Contract Marriage With The Illegitimate Heir

Chapter 5

SARAPHINA'S POV

I stood outside the wedding hall, my heart racing as I tried to prepare myself for what was coming.

Looking at the building —the same one I once dreamed of marrying Lucien in—made my chest hurt. I didn't want to think about it, but the memories kept coming. I had pictured a future with him, and now it felt like all that was gone. The pain was too much.

I tilted my head up to the sky, hoping the tears wouldn't fall. "Come on, Saraphina. Not now." I whispered, fanning my face with my hand.

I took a deep breath, gave myself a quick pep talk, and walked into the hall. My steps felt heavy.

I didn't expect the place to be so crowded or for reporters to be there. Fear gripped me. Even though I wore a mask, I was scared someone might recognize me.

I spotted an empty seat at the back and headed toward it. But as I walked, I heard whispers and saw people staring.

"She's the bride's stepsister, Saraphina Quinn."

"I'd know her anywhere, even with that mask."

"How could she show up here after everything? She's so shameless."

"She was supposed to marry the groom, but she cheated and stole money from her dad's company, now they've all abandoned her, and I can't blame them, who would want to be with someone like her?"

Their words cut deep, but I forced myself to ignore them. I reached the seat and was about to sit when a woman stood up and blocked me.

"Don't sit here, you disgusting slut! Go somewhere else!" She shouted. "And what's with the mask? Trying to hide your face? Let everyone see how shameless you are." Then she grabbed my mask and pulled it off.

I gasped, my eyes widening with shock. I tried taking the mask back, but the woman refused giving it back to me. "Please, I don't want any trouble." I begged.

The woman scoffed. "I doubt that, otherwise you wouldn't have dared to show your face here. I bet you've come to ruin your sister's wedding, slut!" She spat, her voice full of hate.

I turned to leave, but reporters were already behind me. As soon as they saw my face, they started snapping pictures. I raised my hand to block my face and tried to push through the crowd, but they wouldn't let me pass. They shouted questions, and the guests hurled insults.

"Enough!" A familiar voice shouted, loud and firm. The room went silent. Even the reporters stopped.

I lowered my hand and saw my father standing in front of me. For a moment, I saw pain in his eyes, but it disappeared quickly, replaced by a cold, hard look.

He stepped closer and slapped me across the face. "How dare you come here, Saraphina? Didn't I tell you never to show your face to me again? Are you here to ruin your sister's wedding?"

Tears streamed down my cheeks. "No, Dad. I—"

"Enough!" He snapped. "Don't call me that. You're no daughter of mine. Leave now before you cause more trouble."

I looked around for Ciara. When I saw her, I pushed through the crowd and ran to her, grabbing both her hands. "Please, Ciara. You promised me. I'm here now, tell Dad the truth. Please!"

Ciara pulled her hand away. "What are you talking about, Saraphina? Let go. I don't know what you mean. I don't even know why you're here."

My knees felt weak. Her words hit me like a punch. "W...what? You invited me. You said you'd talk to Dad for me. Why are you pretending now? Why are you doing this to me?" I cried, my voice breaking with pain.

I grabbed Ciara's arm tightly, shaking her as I begged her to tell the truth.

"Let go of my daughter!" I heard Vivienne's voice, my stepmother. She shoved me hard, then slapped me across the face. "How dare you touch my daughter with those filthy hands of yours?" She snapped.

"Haven't you done enough, Saraphina? No one wants you here. Why did you come? Do you think showing up will change anything? That Lucien will take you back, or your father will forgive you?" She scoffed. "Isn't it too late for regrets now, Saraphina? Leave now, or I'll have you dragged out."

I looked at Ciara and saw a sly smirk on her lips. That's when it hit me. This was her plan all along. She had invited me just to humiliate me. Susan was right. I had walked straight into her trap.

I turned and looked around. Every face in the room was filled with judgment and disgust. I knew this moment would haunt me forever.

How could I have been so foolish?

I turned and ran out of the hall, tears streaming down my face. I didn't look back.

Just as I reached outside, I bumped into someone. I nearly fell, but two strong hands caught me around the waist, holding me steady.

I looked up, breathless and shaken, and met a pair of striking green eyes staring back at me.

The man holding me had a sharp jawline and a perfectly straight nose. His skin was smooth, his dark hair slightly tousled, and his gaze steady, calm. He looked like someone carved out of quiet strength.

For a moment, I forgot everything—the crowd, the pain, the humiliation.

Then his voice pulled me back to reality.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice deep and warm, like something solid to hold onto.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, quickly stepping back from him.

I turned to leave, but he reached out and grabbed my hand, stopping me in my tracks. I looked at him, confused.

"You're Saraphina, right? Saraphina Quinn?" He asked.

"H...how do you know who I am?" I replied, instantly feeling foolish. Of course he knew. I'd been all over the news.

As if reading my thoughts, he spoke again. "Don't worry. I mean you no harm, that I can assure you."

I glanced down at his hand still holding mine. He noticed and let go.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice guarded.

"I'm Cassian Vale. Lucien's stepbrother. I know we've just met, but I'd like you to come with me. I have an offer for you, Saraphina."

"Cassian Vale?" I repeated. I'd heard of him—Lucien's stepbrother who'd been away for years. But what could he possibly want with me? And what kind of offer?

It didn't matter. I wasn't trusting a Vale again. Once bitten, twice shy.

"I'm sorry." I said firmly. "But I want nothing to do with a Vale. I barely know you, and even if I did. I still wouldn't want anything to do with you."

I turned to leave, but Cassian grabbed my hand again.

"You'll want to hear what I have to say, Saraphina. Just come with me. I promise I can help you fix things."

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you know about me, Cassian? And what exactly do you think you can fix? You Vales are nothing but liars and betrayers. Why should I trust you?"

"If you're talking about my brother." He said calmly. "Then let me be clear—I'm nothing like him."

He held my gaze. "Come with me, Saraphina. I promise you'll want to hear this."

I took a deep breath. For a moment, I stared into his eyes, searching for something, anything to make me walk away. But all I saw was truth. And seriousness.

"Fine." I said slowly. "But you better not try anything stupid."

Cassian smirked. "This way."

He turned and began walking. I followed, unsure of what I was stepping into.

Unbeknownst to me, this meeting would mark the beginning of something new, something dangerous. A whole new chapter. And I wasn't even sure I was ready.