Chapter 4

I staggered back a few steps, and my cheek burned with pain.

Tears streamed down Mom's face as she wailed, "Vivian did go too far this time, but you can't just stand by and watch our family go down! All the guests are waiting for the bride right now!"

My face turned ashen. In the end, I forced out a few words through gritted teeth. "I'm not getting married!"

No matter how they tried to persuade me, or even when they put their hands on me, I refused to give in. I grabbed a fruit knife and pressed it against my own neck. My eyes were red as I snarled, "If anyone tries to force me into this, I'll just kill myself!"

The moment I said that, everyone in the room froze. I didn't know if they were afraid that I would truly end my life, or if they just didn't want the trouble of having a dead body on their hands.

Either way, I didn't care anymore. I'd already graduated. Once I found a job, I would finally have my freedom.

We were at a stalemate. In the end, it was Adrian who suggested talking to me alone. Everyone else cleared out, leaving just the two of us in the dressing room.

Half an hour later, the dressing room door opened. I had changed into the wedding gown and placed my hand on Adrian's arm. My face was devoid of emotion. Then, I pasted the ugliest smile ever on my face and went through the entire wedding ceremony.

My thoughts snapped back to the present. I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at the stories below. The position I held was one I'd clawed and scraped my way up to over the past ten years.

A chill ran through me, and suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind. I jumped, but the familiar sandalwood scent that wafted into my nose made me relax.

"Penny for your thoughts? You didn't even notice when I came in," Adrian said. His lips were at my ear, and his voice was magnetic.

I smiled faintly. "I was thinking about tomorrow's investment conference."

He held my shoulders and turned me around to face him. "I have faith in you. Everyone has seen what you're capable of."

The corners of my lips lifted as I asked, "What brings you here? Isn't it busy at headquarters?"

"There wasn't much to do today, so I came to pick you up from work. I also wanted to tell you that Rowan wants to see that new movie tomorrow."

I nodded absent-mindedly.

Adrian dipped his head and brushed a kiss against my lips. I gave him a sweet smile in return.

…

When we got home that night, I didn't see any sign of Vivian anywhere. She was being a little too quiet. I figured Mom and Dad were probably keeping her at home to protect their company's interests.

For the past few days, I had been constantly exhausted, both physically and mentally. And so, the moment my head hit the pillow that night, I was out cold.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I felt a strong arm wrap around me and pull me into a warm embrace. I let out a few sleepy murmurs of protest, but my eyelids were so heavy that I couldn't open them.

The next day, the investment conference was in full swing. Power players mingled, clinking glasses and trading business cards. I worked the room, smiling, toasting, and making small talk. When I finally managed to steal a brief moment of rest, I slipped into the lounge backstage.

Rowan was sitting obediently on the couch, waiting for me. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up.

"Mommy, after this is over, will we still go to the movies?" he asked.

I gave him an indulgent smile and gently tapped his nose. "Of course. Have your dad and I ever broken a promise to you?"

My answer sent him into a fit of happy giggles.

Seeing Rowan steadied me a little. Ever since the conference began, I'd had this constant, gnawing sense that something was about to go wrong.

I took a deep breath and left the lounge. Back in the ballroom, my gaze landed on a familiar figure, and my body went rigid.

Not far from me, Vivian was holding onto Adrian and saying something to him. His back was to me, so I couldn't see his expression.

A second later, she spotted me. She pointed at me and screamed, "I'm your actual wife! She's the shameless one who stole you and our son from me!"

In an instant, all eyes in the room turned on me.