At that moment, I felt a complete revulsion towards someone.The Eric who once sparkled in my heart, without equal in my eyes, had started to decay the moment he chose Willa. Then, he was utterly gone.I let out a soft laugh. "Eric, why bother explaining? You and I are history."Willa's having your baby, so step up and take responsibility."Eric's eyes brimmed with tears as he saw my indifference."No, no! I know what matters to you, Sylvia, I know it!"He clung to me, refusing to let go. I was filled with loathing and pushed him away with a swift kick.Eric lay on the ground, a look of utter shock on his face as a tear slid from his left eye. "Sylvia, why?"I peeled off the coat he had sullied and tossed it into the trash can beside me."Because you make my skin crawl."Samuel later took Willa and Eric for a DNA test, which confirmed that Eric was indeed the father of the child.Suddenly, Eric and Willa were treated like outcasts.As for Yale and me, life just kept getting
"Sylvia, I realize my mistake, please forgive me."I could not help but smirk, "You've come at just the right time. Everyone's dying to know what's the deal with you and Willa."The mere mention of Willa sent Eric into a visible frenzy."Sylvia! Don't get the wrong idea, there's nothing between her and me. I only took care of her because she's your sister, and our marriage was nothing but a charade. I've cut ties with her, we're divorced now, Sylvia, please forgive me."He fumbled in his pocket and produced a shiny divorce certificate.Willa went white with fury."You, Eric! You!"Eric looked at her with nothing but loathing, "I told you, we're done! Leave me alone!"Then, gripping my hand firmly, he pleaded, "Sylvia, you've got to believe me, there's nothing between her and me. You're the one I truly care about."However, in a flash, Yale slapped his hand away."Eric, looks like your dad's lessons didn't stick. She's my wife."Yale then pulled me close, his arm possessively
I never imagined Yale would wrap his arm around my waist as I stepped out of the car and sweep me off my feet."People are watching," I murmured, a blush creeping up my cheeks. After years with my childhood friend Eric, I had never been that close with a man in such a public setting.Yale just grinned. "You'd better get used to it, Mrs. Garcia."His words sent a wave of heat across my face.Eric saw it all, and so did Willa.Willa, fuming at the sidelines, could not help but let out a snide remark. "Really, sis? You're an adult and still need Mr. Garcia to carry you? I'm embarrassed for you, even if you're not."Her biting comment turned all eyes on her.Willa waved her hand dismissively, her voice dripping with false concern, "Sis, don't get me wrong. I'm just looking out for you. You're Mrs. Garcia now, part of the Garcia family. You've got to act the part, you know?"The neighbors, green with envy at our ties to the Garcias, seized the moment to throw in their two cents."E
I found myself wrapped in another pair of warm, sturdy arms."Mr. Jordan, it's high time you taught your son some manners. He's completely lacking in courtesy."Samuel Jordan, frantic, bellowed from below, "That's enough, Eric!"Are you trying to ruin me?"However, Eric was beyond reason, refusing to budge.Yale's boot connected with Eric's knee, sending him tumbling down. As he clumsily got back up and saw me resting against Yale, fury blazed in his eyes.Eric swung at Yale's face, shouting, "This is all your doing! If you hadn't forced Sylvia to marry you, she wouldn't be with you!"However, his punch never hit its mark, Yale caught it and sent one flying back."With a bruised, swelling eye, Eric spat, "You're nothing but an illegitimate son. What makes you think you can stand up to me, let alone deserve to marry Sylvia?"I could not help but feel a twinge of concern for Yale, but he was the picture of cool, even allowing a smirk to play on his lips."So what if I'm an ille
His face went ghostly white, shock etched across his features."Sylvia?"A bystander chuckled, correcting him, "Sylvia? You must be seeing things. That's Mrs. Garcia, soon to be officially part of the Garcia family!"Yale's wedding was a grand affair, with guests aplenty. Hand in hand, we stood on the stage, facing the sea of faces.The officiant began, "Ms. Sylvia Lynch, do you take Mr. Yale Garcia to be your husband?""I do—"However, a sudden uproar cut me off.There was Eric, eyes blazing, barreling toward the stage."Sylvia! You can't marry him!"He lunged for my wrist, but Yale was quicker, pulling me to safety behind him."Sylvia!"Sylvia! You swore you'd only ever marry me. How can you give yourself to him?"Eric's shouts echoed through the room, leaving everyone stunned and frozen in place."What's happening? Are the Garcias trying to split up true love?""Split up true love? That's Samuel's boy, right? Just tied the knot with the Lynch's youngest daughter a few
I kept silent, and Eric's face lit up with realization. "Sylvia, you've got some nerve. To get me to split from Willa, you're staging this whole wedding farce with the Lynches? They're really bending over backward for their adopted daughter—you. You don't seriously think this will make me leave Willa, do you?"I watched Eric muttering to himself and could not help but sneer. "Eric, you're not worth the headache anymore. You want a breakup? Fine by me. I can walk down the aisle guilt-free."I reached for the wedding gown the nanny had brought. "You all should head out, I've got a dress to try on."However, in a flash, Eric grabbed the gown and chucked it to the floor."Sylvia, when will you drop the act? You've turned down every guy for me since we were kids, dead set on 'no one but Eric.' Who else would you even marry?"His words sent a chill through me.Eric knew it all. That's why he was so shameless.My mom, Natalie Hawkins, came in just then and caught sight of the crumpled