The town square buzzed with talk about the Blackwells' arrival.
The townsfolk knew the Blackwell family all too well. They had been famous around here for three decades. Henry Blackwell had been a respected and honorable merchant landowner. His son, Edgar Blackwell, took over his father's business and left for London, where he built a trade and finance empire.
Back then, this small town had been nothing more than a coastal village. But when Edgar Blackwell made his fortune, he never forgot his roots. He played a key role in uplifting the village, investing in its growth and prosperity. Over time, the coastal village evolved into a small town. Edgar Blackwell became a beloved figure here.
Whenever he visited, the town came alive.
Since Selina was a little girl, the Blackwells had come to town once or twice a year. Over the years, though, their visits became less frequent. Eventually, only the eldest brother, Alistair, returned regularly. The twins, Malcolm and Sebastian, visited every few years. And the youngest, Damon—he had never once come back since he left to study abroad.
Until now.
This summer, Damon had returned—for his engagement to Margaret.
Edgar Blackwell and Douglas Vale had been childhood friends. Of course, that was when they were equals. Long before Edgar married, before Selina's mother had even given birth to her first child, the two men had made a promise: if Douglas had a daughter in the future, she would marry into the Blackwell family.
When Edgar left for London and began making a name for himself, the townsfolk hadn't believed he would honor that promise. They mocked Douglas Vale for his delusion, for thinking his daughter could marry into such a powerful, wealthy family.
It was none of their business whether Margaret married into the Blackwells or not. But people liked to feel superior to those less fortunate. Making Selina's father feel small for his misplaced hopes made them feel better about themselves.
That changed twelve years ago, when Edgar Blackwell returned with his youngest son.
Despite the vast difference in status that had grown between them, Edgar had never regretted his promise to his childhood friend. He had never looked down on Margaret.
And now, after more than two decades, the promise was finally coming to fruition.
Selina watched as her mother bustled around the house like a busy bee, preparing for the Blackwells' visit. She and Margaret had spent all morning getting things ready. The Blackwell family was coming for lunch.
Her parents were the happiest they had been in a long time.
Selina didn't want to get in the way.
She wasn't going to join them.
Not that they would notice.
She spent the day avoiding people, walking along the coast to clear her head. She hadn't wanted to see the Blackwells, hadn't wanted to hear the whispers about Margaret's engagement.
Selina had mixed feelings about her sister's marriage.
On one hand, she loved Margaret and wanted the best for her. Life had not been kind to her, but this could change everything. Overnight, Margaret would become a real-life Cinderella.
On the other hand, the thought of Margaret having another family—a family Selina wouldn't belong to—made Se sick to her stomach.
Margaret wasn't just her older sister.
She had been both her mother and father.
While their own parents had been inept, Margaret had raised her. She had helped with homework, cared for her when she was sick, cooked when their mother succumbed to her depression to. She had protected her from their father as best she could whenever Selina got herself into trouble.
Which had been often.
And now, Selina had gotten herself into trouble again.
The worst trouble yet.
But this time, Margaret couldn't protect her.
And maybe, once she was married, she never would again.
Margaret would have a new family.
One that didn't cause trouble for her.
Unlike Selina.
She took a deep breath, the salty sea air calming her nerves.
After gathering her thoughts, she made her way back home.
Her mother was watching TV in the living room. Selina looked around but didn't see Margaret.
"Where's Margaret?" she asked.
Without looking away from the screen, her mother replied, "She's with Damon. They went out to wander and have dinner together. She probably won't be back until late."
Selina blinked. "Wander? Since when does Margaret wander around alone with a man this late in the evening? How did Father allow this?"
This time, her mother turned to face her fully. "It was his idea. Well, his and Edgar's. Damon isn't a stranger, Selina—he's Margaret's fiancé. They're getting married soon, but they've barely seen each other in years. Your father and Edgar thought it would be good for them to spend time together before the official engagement."
Selina thought the whole thing was ridiculous.
After all this time, now they wanted them to get to know each other? This close to the wedding?
Damon hadn't returned to Scotland in years. Margaret had never left.
They were strangers.
Selina only hoped they would at least like each other. That would make things easier.
But when Margaret came to find her that evening, her expression unreadable, Selina somehow knew she wasn't going to like what came next.
"Come with me. We need to talk."
Selina frowned. "Why?"
Margaret shook her head. "Not here. Someone might hear."
Selina didn't understand but followed her upstairs. They locked the door.
She sat on the bed. "Margaret, what's going on?"
Margaret hesitated, then said, "Damon made me an offer. And before you say anything, I've already accepted."
Selina's stomach tightened. Her brows knitted. "What kind of offer?"
Margaret exhaled. "He doesn't want this marriage either. He proposed a deal—we marry, he leaves the country, and after a few months, we quietly divorce."
Selina stared at her, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"And you agreed?"
Margaret nodded. "It makes sense."
Selina felt a surge of frustration. "Makes sense? Margaret, you're throwing away your chance at a life of luxury and security. For what? Because he asked nicely? I bet he even offered you money on the side, thinking he was being generous. Like a small amount of charity means anything compared to the Blackwell fortune."
Her lips curled into a condescending smile. "But I know what to do. I'll go talk to his father. Let's see what Mr. Blackwell has to say about his son's generous offer."
She stood and moved toward the door, but Margaret blocked her path.
"Selina, stop. You're not going to do anything."
Selina narrowed her eyes. "Why are you defending him?"
"It's not about him. It's about you."
Selina stilled.
Margaret's voice softened. "You were right before. If I marry into the Blackwell family, it would be impossible for me to adopt your baby. And it's not like I can avoid marrying him altogether—our parents would never allow it. But if I accept Damon's offer, I'll have money. Maybe not much, but enough. I can raise your baby."
Silence.
Selina's pulse hammered.
Margaret took a step closer. "Think about it. The engagement, the marriage, the divorce—it'll take about a year, maybe less. Meanwhile, you can give birth away from prying eyes. By the time you recover, I'll be back and ready to take care of the baby. You can go back to college, find a new job, start over. A fresh start. A clean slate."
Selina forced out a laugh, hating how reasonable it all sounded.
"And what about you? You'll just spend the rest of your life playing mother to my child?"
Margaret stayed silent.
"No," Selina said firmly.
Margaret sighed. "Selina, please—"
"No."
Her fingers curled into fists. "You can't adopt a baby when you're about to be married."
Margaret pressed her lips together. "The marriage won't last."
Selina had no argument.
She felt trapped.
No money. No job. No future.
And a baby who would need more than just her sheer determination.
Her voice was quieter this time.
"Fine."
Margaret exhaled, relief clear in her eyes.
Selina didn't feel relief.
She just felt stuck.