Part 3Left in Fire, Reborn to Marry His Elder Brother

"What is the meaning of this?"

My father scowled.

"The Thorne-O'Connell alliance was settled long ago. Are you really going to break our agreement?"

Brandon Thorne couldn't hide his disgust for my appearance.

"Brandon Thorne... isn't worthy of the youngest miss."

I sighed.

Ever since I got this scar at ten years old saving Valerie, this face has been a constant source of contempt.

Maybe Julian Thorne's behavior in my past life was because of this too.

"Brandon Thorne! Are you abandoning Sera O'Connell?"

Valerie grabbed his arm anxiously.

Brandon Thorne looked at her, his eyes filled with affection.

"I never came here for her."

I said nothing.

Valerie quickly hid the brief flash of joy in her eyes, replacing it with a fake frown of anger.

"No! That's not how this works! The engagement has to stand!"

"Simple solution," I said. "Valerie can just take both of them, can't she?"

Valerie's face flushed. "You... what are you talking about?"

Both men were devastatingly handsome—from the moment they walked in, Valerie hadn't taken her eyes off them.

My father looked contemplative.

"You truly don't want either of them?"

"No, I have no interest in either of these men."

Both men turned to look at me at once.

They seemed to be wondering what gave me the right to say such a thing.

Julian Thorne's gaze was more complicated—his pupils narrowing, as if his confusion went beyond just my words.

I couldn't read him, and I didn't care to try.

"Then can you guarantee your own safety?"

I looked up, meeting my father's gaze with calm resolve.

"I can. Not only can I protect myself, but I can also become an asset to this family."

My father paused, clearly taken aback.

"Your brother's been struggling to secure that territory, hasn't he? Let's see what you can do."