Chapter 2

Estelle held her breath. Tears swirled in her eyes as she stared fixedly at Alison, who was towering over her. Estelle was once doted on by her family like a princess. Her brothers always gave her the best, while her mother, Aurora Green, showered her with unconditional love. At that time, she felt like she was the happiest person on earth. But later on, everything changed. Aurora's family had a history of hereditary cancer. After finding out that she had cancer, Aurora insisted on bringing her baby—Estelle—to term. That caused her condition to worsen, and she passed away when Estelle was five years old. After that, Estelle's brothers resented and hated her for causing Aurora's death. After Alison came into the Sawford family, they became biased toward her. Even her father, Bobby Sawford, disliked her and prioritized Alison in everything. She had to give up clothes, jewelry, and even her man just because Alison liked them. But those were her family members. At that time, Dillon was the only one who looked after her like an older brother ever since she was young. Because of him, Estelle experienced what it was like to be loved and cared for. Even after Dillon gradually sided with Alison and became her boyfriend, he still treated her very well. She loved him, which was why she was willing to marry him despite the criticisms that were directed at her. However, the affection between them was mercilessly destroyed on that night three years ago. Even so, a cunning woman like Alison had no right to insult her family, let alone mock her. Estelle forced herself to climb to her feet and stand up straight. Looking at Alison with a sarcastic smirk on her face, she said, "Before this, I was Dillon's wife while you were just a secret lover. Why are you being so smug? "You are just a pitiful woman who relied on my family's financial support. Did you really think you were one of us Sawfords? "Did you think that you could take my place by playing some tricks? Whether your calculated plot involves my family or Dillon, all you deserve is to live under my shadow. "Do you understand me?" After saying that, Estelle turned around and walked off, oblivious to the resentful gaze coming from Alison behind her. … As Estelle sat in the cab, everything that happened between her and Dillon the past three years flashed through her mind. Yet, not a single thing was worth remembering. In this marriage, all she received was endless hurt and neglect. Dillon should not be at the endpoint of her life. As she dragged her feet into Dillon's place, an intense fragrance of roses wafted up her nose. She covered her nose and mouth instinctively, and her nose started to itch. Before her eyes was a massive bed of blooming and bright-colored roses, swaying gently in the wind. How beautiful. Nonetheless, to Estelle, this was life-threatening poison. Though, it probably didn't really matter anymore since she was about to die anyway. She bent forward to touch the beautiful roses but found her finger being cut by a sharp thorn instead. A drop of bright red blood dripped onto the ground. Sorrow welled up in her heart. As expected, she'd have to pay the price even for getting close to something that did not belong to her. Dillon had planted this bed of roses for Alison just because she liked it. Estelle once protested and requested him not to plant the flowers by explaining to him that she could die from her allergy to pollen. But Dillon's reply was, "You could just get the hell out of here, then." The alluring flowers before her eyes reminded her of her inferiority and her wounded pride in this marriage. It became more and more difficult for her to breathe. She shut her eyes momentarily before finally turning around and stepping away. She turned the dial on the safe in the room. In the safe was a divorce agreement. Three years ago, with a heart full of delight, nervousness, and anticipation, she waited to spend her wedding night with Dillon. Yet, what she received was not love and tenderness from him. Instead, it was a divorce agreement. With her trembling hands, Estelle retrieved the agreement from the safe. There was a slight tremor in the paper as she held onto it. Dissatisfaction, grievance, and pain… All sorts of conflicted emotions interweaved with one another. But more than that, she felt a sense of relief and liberation. She decided to let go and end this marriage that had happened by mistake. Right at this moment, she heard a click, and the door flung open. Dillon staggered into the room, smelling very much like alcohol. "You drank—" Estelle stood up. Just as she was about to speak, he strode to her all of a sudden, pulled her into his arms, and started smooching her with great passion and dominance. "Why, you—" Estelle widened her eyes. After coming back to her senses, she tried her very best to push him away. However, his strength was shocking. Holding her by her waist, he pinned her down onto the bed. As he planted kisses around her neck, the heat made Estelle quiver all over. "We can't. Dillon, open your eyes. You're drunk!" Urgently, Estelle cried out, "Calm down!" Dillon heaved as he touched every inch of her supple skin. The temperature in the room continued to rise. He titillated Estelle till she was panting, and an uncomfortable moan escaped her lips. An amorous air filled the room as the atmosphere around them tensed up. "Al…" Just as they were about to lose control, Estelle heard the word that Dillon mumbled through his lips. Her entire body went cold. As expected, he thought she was someone else. Even at a time like this, it was Alison's name he called out. Estelle's lips quivered as the flush on her cheeks drained from her face, leaving her looking pale and hopeless. "Dillon." She pushed hard against Dillon's chest. "Take a good look at me. I'm not Alison!" He grabbed onto her resisting hands and pinned them down onto the bed. Then, he slipped his fingers slowly between hers. "Stay still. Be good." "No." Estelle failed to resist him. He ended up overpowering her, and she found herself absorbed into yet another heartbreaking night.