They Made Me the Knight, But I Became My Own Princess Chapter 04

They Made Me the Knight, But I Became My Own Princess Chapter 04

The next morning, I pushed the last jacket into my suitcase and zipped it closed.

The suitcase was so light I could barely feel its weight, just like my 22 years in this house.

When I opened the door, the house was already buzzing.

Dad wore a brand-new tailored suit. Mom had put on the pearl necklace she usually considered too precious to wear.

Sadie stood there in an expensive pink Chanel couture gown, every inch the proud princess.

Mom froze when she saw my suitcase.

“Why are you carrying a suitcase?”

My voice remained calm.

“My university is running a residential project. I’ll be staying on campus for a while.”

Mom frowned.

“Why does it have to start today? The Keatons are meeting us at the hotel to discuss the wedding date. What will it look like if you’re not there?”

Dad came over, took a bank card from his wallet, and held it out to me.

“Take it. The PIN is your sister’s birthday. There are 7,500 dollars on it. Consider it compensation. Don’t be afraid to spend money while you’re at school. And stop wearing those old clothes. You make the Farley family look bad.”

I stared at the card without taking it.

“I don’t need it. The university is covering room and board.”

Dad’s face fell.

“Take it when I give it to you. Stop being so dramatic.”

He shoved the card into my coat pocket.

Sadie came over and linked her arm through mine.

“Molly, are you still mad because I stole your engagement? You don’t have to be sad. Once I marry into the Keaton family, I’ll ask Wade to find you a good job. Then you won’t have to work so hard anymore.”

I looked at her false smile and slowly pulled away.

“I hope you’ll be happy.”

With that, I picked up my suitcase and walked out without looking back.

The early-spring sun touched my skin without giving off a trace of warmth.

I hailed a cab.

“To the airport.”

As the car pulled away, I took the bank card from my pocket and tossed it into a roadside trash can.

The PIN was my sister’s birthday.

Money meant to compensate me.

What a joke.

*****

At 12 p.m., the Farley family sat around a table in a private room at the most luxurious 5-star hotel downtown. Their faces were plastered with eager, ingratiating smiles.

“Why aren’t the Keatons here yet?” Mom c*********r watch anxiously.

Dad adjusted his tie.

“What’s the rush? Important people always make the grand entrance.”

Sadie examined her makeup in a small mirror.

“Dad, what do you think Wade will bring me today? I heard the Keatons pass down a set of heirloom emeralds to the wife of every eldest son.”

Just then, the door opened.

The man who entered wasn’t Wade. He was a young man in a black suit carrying several elegant gift boxes.