Reborn, I Refused the Man I Once Forced to Marry Chapter 06

When I returned home, my stepmother, Victoria, came over with her usual enthusiasm.

She’d already heard that I’d turned down Mrs. Ansford’s matchmaking proposal.

“The Bennett family are all hypocrites. I’m glad you’ve finally seen sense.”

She showed me a photograph on her phone.

“This is the man your father and I chose for you. Sebastian Sterling, Boss of the Sterling family.”

“Next month, the Governor is hosting a charity golf tournament. Most of the younger members of the prominent families in Vespera will be attending. Why don’t you meet him there first?”

The Sterling family had once stood alongside this city’s earliest ruling families and still retained their ancient aristocratic titles.

But over the years, their influence had gradually declined. They were nowhere near as powerful as the rising Whitmore and Bennett families.

Sebastian Sterling was a sickly man with a disability that made walking difficult.

The society women from prestigious families were all reluctant to marry him. Apparently, my stepmother thought he’d be the perfect choice to use against me.

I didn’t refuse.

After all, the Sterling family had long since fallen into decline. I’d heard there were fewer than ten direct family members left.

Marrying into their family would mean fewer headaches.

However, before my own marriage could be finalized, Chloe’s wedding came first.

I’d already told everyone I was ill and wouldn’t be accepting invitations to any social gatherings.

Whenever I got tired of staying indoors, I’d take my car out for a drive.

But even the cafés and bars soon became boring.

I decided to leave. As I was heading downstairs, I heard someone mention my name.

“Why did Evelyn Hayes suddenly get sick? Wasn’t she perfectly fine a few days ago?”

“Maybe because you’re marrying Alexander Whitmore, and she knows she can’t beat you this time, so she’s hiding.”

“Good thing she’s sick. Otherwise, she’d definitely have made a fool of herself at your wedding.”

It was Chloe and several of her friends.

Adrian and Alexander were walking behind them.

I frowned and decided to take another route to avoid them.

Chloe’s friend continued talking about me.

“Adrian, you’d better have your men keep a close watch on every entrance that day. Don’t give Evelyn a chance to pull anything.”

Adrian’s voice came from behind me.

“You all seem awfully wary of Evelyn.”

“You spend all your time dealing with family affairs and outside business. You don’t know about all the old drama in our social circle.”

Alexander spoke bitterly.

“Evelyn has an obsessive personality. She can’t stand seeing Chloe happy, and she’s always been after me.”

“At the First Lady’s birthday gala, who knows what she was thinking? She actually followed me into the garden and shamelessly hugged you behind that stone wall.”

“Adrian, you shouldn’t have let her off so easily last time.”

Adrian didn’t say another word.

I didn’t stay to listen, either. I hurried to my car.

Alexander wasn’t entirely wrong about me being obsessive.

In my previous life, it seemed I’d lived for no other reason than to stay one step ahead of Chloe.

When Chloe’s teacher praised her grades, I’d spend every day in the library studying until the security guards personally escorted me out.

When Chloe designed a beautiful evening gown, I’d spend every waking hour sewing, refusing to give up even when my hands were covered in tiny needle wounds.

No wonder so many people avoided me like I was crazy.

From now on, Adrian would keep his distance from me, too.