Chapter 4

Today was the day I’d have lunch with Steve’s family. My chest felt tight with nerves, wondering what his parents might say to me. They probably already knew I wasn’t the woman he’d proposed to, but the one he was forced to marry.

Even though I didn’t want to, I took a shower and dressed myself up. I slipped into my black bodycon dress and matching pumps, adding a single hairpin to the side of my hair. I looked like I was going to a funeral—because in a way, I was. I was mourning the death of my youth, my freedom, my life as I knew it.

When I came downstairs, Mommy and Daddy were already waiting. Daddy raised an eyebrow as he looked me over, then smirked.

“It’s not obvious you’re mourning the wedding, Czes. Let’s go,” he said.

I just followed them outside. I wanted to talk to Mommy, but she avoided me the moment I got close. The distance between us cut deep. She used to take care of me, just the two of us. Now she acted like I didn’t exist—not even a glance. Her coldness hurt. And I hated myself for caring so much.

The drive to Deluxe Restaurant in Batangas was silent. Daddy drove, Mommy sat in the passenger seat, and I stared blankly out the window.

When we arrived, my heartbeat raced faster. The moment of meeting them again drew closer, and every second felt heavier. Whenever I saw Steve, I couldn’t help but remember the look on his girlfriend’s face the night everything changed.

At a long table inside, four people were already waiting. Steve’s family screamed wealth. They stood as we approached—well, everyone except Steve, who only rose after his father shot him a look.

“Pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Dela Cruz,” Steve’s father greeted warmly, shaking my parents’ hands.

“So do I, Mr. Harrisson. And to your wife as well,” Daddy replied.

“Oh, by the way, this is my eldest, Lincoln Asher.”

Lincoln shook Daddy’s hand politely.

Steve, meanwhile, looked utterly uninterested. In seconds, the elders had ordered lunch, and conversation flowed—mostly about business—while Steve and I ate quietly.

When the plates were cleared, the topic shifted.

“So, when’s the wedding?” Steve’s mother asked bluntly.

“Mom!” Steve snapped.

“What? That’s why we’re here.”

“She’s not my fiancée!” Steve’s voice sharpened.

“Oh, you mean Nicole?” his mother asked.

“Yes! Nicole is my fiancée, not her.” He shot me a glare that made me lower my eyes.

“Well, not anymore,” his father cut in.

“What?” Steve’s brows drew together.

“You’re not marrying Nicole. You’re marrying Ms. Dela Cruz,” his father said, glancing at me with a smile.

“But Dad! That’s not what you promised!” Steve’s voice rose. “You told me you’d find a way to stop this ridiculous marriage!”

“I changed my mind. Nicole doesn’t suit our family. She’s poor and from a broken home. Brianna is beautiful, kind, and just as wealthy as we are. See the difference?” his mother added, nodding.

Steve’s jaw tightened. “You want the difference? Here it is—Nicole is the one I love. Only she can complete me. Yes, they’re different, but the biggest difference? I love Nicole. And I hate you.” His eyes locked on mine.

“Steve!” his father barked.

The words hit like a knife, but I held my tears in.

“What’s the point of marrying her if I don’t love her?” Steve went on.

Daddy’s voice cut in sharply. “So what’s your girlfriend’s reaction to the fact that you slept with my daughter the night you proposed to her?”

My heart dropped. “Daddy! What are you doing?”

Steve glared. “Don’t you dare—”

“Oh, I don’t need to tell her,” Daddy said, smirking. “She already heard it herself.”

My stomach twisted as Daddy gestured toward another table. A woman stood slowly. My breath caught—Nicole.

Her eyes shimmered with tears, her lip trembling. “C-congratulations,” she choked out to Steve. “You weren’t planning to tell me, were you? But thanks… I heard everything.”

Steve’s arrogant mask shattered instantly. “B-baby…” he whispered, stepping toward her.

Nicole’s tears fell freely. “That’s right, sir,” she said to his father. “I may be poor, but I’m not a bad person.” She slid the ring off her finger.

“N-no… baby, no…” Steve’s voice cracked, but Lincoln held him back.

Nicole placed the ring on the table. “Congrats. I wish you the best—reach our dream… with her.” She gave me a brief, heartbroken glance before walking away.

Steve struggled against his brother’s grip until he finally broke free, running after her. Outside, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, shaking. She pulled away, crying harder, and ran.

He chased her but stopped in the middle of the road, falling to his knees, screaming her name.

Tears finally escaped my eyes.

“Go get your brother, Asher,” Steve’s father ordered. His mother was wiping at her eyes; Mommy too. Daddy, however, looked unmoved.

“Daddy…” my voice trembled. “That’s enough… I don’t want to get married.”

“No. Don’t pity them—think of yourself.”

“But Dad, please—”

“No! And that’s final!”

I stood and ran. Outside, Steve was leaning on his brother for support. When his eyes met mine, they darkened.

“Are you happy now?!” he roared. “You ruined us! Nicole left me because of you and your family! And now… I’ll give you the marriage they want—but I’ll make your life a living hell!”

His brother held him back, but the rage in his voice froze my blood.

I turned and ran—away from him, away from this twisted mess, away from the pain.