Chapter 4

I staggered a few steps, feeling a burning pain on my cheek.

Mom cried, tears streaming down her face. "Your brother certainly went too far, but you can't just stand by and watch our family fall apart! The guests are all waiting for the groom now!"

My face was ashen. Finally, I gritted out a few words through clenched teeth:

"I'm not doing this! I won't marry her!"

No matter how they tried to persuade me, or even resorted to force, I remained stubbornly defiant.

I held a knife to my throat, my eyes red, and said, "Anyone who tries to force me, I'll kill myself!"

With that, everyone present froze.

I didn't know if they were afraid I would die, or if they were afraid of the greater trouble of a death on their hands.

Whatever the reason, I didn't care anymore.

I'd graduated. I believed a job would be my ticket to freedom.

The standoff ended when Aurora asked to talk to me alone. Everyone left us in the dressing room.

Half an hour later, the door opened.

I walked out in a tuxedo, my face blank as I took Aurora's hand. With a smile that never reached my eyes, I played my part in the entire wedding ceremony.

The memory dissolved, pulling me back to the present. I stood by the window, looking down at the city.

I had fought for ten brutal years to reach this position.

A cold emptiness washed over me. Then, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind.

I was startled, but the sweet scent of cherry blossoms filling my nose relaxed me.

"What are you thinking about? You didn't even notice me come in," a light voice whispered in my ear.

I chuckled. "Just the investor gala tomorrow."

Aurora took my hand and smiled. "I believe in you. Your capabilities speak for themselves."

A smile touched my lips. "What brings you to the office? I thought headquarters was keeping you busy."

"It's manageable. I came to pick you up," she said. "And to tell you that Lily wants to see that new movie tomorrow."

I nodded absently.

Aurora leaned down and kissed me.

I reached up, gently ruffling her hair in response.

The house was quiet when I got back. Eric was nowhere to be seen.

I figured my parents had locked him away again to protect the family, just like last time.

I was utterly exhausted and fell asleep as soon as I went to bed. In the night, a soft figure held me from behind.

The next day, I navigated the crowd at the investor gala before slipping away to the back room.

Lily was waiting for me, sitting quietly on the sofa. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.

"Daddy, are we seeing the movie after this?"

I smiled and tapped her nose.

"Of course, sweetie. Have we ever broken a promise to you?"

My answer made Lily giggle.

Her happiness eased my worry a little.

A sense of dread had been coiled in my gut since the gala began.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the banquet hall.

My eyes scanned the crowd, landing instantly on a familiar silhouette. My body went rigid.

There, not far away, Eric was speaking to Aurora. Her back was to me, shielding her expression from view.

Then Eric saw me. He pointed at me, his face twisted in a sneer.

"I am your husband!" he shouted at Aurora. "He is the one who shamelessly stole you and my daughter from me!"

In an instant, every conversation died. The weight of a hundred stares converged on me.