Chapter 6

My engagement to Eve spread through the families. Congratulations poured in, gifts stacking up. To spare Abel pain, I sent him away. On the day of the engagement, the church was packed—all the big names from the families were there. Philip even clapped me on the shoulder, smug. “Guess you’re my brother-in-law now. Better not think about anyone else.” I brushed his hand off. “No one touches who I want to protect.” Philip laughed, shoving me. “A loser who needs a marriage to hold power, talking big?” I grabbed his arm. The lively scene turned tense in an instant. Eve gasped. Philip sneered: “Eve, you sure you want to marry this guy?” Eve looked in pain. “Philip, I’ve liked him for so long. This is hard for me. But if I have to choose, I choose you.” Eve pulled a gun from her waist, pointing it at me. “I’m sorry, Simon. This engagement was a trap. You knew that, didn’t you?” “If you’d been a real partner to me, I’d have made my brother let you go.” I laughe