chapter 13: the family she left behind

THE WRONG VOW

(Mistakenly Married to a Ruthless Billionaire)

CHAPTER 13: THE FAMILY SHE LEFT BEHIND

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains of the Dawson family home.

The house was unusually quiet.

Emily's room remained exactly as she had left it weeks ago.

The neatly folded blanket lay untouched.

A framed childhood photograph sat on the bedside table, already gathering dust.

No one had entered the room.

No one cared enough to.

Downstairs...

Laughter echoed through the dining room.

Emily's stepmother, Margaret Dawson, sat comfortably at the head of the table, sipping her tea with a satisfied smile.

Across from her, her daughter, Claire, scrolled through expensive dresses on her phone.

"I've finally decided," Claire said happily.

"I'm buying the red one."

Margaret smiled proudly.

"Of course you are."

"You deserve the best."

Claire laughed.

"If Emily were still here, she'd probably complain that we're wasting money."

Margaret rolled her eyes.

"That girl complained about everything."

"Good riddance."

The two women burst into laughter.

Neither of them had spoken Emily's name with affection in years.

To them...

She had always been nothing more than unpaid help.

Cooking.

Cleaning.

Running errands.

Paying household bills with her salary from the bridal boutique.

Now that she was gone...

They simply hired a maid.

Life became easier.

Claire stretched comfortably.

"I wonder where she disappeared to."

Margaret shrugged carelessly.

"Probably ran away with some poor man."

"Or maybe she finally realized nobody wanted her."

They laughed again.

Neither of them noticed the man sitting silently at the far end of the table.

Richard Dawson.

Emily's father.

He hadn't touched his breakfast.

Dark circles surrounded his tired eyes.

For weeks...

He had secretly searched for his missing daughter.

He had gone to the police.

Visited hospitals.

Called every friend she had ever mentioned.

Nothing.

She had simply vanished.

Every night...

He prayed she was alive.

Margaret noticed his silence.

"Richard."

He looked up slowly.

"What?"

"You've been thinking about that girl again."

Richard lowered his eyes.

"She's my daughter."

Margaret sighed dramatically.

"And?"

"She's an adult."

"Maybe she found a boyfriend and decided not to come back."

Richard shook his head.

"No."

"I know Emily."

"She wouldn't disappear without telling me."

Claire scoffed.

"You're worrying too much, Dad."

"She'll come back when she needs money."

Richard looked at his stepdaughter with disappointment.

"Emily has never asked me for money."

The room became quiet.

Margaret placed her cup on the table.

"Honestly, Richard..."

"Why are you acting as though she's some perfect child?"

"She was always quiet."

"Always awkward."

"She never fit into this family."

Richard's expression hardened.

"Maybe she never felt welcome."

Margaret frowned.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Richard stood slowly.

"It means exactly what you think."

For years...

He had watched Emily endure insults without complaining.

He had watched her work long hours while Claire spent freely.

He had convinced himself everything would eventually get better.

Now...

His daughter was missing.

And guilt weighed heavily on his heart.

Without another word, he walked upstairs.

Inside Emily's room...

He stood silently for several moments.

Everything reminded him of her.

The old books she loved.

The small flower vase by the window.

The family photograph where Emily smiled despite looking lonely.

Richard sat on the edge of the bed.

He picked up another framed picture.

It showed Emily as a little girl standing beside her mother.

His fingers trembled.

"I failed you," he whispered.

"I should have protected you."

A tear rolled down his cheek.

Then his eyes landed on a small wooden jewelry box.

He frowned.

He had never seen it before.

Curious, he opened it.

Inside...

There were only a few simple hairpins.

A faded birthday card.

And a folded piece of paper.

Richard unfolded it carefully.

His breathing stopped.

It was written in Emily's handwriting.

Dad,

If you're reading this, then something has probably happened to me.

I know you've always tried to protect me in your own way, even when you couldn't stand against them.

Please don't blame yourself.

I don't hate you.

I never did.

I only wished we could have been a real family.

No matter where life takes me...

You'll always be my father.

Take care of yourself.

Love,

Emily.

Richard's vision blurred.

He clutched the letter tightly against his chest.

"I'm so sorry..."

Downstairs...

Margaret's phone suddenly rang.

She answered lazily.

"Hello?"

A cheerful voice replied,

"Congratulations!"

Margaret frowned.

"For what?"

"I just saw the news online."

"What news?"

"The billionaire wedding!"

"They're saying Alexander Blackwood got married after the bride disappeared."

Margaret laughed.

"So?"

"The replacement bride looks exactly like your stepdaughter."

Margaret's smile disappeared.

"What?"

Claire quickly grabbed the phone.

"What are you talking about?"

"The internet is full of pictures."

"Search it."

The call ended.

Claire immediately opened a news website.

Her eyes widened.

"M-Mom..."

Margaret leaned closer.

On the screen...

A wedding photograph filled the page.

Emily...

Standing beside Alexander Blackwood in a breathtaking wedding gown.

The headline read:

BLACKWOOD HEIR MARRIES MYSTERY BRIDE AFTER FIANCÉE DISAPPEARS.

Claire's mouth fell open.

"That's..."

"That's Emily!"

Margaret stared at the screen in disbelief.

"Impossible..."

Richard slowly walked downstairs.

"What happened?"

Claire silently handed him the phone.

The moment Richard saw the photograph...

His eyes filled with tears.

Emily was alive.

She was safe.

He whispered a prayer of gratitude.

"Thank You, God..."

Margaret, however, looked furious.

"How could this happen?"

Claire clenched her fists.

"She married Alexander Blackwood?"

"A billionaire?"

Margaret's face twisted with jealousy.

"That should have been you."

Claire's eyes narrowed as she continued staring at Emily's smiling wedding photograph.

"No..."

"This isn't over."

"If Emily can become Mrs. Blackwood..."

"So can I."

Neither of them noticed the determination burning inside Richard's eyes.

He looked once more at his daughter's picture.

No matter how powerful the Blackwood family was...

No matter how dangerous the situation seemed...

He had made a decision.

He was going to find Emily.

Even if it cost him everything.

To Be Continued...

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