All her life, Melissa had resented her sister. No matter how hard she tried, she was never the one who stood out. Her sister always got to choose first, always had their parents' attention, and always shined the brightest—even though Melissa never failed, even though she worked just as hard. She just wasn't great enough. But she never stopped trying.
Yet, no matter what she did, no one seemed to notice. It felt like she was living in her sister's shadow, invisible unless someone needed a comparison.
When they grew up, the golden bachelor of their academy—the son of one of the strongest noble families—chose her sister. Melissa had liked him first, but that didn't matter. Nothing she wanted ever did.
Her sister was always the one chosen. Always the one people admired. And Melissa? She was just... there.
But then, everything changed. Her sister died.
And suddenly, Melissa had a role to play. Their parents asked her to marry the man her sister had abandoned, to support the family, to raise the child left behind.
She should have been hurt. She should have felt betrayed. After all, they were asking her to step into the life her sister had discarded—as if she were nothing more than a replacement.
But Melissa didn't complain.
Because this was her chance.
For the first time, she saw an opportunity to prove that she was more than just "the other daughter." That she could achieve something her sister never could.
She wanted to bring the Lockwood family to such heights that her parents, her husband—everyone—would have no choice but to admit that she had always been the better one.
And to do that, Melissa needed control. Control over everything. Everyone.
That was why, when Adrian—the unnecessary member of the family—made a decision on his own, a decision as massive as breaking his engagement, Melissa's fury was beyond words.
....
"It was never your decision to get her engaged, so how dare you break it?" Melissa's voice dripped with venom, each word laced with barely contained fury.
The atmosphere in the reception hall was thick with tension. All eyes were on Melissa as she glared daggers at Adrian, her presence suffocating, her anger palpable.
Ryan, sensing the storm brewing, chose to remain in his seat. This was bound to be interesting.
Adrian let out a slow sigh. "Do I need to repeat myself? This was between me—"
"Shut up!" Melissa cut him off, her voice echoing through the hall. "You have no right to choose for yourself! You're just a leech, feeding off the Lockwood family. You will do as I say!"
Gone was the mask of forced politeness. Melissa's eyes were wide with frustration, her entire demeanor radiating dominance. She was used to control. She thrived on it. And Adrian defying her was unacceptable.
But Adrian? He remained seated, utterly unfazed.
The old him—the one who had once cowered under her authority—might have been trembling by now. But this Adrian? The one who had dealt with furious customers in call centers, who had endured endless tirades from people far more terrifying than her?
He didn't even blink.
Instead, he met her glare with calm indifference and said, "Leeching benefits, you say? Have you forgotten that the patriarch of this family is still my father? If anything, it's you—the replacement—who's clinging to this family for survival."
Ryan's enraged voice cut through the air like a blade.
"You a**hole!"
With fire in his eyes, he lunged, knife flashing as it aimed straight for Adrian's eye—a fatal strike. But before it could land—
CLANG
A dagger intercepted the attack with precise timing, the force sending a harsh vibration up Ryan's arm. Before he could react, another smooth, practiced motion followed—the dagger twisted around the knife, hooked it cleanly, and ripped it from his grasp.
Adrian caught the airborne blade effortlessly.
"Thanks, Eve," he said, completely unshaken.
The redhead warrior gave a curt nod before stepping back into her previous stance, as if nothing had happened. Ryan, however, stood frozen, caught between disbelief and fury.
By now, Melissa had stepped forward, her sharp eyes darting between them. Instead of lashing out, she grabbed Ryan and forced him back into his seat.
Then, she turned her wrath toward Adrian.
Her gaze burned with loathing. That smug expression of his… it was the same as his mother's.
"You think hiding behind someone else is an act of bravery?" she spat, her voice shaking with barely restrained anger. "Something to expect from Amanda's son."
Adrian let out a slow, deliberate sigh, rolling his eyes.
"Ah, so now we're resorting to that," he said dryly. "Trying to provoke me like a child throwing a tantrum… Tell me, Melissa, is this what happens when someone spends their whole life being second place?"
Melissa's complexion changed. Her fists clenched, and her eyes widened.
She has never felt this much anger in a long time. Such daring just because he has a single Warden by his side?
"Are you tired of living, or do you just blindly trust that woman?" Melissa asked, her brows furrowing.
Adrian shrugged. "I know you can't kill me while I'm here, so why don't we sit down and talk like adults? I admit I provoked you, but you started it. Besides, I came here to settle things."
Melissa remained standing, her arms crossed. "Settle what? And let's not pretend this was your idea—I summoned you."
Adrian sighed, exhausted by the illusion she had built around herself—that everything revolved around her. Still, he got to the point.
"I know you hate me because of my mother. And to be honest, I don't like you much either. So why don't we drop the act of being a good family?"
Melissa frowned, but this time it wasn't anger—it was something closer to contemplation. "What are you getting at?"
Adrian leaned back slightly. "You have the perfect excuse to get rid of me. If you erase my name from the Lockwood family, no one will blame you. It'll actually strengthen your ties with the royal family, and since most people think I'm a fraud anyway, they won't question it."
Melissa raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you?" she mocked.
Adrian chuckled. "You'll hear the truth soon enough." Then, in a calm, measured voice, he continued, "I'm willing to be disowned. I won't ask for inheritance, and I won't show up when it's time for ascension. If you want, I'll even sign a contract."
Melissa's fingers twitched. What is he planning? He won't fight for the throne?
Her greatest concern had always been the Count's fondness for Adrian. If Adrian willingly stepped away, the Count would have no choice but to move on. Even Eve, who had been silent all this time, found herself staring in disbelief.
'Considering his family situation, it's not surprising that he wants out… but to give it up this easily?'
Melissa took a moment before asking, "And what do you want in return?"
Adrian casually crossed one leg over the other. "Ten platinum coins and a nice bar of silver."
"What the—" Ryan started, but Melissa silenced him with a raised hand.
"That's all?" she asked, scrutinizing him.
Adrian grinned. "Do you want to offer me more?"
Melissa narrowed her eyes. "I want it in writing."
Adrian shrugged. "Fine by me." Rising from his seat, he added, "Have the contract prepared and send it to my office. And make sure the payment comes with it—I don't trust you."
Melissa didn't react to his jab, just kept watching him, arms still folded.
Adrian turned to leave but suddenly reached into his pocket. Pulling out a letter, he held it out to her.
"This is for Father."
Melissa stiffened as she took it.
"You can read it if you want," he said casually. "Just a simple goodbye. I would've written one for you too, but…"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice until his breath brushed against her ear.
"But we're not that close."
With those parting words, he turned and walked away, leaving a flustered Melissa behind.
And with that, his ties to the Lockwood family came to an end.
°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.