Begged, I Chose His Brother

Blythe's POV: "Blythe, you have to come." Dylan Donovan pulled out a velvet box. ​ The shameless expression on his face was every bit as infuriating as it had been earlier when he pressured me into agreeing to the wedding swap. ​ "This is the heirloom your parents left for you," he said in a low, firm voice that left no room for refusal. "If you want it back, come to Heidi's birthday party tonight." ​ This heirloom had been left to me by my parents before their fatal accident. ​ Years ago, Dylan had sweet-talked me into handing it over, and now I intended to get it back no matter what. ​ I lowered my eyes, concealing the icy anger beneath them. ​ "Fine," I replied calmly. "I'll come." ​ A smug smile flashed across Dylan's face. Satisfied, he grabbed his jacket and left. ​ The engagement with the Donovan family had always been mine. ​ I had simply been stolen away shortly after birth. ​ Heartbroken by the loss of their daughter, my biological parents later adopted Heidi Holloway. ​ Then my adoptive parents passed away, leaving me to spend years growing up in foster care. ​ When I was fifteen, the Holloway family finally found me and brought me home. ​ From the very beginning, everyone told me that Dylan was my future husband, and I believed it. I even convinced myself he was the boy from my childhood memories. ​ Back then, he defended me whenever people mocked me for being a small-town girl, and he planned birthday surprises for me. ​ When my biological parents died unexpectedly, he stayed by my side and comforted me through the darkest days of my life. ​ After that, I followed him everywhere, but somewhere along the way, his attention gradually shifted toward Heidi. ​ Even though Heidi and I shared the same birthday, he remembered hers but never mine. ​ I should have realized the truth much sooner in my previous life. ​ The birthday celebration was being held at the most exclusive private club in the city. ​ Dylan led Heidi directly to the center of the crowd, holding a champagne glass and looking as thrilled as someone who had just won the lottery. ​ Then he accepted a small dark-brown leather box from a server, and inside was a limited-edition Patek Philippe ladies' watch. ​ "Happy birthday, Heidi," Dylan said warmly as he fastened the watch around her wrist himself. "Wait, isn't that the exhibition piece from last year's Geneva Watch Fair?" someone exclaimed. "I heard there are only five of them in the entire world!" ​ "Dylan really spoils Heidi!" another person gushed. ​ "Blythe is unbelievable. She's the one who ended up with the engagement, yet she still acts like the victim!" a third remarked. ​ A bitter laugh rose in my throat. That watch was originally supposed to be my birthday gift, the one he had promised me. Now it sat proudly on Heidi's wrist. ​ I pushed open the door, and the laughter inside stopped instantly as every eye in the room turned toward me. ​ Their expressions carried curiosity, contempt, and the excitement of people expecting drama. ​ "Well, if it isn't the Holloway family's real daughter," someone drawled mockingly. "What are you here for? To claim your territory?" ​ "I think she's here to embarrass herself. Everyone knows Dylan only loves Heidi," another person chimed in with a smirk. ​ "Exactly. Heidi's the one he actually wants to marry," a third added, the voice full of certainty. ​ Heidi immediately smiled smugly, deliberately lifting her wrist to let the Patek Philippe sparkle beneath the lights. ​ "Blythe," she said sweetly, "look at the birthday gift Dylan gave me. Isn't it beautiful? It's a worldwide limited edition." ​ She deliberately emphasized the words "limited edition," and the crowd eagerly joined in. ​ "It's gorgeous!" ​ "Dylan really went all out for Heidi." ​ "She's so lucky!" ​ I lowered my gaze, my fingers tightening slightly, and Dylan frowned. ​ He gently touched Heidi's wrist and murmured, "That's enough. Stop showing off." ​ Heidi pouted but obediently stepped back. ​ Dylan then glanced at me and said coldly, "I brought the bracelet. As long as you cooperate and help make Heidi happy tonight, I'll return it." ​ "Cooperate?" I echoed. "You mean to cooperate while all of you humiliate me?" ​ "Don't push your luck," he warned quietly, his eyes sharp with threat. "The bracelet is still with me." ​ Heidi immediately stepped in. ​ "Don't be upset, Blythe," she said with a sugary smile. "Everyone's just joking." ​ As soon as she spoke, the people around her chimed in. ​ "Exactly." ​ "Don't be so sensitive" ​ "I guess girls from small towns aren't used to events like this." ​ Every comment stabbed into me like a blade, and my fingers curled tightly at my sides as my palms began to sweat. I told myself to stay calm—I still didn't have the bracelet. I couldn't lose my temper now. ​ Dylan watched my silence with obvious satisfaction, clearly believing I wouldn't dare resist. ​ "Come on, Blythe," he said, holding out a wine glass. "Make a toast to Heidi. Wish her a happy birthday." ​ The crowd immediately began chanting, "Drink! Drink! Drink!" ​ I accepted the glass and looked down at the cloudy liquid inside, recognizing it as a mixture of several different alcoholic drinks. For the bracelet, I endured it. ​ Closing my eyes, I drank the entire thing in one gulp. The taste was strange—salty and so unpleasant that I nearly spat it out, but I forced myself to swallow. ​ Then I extended my hand. "The bracelet." ​ Dylan clicked his tongue impatiently. ​ After a moment, he pulled out the velvet box and tossed it toward me, and I caught it immediately. ​ As I turned to leave, I heard him comforting Heidi behind me. ​ "Don't pout, baby. It's just a crappy old bracelet," he said gently, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I'll buy you something much better later, I promise." ​ Without looking back, I walked straight out. ​ This life was my second chance, and I wanted absolutely nothing to do with either of them anymore. ​ Unfortunately, fate seemed to have other plans.