3

Amelia’s POV

My mother kept pressuring me endlessly, as if my life existed only to serve her will. This time, she pushed me again, saying I had to quickly find another man to marry. Only then, she claimed, could my past be cut off, and Raisa—the daughter she always praised—wouldn’t feel hurt anymore.

I stayed silent. Truly, I didn’t know what to do. My indecent photos had already spread, becoming the subject of gossip everywhere. How could I possibly find a husband easily? What sane man would want to bind himself to a woman the world already branded as tainted?

I had even tried blind dates countless times. The result? Always rejection. No one was willing.

I had gotten used to it, really. Since long ago, every little mistake I made had always made me the target of Lidya’s rage. But this time, she considered it the most fatal mistake of my life. She treated me as though I was the root cause of our entire family’s downfall.

The memories came back, so bitter. Whenever Raisa and I had even the smallest quarrel, Lidya would always condemn me. I would be scolded endlessly, sometimes even beaten, while Raisa sat there looking innocent. And Lidya always had the same reason: I was nothing but an illegitimate child. My very birth was considered a sin, my existence a mistake.

But time had made me tougher. Since leaving the Rinov household, I was no longer the foolish girl I once was. I knew, a mother was still a mother, but the pain and injustice she carved into me were too deep. Truly, what was the point of having a mother if every day she only reminded me that I was worthless? So I made a decision: I must cut ties, as quickly as possible, with this family.

I looked straight at Lidya, trying to keep my voice steady.

 “We already agreed, didn’t we? You haven’t forgotten this is your last request, right?”

To me, she was the one at fault. Lidya was the one who clung to the Rinovs, humbling herself just to stay close to that man every day. Lidya, who always craved Raisa’s attention, who worshipped Raisa like a goddess, and who trampled me down just to ease their anger.

I no longer wanted to let my thoughts be poisoned by her. The marriage I entered today… was my final act of repayment to the woman who bore me. After this, everything would be over. No more debts, no more mother-daughter ties. That was our agreement.

Lidya sighed harshly, her face sour.

 “If I’ve already said yes, then it’s yes. Stop repeating yourself.”

We arrived at Raisa’s room.

She looked like a princess in her beautiful gown, sitting on the sofa while choosing jewelry with a spoiled expression. I glanced down at myself—just simple clothes on my body. Still, I straightened my posture. I didn’t want to look small before them, even if the gap between us was as wide as heaven and earth.

Raisa turned, her voice dripping with false sweetness yet laced with mockery.

 “Amelia, what are you doing here?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but Lidya cut in first.

 “Raisa, darling, do you know that Amelia got married today?”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening.

“Oh, really?” Raisa looked at me, surprised, though her eyes glimmered strangely.

 “So fast. Is he better than Kevin?”

Lidya laughed dryly, her voice sharp with scorn.

 “Of course not! There isn’t a single man in this city better than Young Master Kevin. Do you think she could find someone worthy? She’s already so cheap. Her husband must be trash. Look, she didn’t even dare bring him here, afraid her trash husband would ruin your view.”

I clenched my fists. Lidya knew nothing about Xavier. He might look ordinary on the surface, but he was nothing like what she described. Kind, gentle, dignified. Far better than Zack—her so-called “choice” for me.

But I chose silence. What use was it to argue with them?

Raisa frowned, still curious.

 “That can’t be true. Amelia’s beautiful. Even Kevin was obsessed with her for four years.”

I turned to her, bitterness in my chest. Raisa only ever saw the surface.

Lidya sneered again.

 “What’s the use of beauty if her character is rotten? Her status is filth! Kevin was blind, treating her as nothing but a toy, a distraction. You, Raisa, you’re the one truly worthy of Kevin. Trust me, you two are the perfect pair in this city.”

I rubbed my temple, feeling dizzy.

When Raisa bent down to put on her shoes, Lidya shoved me toward her.

 “Useless girl! Help her put them on!”

I froze. Did she really think I was still that naive girl who never resisted, no matter how hard I was stepped on? I looked at her coldly.

 “You’ve always been used to serving her. Why should I?”

“Amelia!” Lidya nearly screamed. “You think you’re something just because you’re married? Your husband is probably a nobody! You’ll still need this family one day!”

Her words cut deep, but they also fueled my determination.

“You won’t even try to be kind to your sister now? You’ll regret it when you have to beg her later! Remember, the Rinovs raised you! It’s only right we serve them like servants!”

I was about to answer when a heavy voice cut in.

Tomi Rinov stood in the doorway, frowning.

 “Why are you all quarreling here? Don’t you know an important guest is coming soon?”

Raisa immediately changed, wearing a sweet, innocent expression.

Lidya quickly pointed at me.

 “It’s all this cheap girl’s fault! Just because she’s married now, she dares defy her mother!”

Tomi turned to me, his tone softened.

 “You’re married? Why didn’t you say so? If I’d known, I could’ve found you a proper husband.”

I laughed bitterly inside. Pretend concern—that’s all it was.

“No need. I can choose on my own.”

He raised an eyebrow.

 “Very well. But where’s your marriage certificate? Let me see, who is this man?”

I hesitated, then finally pulled the document from my bag. Before I could hand it over calmly, Lidya snatched it.

“Where is the man you married? I want to see his face!”

I reached out to take it back, but Raisa interrupted.

 “Father, who is this important guest? Why do you look so nervous?”

Tomi’s face lit up instantly, brimming with excitement.

 “It’s Mr. Xavier Aprilio!”

I froze.

Xavier?

That name… the same as the man who had just bound himself to me in marriage?

My heartbeat thundered in my chest. The world seemed to stop spinning.

Raisa looked puzzled.

 “Who is Mr. Xavier Aprilio? Is he important? Why does he have the same last name as Kevin?”

I stared at each of them in turn. That very question now echoed inside my mind.

Who exactly was Xavier Aprilio?