After Ninety-Nine Rejections

I couldn't help thinking Hayden was like a robot.

After that, I almost threw away the scriptures he had been copying for half a month, and his expression didn't change a bit.

I even learned some cheesy pickup lines online to flirt with him, but he still barely reacted.

I thought he really was detached from everything.

And now, he got angry over something I said about Selena.

Dad heard my words and jumped up, slapping me across the face again.

"You don't get to decide anything in this house!"

Then he ordered the servants to throw out all of my and Mom's things.

I tried to stop them, but Dad grabbed my hand and shoved me outside.

"If you can't stand Selena and me, then you and your mother can move out!"

The door slammed shut. Mom crouched on the floor, crying quietly.

Soon, the door opened again. Selena came in carrying my things, a triumphant smirk on her face.

"My dear sister, why bother? Look at this. You're kicked out of your own house now!"

My eyes caught the small clay jar she was holding. My eyes narrowed, and I barked, "Give me that!"

Seeing how panicked I was, Selena suddenly smiled, then let it go without warning.

The jar hit the floor with a loud crash, shattering into pieces.

My eyes burned with fury. I lunged at Selena and slapped her.

"Was that on purpose?"

Selena screamed and immediately apologized, her voice pitiful.

I just wanted to kill her.

That jar was something my grandmother and I had made together when I was in elementary school. It was the only keepsake she had left me.

The door behind me flew open, and Hayden appeared. Seeing Selena's bruised and swollen face, he stormed forward and yanked me away fiercely.

I was standing at the top of the steps. Hayden's pull sent me crashing down to the floor.

Pain shot through my ankle.

Hayden's gaze was icy. "Sydney, Selena didn't do anything wrong."

He didn't even flinch at the broken pieces on the floor.

"They're just broken, worthless things. Do you really need to blame Selena for it?"

I was sweating from the pain, unable to speak a word in protest.

Hayden didn't glance at me again. His eyes were full of concern as he carried Selena into the house.

Mom came up crying and hugged me. I forced a weak smile and grabbed my phone to call a cab.

The rain had started to fall, and I lost track of time. Finally, the door opened, and Hayden stood there holding an umbrella.

"I've already pleaded for you. All you have to do is go in and apologize to Selena, and you can come inside."

I lowered my gaze and stayed completely still.

After a long moment, Hayden walked down. He placed an ointment for burns in my palm, handed the umbrella to my mom, and got into the Lane family's car.

I looked down at the ointment in my hand, then without a second thought, tossed it straight into the trash.

In the cab, Mom gradually stopped crying and pulled out her phone. She looked at me and said, "Sydney, the York family agreed to the marriage. They want to meet as soon as possible to set a date."

Mom took me to my grandmother's house. After explaining today's events to my grandparents, she glanced at me.

"Dad, Mom, I've decided to divorce. I used to tolerate everything for Sydney, but now, I won't hold back anymore."

When Mom said that, the whole family broke down crying again.

My uncle's eyes were red.

"Rose, Sydney, don't worry. I'll make sure you both get justice."

He got up and went to call a lawyer immediately.

I stayed home for over a week, recovering from my ankle injury.

During that time, the York family and Mom had finalized the engagement plans. Once my foot healed, they would hold the engagement party.

On the weekend, I went with my best friend, Helena Campbell, to look at dresses.

The moment we met, my best friend pulled me into a tight hug, clearly worried for me. Seeing that I was really determined to let go of Hayden, she finally let out her frustration.

"You have no idea. The whole circle has gone crazy. They're saying that the illegitimate daughter kicked you out, and that she's the only daughter of the Johnson family from now on!

"And it gets worse," she said, fuming. "Hayden pampers Selena completely, does whatever she wants, and everyone who wants to see you fail is laughing at you!"

Helena's eyes were red, and her breathing was uneven. It was clear she was upset for me.

Everyone in our circle knew the truth. I had pursued Hayden for three years and gotten nothing. Then, Selena returned. Not only was I kicked out of my house, but Hayden was swept up by her too.

So, everyone was laughing at me.

I let out a small, careless laugh and patted Helena's shoulder.

"Relax. The one I'm marrying is Caleb York. Not Hayden. By then, those people laughing at me will be green with envy."

The York family had far deeper business roots than ours. They even had connections in politics. In Ashford City, very few people dared to mess with them.

Helena's face lit up with pride.

"That's right. When the time comes, you'll wipe the smug looks off all their faces!"

Her eyes then caught something through the glass display. She pointed at a pale aqua-blue gown.

"Try this one! You'll be the most beautiful woman in the room!"

I glanced at it and felt a flicker of awe. The next second, a soft, teasing voice sounded behind me.

"Hayden, that dress is so pretty!"

Helena and I exchanged a blank look and turned. Sure enough, Selena and Hayden were standing right behind us.

Selena told the sales assistant to take the dress down. Helena stepped forward angrily.

"We saw it first!"

Selena's eyes turned red-rimmed. She clung to Hayden's arm and pouted.

"Hayden, can you get my sister to give me this dress? I really want to wear it to my introduction party."

I froze. Dad had actually planned an introduction party for her.

Officially acknowledging Selena as part of the Johnson family was like a slap in the face to Mom and me.

But since Mom was about to divorce, I didn't even care.

Then, Hayden spoke in his cold, detached voice.

"Sydney, give the dress to your sister. Next time you draw your fortune stick, you can have an extra turn."

I couldn't help but snort in disbelief.

It sounded as if he'd just done me the biggest favor in the world.

"No thanks. As if anyone cares."

Hayden's normally calm, cold face flickered with surprise. It was as if he didn't expect me to refuse.

I had the sales assistant fetch another dress for me, a simple ivory silk mermaid gown.

Helena glanced at Selena and let out a scoff.

"Good choice. This one suits you way better. Cute doesn't hold a candle to sexy."

Behind us, Selena's face turned bright red.

-

Before long, the day of the engagement party arrived.

As I stepped out of the car, I realized there was another event happening on the first floor.

It was Dad's introduction party for Selena.

Not wanting any bad luck, I hurried toward the elevator. But before I could reach, a triumphant voice called out from behind.

"Sydney? What are you doing here? Have you finally decided to admit you were wrong to Dad and accept me?"

I turned slowly, looking at Selena with pure disdain.

"I told you, you're not worthy of being my sister."

Selena's face flushed immediately, looking pitiful and helpless.

"Then, are you here to stop Dad? I just want a family. Why can't you accept me?"

Hayden appeared behind her, his face calm but cold. He rested a hand on her shoulder, comforting her for a moment before shooting me a sharp, displeased look.

I pressed the elevator button, ignoring them. Selena was nearly on her knees, tears streaming down her face.

"Sydney, I'm begging you! I just want a little love from Dad. I don't want anything else!"

I felt my patience snap, and I shoved Selena lightly with my hand.

"Move! You can have the Johnson family if you want, I'm not here for your introduction party!"

Selena collapsed to the floor, sobbing quietly.

People nearby stole glances. Hayden's face hardened, his eyes dark with stormy anger.

"Sydney, that's enough! Apologize to Selena immediately and accept her into the Johnson family!"

I stepped into the elevator and looked at Hayden, a smile tugging at my lips.

"I already said, I'm not here for her introduction party. I'm here for my engagement."