The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 4

Rebecca paused what she was doing and turned to look at Katherine, her expression wary. She wondered what new tricks Katherine was about to pull.

There was no way she believed the Fosters were suddenly acting out of the goodness of their hearts.-

Katherine went on, “We’ve found you a nice family to marry into. In a couple of days, you’ll be moving in with them as their wife.”

Rebecca met Katherine’s gaze calmly. “And who exactly am I marrying?”

Katherine’s lips curled into a sweet, practiced smile. “His name is Jerry. Don’t worry, Rebecca. He may not be wealthy, but he’s a good, honest man—hardworking, down-to-earth. Most importantly, he doesn’t mind that you’re pregnant. He’s willing to raise the child as his own.”

Rebecca stared straight at Katherine’s fake smile, a cold amusement flickering in her eyes. “If he’s such a catch, why don’t you marry him yourself?”

Katherine’s smile was all innocence. “You’re my older sister. Of course we want what’s best for you. Oh, and one more thing—next month, Alan and I are having our engagement party. We’re getting married. After you broke off the engagement, to make it up to the Browns, Dad decided to send me in your place.”

There had been an arrangement between the Foster and Brown families: if Rebecca hadn’t returned, she would have been the one to marry Alan.

Now, the tables had turned. Katherine looked at Rebecca with wide, feigned innocence, but the smugness in her voice was unmistakable. “Alan is such a wonderful man—guys like him don’t come around often. If it weren’t for me, you’d be the one marrying him. You’re not mad at me, are you?”

Rebecca rose slowly, her movements deliberate.

Standing above Katherine, she looked down, the corners of her mouth twisting into a mocking smile. “Katherine, there’s no one else here. Aren’t you tired of putting on this act? If you wanted to marry into the Browns, you could’ve just told me. Only someone as sheltered as you would treat the Browns like they’re the crown jewels.”

What?

Rebecca was calling her sheltered? Looking down on her?

Katherine’s face contorted with anger. “At least I’m not like you—getting drunk and sleeping with random men, ending up pregnant with who knows whose child… No one in this town would want you. You’re only fit to marry some country bumpkin!”

Rebecca let out a short, cold laugh. “Oh, struck a nerve, did I?”

She watched with cool detachment as Katherine’s face twisted with humiliation and rage. Rebecca’s eyes were clear, her expression unbothered.

“Sis, I know I was wrong. If you want to yell or hit me, go ahead. I shouldn’t have come home and taken your fiancé…”

The next second, with a dramatic thud, Katherine threw herself to the floor, making it look as if Rebecca had pushed her down.

Rebecca watched her pathetic performance with a cold, detached gaze.

“Rebecca!” Jane came rushing upstairs. The moment she saw what was happening, her face twisted in fury. “How could you be so vicious, hitting your own sister?”

Katherine launched herself into Jane’s arms, sobbing. “Mom, don’t blame Rebecca. I shouldn’t have told her about me and Alan getting engaged. I tried to explain things nicely—if she minds, I can call off the engagement…”

“Explain nicely, my foot!” Jane snapped, helping Katherine up and catching sight of the bright red handprint on her cheek. Her heart ached on Katherine’s behalf, and her glare at Rebecca was full of disgust.

“Rebecca, you can’t control yourself and then take it out on your sister? You’ve gone too far. Forget about waiting for the wedding—we’ll get it over with today. Pack your things. You’re leaving for the countryside tonight.”