“Lucas, I know you’re unhappy about the arranged marriage our family set up for you. But forcing your younger brother to take your place, do you think that’s right? You should apologize to Mr. and Langford right now.”
My mother’s voice rang out sweetly, but I could hear the cold blade beneath her words. I sneered inwardly.
In my previous life, I had stormed onto the stage to confront Tristan and my mother never had the chance to shift the blame onto me.
Now I understood: Tristan dared to pull this stunt because he had my parents’ full support.
No wonder they suddenly insisted on a full ceremonial wedding steeped in old rituals, complete with a custom-made mask that covered my face from start to finish. It wasn’t about honoring tradition, it was about concealing the truth.
I’d only returned to the Everhart Family two years ago, while Tristan had been raised by them since birth. In their hearts, he was the real son. Two decades of affection had long outweighed a mere blood tie.
Tristan glanced at my mother, then stepped forward and knelt beside Sienna with practiced grace.
“Uncle, Aunt… Sienna and I truly love each other. Lucas has no feelings for her. Forcing them to marry will only bring misery to both sides. I’m willing to marry into the Langford Family and be her husband…”
Before he could finish, Daisy cut him off, voice sharp and cold.
“What nonsense are you spouting? You don’t have a yang constitution. Marrying you would only doom Sienna!”
She glared down at him with disdain. “And you? You’re nothing more than an adopted bumpkin from the countryside. Do you really think you’re worthy of marrying into our family?”
Tristan’s face turned ghostly pale. His lips trembled, bitten so hard they bled.
Seeing this, Sienna’s eyes filled with pity. She turned on her mother with righteous fury.
“Mom! What age are we living in? How can you still believe in these feudal superstitions?” She helped Tristan to his feet and shot me a venomous glare.
“Lucas, that so-called sacred bloodline of yours is a lie. You must’ve bribed some quack to fake those results!”
“You can crash the wedding all you want, but I’ll never marry you. The only man I will ever marry is Tristan!”
Tristan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and wrapped his arms protectively around her.
“Lucas, you were the one who said I could marry Sienna, so I agreed to step in. Why are you making a scene now?”