"Grace, I know I''m responsible for what happened to your brother. But my mom said that if you''re willing, I can marry you," said Antonio.


    I was floored, seriously doubting my cars that he''de up with such a ridiculous proposal,


    He kept on about it excitedly. "Grace, be my bride. Let bygones be bygones, and we can make this official faster as long as you


    let go of this issue. Your brother would''ve wanted this, right? It''s like granting his dying wish."


    I was seething. Their thinking was just too far-fetched.


    I wasn''t the same Grace they could twist around their fingers.


    I gave him a look that could freeze water.


    "Do I owe you a thank you for ying the considerate guy? Antonio, you make me sick."


    Antonio''s face fell. He was taken aback by my refusal, considering the strong feelings I once had for him.


    "Grace, let''s not dwell on the past. I know I screwed up, but cut me some ck to fix things. No one''s perfect, and you can''t just write me off without a second chance," he said.


    I was bbergasted at his audacity.


    Why should my brother''s life be the price for his errors?


    Staring at Antonio, I couldn''t figure out how I was ever written with such a lowlife.


    "Antonio, the only redemption for you as if you''re dead and bared


    I didn''t bother with any more words and just mmed the door in his Ince


    Not long after, Gina somehow caught wind of the news.


    She barged in, trailing a group of well-off kids, with Antonio notably absent.


    Upon seeing me, Gina whipped out a check, her smug look as obvious as her sense of entitlement.


    "Grace, let''sy this matter with your


    brother to rest. Take this check. Fill


    in any amount that suits you,


    Consider it our way of making


    amends for what''s been done," said


    Gina.


    I looked at them with a sneer. "Do you think money can fix this? Dream on. Want a fight? I''ll fight you till the end."


    With them watching, I tore the check into pieces. Gina was furious, shoving me in her rage.


    "Grace, get over yourself. You''re threatening to tie the knot with Antonio? Take a good look in the mirror. You against us? Be serious." "Grace, we''re giving you this offer because of Antonio."


    “Yeah, grab the cash and back off. The idea of you marrying Antonio? Not happening.


    They all jumped on the chance to lecture me their tones heavy withmands.


    I had always kept my mouth shut and did whatever they said My constant obedience let them get into the habit of bossing me around.


    "Is that right? We''ll see about that. Keep your guy on a short leash, and make sure he stays away from me."


    1 closed the door, a cold feeling


    settling in my chest. Gina had a point My posts were being yanked


    downi


    just as fast as I could


    Sneut


    them up


    I was just an orphan with no clout. How could I stand up to a powerhouse like their family?


    I was seething with rage, but it seemed like there was nothing I could do about it.


    I had reached a standstill.


    When I was at my wit''s end, mywyer threw me a lifeline, sending over a video.


    It was a rooftop surveince video that


    mywyer had managed to get a copy of after some hassle with the property management.


    On that footage, I watched in horror


    as they cornered my brother,


    pushing him toward the roof, saying he couldn''t leave until he found


    Antonio, or else they''d have to engage in some ''game'' with me


    They were using me as leverage against my brother.