Called off the wedding and proposal

"Sorry, Charlotte! This may not be the best timing, but I’ve decided your little sister will replace you as the Mistress of the Hawks family!"

Charlotte's heart sinks as her father's words reverberate through the room. A hollow feeling spreads through her chest. Her biological parents—her own flesh and blood—want to give her half-sister the life she had always been promised.

Charlotte Milestone, the eldest daughter of the Milestone family, is seen by everyone as a princess born with a golden spoon. But beneath the façade of luxury and privilege, she feels more like Cinderella. Her younger sister, Rachel, is four years her junior and a constant reminder of their mother’s betrayal. Their mother had cheated on their father, and when Rachel’s father—her mother's lover—died in a tragic accident, Charlotte’s father took their mother back out of misguided love.

Rachel’s arrival changes everything. Charlotte gradually becomes an outsider in her own home. Her parents’ neglect grows more apparent as Rachel skillfully uses her charm to win their favor. Despite this, Charlotte always chooses to forgive, believing that family should not hold grudges.

Today is supposed to be a joyous occasion. She has been looking forward to wedding shopping with her long-term fiancé, who has just returned from abroad. She has waited patiently for his return so they can finally start their life together.

Now, her father’s announcement shatters those plans. Charlotte stares at him in disbelief, watching as he sits comfortably on the couch, a soft smile playing on his lips as he gazes at Rachel, who is now twenty and a freshman in college.

Rachel shyly tucks her hair behind her ear, looking every bit innocent, like a white lotus in bloom.

“Why, Dad?”

Charlotte asks under her breath, ignoring the splitting pain in her heart. She has been looking forward to getting married and starting a family of her own. She has only ever seen her fiancé in a photo and hasn’t even met him yet. And now, her father wants to destroy her dream.

“It’s simple! Brian Hawks told his parents that he doesn’t want to marry someone a little too old. He prefers your sister!”

Charlotte purses her lips, staring at her father, who is sitting comfortably across from her. The pain in her heart tightens like a vice, but she knows there’s nothing she can do.

“Besides, Sister, you aren’t suitable for Brother Brian. He’s smart, handsome, and intelligent. When I met him, he said he didn’t want someone like you!” Rachel says, her tone hostile, a smirk tugging at her lips. Her attention, however, is on her freshly manicured nails.

“You met him?”

Charlotte asks in disbelief. Today was supposed to be her first time meeting her fiancé. She had planned to go shopping with him. And yet, her sister has already met him.

“Well, since Dad has announced everything, there’s nothing left to hide. Brother Brian and I have been dating for three months. I’m already going to be a mother. I’m two and a half months pregnant.” Rachel smirks, patting her stomach.

Charlotte’s fingers tremble as she stares at her sister, her gaze filled with a mix of pain and hatred. She has never asked for anything from her parents. She had always been okay with whatever they decided for her. She had even accepted the engagement between the two families, willing to marry a man she didn’t love. Over time, she learned to love him, dreaming of a happy family.

“So she seduced him. And you knew about it, Dad?”

Charlotte asks in a calm, almost detached voice. She shakes her head and closes her eyes, trying to steady her breathing.

“Why are you acting like your sister stole your husband? Whether it’s her or you, what does it matter? She’s pregnant with Brian’s child. She deserves the position! Now listen to my other announcement.”

Her father’s voice is filled with indifference. To him, all that matters is profit and making money. He doesn’t care about his daughter’s feelings or the fact that he’s destroying her hope of a wedding.

Charlotte keeps her eyes shut, feeling the sharp, twisting pain in her fragile heart. She can’t move past the fact that her family doesn’t care about her feelings at all. They treat her like a toy, and she still doesn’t understand why she always gets this kind of treatment from them.

"You all must have heard about the Rodriguez family. Yesterday, I had a meeting with them. They have two sons and want one of my adorable daughters to be their daughter-in-law. This is great news for us, isn’t it?"

Her father says, his voice filled with pride, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. Charlotte keeps her mouth shut. Right now, she has lost all interest and hope in getting married or building a perfect family.

"What? Isn’t that the richest family in our state? Are you serious?"

Rachel exclaims. She seems to know about the Rodriguez family.

“Why didn’t you tell me before? That family is much better than Brian’s! I always wanted to marry into that family.” Her voice rises with disbelief.

“But you’re already pregnant with Brian’s child. You should be grateful you’ll marry him,” her father replies with a smirk.

Rachel raises an eyebrow, trying to grasp his meaning, but disappointment flickers across her face. It’s clear she’s unhappy that she won’t get to marry into the Rodriguez family.

Meanwhile, Charlotte is lost in thought. She knows a little about the Rodriguez family; she had once dreamed of working in their fashion design department. But she could never join. Now, she’s just an employee at Sunshine Company.

“So, is Sister going to marry into that family?” Rachel asks, puffing her cheeks angrily.

She’s obviously upset at the idea of Charlotte marrying into a wealthier family than she will.

“What do you say, Charlotte? This is a huge opportunity for our company! Being in-laws with them could make our company skyrocket!”

Charlotte’s uninterested gaze settles on her father, who is already daydreaming about the financial benefits of an alliance with the Rodriguez family. Her soft hands curl into fists. Her tears hover at the edge, threatening to fall, but her expression remains blank and empty.

“Can I refuse your wish, Dad?”

Charlotte asks softly. After seeing her family’s behavior for years, she thinks she deserves better than what she’s endured. She has always worked hard to be the perfect daughter, striving to make her parents happy, only to be met with neglect. It’s time for her to follow her own wishes.

A deafening silence fills the room. Her father and Rachel look at each other in disbelief. They aren’t used to her defiance. To them, Charlotte has always been a loyal, obedient daughter. This is the first time she’s ever said no to something that matters so much to them.

“So, you want to disappoint me? Do you think I’ll be happy seeing you throw away the chance to catch a goose that lays golden eggs?” Mr. Milestone yells, slamming the glass of wine he’s holding onto the table.

Charlotte flinches, but inside, her heart laughs with mocking bitterness.

Her father only sees her as a trade deal, a means to make money. Her own family, her sister, and even her fiancé have mocked her.

They’ve been laughing at her all along, even when she was excited about getting married. Now, once again, they want to marry her off to someone for financial gain. They don’t care if the man she marries is a drug smuggler or a playboy. All her family cares about is money.

“You’re getting married today, this afternoon. It was decided by your mother before we announced Rachel’s wedding with Brian. You’re moving in with your new husband today!” he declares.

It’s hard for Charlotte to keep going. She wants to end her relationship with her parents and sever the trust and respect she once had for them.

She wishes for a little respect, a little consideration for her opinions. She wants them to understand that she’s disappointed in them.

But she knows this isn’t a fantasy world where she can stand up to her parents and be a rebellious daughter. She was raised to obey, to say yes to everything her parents decide. She doesn’t want to make them unhappy, but she desperately wants them to see how unhappy she is because of them. Yet, there seems to be no way to make them understand. They are obsessed with money and fame.

“I understand, Dad. I’m happy with whatever you want me to do. It’s okay to get married today,” she replies, sounding exhausted. She forces a smile, feeling like a clown mocking herself for how hopeless she has become. She can’t say no, even to the things she hates.