Chapter 2: Shamed in the Spotlight

A not-quite-new sedan. After five years, they drove me back to that house. The car rattled over potholes, and I stared out the window, heart pounding, wondering what was waiting for me.

Seeing Ethan again was inevitable.

But the girl who’d been lovesick at sixteen never imagined this scene at twenty-three.

He was as handsome as ever, more mature now, with a petite woman at his side.

Rosie, who’d once followed behind me and Ethan, eyes lowered and meek, was now completely different.

She wore a silk dress, a gold hairpin, and a sparkling bracelet on her wrist.

She’d never been beautiful, but clearly she’d lived well these years, her skin soft and fair.

She stood beside Ethan, smiling with poise.

When I appeared, whispers started up around me.

“A woman who’s been dumped—how does she have the nerve to show her face?”

“Stay away, or she’ll ruin your reputation.”

I stood there, surrounded by empty space and contemptuous stares from all sides.

Rosie lifted her chin, smiling gently.

“Ethan’s the one who kept you waiting all these years.”

“Since you still haven’t found a good match, why not let Ethan take you on as his mistress?”

Five years ago, she never would’ve called me ‘sis.’ Now, she said it with a little smirk, like it was charity.

But now, as Mrs. Price, calling me that was already a favor.

Ethan froze for a moment.

He sighed softly, then said, with a gentle smile,

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re all I need.”

“If you want it, I won’t.”

She could joke like that because she was confident.

Clearly, Ethan had treated her well all these years.

Back when I was still a young woman in my room, I’d sometimes overhear folks at the diner say,

“The Price family’s full of romantics. Ethan will make a great husband.”

I’d blush and look forward to it.

Little did I know, he might not be my husband.

Rosie’s smile faded as she said with a hint of regret, “Then never mind.”

Someone chimed in, “Not everyone gets to be Mr. Price’s second. That Turner girl’s old news now…”

Ethan frowned.

Not for my sake—he’d always disliked suck-ups like that.

Rosie cut in, “Don’t say that.”

Then she turned to me, concern in her voice:

“Miss Turner, what kind of man do you like? Tell me, I’ll help you find one.”

The crowd started gossiping again.

They were curious what kind of man I could possibly hope for now.

Curious if I’d be shameless enough to make any demands at all.

Even though I hadn’t said a word from beginning to end.

I’d once been the perfect daughter in Maple Heights, and because of my engagement, had turned away many suitors.

Now that I’d fallen so far, it seemed everyone was pleased.

Their eyes were full of mockery, waiting for a good show.

Just then, someone suddenly called out, “I wonder if Miss Turner thinks someone like Major West would be good enough for her?”

The crowd burst into laughter.

For no other reason than that Sam West was far above my reach.

The Turners brought me back for the sake of their other daughters.

The border wars had paused, and rumor had it the governor was thinking about a political marriage. Folks whispered about it everywhere. The stakes felt higher than ever.

But he had no daughters of his own.

It wasn’t unheard of for prominent girls to be named honorary “princess”—a ceremonial title—and sent for such marriages.

Many officials eager to please the governor were willing to offer their daughters.

My father was among them.

But there were a few who opposed the idea.

The loudest was Sam West.

He could stand up to the governor in public, leaving the man speechless. People talked about it for days.

Yet no one could touch him.

The West family was a family of soldiers.

Sam West was still young, but in five years had never lost a fight.

Many local sons resented him, thinking he was just a small-town kid, so young, so how could he surpass them?

Whenever they got the chance, they’d talk behind his back.

But only behind his back.

Fortunately, Sam West never attended these gatherings.

But just then—

The front doors burst open—

The newcomer was like a mountain, a head taller than Ethan.

Broad-shouldered, imposing, moving like a storm. He filled the doorway, and everyone shrank back. I felt my breath catch.

In a few strides, he reached the man who’d just spoken.

His presence was intimidating, his eyes still carrying the chill of the battlefield.

“What did you say?”

Sam West’s voice was low and deep. It rumbled through the room, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

As soon as he spoke, the man who’d been laughing fell to the floor in fright.

“Do I need you to ask her if she’s into me?”

The crowd fell silent. You could’ve heard a pin drop. My heart thudded in my chest.

“Oh, Tyler was just kidding, he didn’t really mean to set up Major West and Miss Turner.”

Everyone thought Sam West was angry at being made the butt of a joke with me.

To have his name linked to mine was an insult.

That’s what the one who made the joke thought, anyway.

But I knew—

That wasn’t what Sam West was angry about.

The gathering ended abruptly. People scattered, and I was left standing there, feeling raw and exposed.

All the Turner sisters made a point to avoid me, hurrying home in their sedans.

Leaving me alone.