A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 80

But before Jonah even had the chance to volunteer, the family had already arranged for his older brother to marry Winona.

He couldn't wrap his head around it.

Wasn't his brother supposed to be indifferent to women?

All these years, Jonah had never heard a single rumor about Elvis showing interest in anyone.

Why would the family choose Elvis for a marriage alliance?

Jonah thought, there's no way his brother would just go along with an arranged marriage. Not him.

He was certain Elvis would refuse.

What he didn't expect was that Elvis actually agreed.

And not only that—recently, Elvis had even gone to Seastone City.

Officially, it was for business.

But that deal was hardly important enough for Elvis to go himself.

Jonah was pretty sure he went for Winona.

What he truly couldn't understand was why his brother seemed so invested in this arrangement.

Regret gnawed at him.

If only he'd had a little more courage back then—just a little more—

But it was too late for regrets.

Today he'd heard that Winona's friends were throwing her a welcome party.

As it happened, one of his own friends had been invited.

So he used the excuse that he wanted to unwind and asked his friend to bring him along.

He told himself he didn't mean anything by it—he just wanted to see her, to welcome her back to the Capital in person, and to hand her the gift he'd prepared himself.

He never imagined she'd misunderstand.

She actually thought he was her intended fiancé.

For a moment, a shameful thought crept into his mind.

His hands trembled.

But maybe, he reasoned, it didn't matter. Elvis and Winona had no real feelings for each other—this was just a family arrangement. If he seized this chance and managed to win her heart, maybe… just maybe, the engagement could be switched.

Watching Winona return, supporting Veronica, Jonah clenched his fists tight.

Jonah gazed at her, Adam's apple bobbing as if he was struggling with something deep inside. For a moment, he was silent.

Only when Winona's expression grew puzzled did he finally speak. "Would you like to take a walk?"

Winona hesitated for a moment.

They were both bound by this family arrangement.

Now that Jonah had taken the initiative, she felt she couldn't refuse.

"All right," she agreed with a slight nod.

At her answer, a flicker of hope flashed in Jonah's eyes—only to die away just as quickly.

This moment was stolen. He knew it.

He walked slowly to her side, and the two of them began strolling along the curb, just as a car pulled up in front of them.

Jonah's expression changed instantly.

It was his brother's car.

The window rolled down.

And there, just as he feared, was Elvis, sitting in the driver's seat.