Chapter 3After Giving Me Away In Marriage, My Brother Regretted It

That night, I ran to Harlan, sobbing.

"Why, Harlan? We grew up together. How could you ignore all those years of love between us?"

“You know I’m being thrown to the wolves, and you’re willing to sacrifice me to satisfy your ambition? I’m your sister!”

He stood in the dark, his expression unreadable. “Violet, just give me some time. When the moment is right, I’ll come back for you.”

Just then, Lila rushed out, fanning the flames.

“Violet, our family took care of you all these years. You’re always talking about repaying our parents, aren’t you? This is the perfect opportunity, and now you want to refuse?”

“Unless... there’s someone else you love?”

Her words silenced me.

There’s nothing more humiliating than having your deepest feelings laid bare. Instinctively, I glanced at Harlan. When I met his gaze, my face went pale.

He frowned, turned away, and muttered, "Disgusting."

Seeing that look on his face, everything suddenly became clear.

As time ticked away, he had me bound and thrown into a car, forcing me into the marriage.

Before the window closed, the last words he said were:

“Violet, once you’re married, there’s no need to come back. Our parents only adopted you because they missed my sister. Now that she’s returned, it’s time for you to step aside.”

He had made it clear that I was no longer part of his life.

I cried like I had never cried before. All those dreams I once had? Crushed. He despised me, and this was his way of cutting me off completely.

I stared at him, the sorrow inside me overwhelming. “Then, I’ll pretend you’re dead to me.”

And with that, I married Rhett Sinclair—a man with the face of an angel but the mind of a five-year-old.

Life as his wife wasn’t as terrible as I had feared. In fact, it was surprisingly happy.

Despite his condition, Rhett was kind-hearted, and most of all, he loved me deeply.

“Pretty lady, are you really my wife? Mama said a husband has to protect his wife! Pretty lady, I’ll protect you forever!”

He said those words with such sincerity, handing me his treasured candy as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

At that moment, it felt like light had pierced the darkness I’d been drowning in.

Over the next three years, just as he promised, the entire Sinclair family treated me well—especially Rhett.

We watched flowers bloom, and sunrises together, sharing meaningful moments. Rhett never let me suffer, not for a second. In fact, he took better care of me than my own parents, better than Harlan had ever done. He would always follow behind me, proudly telling everyone how lucky he was to have me as his wife.

With time, I fell for him. Deeper and deeper.

But Harlan destroyed it all.

He already had everything he wanted, yet he couldn’t let go of anyone who had wronged him.

He obliterated the happiness I had found, leaving nothing but ashes.

And so, I hated him.

I refused to go back with him.

To me, Harlan Greer had died three years ago.

That dream collapsed the moment he reappeared in my life.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital. The man from my nightmare was now sitting at my bedside, his gaze soft, almost gentle.

I turned my head, refusing to look at him.

He tried to act kind, but I knew what he really wanted.

“Violet, if you can’t make the decision yourself, then I’ll make it for you. I’ll divorce you from Rhett. You won’t have to lower yourself to be married to a simpleton. He’s in prison anyway, so…”

“Harlan Greer.” I cut him off, my voice laced with venom. “My brother abandoned me three years ago. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have a brother anymore.”

“And as for your home? It hasn’t been mine for a long time. The only home I have left is the one I made with my husband.”

His face hardened, his anger rising.

“Violet Greer, are you seriously that in love with a simpleton?”