Chapter 11: The Engagement List

In the third year, when the peonies bloomed. The garden outside my window was full of color, the scent drifting in on warm breezes.

Dad happily told me, “Anna, the engagement list is out, and our family is on it.” His eyes sparkled with excitement, hope shining through.

I could hardly wait and rushed over.

“Dad, let me see it!”

I grabbed the list and opened it, but the name that appeared was my sister Emily’s.

The midday sun suddenly became blinding and harsh. My vision swam, and the room spun around me.

The list slipped from my hands, and my heart seemed to stop.

How could it be my sister’s name?

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I pressed my hands to my eyes, but it did nothing to stem the flow.

Dad was first secretly pleased, then quickly comforted me. “Not going to the White House is good. I’ve already found a good match for you.”

“Dad, let me take Emily’s place.”

Dad frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous. The White House is full of drama. If you go in, you might not even make it out okay.”

It was the first time he ever really scolded me.

“I’ll do everything I can to make sure your sister doesn’t get picked either.”

But soon, bad news came.

Rachel announced that this would be the last engagement, and the White House would not be expanding its inner circle again. The news anchors called it "a historic shift toward a more private presidency."

All the color drained from my face. I felt cold all over, hollowed out by disappointment.

All signs pointed to him having been given a second chance as well.

From the moment he called me ‘Anna’ at the spring garden party, to accomplishing feats he never achieved in the previous life…

But this time, he chose to avoid me and forget his promise.

He made me wait for three whole years.

In the end, the name on the list was my sister’s.

The protein shake the housekeeper brought was knocked over by my trembling hand. It splashed across the hardwood floor, and I stared at the mess, numb.

Holding back tears, I clung to Dad’s hand.

“Dad, I’ll get married.”