[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-26031368DDE4-12":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},12,2,"Chapter 2: A Barrel, a Wedding, and a Betrayal","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My mom tried to stick up for me once. \"I saw it wasn't Cecilia who did it,\" she said.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But my stepfather just shoved her down, yelling that she was spoiling me. After that, she never defended me again. And she never left him, either.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That time I spent trapped in the giant barrel felt like forever. I thrashed around, trying to flip it, but I was way too weak.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just when I thought I was going to drown, Drake showed up with a bunch of kids. They helped tip the barrel over and saved me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was just a broke kid back then, but he was so good to me. Whenever my stepfather beat me or yelled at me, Drake and his crew would rally to protect me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He knew damn well how scared I was of water. And yet, today, he was the one who threw me into the ocean.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Cecilia! I raised you all these years, and you're just marrying into this family? Have you no shame?\" my stepfather boomed at me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I casually picked at my nails. \"Cut the crap. Want to talk dowry? Stay. Otherwise, bounce.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Between my mom's nagging and my icy attitude, the dowry was settled at eighty-eight thousand, and I'd handle my own wedding trousseau.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On the wedding day, a few colleagues I actually liked showed up. They dropped hints about Drake's recent moves.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Some snickered, calling me \"damaged goods\" that Julien had picked up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After all, in the eyes of the office, I was just the mistress Drake had been keeping for ages.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ten minutes before the ceremony, I was outside the main doors, ready for my grand entrance.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Drake materialized behind me, his new girlfriend clinging to his arm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He leaned in, hands shoved in his pockets, and sneered, \"Such a pathetic wedding, Cecilia. You really aren't picky.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My eyes were glued to the doors, waiting to swing open. I didn't give him the satisfaction of a response.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing my silence, his tone turned venomous. \"Think about it. It's not too late to bail.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I took a deep breath. \"Mr. Alexander, you can offer me a lot, that's true. But you can't offer me a wedding.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He yanked a crumpled report from his jacket and practically threw it in my face. \"You're already knocked up with his brat, and you still have the nerve to play the high and mighty card?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I glanced down at the report on the floor. It was my positive pregnancy test. I'd totally forgotten I left it on the yacht.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I looked away, catching the cue from inside: \"Please welcome the bride.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I couldn't be bothered to explain myself anymore. In a matter of seconds, all the Drake drama would be over.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As the doors slowly creaked open,\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I gathered my gown and glided into the banquet hall, ignoring the low, commanding voice from behind: \"Cecilia, get back here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was the first time I'd ever defied him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Following the spotlight, I walked, step by step, to Julien's side.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing the tears welling up in Julien's eyes, I felt something stir within me for the first time.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Choosing someone who loves you is a good path too. I figured I'd learn to love him soon enough.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After we exchanged rings, I turned to face the sea of guests. In that instant, my eyes locked onto Drake, who was watching me with icy detachment from the crowd. I was finally free.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On my wedding night, I knew I had to face my second man.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A slightly tipsy Julien stumbled into the room and gently cupped my face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Even though I'd braced myself to give myself to my husband, I instinctively flinched.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing my reaction, Julien didn't get mad. Instead, he offered a soft smile and stroked my hair. \"Don't be scared. I'll give you time to get used to it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With that, he grabbed a pillow and headed for the study. Watching the door click shut behind him, I let out a shaky sigh of relief, even though it felt totally unfair to him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next morning, my new in-laws had breakfast laid out, watching me with beaming smiles.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They'd clearly heard all the wedding gossip, but they seemed unfazed today.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just when I thought a genuinely happy family life was within reach, the news blaring from the TV shattered my illusion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">[\"The longtime mistress of Alexander Group's heir, Drake Alexander, was married last night. The woman, surnamed Reed...\"]\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My head snapped up towards the screen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The report laid bare my past with Drake, splashing blurred intimate photos everywhere.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It spun a vicious lie about me carrying a \"bastard\" by his subordinate. To make matters worse, my stepfather was on screen, spewing venom about my supposed faults.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With Drake's clout, no one would dare air this without his blessing. And he was the only one who had those photos.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The TV clicked off. Julien knelt before me, his voice gentle. \"Honey, don't watch this.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My in-laws chimed in with their own reassurances, clearly worried about upsetting me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Looking at this family who genuinely cared for me, I made my decision. I was going to confront Drake. After all, I wasn't alone anymore.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My phone buzzed incessantly with news alerts echoing the same hateful slander.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Agh...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A searing pain shot through my lower abdomen. He was the one who had wronged me. What right did he have to tarnish my name like this now?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">We'd grown up together, from kids to adults. Even if I were just a stray dog, he should have some shred of decency left.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ignoring my in-laws' protests, I bolted for Drake's company.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272930972]