Old Money Love

With a splitting headache, I opened my eyes. The familiar living room—the calendar on the wall clearly marked the first anniversary of my engagement to Frank Collins. "Melissa Lynn, let's break off the engagement." Frank's voice pierced my heart like an ice pick. I clenched my palm tightly, my nails digging into the flesh. The excruciating pain from my past life still lingered deep in my bones, but I forced myself to suppress the rising emotions. "Why?" I tried my best to keep my voice steady. "Melody is pregnant," Frank lowered his eyes, but his tone held unwavering certainty. "She's suffered too much; I have to give her and the child a home." Melody, Frank Collins' childhood sweetheart. In my past life, because I refused to break off the engagement, I rashly exposed that she had been assaulted, which eventually drove her to suicide. Meanwhile, on the very day Frank and I were supposed to marry, he destroyed my reputation completely. "Have you lost your mind?" From the doorway came my brother Hugo Lynn's furious roar. He stormed in, grabbing Frank Collins by the collar, his fist already raised. "Frank, have you forgotten how much our family helped the Collins Family? And now you just want to break off the engagement just like that?" Hugo Lynn's voice was thick with anger. "Brother, stop!" I hurriedly grabbed Hugo Lynn. Frank Collins pushed Hugo Lynn aside and straightened his collar. "I haven't forgotten the Lynn Family's kindness, but I must take responsibility for Melody." "Take responsibility? What about the promise you made to my sister?" Hugo Lynn was about to charge forward again. "Brother, let it go." I gripped Hugo Lynn's arm firmly and stared at Frank Collins. "Breaking off the engagement is your choice, but Frank, you will regret this." Frank Collins paused, clearly not expecting me to agree so easily. He opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing, then turned and walked away. Watching his retreating figure, I sneered coldly to myself. In this life, I will not make the same mistakes again; I will not spare a single one who has hurt me.