Marlena Cray received a forceful smack to the face.

You have really let me down. You want to remove the man from your sister who has been going through a hard time for over 20 years. How selfish can you be!

Marlena put her hand on the sore spot of her face and looked at her mother in disbelief. "Grayson is my boyfriend mom. How are you guys so insane?

After a trip with work, Marlena walked through the front door to find her estranged sister Isla Cray sprawled in the couch with her fiance, Grayson Hardy. Her recently returned sister had her arm around his and it looked like they were having a private conversation.

Grayson's parents, who were on good terms with Isla's besides their children being engaged, sat on the couch across from them.

Actually, Marlena's childhood sweetheart was Grayson! She had to go up to Isla and ask her something. But her mother unexpectedly gave her a spank right then and there!

"Please stop hitting Cathy, Mom," Isla said, sounding worried. "It's my fault-I never should have come back."

Grayson took her by the shoulders. "No, Isla. I'm the one to blame. Marlena misunderstood my feelings for her-she's always been like a sister to me."

Marlena seemed to short-circuit. She was in so much pain, she couldn't breathe.

"Marlena?" I said. "Are you okay?"

If he just regarded her like his sister, then why would he privately promise her a future?

If he just cared for her as his sister, then why would he continuously give her such a firm hug?

"Stop talking!" She felt angry, and she felt disgusted.

It wasn't for you to say that. Is that the way you speak to your sister? A sulky scolding from Mrs Cray. Twenty years of suffering Isla's had; can't you be patient with her now?"

Marlena looked a little slack-jawed.

Well, there are limits, darling. Why should she stop loving him? She wasn't a saint either.

That was when Mr. Cray stood up and gave her an even graver warning as well. "Are you done? Grayson isn't into you either. We still have Isla's engagement party to get through so get lost. You don't need to be causing more problems here."

Marlena shivered and shot a look at the disinterested Grayson before turning a spiteful gaze on Isla, who was still clinging to him.

She felt like she was being laughed at all of a sudden.

These were the people she loved most and yet they were all siding with Isla now.

Tears streamed down her face. Marlena brushed at her face, then she walked out of the room with her bag.

After she got in the Maserati she drove fast.

She pulled over and called her best friend, Paige Keaton, because she didn't know where to go.

"Come have a drink or two with me."

Paige agreed instantly, her voice gruff from crying. Yeah. I'll be right over.

Paige raced to the S1897 pub, but Marlena had already downed a whole bottle of red on her lonesome.

You came just in time. Come and have a drink. I ordered some drinks. You need to finish it before you go home.'

Marlena tossed a bottle of beer towards Paige.

"What's wrong?" Paige had never seen Catherina behave like this and she felt so sorry for Marlena. "Where is Grayson? Doesn't he see you?

Every time Grayson's name was mentioned, Marlena felt as though a knife were being stabbed into her heart.

"He's moving on from me and planning to propose to Isla."

Paige's mouth fell open. What kind of campy soap opera shit was this?

Paige was too stunned for words. Grayson and Marlena had been together since they were teenagers.

But for all those years, Grayson was in school and Marlena was overseas. It made sense why they hadn't been engaged.

Their parents didn't think so either. But they gave their blessings to the couple anyways.

The couple would eventually tie the knot, as everyone in the entertainment business knew.

So as it happened, Grayson and Isla had got together and that would make Marlena look like a fool.

This is nonsensical. Your parents should love you and Isla the same. Are your mom and dad insane?

Marlena tightened her grip on the wine bottle. I guess they think Isla's had enough pain in life. They just want to give her everything now that she's home.

Paige was stunned. "But you're also their daughter!"

"Marlena bit back a curse.

Heh. The only thing on their mind since Isla came back is Isla.

They're the ones who've been trying to get me to marry Grayson since Baird. They're the ones calling me immature because I'm starting to take it seriously.

Also Grayson suddenly changed his mind about being with me after he promised he would be forever. I hate him.

As she finished her sentence Marlena began to cough. She drank some more wine out of the bottle and even tasted her tears before she felt light-headed.

Don't drink to excess. Your stomach isn't right. And you'll feel bad.

To distract Marlena, Paige picked up her own glass and glanced around the room.

She hadn't in her mind thought about seeing a familiar figure.

"Look there, hey!"

Pushing Marlena, Paige indicated the man sitting in a corner. The man could be seen from the dim light over there. His suit was all wrong for this.

The man was brilliance and grace personified, comfortably resting against the couch with his eyes closed. His beauty was such that his face looked like a perfect side profile one would see in comic books when the revolving spotlight hit that spot.

Marlena caught a glimpse of him and shifted her eyes away. "I don't feel like looking at something good right now, not even if he's gorgeous."

I am trying to tell you that the man is Grayson's uncle.''

Marlena was silent for a moment. ''Are you sure?''

Grayson had mentioned his weird uncle before. But she'd never met him, because his uncle owned a company overseas.

She'd heard a few days ago that his uncle was in town.

Yes I am pretty sure. When we went to a cocktail party recently my brother said that. Apparently he's not too old and has a really dry sense of humour. He even has Warren under his thumb.

Grayson's dad was Warren Hardy.

Marlena has radiant eyes. In that moment, a thought crossed her head.

"Alright... How do you think it would be like if I got married with his uncle?

"Pff." Paige sputtered the wine out of her mouth. "Say that again."

Marlena stared at the tall pretty figure. "Because I can't marry into Hardy family as their daughter law so I will be Grayson's aunt to disgust them!"