08/12/2026
Mother- Die, you bitch.
Her broke mother threw her from the top of a bridge,
But that was the best thing that could have happened to that child.
She was rescued by a woman on a boat.
She worked at an orphanage, and not knowing where the child came from, she took her there.
The girl grew up there alone,
dreaming that maybe one day she would also find a family that loves her.
Her dream came true when the owner of Drew Corporation came to donate money to the orphanage.
He saw a little girl playing alone and felt a connection.
Grandfather- Whatâs your name, little one?
Child- My name is Susan, sir.
Who are you?
He saw pureness in her eyes, something he felt missing in his own blood.
He smiled and said - I am your grandfather.
He adopted Susan that day and brought her to his home.
The Grandfather made sure she was grown as a valued member of the Drew family,
She was smart and intelligent, topped her school and college.
Then joined the Drew family business, playing a key role in the company's success.
She finally got engaged to the love of her life, Jacob.
Her life could not have been better.
She went to the boutique to try on her wedding dress,
Consumed by work, after weeks, she felt genuinely happy
The seventh dress was the one.
She knew it the moment she touched it.
The fabric settled perfectly.
She clipped the veil into her hair and turned slowly to face the mirror.
She stood there alone in the quiet of that small room, looking at the woman looking back at her.
That was when she heard them.
From the fitting room right next to hers. Separated by nothing but a thin wall.
From the fitting room right next to hers. Separated by nothing but a thin wall.
Jacob's voice. And then a laugh she had known her entire life.
"Ohh Sophia..I texted your sister by mistake," Jacob said, casual and unbothered.
Sophia laughed softly. "Jacob,as much as I love sneaking around with you , you don't have to worry about any of that anymore."
Jacob's voice shifted. "What do you mean?"
"I just got a message from Dad," Sophia said. A pause. "The shares. 80% of the Drew Corporation shares, they're officially in my name now."
"Are you serious?" Jacob's voice jumped. "Sophia ⌠are you actually serious right now?"
"Every word," she said, laughing.
"Oh my God." He laughed, loud and free, the laugh of a man who had been waiting a long time for this moment. "Come here. Come here right now. We need to celebrate."
"And Susan?" Sophia asked, almost as an afterthought.
Jacob scoffed lightly. "Forget about Susan. Tonight is about you, kiss me alreadyâŚ"
Susan stood completely still in her wedding dress.
Everything rearranged itself in an instant.
The distance. The unanswered calls. The evenings Jacob had seemed somewhere else even when he was right beside her.
He hadn't been pulling away.
He had been here. With Sophia. While Susan had been planning a wedding he was never going to show up to, building a company he was always planning to take.
In one afternoon, she had lost everything. Her fiancĂŠ. Her sister. And the company she had given years of her life to.
She looked at herself in the mirror one last time.
Then she slowly reached up and removed the veil.
Placed it carefully on the chair beside her.
And walked out without making a single sound.
The air outside hit her harder than she expected.
Her hands were steady. Her face was still. But somewhere underneath all of that something was breaking in a way she didn't yet have words for.
She pulled out her phone and called Helen.
Helen answered immediately.
"Susan?"
"I need you," Susan said. "Right now."
Helen didn't ask questions.
"Nexus Bar. Now. I'm already on my way."
By the time Helen walked in, Susan was already there.
Helen came straight to her, sat down, and looked at her face carefully.
"What happened?"
Susan stared at her glass for a moment.
"Jacob," she said quietly. "And Sophia."
Helen frowned. "What about them?"
"I caught them together. In the boutique. The fitting room next to mine." She paused. "And the shares, my father transferred everything to Sophia. The company I spent years building. It's all in her name now."
Helen was very still.
Then she exhaled slowly, shaking her head.
"That man never deserved a single day of you," she said. "Not one."
Susan gave a hollow laugh. "In one afternoon I lost everything."
"No," Helen said firmly, leaning forward. "You didn't lose anything. You just finally saw the truth." She held Susan's gaze. "And that is worth more than all of it."
Susan looked away.
Then the energy in the bar shifted.
It happened quickly and without announcement. The bar manager looked down at his phone, straightened immediately, and leaned toward the nearest waiter.
"He is here," he said under his breath.
Within seconds the room changed. Staff moved quietly but with purpose. The manager adjusted his jacket and walked briskly toward the entrance. Conversations dimmed. Heads turned.
Susan noticed it instantly. "What's going on?"
Helen turned in her chair.
The door opened.
And he walked in.
He wasn't loud. He made no gesture toward the room. He simply entered and somehow, effortlessly, the room reorganised itself around him. The manager reached him first, almost flustered, the kind of deference reserved for people who exist on a completely different level.
Susan couldn't look away.
The man stood apart from the crowd, phone pressed to his ear, jaw tight with barely controlled frustration.
"What do you want me to do?" he said sharply. "Marry some random woman off the street? You think just because you're my grandfather you get to decide who I marry?"
Susan went still.
He was tall. Commanding. Sharply dressed in a way that didn't try too hard. The kind of man who filled a room without meaning to not because he was loud, but because everything about him was certain. His jaw was tight with frustration but even angry, he carried himself with a quiet authority that Jacob never had. Not even close.
Susan found herself staring.
He cut the call and turned to the man standing quietly beside him.
"Find me a bride by the end of tonight," he said, low and firm. "If I don't have one, my grandfather wins. I will not let that happen."
The man beside him gave a single nod and stepped away.
"Who is that?" Susan asked quietly.
Helenâs gaze followed. âI know himâIâve seen that guy before. Heâs Jacobâs cousin.â
Susan's eyes sharpened. "Are you sure?"
Helen looked back at him. A flicker of something uncertain crossed her face, there and gone in an instant. "Yes," she said. "I'm sure."
But her eyes didn't quite hold it.
"He owns twenty-five percent of the Smith family company shares," Helen continued, her voice dropping lower. "Runs his own firm overseas on top of that. Built everything himself, nothing handed to him, nothing borrowed." She paused. "Jacob always acted like the powerful one. But his cousin?" She shook her head. "Jacob is a shadow compared to him."
Susan looked back at him.
He was still sitting exactly as he had been. Drink in hand. Still. Contained. Like a man who had never once needed anyone else's approval to feel certain of himself.
Jacob had chosen Sophia for power.
But the man sitting alone at the end of that bar had more of it than Jacob would ever come close to.
A thought settled in Susan's mind, quiet and deliberate.
"What if I married him?" she said.
Helen blinked. "Are you serious?"
Susan kept her eyes on the handsome man. "Imagine their faces. Jacob. Sophia. The moment they find out."
Helen stared at her for a long moment.
Then slowly, something fierce and certain crossed her face.
"You know what?" she said. "Go. Any man would be lucky to have you."
Susan checked her reflection quickly in the back of her phone. Fixed her lipstick. Set her glass down.
Then she stood up.
And walked straight toward him
The handsome stranger, Ethan.
Ethan looked up as she approached.
He didn't seem surprised. He simply watched her, calm, unhurried, the way he seemed to do everything.
Susan stopped beside him.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," she said.
Ethan studied her for a moment. His expression gave nothing away.
"My name is Susan," she said, meeting his gaze directly. "And I have a proposal for you."
Why did you approach me?" Ethan asked, âDo you know who I am?â
"You are Jacobâs cousin, if Iâm not wrong?"
The man smiled like a Devil, and spoke only a word, âEthan,â
Susan's eyes widened.
âSo, are you here looking for a bride, Ethan?â she asked, her eyes tracing his striking features. âOr have you already found someone interesting?â
Ethan scoffed, "None of the young women in here shall be my wife. They are all like matching dolls in a set."
Susan said, âI am unlike any of them. You can make me your trophy wife since Iâm no longer with Jacob.â
âJacob Smith?â Ethan repeated, âYou better be careful. He's not the man he pretends to be.â
Susan wasnât shocked at the revelation. âI know, I just found that out." What choice do I have, Ethan? I canât escape my fate unlessâŚâ She paused.
âUnless what?â Ethan questioned, but he wasnât ready for what Susan was about to propose.
âUnless you were to marry me instead,â Susan replied.
âWhat?â Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. âItâs only been ten minutes, and you already think Iâm in love with you?â
"I am not looking for love, Ethan,â Susan said, her voice steady, âI am looking for a way out. But so are you.â
Ethan was surprised. âYou think you know me that well?â
Susan added, "See, I know your grandfather wants you to marry soon. For a man with no interest in romance, I might be your best option. Iâll live like a shadow in your home, silent, unseen, tending to your needs, and I promise, Iâll never love you."
Ethan chuckled. âNo strings attached? How can I trust you?â
"What about a contract?" Susan proposed. She was desperate to convince him; it would be the perfect way to get revenge on her evil sister and Jacob.
âA contract marriage?â Ethan repeated as he considered Susan's proposal. "Did your father set this up?" he asked, his tone skeptical.
"My father has no idea that I am out here speaking to you, Ethan. He won't be pleased to see you here with me," Susan replied honestly.
Ethan studied her for a moment. Susan continued, "I am not interested in marrying anyone for love. I only wish to leave this place and never look back."
âWhy donât you just run away?â Ethan suggested.
Susan said, âHow long can a woman remain alone without the protection of a strong man? The world respects power, not independence."
âWell, Susan, I am spoken of as the most eligible Bachelor in town,â Ethan said mockingly, his words dripping with pride. âWhy should I marry you?â
Susan's lips curled as she replied, âI do not care for your looks, Ethan, nor your money or anything else others might want. Frankly, I only see you as an escape." She explained. âThis will be your way out of your problem with your grandfather. A win-win situation for both of us.â
"Is that so?" Ethan said, intrigued. "It isn't hard for me to find an actress to play the role of my wife."
"If it were so easy, you would have done so already," Susan countered, seeing through his bluff. "Your grandfather is toying with you. Present me to him as your bride, and the tables would turn.â
Ethan smirked. "I can't wait to see my grandfatherâs reaction when he has to bless you by kissing your forehead. He knows everything about whatâs happening in Drew Corporation and your fallen status in the company. It'll be priceless to watch him squirm like that."
âSo?â Susan said, âShould I consider it a deal?â
Ethan watched her for a moment before responding. "Meet me at a restaurant tomorrow. Iâll text you the details. We will further discuss this there, and then I will give you my answer."
Not long after Susan sat with Helen in a quieter corner of the venue.
Helen pushed two glasses across the table, the ice clinking softly.
âDrink,â she said firmly. âDoctorâs orders.â
Susan stared at the amber liquid like it might bite her.
âI donât need alcohol.â
âThatâs what everyone says right before they do,â Helen replied, already lifting her own glass. â
Susan gave a weak smile and took a sip. The burn slid down her throat, warm and sharp.
Helen leaned back, crossing her arms. âSo Jacobâs Cousin?.â
Susan nearly choked.
âWhat about him?â she asked, too quickly.
Helen squinted. âYou didnât even deny it. Interesting.â
âThereâs nothing to deny,â Susan said, setting the glass down carefully. âWe just⌠talked.â
âUh-huh. People donât look like theyâre about to flee a crime scene after âjust talking.ââ Helen tilted her head. âAlso, he has the kind of face men are born with when the universe is unfair.â
Susan snorted despite herself.
âHeâs not that handsome.â
âOh, come on,â Helen scoffed. âHeâs tall, broad-shouldered, and looks like he hasnât smiled since childhood trauma. Thatâs prime market value.â
Susan laughed softly, then fell quiet.
Helen noticed immediately.
Helen sighed sympathetically.
âDonât think about him. Honestly, now that Iâve seen him properly, heâs not even that handsome. And heâs way too tall.â
She rambled on, trying to distract her.
Suddenly, Susan shook her head
âNo,â she said softly. âHe wants to meet me tomorrow. He wants to talk about the terms of our marriage.â
Helen frozeâthen burst into laughter.
âCongratulations! Youâll be Jacobâs cousin-in-law.â
Susan blinked, finally snapping back to reality.
âDo you⌠do you think heâll really marry me?â she asked softly.
Helen pinched her cheek.
âWhy wouldnât he? If I were a man, Iâd fall in love with you at first sight. Come onâletâs go to my place and escape from here
The following morning, at Helen's house.
Susan, who was deep asleep, was woken by the noise outside.
Just as she opened her eyes, she saw Jacob opening the door and striding into her room.
Helen, who followed him into the room, roared. âThis is my house! Youâre basically invading my home!â
âSure enough, youâre here.â Jacob stared keenly at Susan, who had bloodshot eyes and slightly messy hair.
Susan became wide awake at that moment, her eyes expressing dejection.
âThe two of you should have a good chat. It hasnât been easy being together for so many years.â After some thought, Helen turned around and left, closing the door behind her.
The room was silent. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Jacob stretched out his hand to touch her hair.
With a scornful look, Susan dodged away from his hand. âDoes Sophia know that youâre here?â
Jacobâs handsome face froze, then he clenched his fist. . âSusan, you know that the Drew family has decided to give Sophia 80 percent of the companyâs shares.â
âI donât believe anything you say anymore, Jacob. Just like your messages, you wanted me at the wedding gown fitting. But even that was meant for Sophia, right?â
Jacob gripped her hands. âThis is just temporary. As you know, my dad has an illegitimate son. If I donât do this, I wouldnât even be able to compete. Susan, I just want to provide you with a good life.â
âBullsh*t.â
Susan snatched her hand out of his grasp and threw insults at him. âYouâre only 25 years old. Even if you donât get any inheritance from your family, canât you just start your own business?â
âYouâre too naive.â
Jacob stood up slowly, hiding the emotions in his eyes. He said helplessly, âItâs not in our power to choose certain things due to our background.â
Susan looked cold without uttering a word as she found it unreasonable.
Amid the silence, Jacob sighed softly. âGive me a few years, Susan. Youâre still young. You can afford to wait.â
Susan nearly went mad.
How dare he say such things in a self-righteous manner, when he only wanted to make her keep her youth for him?
âYouâre treating me as a fool, arenât you? Youâve chosen to be engaged to Sophia for the âsakeâ of your career. Who knows whether youâll marry âmeâ a few years later? Please get out of my face. I donât want to see you anymore!âJacobâs expression remained calm, but his eyes revealed a deep affection and an unmistakable longing.
âTime will show my love for you. You can be upset with me, but donât go out and drown your sorrows with alcohol. Itâs not good for your health.â
Since Susan was not going along with what he said, he merely advised her before he turned around and left.
Upon hearing the door shut, Susan flung a pillow to the wall with reddened eyes, and spent a few seconds sitting still. After that, she frantically put on her shirt and dashed out.
âHeâs left. Whatâs the point of going after him?â Helen quickly stopped her.
Susan took a deep breath, then gnashed her teeth. âI agreed to meet Ethan at 10 a.m. âYou actually believe him?â Helen asked.
âDidnât you say you believed him last night?â Susan was confused at Helenâs question.Susan shot her a frustrated look. â
Helen laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of her head. âThatâs just because I drank too much last night.â
âWhat if heâs serious about it?â Susan snapped, pushing Helen aside as she bolted out of the apartment.
Susan flagged down a taxi, her heart pounding as she climbed in. âThe Drew family mansion,â she told the driver, her voice firm but tense.
Back at Drew Mansion, Susan rushed inside her room, brimming with anticipation as she got ready to meet Ethan. Suddenly, her eyes fell on the many documents her father had prepared for her after she came back from her business meeting in Paris.
She didnât feel the urge to open them until now.
A sudden wave of curiosity hit her, and she quickly opened one. Inside were documents like voting proxies for her company shares.
"Why would my father prepare such documents for me to sign?" she muttered, confused.
With growing unease, she ripped open the remaining packages, only to find documents she never could have imagined, not even in her darkest dreams: an agreement that strips her of all assets, contracts giving Sophia power of attorney over her affairs, and papers removing her from her father's company board.
"Perhaps this was their plan after grandpa died," she whispered to herself.
Her thoughts drifted to the things he had quietly given herânever loudly, never for show. He had sent her abroad for her first independent project when no one else trusted her. He had insisted she attend negotiations instead of being kept on the sidelines. And on her twenty-first birthday, he had gifted her a small but decisive share in the company, telling her it was âfor when you need to stand on your own.â
As long as he was alive, she had never felt expendable.
Now heâs gone.
Susanâs father was hinting at his perversions, making her sign these documents without offering an explanation.
âTill now, I was blindly signing the documents offered by him, thinking that he was only building a safe nest for me.â She gulped down the sorrow.
âHeâs planning to hurt me, rip me off my powers in the company. All for Sophia?â She sighed deeply. âI must get a marriage contract with Ethan done soon. He is my only way out of this impending misery.â
Once they sign the marriage contract, Susan would automatically gain the power to compete with Drew Corporation head-on and take revenge. She couldnât wait for her life to change.
At the same time, Ethan waited at the restaurant, seated in a private room he had reserved. His gaze lingered on the door, expecting Susan.
Instead, Felix, his secretary, walked in.
"Sir, your drink is here."
Ethan turned.
"Should I place an order for your guests?" Felix asked.
"I'm honestly not sure. I hope a woman won't turn down my invitation," Ethan said anxiously.
"A woman visiting?" Felix said, surprised.
Ethan frowned. "Not any random woman. She might become my wife."
"W-What?" Felix said, surprised.
Ethan stared at him unamused. "Why are you acting like it's such a surprise I would get a wife?"
Felix recollected himself. "Your exact words when your grandfather suggested you marry were, 'I am never fu***ng getting married. I would rather jump from the roof and die.' Maybe I misinterpreted those words. I apologize."
"Felix, I am not interested in marriage, but the woman I met last night was intriguing. A perfect way to p**s off my grandfather and ward off some people from around me."
"I do not understand," Felix said.
"It will be self-explanatory if she arrives today. Check at the entrance if a Drew steps in, bring her to me," Ethan added.
"Drew? Please tell me itâs not Sophia!" Felix asked softly.
"No, the other daughter. Sophia Drew is the elder one," Ethan said.
"Thank goodness," Felix sighed in relief.
"You are aware of the rumors concerning Susan, right?" Ethan asked.
"Anyone is better than Sophia in my book. If Sophia were to become your wife, I would jump out of the window and die.â
Ethan chuckled on hearing this.
Felix added, âI have never seen her approach men except for business pursuits. I am not so sure she will arrive for such an arrangement.â
âFelix,â Ethan said coldly, âStart preparing to bankrupt the Drew Corporation. If that woman doesnât show up⌠I want them to bleed in the market.â
âUnderstood, Sir,â Felix replied calmly. âIâll deploy our finance team to California. They wonât even see it coming.â
Back at the Drew Mansion, just as Susan was about to leave, she was stopped by her father, Noah Drew.
"Susan," Noah said, inching closer. "Can you tell me what happened between you and Ethan last night? My associate saw you guys together at the bar.
You know you shouldnât talk about our company matters with him. That man is not to be trusted."
"What did you talk about?"
Susan kept her head down.â Nothing much, he was just offering me a drink.â
"Still, you shouldnât have interacted with him. What if you leaked some details about our business in the process?" Noah scolded.
"I'm sorry, Father," Susan replied.
Then she remembered that she needed to meet Ethan. She said, âDad, I have to meet someone for our next project. Iâm leaving.â
âOkay, Susan,â Noah agreed, âPromise me that you will help your sister sail through company processes easily. She has already been through a lot."
"I promise," Susan rolled her eyes, frustration bubbling up.
Susan excitedly drove the car to the restaurant that Ethan had mentioned in a message. She entered the restaurant and scanned through it, awestruck by its grandeur.
"Good morning. I have a reservation under the name, um, Ethan?," she asked the restaurant manager at the entrance.
The restaurant manager checked his book of reservations and said, "Please follow me, Miss."
After a moment, she came in front of a private room where Felix stood waiting for her.
"Welcome, Miss Susan Drew. Mr. Ethan is expecting you," Felix greeted her.
"Good morning. It's nice to meet you," Susan said, offering a handshake.
Felix shook her hand happily. "Please enter this door."
"He is waiting for you," Felix said, knocking on the door and opening it for Susan.
The door closed behind her, and she felt her heart skip a beat.
"I wasn't expecting you to show up, but now that you did, please have a seat," Ethan said, sitting at his desk, watching her every move.
"I don't make false promises in business. I show up when I say I will." Susan responded without thinking.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before amusement settled in.
His next question stunned her, "Did you inform Mr. Drew about our meeting?â
Susan sat down, carefully considering her words. "I am not working with my father. He would never let me meet with a man like you, whether in private or public. He'd call me a traitor for even striking a deal with another family."
"Does your father hate you?" Ethan asked bluntly.
Susan hesitated before answering. "I donât think he hates me. He is just more protective of Sophia than me."
"Itâs a parentâs job to love and protect all their children equally, no matter what. Itâs a shame you were born a Drewsâ daughter," Ethan remarked.
âTell me something, I know you have conquered the world. But how the hell did you end up so powerless in your own family business? Whatever youâre hiding, itâs because youâre a Drewsâ daughter, right? High society is quite competitive," Ethan interrupted.
"Yes," Susan admitted.
"Someone must have been really jealous of your success, Susan. Anyway, letâs get to the point now! Letâs say I believe this marriage is all your planning, and your father isnât involved. Why would someone like me, whoâs lived in hiding, want to marry someone like you in the spotlight?"
"Truthfully, I never pictured someone as grand as you to come across when I was thinking about an escape plan. I thought weâd be a good match considering your family status and the connection to my family. Iâve considered two things about you: First, youâre private, so I wouldnât need to mingle much; and second, given your status, you can control my family," Susan explained.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "I like to keep to myself, but there are parties I must attend. Am I to show up without my wife? It would be boring if you hid all the time."
"You misunderstand, Ethan. I never hide because I want to. My priorities have been business meetings rather than socialising with the fishwives of friction. Iâd love to go out, attend parties, and dance. I have a lot of experience and confidence to mingle with the whoâs who of town," Susan said earnestly.
Ethan hummed thoughtfully. "A week ago, I wouldnât have entertained this conversation, but now, Iâm in the mood to play games." He placed a piece of paper on the table.
âWhat is this?â
Susan asked as she looked at the paper with a large W Corporation logo in the corner. W? Susan thought, âWhat does that stand for?â
âA contract marriage needs to have rules and conditions, right?â Ethan pushed the paper and a pen toward her.
"No love shall be the first condition. It wonât be a problem on my end." Susan spoke first.
"I hope you stay like this until the end," Ethan replied.
"Youâre not my type, Ethan," Susan said bluntly.
"Oh, so there is a type?" Ethan mused.
"Of course! I was quite in demand back then. Iâve seen rich and handsome men lurking around me. What should the second condition be?" Susan asked.
"My second condition: Speak of this to no one besides my secretary, Felix. Heâll be a shield for you in dangerous times.
"I must ask that I keep working in Drew Corporation till I can," Susan said.
"Thatâs your business. Do as you wish,â Ethan said.
Susan continued with the next condition, âThird, we must sleep in the same room.â
He paused and looked at Susanâs face. âWhy are you surprised? Did you think I wouldnât sleep with my husband?" she asked.
Ethan rolled his eyes. "I donât think thatâs necessary."
"Everyone does it. Young or old," Susan said brazenly.
"How young?" Ethan asked, misunderstanding.
Susan smirked. "Sleeping, Ethan. I was referring to just sleeping. But if you wish for something more."
"No! We will sleep in separate bedrooms," Ethan said quickly, embarrassed.
Susan asked, "Fine! Is there anything else?"
"No, weâve covered the basics. Anything else can be handled with communication. Sign it," Ethan said.
"Donât you want to add a punishment for breaking the contract? We havenât set a timeline either," Susan pointed out.
"The main thing is not to tell others about it. If it gets out, itâll hurt you more than me. Lastly, weâll be married for a few years. Add that to the contract," Ethan said. A thought popped into his mind; a few years might be enough to destroy everything the Drews have.
"For a few years?" Susan muttered in disbelief.
"This is nothing more than a contract marriage. Weâll stay together for a few years, and if it doesnât work out, we'll part ways. Donât worry, Iâll make sure youâre well compensated. Youâll have more than enough to live comfortably for the rest of your life," Ethan said with a grin.
"At some point, youâll need an heir," Susan said, doubt creeping in.
"No, I donât need one and if at all I need one, we will prepare a separate contract for that. All the conditions will be different then." Ethan was stunned at how bold her demands were.
"Do you mind me having your child?" Susan asked with a smirk.
"That's not what either of us signed up for. Let's stay focused on what this partnership actually is." Ethan said.
Susan nodded. "Cool, we can carry on with the contract, Ethan." She started to sign her name.
Susan was finally relieved that she was in safe hands.
âSure, heâs cold and mean, but heâs not heartless,â Susan thought. A flicker of determination crossed her face. âI can definitely make him fall for me.â
Her dreamland was interrupted by Ethanâs cold voice. "Iâll hide the contract somewhere safe. And, your father, mother, and sister wonât gain entry to my home or my company after weâre married," Ethan said bluntly.
"Done. I look forward to being married to you," Susan replied. "I must leave now."
"Okay. See you tomorrow at the wedding hall at 10 a.m.. Donât forget to carry your birth certificate," Ethan said, standing.
Susan turned to face Ethan one last time. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely steady.
Ethan gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable.
As Susan stepped out of the private room, she felt a mix of fear and determination flooding through her. âTomorrow. I'm really doing this. I am marrying Jacobâs Cousin! Yes! I am getting out of that hell! That gloomy Drew mansion!
Susan sped off in her car, her mind still spinning. She was going to be the daughter-in-law of one of the most powerful families in California's elite business circles and when her family found out, theyâd be furious!
Especially Sophia, who wanted everything she owned!
And then there was the abominable Jacob Smith.
âHe is probably already making plans to torment me, ripping me off of all the powers from the Drew Corporation and snatching the percentage of whatever shares I hold in that company,â she thought. âThey might retaliate once they learn about this new development with Ethan."
She could not help but feel anxious about the next day. Her life was in the hands of the powerful Ethan, and she hoped he would free her from her home and help her get her revenge. One thing was sure, after tomorrow, nothing would ever be the same!
The next morning, Susan was jolted awake from a deep sleep by the sound of violent banging on her door.
"Open the door, you bitch! Vile creature! Shameless slut!"
She froze, shocked by the words hurled from outside.
It was her mother and sister.
âWhy are they shouting at me?â Susan wondered in alarm. âDid they find out about the contract?â
Before she could move, the door burst open. They stormed inside.
"How dare you roam around in this mansion like a desperate bitch!" Sophia shouted.
"Sophia, what are you talking about?" Susan asked, panicked.
Her mother swung her arm. A loud slap cracked across Susanâs left cheek, making her stumble back, lightheaded.
âDon't ever call me your mother.â
Her mother yanked her by the hair and dragged her out of bed, still in her nightdress. Then, she slapped and shouted at her as she stood there, confused and trying to defend herself.
Maids gathered outside the door, drawn by the noise. Noah arrived last.
âWhat is going on here?â he demanded.
âThis daughter of yours is nothing but a walking scandal,â her mother hissed. âI warned you to get rid of her before she drags this family through more shame!â
âHow could you speak of me like that, Mom!â Susan shouted. âStop spreading lies and rumors!â
âRumors?â her mother shouted. âDonât play innocent. The maid saw you sneaking into Jacobâs room at night.â
Susanâs face froze. âWhat? Thatâs not true! I would neverâŚâ
Her mother motioned to the side, and a nervous maid stepped forward.
Sophia gently said, âGo on. Tell them what you saw.â
âI saw Ms. Susan going in and out of Mr. Jacobâs room⌠several nights.â
"Liar! She's lying, Dad!" Susan, now on her knees, crawled closer to her father.
Noah turned toward the corner of the room. Susan and the others followed his gaze.
There stood Jacob.
With a sorrowful, whimpering voice, Jacob said, âForgive me, Mr. Drew⌠but she forced me to be her s*x slave since she returned from Paris. I tried to refuse her, but she threatened to ruin my engagement with Sophia if I didn't comply. I had no choice but to submit to her demands.â
âDad, theyâre lying. This is all fabricated!â
Her mother stepped forward and slapped Susan hard across the face, sending her crashing to the floor, numb with shock.
âEnough,â her father finally shouted.
âYou canât stay here anymore. Youâve proven to be a shame. You are a threat to our family before your sisterâs marriage.â
âDad, please, donât.â Susan pleaded to deaf ears.
At Noahâs command, everyone retreated from the room.
Her mother and her sister were the last to leave, their eyes cold as they stared at Susan, who was struggling to stay on her feet.
âWhere will I go?â Susan pleaded, her voice shaking.
Sophia smirked. âYou think this is the worst thing that could happen to you? Oh, darling, I have far worse planned.â
With that, she turned and walked out with her mother.
Susan sank to her knees.
âI knew no one would believe me,â She thought. âAnd I donât have much time to argue with these idiots. The wedding. Ethan must be on his way. I will deal with my family later. Ethan is the most important person to me today. Heâll be waiting for me at the entrance of the wedding hall. I should not be late!â
Susan quickly hid her birth certificate in her purse and changed into a decent outfit. Then, she called for a cab and left for the wedding hall.
On the way, Susan thought about everything she had left behind, and when things had begun to change.
After her grandfather passed, the house was never the same. The warmth disappeared. The people inside it changed. He had been the only one who made her feel safe there, and without him, it stopped feeling like home.
She decided not to look back. Instead, she fixed her eyes on the life she was about to begin with Ethan.
He was still a stranger. She didn't know his habits, his past, or what kind of husband he would be. But something about him felt familiar. Steady. Unexpectedly reassuring.
Then the taxi slowed.
Susan leaned forward, fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. Cars inched along, horns sounding somewhere behind her. She glanced out the window, then at the road ahead.
Not now.
She checked the time once, then forced herself to stop. Checking again wouldn't make the cars move.
"What's going on?" she asked the driver.
"Morning rush," he said. "We'll get there."
Susan nodded, but her chest felt tight. What if she was late? What if he had already come and gone? She hadn't asked Ethan how long he would wait. She had simply assumed he would be there, because he said he would.
The taxi picked up speed.
Susan exhaled slowly. She had already chosen this. Turning back wasn't an option.
Then the car slowed again and stopped.
"We're here," the driver said.
Susan got out quickly and paid, barely waiting for her change. The Recorder's Office loomed ahead, people moving in and out calmly, as if it were just another ordinary morning.
She hesitated.
Oh God. What if he's not there anymore? What if he didn't wait?
She looked down at herself. Rumpled clothes. Red eyes. No bouquet. No witnesses.
Would he even recognize her as his bride?
Susan pushed the thought aside and walked in.
Inside, footsteps echoed off the floor. Papers shuffled. Clerks spoke in low voices. Everyone else seemed prepared. Certain.
Susan wasn't.
She moved through the hall quickly, scanning faces she didn't know, her heartbeat loud in her ears. Near the registration counter, she stopped and took a breath.
Is he here?
Is Susan running out of time? Will Ethan be waiting, or was she holding on to a hope that was never real?
Follow every twist and turn of Susan's story in Twist of Love and Revenge, available exclusively on the Pocket FM app.
