He Loved My Sister. I’m Better Off Without Him novel Chapter 1

I once thought that Christopher Reed's love for me was the highest form of love a man could have for a woman.

Even when I went from Dovemont's most favored socialite to having my private photos spread everywhere and becoming a promiscuous woman everyone hated, Christopher didn't think twice to stand by me and publicly announce to the world that he'd proposed to me.

It wasn't until I overheard his conversation with his henchman, Elias Monroe, that I learned that right from the start, his love had only ever been for my stepsister, Winona Archer.

"Mr. Reed, I've carried out your orders and arranged for those men to assault Ms. Juliette. She's suffered a huge blow this time. I believe she'll stay out of the public eye for a long time and won't be a threat to Ms. Winona's career any longer.

"But why did you have them take those photos and spread them? Isn't... Isn't that going too far?"

Christopher turned the rosary in his hands as a cold smile played on his lips.

"But what I'm after isn't her temporary retreat from the stage. I need to ensure she never dares to stand on one again. That's the only way Winnie can feel at ease.

"Of course, I'm not completely heartless. As long as she marries me and becomes my wife, she'll want for nothing for the rest of her life. That's my compensation for her."

Elias looked puzzled. "But… But you love Ms. Winona so deeply. Can you really give up the woman you love and marry someone you feel nothing for?"

Christopher's eyes narrowed as he gazed into the distance, his gaze filled with a certain tenderness. "It's precisely because I love her that I can't bear to trap her within the petty scheming of a wealthy family. She's meant for much broader horizons."

Outside the door, I bit my lip hard to keep from crying out loud. Christopher's words were like sharp blades, plunging deep into my chest.

After that nightmarish experience, I had believed Christopher was my salvation. But who would have thought that he was the mastermind behind it all?

That explained why he had suddenly started showing me affection a month ago, despite having no interactions with me in the past.

No wonder he claimed to have secretly loved me for ten years, even though the one he'd been showing attention to had been Winona all along. So that was how things were.

It turned out that everything had been for Winona.

My stomach churned violently. I clamped a hand over my mouth and stumbled toward the toilet, retching until I felt my insides twist.

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