Adelia Keith walked out of the City Hall like a ghost—eyes blank, steps unsteady.
It wasn’t until she got into the cab that the tears she’d been holding back finally fell, silent and uncontrollable.
Four years ago, to save both families’ reputations, she married Ethan Fargeat in place of her runaway sister.
At first, Ethan treated her coldly.
She never complained. She cared for him down to the smallest detail.
Little by little, Ethan lowered his guard.
He started letting her mess up his schedule and patiently listened to her lame jokes.
He even trusted her with confidential work documents.
Then Ethan got better and better to her.
He gave her a no-limit black card and took her to every Michelin restaurant.
Even when she craved peanut brittle from the Northside in the middle of the night, he’d drive across the city to get it. He’d pinch her cheeks and sigh, “I’ve never seen a little foodie like you.”
Adelia thought she had finally warmed his heart, until Gwen came back from abroad with a terminal cancer diagnosis two months ago.
That night, their father, Jordan Keith, called a family meeting.
He said sternly, “Gwen’s in late-stage cancer, has at most six months. Her biggest regret is not marrying Ethan. So step aside for now. After the wedding and she’s gone, he’ll still be yours.”
Her stepmother, Diana Ryan, pleaded, “Gwen’s your sister, just give in this once!”
Gwen sobbed. “This is my only wish before I die. Please, I’m begging you.”
Adelia couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Eyes red, voice shaking, she cried out, “You pushed me into a marriage like a puppet—now you want him to marry her? What do you take me for? I won’t agree to this!”
Jordan ignored her protests and locked her up, saying she’d be released once she agreed.
On the third day, she heard Ethan had smashed a mug in front of Jordan, furious.
On the 13th day, news popped up on her phone. Ethan had publicly declared, “Mrs. Fargeat can only be Adelia.”
On the 28th day, Ethan froze all business with the Keith family, forcing them to give her back.
And a month later, the locked door finally opened.
Thinking about everything Ethan had done for her lately, Adelia’s eyes instantly welled up. She ran straight into his arms, stumbling.
But the next second, she heard his hoarse voice. “I’m sorry, Lia.
“Your parents insisted. They even got on their knees. For the sake of both families’ long relationship, I have to go through with this with Gwen.
“But don’t worry, it’s just a fake wedding. My wife will always be you.”
In that moment, Adelia felt her heart drop straight into a void. Even breathing was painful.
After a beat, she gently touched his thinner face, forcing back her tears. “You’ve done enough.”
At first, she watched—helplessly—as Ethan slid a diamond ring onto Gwen’s finger, giving her a lavish, public wedding.
Later, he was still good to Adelia.
But he started spending more and more time with Gwen—from the occasional visit to staying out for nights on end.
When Adelia got upset, he would patiently explain, “I don’t love her. I just want to be there for her, as a friend, until the end.”
Adelia believed him.
But the truth slapped her hard—brutal and humiliating.
—
When the car stopped outside the Fargeat Group, Adelia had already pulled herself together.
She held the fake marriage certificate tightly in her hand.
She stepped off the elevator and ran straight into Ethan’s secretary.
The secretary looked uncomfortable.
“Mrs. Fargeat, what brings you here?”
“I’m here to see Ethan.”
“He’s in a meeting. He can’t…”
Ignoring her, Adelia marched to the office door.
Just as she reached for the handle, she heard Gwen’s voice inside.
“Ethan, look at me and answer honestly.” Gwen tugged at his tie with one hand, the other pressed over his heart. “Have you ever really gotten over me?”
Ethan’s throat bobbed. Her touch clearly rattled him, but his voice was cold. “You’re overthinking.”
“Am I?” Gwen laughed softly. “You married Adelia just to wait for me to come back, didn’t you? And now that I’m back, you’re getting a marriage certificate with me.
“Not to mention all the things you wrote in your journal.
“You said you agreed to the marriage to force me to come back… Mmph—!”
Before she could finish, Ethan yanked her forward, gripping the back of her neck.
Every word she hadn’t said was swallowed by a rough, almost violent kiss.
His eyes burned. Each word was ground out between clenched teeth. “Yes. I never let you go. So, Gwen, how do you plan to repay what you owe me?”
Outside the door, Adelia stood frozen, like she’d been dunked in ice water. She couldn’t feel a thing.
She thought about how just days ago, Ethan held her tight, kissed her hair, and said, “Adelia, Gwen’s in the past. Now, only you are worth my heart.”
What a joke.
So-called “worth my heart” were nothing but lies.
Their marriage had been fake from the start.
Adelia slowly closed her eyes, holding back tears.
Since this was his choice…
Then she’d grant it. She’d let him be with his true love.
Where Love Began to Hurt Ch 1
Where Love Began to Hurt Ch 1
Posted by ? Views, Released on August 13, 2025
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Where Love Began to Hurt
Status: Ongoing
