The Girl They Never Chose Novel by Mary Ann _ Novel




The Girl They Never Chose Chapter 01

At three, Quinton Gilborne moved to Ravenswood with his mother and became neighbors with Analeia Tharbye.
By the age of five, Analeia’s father had discovered Quinton’s chess talent, and he began formal training.
At eight, he won the U.S. Junior Chess Championship, becoming the youngest champion in its history.
At eighteen, he confessed his feelings to Analeia, and they started dating.
Later, he promised, "Once you graduate from college, we'll get married."
As childhood sweethearts, they seemed inseparable.
One became a chess Grandmaster, the other a bright star who rose to fame on a talent show.
The whole internet shipped them and hoped they would get married soon.
Just as Analeia was thanking the heavens for her perfect, untroubled life on her wedding eve, reality shattered.
She walked into the dressing room to find Quinton pressing her composed, untouchable sister, Cattleya Tharbye, against the table.
"Leya, you're always so smart; I'm sure you can teach me how to make you feel better."
With Cattleya taking her place as the bride, Analeia left for New York alone.
Six years later, she returned to Chicago for the last concert of her tour, and at its triumphant close, she met Quinton again.
"Could I have your autograph?"
A familiar, cold voice came from above while Analeia signed autographs for fans outside the venue.
She looked up and met Quinton's piercing eyes.
Six years apart, and Quinton had grown noticeably more mature.
He stood tall in a black cashmere coat over a black turtleneck, his broad shoulders and lean waist perfectly highlighted.
Holding an album, he watched Analeia for a moment before speaking. "It's been a long time, Analeia."
"Yes, it has."
Analeia took the album he handed her and signed it.
Then she gave the signed album back to him with a professional smile.
"Thanks for your support."
Quinton was stunned by her calm tone.
After a long pause, he said, "Martha and Callahan know you're back in Chicago for your concert.
"They've prepared dinner at home. Come join us tonight."
By "Martha and Callahan," he meant Analeia's parents.
Analeia nodded. "Alright."
Six years had passed. It was time to go back.
Having gotten the answer he wanted, Quinton left first with the signed album.
After the fan event ended, Analeia got into her van.
An hour later, a Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up outside Ravenswood.
It looked completely out of place in the old neighborhood.
Analeia stepped out and stared toward her childhood home.
Six years had passed. The old streets were gone, replaced by a neighborhood of high-rises. The small grocery store at the gate had become a chain supermarket, and the willow tree at the entrance was gone.
She walked forward, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Her next-door neighbor, Fabian Dignan, had also moved away.
Finally, she arrived at Apartment 502, Unit 3.
She rang the doorbell.
The door opened to reveal Analeia's mother, Martha Tharbye, wearing an apron streaked with cooking oil, a few silver strands glinting in her long black hair. She froze at the sight of Analeia.
Analeia was the first to speak. "Mom."
Martha snapped back to her senses. Her eyes fell on her younger daughter, dressed in an expensive cashmere coat with perfect makeup, and her voice quivered. "Ana, you're back... Come on in."
"Okay."
Unlike the nervous and excited Martha, Analeia remained calm.
Martha handed Analeia a brand-new pair of slippers.
"I bought these just for you when I heard you were coming back to Chicago."
Analeia stared at the slippers on her feet, and memories came flooding back.
She had always been forced to wear Cattleya's hand-me-downs or the old pairs her parents no longer wanted.
On her tenth birthday, she had asked for just one thing: a brand-new pair of slippers all to herself.
But Martha had simply given her the pair Cattleya had been wearing and said, "Your sister wants new slippers, too. We'll buy her a pair this time. You can wear these—they're still practically new."
Now that she finally had the new slippers she had longed for as a child, Analeia felt nothing.
After putting them on, she walked inside.
The once-dark, cramped living room was now spacious and bright. The couch was clean, the coffee table was no longer buried under clutter, and a vase held vibrant lilies in full bloom.
The only thing in the house that hadn't changed was the display cabinets on either side of the television.
They were filled with every award Cattleya had won throughout her life.
Just then, Callahan Tharbye walked out of the kitchen with a plate of roast chicken. He forced an awkward smile when he saw Analeia.
"You're back. I saved the drumsticks for you today."
When Analeia was a child, the drumsticks always went to Cattleya whenever they had chicken.
Even though there were two, her parents never let her take one.
Analeia replied, "No thanks. I'm on a very strict diet now. I can't just eat anything. I'll stay for a bit, and then I have to go."
At her words, a flicker of awkwardness crossed Callahan's eyes.
Hearing the commotion, Quinton and Cattleya walked out of the kitchen.
Cattleya's long hair was tied back neatly. She wore gold-rimmed glasses, a cream silk blouse, and a knee-length pencil skirt, looking sharp and professional.
Her gaze shifted uneasily when she saw Analeia.
"Analeia."

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