“It wasn’t me. Why should I admit to something I didn’t do? Just because Bethany said it was me, that’s enough for you to convict me?“>
He let out a cold laugh. “Bethany is Rhea’s biological sister. If I can’t trust her, should I trust you, an outsider?“}
It felt like my heart was being pierced by a thousand tiny needles. I could barely breathe through the pain.
Tears slipped uncontrollably from my eyes, falling directly onto the back of his hand.”
He immediately flinched and shook me off like I was something filthy.”
“All you know how to do is cry once you’re caught! Just fix the photo, and this ends here.“}
But just as he finished speaking, Bethany raised her tear–stained face, her voice trembling. “Brother–in–law… are you siding with her again?”
A bitter smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Of course. She’s the one who’s the mistress of this house now. My sister and I… we were always just extras.“{
Then she staggered back into the room and began packing away Rhea’s belongings.
“From the time I was little, my sister was the only one who truly loved me…” she sobbed. “But now she’s gone, and even you don’t want me anymore…“}
Suddenly, she placed a trembling hand on her belly and gave a heart–wrenching smile.
“Maybe I should just go be with my sister… the baby and I… so we won’t be in your way anymore.“}
“Bethany!” Jaxxon rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms, his voice shaking. “Don’t say things like that! I’ve already divorced Megan. She’s nothing now!“}
He gently cupped Bethany’s face in both hands. “Once the cooling–off period is over, we’ll get our marriage certificate. I won’t let our child suffer, I promise.”
Bethany, teary–eyed, shook her head. “Brother–in–law… I never wanted to marry you. I just… I just wanted to fulfill my sister’s wishes.”
“Bethany!” Jaxxon suddenly lost control and kissed her hard, voice hoarse with emotion. “This time, you’re not getting away. I will marry you!”
Al turned stiffly and stumbled out of the room, blindly charging toward the stairwell.
The elevator didn’t come fast enough, so I grabbed my suitcase and ran down the stairs.
Forty–five floors.
But I didn’t stop once.
By the time I reached the lobby, my legs gave out and I collapsed to my knees.
Tears poured down in thick, hot streams–no matter how I wiped, I couldn’t stop them.
At that moment, my phone buzzed.
A message popped up from Bethany.[Megan, are you still trying to compete with me?]}]
1 let out a dry, broken laugh and started coughing.}
Compete?”
What did I have to compete with?”
I wasn’t even worthy of being compared to a photo of Rhea–much less to the living, breathing Bethany, who looked exactly like her.
I remembered the day before our wedding.
I had been trying on my gown when Bethany watched me, with red–rimmed eyes.}
“Brother–in–law… my sister never got to wear a wedding dress. I’m sure she would’ve loved to.”
Right in front of me, Jaxxon grabbed a pair of scissors and shredded my wedding gown to pieces.
The next day, he canceled the ceremony and notified all the guests.
When I tearfully asked him why, he said coldly, “It’s a second marriage. What’s the point? It’s embarrassing.”
He had forgotten–it was my first marriage.
He’d also forgotten–I was his first love.
Four years of dating. Three years of waiting. And in the end, even giving me a proper wedding was something he saw as disgraceful.
Dazed and exhausted, I pulled myself up and started heading home to the Rhodes family.
But just then, the elevator doors slid open.
Jaxxon stepped out, carrying a bag in his hand. When he saw I hadn’t left, a visible wave of relief washed over him. Without saying a word, he dragged me to a sofa in the lobby and gently pressed an ice pack to my swollen cheek.
He spoke in a low voice, “Does it hurt?”
My nose stung. “Jaxxon… do you love me?“}
His hands froze, then he frowned.
“Why are you asking that again? After all these years, aren’t you tired of repeating the same question? Can’t you feel how much I love you?“}
