Chapter 2

Time simply flew past. A single rainstorm ushered in the fall weather. Alexia had just returned from visiting her mother in the hospital. The maids in the Vega residence were busy hanging up wedding decorations. She stood at the door, digging her fingernails into her palms. Fifteen days had swum by all too quickly. It was just like the blink of an eye. Tomorrow, she would be marrying Carter Walsh. She was going to be forced to marry someone a whopping 30 years older than her. 18 was supposed to be the perfect age. However, she'd lost her first time, her marriage, and her life. "Don't flatter yourself. All this is not for you. It's for me!" Hailey looked at her scornfully. "I'm getting married tomorrow, too!" Alexia frowned. She hadn't even heard of Hailey having a boyfriend. How could she be marrying so quickly, too? And on the same day as her? Hailey continued, "Aren't you curious to know who he is?" "No." Alexia was calm. Hailey wasn't mad at all. She smiled in glee. "What's the point of being cold? From today onward, I'll be the most respected woman in all of Airedale. If you're nice to me, you might make it out unscathed. If not, I'll banish you from the city!" She touched the necklace between the fabric of her clothes. It filled her with joy to think that her marriage to the Reeds was paid for with Alexia's virginity. Alexia ignored her and walked into the living room. When she saw Christine Jordan, her expression turned to shock. "Why are you here, Mom?" "Oh, child, why didn't you tell me that you were getting married? I only knew about it when your father called me," Christine reprimanded softly. Alexia's gaze grew cold. Bobby Vega was a monster. He was indirectly using her mother to threaten her. "You're in a weak condition right now, Mom. I didn't want to put a strain on you." Alexia squeezed out a smile, holding back her bitterness. Christine coughed weakly. "Silly child. Marriage is a big thing. How can I not come? I'd force myself to attend your wedding even if it's the last thing I get to do." Just when she said that, Bobby walked in. "Are Hailey's wedding gifts all prepared?" Maya pointed at the pile of gifts on the floor, smiling. "They're all here." Bobby swept a glance at it and frowned. "Nonsense. How is this enough? Go get some more!" "Got it. I'll get people to do it at once." Bobby would be willing to buy the moon as Hailey's wedding gift if she wanted. Meanwhile, no one cared about poor Alexia at all. Christine's eyes reddened as she took it all in. She held back the ache in her heart and asked, "Alexia, you'll need something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue as part of the wedding gift line-up. Have you gotten all those things?" Alexia didn't want her to worry. "Yes," she lied. "Let me have a look at them. If something's missing, we can still get something to replace it in time," Christine said. "Don't worry, Mom. It's all there." Alexia didn't want to talk about it. She changed the topic and said, "I'll take you out to eat something nice and send you back to the hospital." However, Christine's eyes were as dark as coal. "Your father never got you anything for the wedding, did he?" Alexia parted her lips to talk, but Christine's face had already turned to steel. Christine ran after Bobby to the second floor, entering his study. "Bobby Vega, how dare you only prepare Hailey's wedding gifts? What about Alexia? Have you forgotten that she's also your daughter?" Christine's eyes were bloodshot. "I'm not expecting you to give her a house or a car. But why can't you even get her a gift for her wedding?" There was a loud thud as Bobby set his coffee mug heavily on the table. "Is she even worth the trouble?" he asked coldly. Christine frowned. "What do you mean by that?" Maya was watching them. She smiled deviously and said, "She can't be compared to Hailey at all. Hailey is pure and innocent, and her marriage is untainted. Her husband is a wealthy millionaire. And as for Alexia, she's marrying a 50-year-old man. The Vegas are utterly humiliated. What would we prepare a wedding gift for? Oh, that's right. You haven't seen your future son-in-law, have you? I've got a photo of him right here. Take a look." Maya handed Christine a photograph of Carter Walsh. He was old, ugly, and bald. Christine felt a sharp pain in her chest, and she nearly passed out. With a bloodshot gaze, she said, "I would never let you two destroy my daughter like this. Not even when I'm buried in my grave!" It was no wonder that Alexia didn't tell her about the marriage. Maya glared at her in hatred. Then, she called out to the bodyguards. "Take her to the hospital and don't let her out of the room." The bodyguards forced Christine out of the house through the back door. She kicked and struggled, sobbing all the while. She cried so hard that the tears blurred her vision and her eyes swelled. Then, it was like she thought of something. She stopped struggling and took out her phone, dialing a number in it. A long while later, someone picked up. With uneven breaths, she said, "Please, sir. You must remember the promise you made to my father. I need your help right now, and you have to agree to it! Please, I'm begging you." … Alexia was still in her room. Christine hadn't come back. She went to the study quickly. Hearing her, Bobby glanced at her. "What?" "Where's my mother?" "She was feeling unwell, so your stepmother took her to the hospital." Alexia clenched her fists. "She doesn't have to. I'll do it." "You're going to be marrying someone tomorrow. You should pack up and rest. Don't worry about your mother." Bobby continued, "Your stepmother is also paying for the medical fees at the hospital. The remaining money and the kidney transplant will be done after your ceremony." This response satisfied Alexia. She prepared to leave. She didn't believe that Bobby and Maya were as kind as this, but since they still needed her to marry Carter, they would probably leave her mother alone for now. Bobby stared at her frail figure, feeling a rare sense of guilt. "Alexia, you're going to be an adult after your marriage. You should live happily with Carter. He may be a little old and ugly, but he's quite a good person, really." Alexia smiled and looked at him coldly. "Are you sure about that?" Bobby was at a loss for words. His embarrassment turned to rage, and he yelled, "Get the fuck out!" The next day, there was a merry scene at the Vega residence. Both of their daughters were getting married on the same day. The seats were filled up, and it was a lively sight. Alexia and Hailey both sat in front of their dressers, getting their bridal makeup done. "I always knew Hailey was a blessed girl. Congratulations on your marriage to the Reeds, darling. Don't forget your dear aunt, alright?" "That's right. It's a proud moment for the Vegas!" "Hailey is going to have such a good life. I'm so envious!" Their relatives and friends all surrounded Hailey, praising and buttering her up. Hailey was all smiles. She was beyond ecstatic. She basked in their praise, glancing at Alexia in disdain like an arrogant peacock. Alexia's expression was cold. It wasn't enough that people ignored her. They also pointed at her and talked behind her back. She hung her head expressionlessly. Maya walked in with two bowls of cookies. "Alexia, Hailey, eat this." Hailey turned up her nose at it. She didn't want them. "Oh, child! It's a family tradition to eat these cookies before you marry. These cookies are a symbol of the sweet, loving marriage that you'll have afterward. You have to eat it." Maya fed Hailey several cookies to the point where Hailey couldn't eat anymore. Then, Maya shoved one into Alexia's mouth carelessly. "The cars are here. The brides need to leave." Alexia and Hailey walked out of the house one after another. There were a dozen black luxury cars on the left. Meanwhile, there was a premium Rolls-Royce on the right. Carter walked over in a suit. His beer belly was so big that the buttons didn't even reach. Hailey and the guests snickered. Carter didn't seem to notice them. He held Alexia's hand with his greasy fingers. "You look so beautiful today, Alexia. It's almost time for the big moment. Let's go." Alexia resisted the urge to push him away. Numbly, she let him lead her toward the car.