CHAPTER TWO

***Elena's POV***

“What does it say?“ I asked, my voice shaking, barely audible but filled with hope.

My body was trembling slightly even with the smile on his face and then in a split second, the smile was replaced by an expression, so dark, so callous that it sent cold shivers down my spine.

The result….. was it, was it…negative?

No, that's impossible!

“You must fucking think I'm foolish, right?“ His voice was dangerously calm, worse than when he barked orders at me.

“Noo….“ I shook my head, tears forming at the corners of my eyes.

Marcus took a step towards me. I took one backwards. Then he took another step forward, and I took another back, until my back was against the wall and he was just few steps away from me.

Then his hands stretched out, wrapping around my neck, gripping me tightly, pinning me and lifting me up against the cold wall.

My body became paralyzed, my eyes grew dark, life flashing before my eyes. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Summoning all the strength inside me, I forced my numb hands up, tapping him as gently as my feeble strength allowed me.

“Marc–us, pl—ea—se,” I said, through the lump in my throat.

He didn't answer. He didn't bulge. Instead he tightened his grip. “You cheap slut! How could you fuck another man until you take in his child?“

“I swear— I.“ I couldn't finish the statement because my vision was starting to get blurry and darkness was slowly creeping in.

He then released his grip from my neck and I fell to the floor with a loud thud like dead weight. I let out a guttral cough, gasping for breath with spit drooling out of my mouth. My neck kept throbbing with so much pain that it feels like I was about to die. Yet, I couldn't.

Then he tossed the parchment paper at me. “Still not going to admit it?“

I grabbed the paper like my life depended on it. Well, it literally does at this point. My eyes scanned it and at the bottom:

NO MATCH.

That was the result. Clear. Final.

No…. I shook my head frantically that I felt it was going to snap off my neck.

How can this happen?... No, this is impossible!

I glanced up at him, my eyes pleading. “There… there must… be a mistake, Marcus. Let's try other hospitals.“

He didn't say anything for a long time. He just looked at me like a psycho pathetic bitch. He laughed, and shook his head like I was a joke he couldn't fathom.

“You are more miserable than I imagined, Elena. But I promise, you'll regret this. I'll make you regret ever meeting me“ His voice thundered , “Guards.“

Three of them came in view. Their expression cruel. Dangerous. Unforgiving.

“Seize the shameless whore,” he spat. “Everyone needs to hear about this.“

And with that, they grabbed me like I weighed nothing, yanked me up to my feet and dragged me out of the room.

“Please, Marcus,” I pleaded, my voice tight with desperation and frustration. “I swear……” Hot tears flowed down my cheeks.

My pleas fell into deaf ears. No one heard me. No one came to rescue me. Everyone stood there. The mansion staff, some of Marcus's family members and mine, some company staff. Some expression unreadable. Others filled with disgust and disdain like I was filth they couldn't bear the lay their eyes on.

****

The tension in the conference room was thick and foreboding. Marcus had called for an impromptu press conference. The place was filled with reporters from all sorts of news outlets, all streaming the press conference live. Marcus had promised them the details of the Livestream will be juicy, so they all came in their numbers.

The board members, our family members and members of the press stood, watching silently. Anticipatory.

I was bound with a silver chain, which cut into my wrist especially that I was born with a rare genotype that made my body frame appear small and feeble. The pain rippled through me but it was nothing compared to the pain in my chest.

Marcus sat in his CEO chair, with Vivienne flanked behind him, her lips still curled into that triumphant smile that leaves me wondering where our sisterhood went wrong.

I understand that we were never as close like sisters should but I have never imagined that she would be against me either. Even if she was, not in this manner. Not like this.

“Elena has committed treason against me and the entire Hartwell Group.”

I heard Marcus say—cold and authoritative—echoing through the conference hall.

“She has brought scandal upon this entire empire and before the news will get to the ears of the public further expanding her shameful acts, I've decided to call her out on her actions and save the reputation of Hartwell Group.”

He continued. “She was in an affair with my executive assistant and now pregnant with his child.“

Gasps, murmurs, and whispers erupted, cameras flashed all around but it soon died down with a single flick of Marcus's hand.

Embarrassment and humiliation crept up my cheeks. I buried my head to the ground, my fingers clenching my dress.

I had wept to the extent that it feels like my tears already dried up.

He then raised the DNA results and showed it to the entire public. “Here is proof.“

At that moment, my parents stepped inside the conference hall. I heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, a sign of salvation.

Father was the former Chief Financial Officer of the corporation. He would definitely defend me. I'm so sure of it!

But … They didn't look in my direction. Instead they made their way towards Marcus, and …. bowed. They...bowed??!! What is going on??!!

“I'm sorry about this, Chief Marcus. It saddens my heart that my daughter would commit such a grievous crime,” father says, his voice thick with sadness.

My eyes furrowed in disbelief. It felt so unreal like I was having a really terrible nightmare. Blood drained from my face, my hope dashing into thin air. What the hell just happened??!!

Without thinking I yelled shamelessly “I didn't do it father, I swear. I'm your daughter, you should trust me.“

Mother stepped closer to me. Then she suddenly hit me hard across my face. “You slut!“

I looked at her in shock, my lips trembling. Did someone swap out my parents??... These people are my parents and they are supposed to protect me, not throw me out to wolves! Can someone just explain to me what is going on here?!!

“Mother….???” I looked at my mother with the last ray of hope I had left.

“Shut up! I'm not your mother,” she spat, through gritted teeth. “You were never our daughter.“

“What…How?? Are you disowning me??... Mother, it's me, what is going on with you and father??“ I asked in one breath, my voice broken with raw pain.

“Disown you? You can't disown what you never owned. You were never our daughter. I found you abandoned under a bridge when you were a child and took you in.” My mother slowly emphasized as she looked at me with the highest level of disgust.

I laughed at her words like I just heard a really funny joke. I thought she had made it up because of what's happening but then I really looked at her–the look on her face gave nothing away. She had never been more serious.

I opened my mouth to talk but no words came out. The truth had hit me harder than my mother did earlier…

Oh My God! That explains everything…

Vivienne had the best of life. From the best dresses, to the best birthday celebrations, to attending the best highschool while I was left to beg for literally everything.

I had thought that it was because she was the older child and obviously the more beautiful and healthier looking one. I didn't even think much about it. But now I know. Now, I understand…

Still lost in my thoughts, a security officer ran into the hall, panicking. “Chief… Chief Marcus,” he stuttered. “Your executive assistant...."

“What happened to him?“ Marcus growled.

The officer hesitated. “When we reached his room, it was locked, so we broke it down only to find out that he had committed suicide.“

“What?!” Marcus snapped, his hands tightening around the armrests.

My legs grew weak. I staggered backward and fell to the floor.

Ethan? Commit suicide? He would never. He was one of the bravest men I know.

“No!” , I snapped impulsively, then looked up at Marcus through my blurry eyes. “Ethan would never do that. He's probably sleeping or something.“

No answer.

Just gasps echoing through the room. Oops…. Seems like someone just shot herself in the leg. I bowed my head in shame even though I wasn't guilty. Complicated emotions spreading across my face.

The officer wasn't done yet. He stepped closer to Marcus and handed him a paper. “He left a letter behind sir.“

Marcus's eyes were buried into the letter and after a moment, he raised his head, eyes blazing. “See, Ethan already confessed to the affair. He stated that he committed suicide out of guilt. What do you have to say for yourself, you whore?“

My world dashed away.

Ethan is dead. And he confessed to an affair that never happened. Why does everything feel like someone was out there to ruin my life.

Who's after me?!

Who did I offend that couldn't let go?!

Goddddddd, what is my offence?!

I suddenly lost it. Nothing mattered anymore.

“Ethannnnn,” I screamed, mourning my best friend.

The memories of the years spent together clawed at me in the most painful way.

The days we would ride on our bikes round the city together. The days he taught me how to defend myself because he was worried I'm weak. The days he would cheer me up after mom and dad neglected me while caring for Vivienne. The days he took care of me when I was sick and made his special soup—even though it tasted awful, it's also had a way of making me feel better.

The day he confessed his love for me but I stupidly rejected him because I was in love with Marcus. The Marcus I met through him.

I slammed my clenched fists into my chest, willing to ease the tightening but nothing happened.

I didn't even realize that Marcus had prepared our divorce papers and in that moment was finalizing the whole process. He just signed, severing our marriage from his end.

He got up from his seat walking forward.

Marcus never properly wedded me though. I had thought he wanted everything in a rush because he couldn't wait for me to be his but now, I understood everything quite well. He never really wanted me.

Standing just few centimeters away from me, he flung the divorce papers at me and dropped a pen right after. “I never want to have anything to do with a whore like you ever again. Sign.” His voice came out colder than ever.

At this point, there was no use holding on to him anymore. I hardened my heart and accepted the humiliation. My humiliation.

Hands shaking, I picked up the pen and signed the divorce papers. That was it. The end of bondage. The end of a marriage that felt more like hell. Damn love! All I did was ever give, never to receive in return.

Vivienne walked up to me, crouched lower, her breath warm against my cheeks as she whispered, “I did this, baby sis. I have always wanted Marcus for myself and you know whatever I want,... I always get.” She chuckled devilishly as she backed away. I didn't react, no matter how badly I wanted to because I already know. And it doesn't matter. They already cast me aside.

“Now, you can have all of him for yourself,” I said.

My voice was calm, throwing her off guard. Her smirk disappeared.

I continued, my voice dropping into a chilling whisper. “But don't forget, you will remember this day and hate yourself for it, I swear.“

Without another word, she chuckled lightly and shot up to her feet, walking back to take her place beside Marcus and handing him the divorce papers she picked up in front of me.

Marcus turned towards the reporters and the crowd. “The press conference is over. You all can now take your leave.”

Everyone began to take their leave accompanied by the security guards. Soon, the conference hall was empty leaving just Marcus, Vivienne, a few security guards and I. My so called parents had already left without not even as much as a glance.

Marcus looked at the security guards. “Dispose her.” He said without an iota of emotion. Dispose me?! What is that supposed to mean?! Fear washed over me. Vivienne feigned pity eyes waving goodbye at me dramatically as two of the guards approached me.

“No, no, Marcus pleaseeee, pleaseeee, what are they going to do to me?! Where are they taking me?!”. I wept, panicking as the guards picked me up dragged me across the room through the back door, only to God knows where. Wasn't Marcus supposed to just let me go?? We're already divorced and I owe him nothing!

I was thrown into the trunk of a van, driven to an abandoned site far out of the outskirts of the city. The guards dragged me out throwing me to the ground. I instinctively used my hands to guard my stomach.

“what are you going to do to me? Please consider my baby.” I sobbed, looking at them with pleading eyes. They erupted in laughter as one of them said “who cares about a bastard child? We've been instructed to get rid of both mother and child. Shameless woman.” As soon as he was done speaking, he spat on me.

The words hadn't sunk in when all I could feel was the pain from the whipping I received. I was whipped till I chocked on my own blood. I was totally bruised and I knew that even though I tried to protect my baby, my strength wasn't enough to. After a while, I fell into the bliss of darkness.