Chapter 1
After finalizing the terms of the arrangement, I returned home alone.
As soon as I approached the door, I heard a heated argument coming from inside.
Ever since my father passed away and both the White and Kingston families fell from grace, arguments had become
a constant in our home. At the root of it all, it was always about money.
I pushed the door open, ready to tell them the problem had been resolved.
But before I could speak, I was met with a harsh slap from my brother, Aiden White.
“Emily, how could you be so selfish? To protect your own wealth and status, you forced Sunny to become Tobias Johnson’s mistress!”
“The Johnsons are sworn enemies of the Whites, and Tobias is infamous for being ruthless and unpredictable. How could Sunny ever have a good life with him?”
I knew that Tobias had demanded a daughter from the White family to be his mistress for three years as a form of
revenge.
And I also knew that Aiden and Stephen Kingston would never let Sunny Mason take on such a role.
So, I made the decision for them.
Just as I was about to explain, Sunny tugged at Aiden’s sleeve and said, “It’s okay, Aiden. I’m doing this for the White family. Besides, if I don’t agree, Emily will just push me into the pool again…”
“What?” Aiden’s voice rose. “Emily, you’ve gone too far! It’s bad enough that you lie, manipulate, and bully Sunny, but now you’ve stooped to such a cruel act? Looks like you really need to be taught a lesson!”
Aiden and Stephen exchanged a glance before striding toward me.
Both of them were too angry to hear any of my explanations.
They roughly dragged me to the edge of the pool and shoved me in without hesitation.
I struggled several times to resurface, but my head was forcibly pushed down, leaving me helpless as the icy water
rushed into my nose and ears.
Over and over, I fought against the water, but my consciousness began to blur.
In my daze, I seemed to recall the first time I learned to swim.
It was also in this pool. Aiden and Stephen were by my side, one on each side, protecting me.
Back then, I only choked on a bit of water, and yet their eyes reddened with worry.
18:45
I Survived the Wedding from Hell: Now It’s My Time to Shine
43.8%
Chapter 1
I remembered Stephen’s words to me then:
“Emily, you were born to live a life of happiness.”
“Before marriage, you’re the only young lady of the White family. After marriage, you’ll be the only wife of the Kingston family. As long as we’re here, you’ll never suffer a single hardship in your life.”
But this time, they didn’t let me go until I was on the verge of suffocating and passing out.
Enduring the excruciating pain, I lifted my head, only to see them comforting Sunny Mason, their arms wrapped around her.
“Don’t worry, Sunny,” Aiden said, his voice filled with tenderness. “You’ve made such a huge sacrifice for the White family. We won’t let Emily bully you anymore. Once you return from Tobias Johnson, I’ll marry you in a grand
ceremony!”
“That’s right,” Stephen Kingston added. “I’ll make sure you get Emily’s share of the dowry too. It’s what she owes
you.”
Looking at the three of them, so close and intimate, I swallowed the bitterness and unspoken words in my heart.
Whether I spoke or not, it didn’t matter anymore. No one would listen, and no one would believe me.
I climbed out of the pool, my entire body drenched and trembling in the cold wind.
But my heart was colder than my body.
Stephen seemed to notice something was off. A hint of guilt flickered in his eyes as he took off his coat and started walking toward me.
But after just a few steps, Sunny suddenly sneezed.
Stephen immediately turned around and draped the coat over Sunny’s shoulders, taking her hands into his to warm
them.
Aiden, equally concerned, instructed Nanny Lexi to prepare ginger tea for her.
I let out a bitter laugh, enduring the discomfort as I walked back to my room alone to change out of my wet clothes.
Much later, Stephen came into my room carrying a bowl of ginger tea that had already gone cold.
“Emily,” he began, his tone soft but firm, “I know you’re my childhood sweetheart and my fiancée, but Sunny did this for you…”
“I’m willing to let you stay by my side, but the title of Mrs. Kingston will only ever belong to Sunny. It’s wi
her.”
I looked at the man who once vowed to love me for a lifetime and felt nothing but mockery in my heart.
Becoming Tobias Johnson’s mistress was to secure the White family’s safety and repay the debt of being raised by
we
44 10%
Chapter 1
them.
But what would becoming Stephen Kingston’s mistress be for?
Love?
The bond we shared as childhood sweethearts had vanished the moment he chose Sunny over me.
Swallowing my humiliation, I pointed to the door and coldly told him to get out.
Stephen didn’t move, but Sunny walked in with a cheerful smile.
“Emily, are you still upset? Aiden and Stephen only lashed out at you in a moment of anger to stand up for me. We’re family. Why hold grudges like this?”
“Let me feed you the ginger tea. You don’t want to catch a cold, do you?”
Sunny suddenly reached for the spoon, and as I dodged her hand, a few drops of the tea splashed onto her skin.
Her eyes immediately turned red as she looked at me pitifully.
“Emily, do you hate me that much? I know I’m just the daughter of a driver and not worthy of being the White family’s adopted daughter.”
“But I’ll be leaving soon. I won’t threaten your place in Aiden’s or Stephen’s hearts. Why do you have to make things so difficult for me?”
“Emily, when will this end?” Stephen’s voice grew sharp. “Sunny has suffered enough. Why can’t you just leave her alone?”
Stephen Kingston shoved me aside with a forceful push.
Caught off balance, I fell to the floor, my hand landing directly on shattered porcelain shards. The sharp edges pierced my skin, and blood began dripping onto the ground.
Stephen didn’t spare me a single glance.
Together with Aiden, he supported Sunny Mason as they tended to an imaginary burn.
My hand bled steadily, crimson drops falling to the floor.
When I looked up, I saw my mother standing at the top of the staircase, her face clouded with anger.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2