2 Shattered Engagement

Humiliation burned through my body.

I couldn't understand why this was happening to me. My family, the Blackwells, were hosting an event at one of the family mansions. Anybody who was anybody was attending. Finance moguls and the top business people that were friends with my parents were in attendance as well as their children.

I was under the impression that my family was announcing my engagement to Alex Christian — who was in all likelihood my path to freedom and finally being free of my family's oppression. I had done my best to look as presentable as I could to not be an embarrassment. I was perfectly dressed, hair coifed, heeled, and was the picture of a girl in the prime of her youth. But then-

"I'd like to announce my eldest daughter's engagement to Alexander Christian"

Those eleven words sealed my fate.

I watched in disbelief as the spotlight tracked over to my sister, who was smiling joyfully while standing next to my now ex-fiance. Her smile was so bright it couldn't be contained. Her perfectly curled black hair with golden highlights swayed down her back as she basked in the spotlight.

My- no her fiance grasped her hand tightly as they laughed and received the congratulations of everyone around them.

My parents and elder brother stood beside the happy couple accepting toasts from their peers while I stood off to one side.

As I stood there shell shocked, I watched my sisters' eyes wander across the crowd until she met my eyes. She smirked at me, mouthed 'Loser' and turned away to continue enjoying her moment.

Watching the event, it only cemented the fact that I didn't belong. Since that was made painfully clear, I collected myself and decided to leave the event. There was no need to stay and further humiliate myself.

As I walked away, I could feel people's eyes on me and could see them whispering to themselves.

I didn't need to hear their words to know what they were saying. How could the illegitimate daughter think she would be engaged to one of the most eligible, up and coming bachelors in the country. It just didn't make sense.

But that was the fact. For some unknown reason, I had always been told since I was young that my ex-fiance was who I was going to marry. It was already decided and I didn't have a choice. That was my penance as I didn't have anything else to offer the family I could only be used as a vessel to build business relations with another family. It had never made any sense to me as Alex's family was of similar status to mine. There was no way they would let someone of a partially unknown pedigree marry into their illustrious family when my sister was an option.

The only reason I would ever be matched with a person of such status would be if there was something wrong with his position or if I was to be a placeholder. There had always been rumors behind Alex's birth but it seemed that it didn't matter after all. He had been matched to my sister.

Before I could exit the door and leave, I heard my sister's voice over the microphone system.

"Thank you, everyone, for attending my joyous day. The person I would like to thank the most is my lovely younger sister. She realized the love Alex and I had for each other and graciously stepped out of the way. Thank you Canary! We won't forget this!"

I turned to face her as everyone around me turned to face me and began clapping politely. I could see my parents' faces tense up as if they were afraid I would say something to ruin this moment.

I could only give a fake smile, awkwardly wave at them before spinning around and continuing my march out. I would not cry and I would leave with my chest held high. This wasn't the end of me.