Chapter 2
I had always been waiting for a word from Alexander. I refused to let go as long as he didn’t say it, no matter how others mocked or humiliated me.
Stubbornly, I remained by his side, pouring all my love and devotion into him, hoping it would one day mean something.
But this time, the wedding forced me to face the truth; he had made his choice long ago. I had just been too blind to see it.
He often said he liked obedient, quiet girls.
So, I was always reserved, accommodating, and docile in front of him.
But Madeline didn’t need to be any of those things. She could be willful and demanding, and Alexander would still defend her every whim.
All his indulgence and care were hers, while all his doubt, impatience, and
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coldness were mine.
He gave a faint smile and said, “Scarlett, don‘ t you think it’s absurd to say something like that?”
“Think about it. Ever since Madeline came
back, what have you done? You hired thugs to kidnap her, spread rumors about her
to bis
being the other woman, and even plotted to have someone run her down with a car.”
“You’ll do anything to cling to me, and now you’re telling me you‘ ll let go? Do you think I’d believe that?”
As his accusations struck one after another, my chest tightened, suffocating under a weight that felt like damp cotton. Breathing. became a struggle.
I had heard these words too many times
before.
Since Madeline‘ s return, incident after
incident had chipped away at Alexander‘ s
trust in me.
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He had grown tired, constantly lecturing me how to “behave.”
But the truth was, I had been the one kidnapped. I hadn’t fueled the trending rumors, and even the car accident was a trap set by Madeline herself.
Instinctively, I opened my mouth to protest, to explain that none of it was my doing.
But Madeline’s mocking eyes and the sneering faces of his friends stopped me in my tracks.
What was the point? No matter how often I defended myself, it wouldn’t change a thing.
Alexander… he would never believe me.
Seeing my silence, Madeline laughed sweetly and stepped forward, turning to Alexander. “Alexander, her mother is dying. You shouldn’t break your promise even if you‘ re angry at her for hurting me. Maybe I should skip my birthday celebration this
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time.”
“She’s nothing compared to you,” Alexander replied, his gaze brushing over me with cold indifference.
Madeline’s words gave me a fleeting glimmer of hope, only for Alexander to crush it with his dismissive tone.
Madeline lightly tapped his chest, her voice sweet and teasing. “Alexander, don‘ t be like that. After all, she spent ten years by your side… for my sake.”
She turned to me, her feigned innocence barely masking her malice. “How about. this, then? If you kneel down now,
apologize for everything you‘ ve done to me, and drink these ten bottles of alcohol, I’ll persuade Alexander to attend your wedding as planned. Does that sound fair?”
I looked at Alexander, searching his face. for even a trace of disagreement. But he said nothing. His silence spoke louder than
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words; it was his way of agreeing.
The image of my mother’s hopeful gaze flashed through my mind. Gritting my
teeth, I lowered my head and began to
kneel.
But just as my knees bent, Madeline‘ s smile widened. She casually grabbed
several wine bottles and smashed them on
the floor, scattering sharp shards across my path.
Wearing a knee–length dress, I didn‘ t need to imagine the damage those jagged edges would inflict.
The atmosphere was suffocating, thick. with unspoken tension.
As I resolved to go through with it,
Alexander‘ s cold voice cut through the
silence.
“Enough, Madeline. You can’t even handle the sight of blood.”
Madeline‘ s face darkened, her
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displeasure evident, but she dared not challenge him.
I let out a bitter smile. Why was I still clinging to hope, even now?
Shifting my gaze to the bottles of alcohol on the table, I locked eyes with Alexander. “If I finish all of this, you‘ ll attend the wedding as promised, won’t you?”
His expression flickered, a rare trace of hesitation. “Scarlett, have you forgotten you‘ re allergic to alcohol?”
A faint, bitter smile tugged at my lips.
“Spare me your concern, Alexander. Just keep your word.”
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