Chapter 3

I read through both agreements.

They made one thing clear: whatever happened between Raphael and me after we got married was none of my family's concern.

They would owe me nothing, no matter what happened.

And the same went for me. I would owe them nothing either.

My parents and Cersei had already signed. They had clearly planned this long before today.

I looked from my parents' cold faces to Cersei, who leaned smugly in Antonio's arms.

And finally, I understood. My parents had never truly loved me.

What I had mistaken for love was only their appreciation for what I could do for them.

As a child, I looked after Cersei and did chores around the house.

As an adult, I made money and saved their company from bankruptcy.

Now that I had chosen to marry a man they believed was a low-level employee, I was no longer useful to them.

That was why my wedding gown had been made from Cersei's scraps. That was why they had given me a suitcase full of garbage as a wedding gift. They simply wanted me gone.

I closed my eyes, but the tears I had been holding back finally fell, splashing onto the agreement.

Tears meant nothing to people who didn't love you.

With my parents urging me to hurry, I picked up the pen. My hand trembled as I signed my name.

If this was what they wanted, then I would give it to them.

A ruined wedding gown and two signatures were a small price to pay for finally seeing the truth.

I had barely set down the pen when my phone rang.

It was Raphael.

He told me he'd sent a driver to pick up my entire family.

I lowered my eyes and said as steadily as I could, "They made other plans. They can't attend our wedding."

It hurt to admit to the man I was about to marry that my family didn't care enough to attend my wedding.

Raphael didn't know what had happened, but he seemed to sense something was wrong. He didn't push me.

He simply told me we'd talk when we saw each other.

After the call, I packed a few things. I carried my suitcase out, ready to leave without looking back.

Mom stopped me.

"Take the trash bags from the kitchen and bathroom down with you. I shouldn't have to remind you about something so simple!"

"All right."

I nodded. And just like that, the last tiny bit of hope I had left disappeared.

Strangely, I wasn't even angry anymore.

I just felt calm. Then Cersei jumped up, pulled Antonio along, and insisted on walking me downstairs.

The moment we stepped outside, she froze. A Rolls-Royce Phantom was waiting at the curb, with four bodyguards standing beside it.

Then Cersei burst out laughing. "Oh, Lilith... You and Raphael are making yourselves miserable just to keep up appearances! Renting that car and hiring four men must have cost more than the two of you earn in six months. Why do this to yourselves?"

One of Raphael's men frowned and started to speak.

I stopped him with a slight shake of my head, then handed him my suitcase.

I got into the car and looked back at Cersei. She was leaning against Antonio, laughing so hard that tears streamed down her face.

"See you at the wedding."

There was no point explaining anything. They would see the truth soon enough.

The next few days on Raphael's private island were some of the happiest days of my life.

We spent almost every moment together, and for once, I felt completely at peace.

Everything that had happened back home already felt far away.

At an auction, Raphael bought me a one-of-a-kind antique wedding gown that had once been worn by royalty.

He also hired a team of 100 professionals to build the wedding venue exactly the way I wanted it. All I had to do was tell them what I liked.

The day before the wedding, Raphael took his private jet to pick up his father.

I went with the staff to inspect the ballroom one last time.

That was when Cersei and the others arrived.

Cersei wore a fitted gown and clung to Antonio's arm.

Mom and Dad had obviously never seen anything so luxurious. They stared at everything around them and marveled aloud at every little detail.

Antonio's bodyguards followed close behind.

The four of them made such a scene that other guests began turning to stare.

Then they saw me. All four froze.

Cersei was the first to recover.

"Lilith, what are you doing here?"

Her eyes suddenly lit up as if she'd figured it out.

"Oh, I know. You work here, don't you? I told you that poor fiancé of yours was useless. Your wedding is tomorrow, and he still makes you work!"

A nearby staff member stared at Cersei in disbelief and opened her mouth to correct her.

I motioned for her to let it go and return to work.

Then one of Cersei's friends looked me over curiously.

"Cersei, do you know her? How could someone dressed that cheaply possibly belong at Mr. Di Lauro's wedding?"

Before Cersei could answer, Mom quickly cut in, "Oh, she's a housekeeper who used to work for us. We fired her after a few days. We barely know her."

She was so afraid I might embarrass her that she wouldn't even admit I was her daughter.

Once, that would've broken my heart.

Now, I almost wanted to laugh.

For years, I had mistaken obedience for love and convinced myself that if I gave enough, they would eventually love me back.

I couldn't believe I'd been that blind.