Chapter 2

Emelie picked up the torn pieces of the marriage certificate from the ground and hailed a cab back to the Horton residence. The moment she walked through the door, she saw Anthony, Marcelo, and Connor in Melissa's room. Their tall figures instantly made the spacious room feel cramped. Emelie glanced at them and pursed her lips upon noting their anxious and concerned expressions as they doted on Melissa. This room used to be hers. It was the best room in the house and closest to the three of theirs. They had poured their hearts into decorating it, creating a dreamy princess room that anyone would envy. Back then, anything fun or delicious was sent straight to her. They used to say with unshakable affection, "Emmy, you're our little princess. You deserve the best of everything." And Emelie had believed them. Nonetheless, after Melissa took the brunt of a car accident to save them, they used her recovery as an excuse to move Emelie into a guest room. It was at that moment she realized she was no longer their cherished princess. Forcing a smile, Emelie returned to the guest room to rest. The next morning, Emelie was woken by the deafening sound of celebratory fireworks from downstairs. When she went down, she saw the living room overflowing with exquisitely wrapped gift boxes. Melissa, dressed in a beautiful gown, stood in the center surrounded by Anthony, Marcelo, and Connor. Her face was beaming with delight. Anthony gazed at her gently and handed her a car key. "Mel, congratulations on recovering from your cold. This is the car you said you liked. I bought it for you." Marcelo presented a rosary. "I specifically went to the church to get this. There were so many people there, and I bumped into some fans, too. But I managed to get it. They say it's very effective." Connor grinned as he placed a trophy into Melissa's hands. "I won this at a competition. Mel, if luck and safety could be transferred, I'd give them all to you. I wish you a life of peace and joy." The three of them piled their gifts into Melissa's arms until she could barely hold them. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she exclaimed, "Why are you all making such a fuss over a little cold I had? You're spoiling me too much. I don't even know what to do!" Her laughter was radiant, and when she noticed Emelie descending the stairs, she deliberately called out in feigned curiosity, "Ms. Richmond, it was your birthday yesterday. What gifts did you get? Can I see?" Emelie's fingers tightened around the hem of her shirt, and she said nothing. Only then did Anthony, Marcelo, and Connor realize they had completely forgotten Emelie's 22nd birthday. They hadn't gotten her anything. Anthony approached her and offered a black card, saying, "Mel was sick yesterday, and it slipped my mind. I'll make it up to you later. Use this card and buy whatever you like." Marcelo and Connor followed suit, handing over their cards as well. But Emelie didn't take them. She calmly refused, "No need. It's fine if you forgot." Their eyes flickered with surprise. They'd expected her to be upset and had prepared to coax her. Yet, her indifferent demeanor caught them off guard. Still, they recalled her lie about getting married and assumed she was merely throwing a tantrum. "Suit yourself. But don't regret it." The three of them studied her reaction. Unexpectedly, her expression remained calm and unaffected. "I won't." That evening, Ezra and Kaitlyn returned from a business trip abroad. During dinner, Melissa was supposed to assist her mother, Stephanie McKenzie, in the kitchen as it was her duty as the maid's daughter. However, Connor grabbed her hand and pressed her into a seat beside him. He said, "The kitchen's crowded enough. Just sit here and eat with us." Melissa tried to stand, but Anthony and Marcelo each held her down, signaling for her to stay put. Ezra and Kaitlyn's expressions soured, and their displeasure was evident in their gazes, but they said nothing. Instead, Kaitlyn intentionally ignored her sons and turned to Emelie with a warm smile. "Emelie, yesterday was your birthday. Did you decide who to marry? I've already picked a venue for the wedding. It's such a joyous occasion, and we must celebrate it in style. You deserve nothing less." Her words plunged the table into silence. After a while, Anthony stated, "Mel was sick yesterday, so I didn't go." "I was busy taking care of Mel, so I didn't go either," Marcelo added lazily, his tone dismissive. Connor added, "Neither did I. Besides, Emelie hasn't even chosen yet. The wedding can wait." Their remarks stoked Ezra's and Kaitlyn's simmering anger. Just when they were about to erupt in fury, Emelie's phone buzzed with a message from Tyler. Attached was a photo of a wedding ring. "Do you like it? If not, I'll take you to pick something else." The ring in the photo had a huge, heart-shaped pink diamond surrounded by countless smaller diamonds that sparkled like a galaxy. It was breathtaking—enough to make any woman's heart race.