Chapter 4: The Brunch

"Sir." The older officer stepped in. "Let go of her."

Quentin's fingers stayed on my wrist one second longer.

Then he let go and laughed, low and pleasant.

"This is a family matter. My sister's getting engaged today. She's had a bit of an episode."

He bent close to my ear.

"Put on the dress and come downstairs," he said. "You made this mess. You're going to clean it up."

I shook him off.

Simon Clancy's office had Father's notebook now, and a photo of a locked door.

I didn't need to run.

I could go down and watch them finish their show.

The household staff brought the dress anyway. Pale gray silk, chosen for me.

I put on my own black sweater and jeans.

The ballroom was full by the time I came down.

White flowers on every table. A champagne tower by the windows. Easton Lathrop's whole family at the front.

Easton stood under the chandelier in a gray suit.

Tinsley was in front of him, crying.

She worked the ring off her finger again, slowly, so everyone could see, and laid it in his palm.

"I can't marry you."

The guests went silent.

"Winnie loves you so much," she said. "She's my sister. How could I take her happiness away from her?"

Easton closed his fist around the ring and pulled her into his chest.

"You're the only one I want."

Then he looked past her at me.

The disgust on his face was so familiar that my stomach turned over.

"You went after your own sister's fiance and made her give me up? Have you got any shame at all?"

Keep reading free with an account. Start My Sister's Tears Stole My First Life, Not My Second from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.