Beneath His Heart

Chapter 2

April's pov

The engagement is going to happen in the Mapple venue.

As I stood there on one of the corners, I noticed my sister laughing and chatting with her friends from her time in England. During their visit to our home, they asked her who I was and if I was related to her. Her response was

" Nah, she is one of our servants. don't mind her, " she said and laughed along with them.

yeah, I'm like a servant to them.

I look at my reflection on the glass mirror of one of the decoration to the engagement. A pale-blue-eyed girl was staring back at me. She no longer has the same joy in her blue eyes as she did when she was younger, playing and laughing with her parents. Sadness now fills those eyes. I looked down at my hair. The brown one I received from my mother. My face look plain without makeup, and I detest that aspect of it. I detest makeup. My face is quite chuppy, not like my sister, who has perfect jaws, and she looks like a model, and she is a model. I , on the other hand, I'm curvy. she has many boyfriends when we were young till she met her current fiance. That's what I heard from Jayson.

Jayson, my only true friend, now works as a personal assistant at Nicholas Corporation. We met in college, where he became my rock during some of the hardest years of my life. I juggled multiple part-time jobs just to afford tuition, often exhausted and barely scraping by. He and his girlfriend, Ruth, never once left my side. They even took me in for a few months when I lost my job.

Now, I work as a schoolteacher. I make enough to support myself, but for my grandmother’s medical expenses, I still rely on the funds from my father's foundation , funds controlled by Dorothy.

Five years ago, Dorothy made me sign a contract , she would continue paying for my grandmother’s treatment only if I agreed to change my name and relinquish any claim to my father's estate. That’s when I became Gwen. Only Jayson and Ruth know the truth about me. I never wanted anyone to know, but Jayson figured it out eventually. He and Ruth have been urging me to fight back, especially since Ruth works in the legal department at Nicholas Corporation. She’s offered her help. But I can’t risk it. Dorothy wouldn’t hesitate to cut off my grandmother’s care, and I couldn’t live with that.

“Gwen, dear, there you are,” came a familiar voice.

I turned to see Dorothy walking toward me with her usual polished smile. To an outsider, she might look every bit the doting mother. But I knew better. She was simply playing a role — and she was good at it.

Behind her, I noticed two couples, probably in their fifties, walking toward me with the same warm smile Dorothy had. This time, it felt genuine—but I couldn't bring myself to trust it. People are always kind when they want something. Once they get what they came for, they throw you out like an old rug… or a stray dog."

" Mr and Mrs Nicholas, this is my younger daughter Gwen." Dorothy introduced me to them with her charming smile.

I smiled in return.

Mrs. Nicholas approached and took my hand with a gentle, motherly grace.

“You’re truly beautiful,” she said, pulling me into a warm embrace.

Mr. Nicholas smiled politely.

“Yes, she is beautiful—because she’s my daughter,” Dorothy said with a proud beam, the way mothers glow when their children are praised.

Then Mr. Nicholas turned to her and added,

“Shall we arrange an official engagement party? And perhaps the wedding a week later? Would that suit you?”

Engagement party?

A tight knot formed in my stomach as their words sank in.

They were talking about marrying me off—to their son.

I wasn’t ready.

I didn’t want this.

It felt like she was handing me over, like a loyal dog passed on for its next task.

“Yes, of course,” Dorothy replied, though her voice carried a hint of tension.

“But it may feel a bit rushed, considering we’re in the middle of my elder daughter’s wedding preparations. I’m sure you understand, Mr. Nicholas.”

“I completely understand,” he said gently. “But don’t worry—we’ll take care of all the arrangements, the expenses, everything. All we ask is that the bride is ready for the wedding next week.”

Dorothy smiled, her face lighting up with satisfaction.

“That sounds perfect,” she said, clapping her hands together. “Thank you so much. If Quill were here, he would’ve been overjoyed to hear this.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away.

what a great actress .

They began discussing dates, flipping through calendars and throwing out options like this was just another business transaction. At least Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas had the courtesy to ask if I was okay with it—if I had any thoughts or preferences. But before I could speak, Dorothy dismissed them with a wave.

“There’s nothing to ask,” she said firmly. “She’s thrilled about the engagement. Let’s plan the party for next week, and the wedding two days after.”

I couldn’t understand her urgency.

Why was she so desperate to marry me off?

Maybe she just wanted me out of her life.

The Nicholas were visibly pleased. They handed over the contact details for their wedding team—florists, planners, venues, everything ready as though I had no say at all.

Soon, the celebration began—not mine, but my half-sister’s engagement to Alexander Black. Laughter echoed through the halls. Music filled the air. People danced. Smiled. Toasted. And I wanted nothing to do with it.

I wandered to the bar, poured myself a drink, and welcomed the burn as it slid down my throat. It numbed the ache inside me. Blurred the thoughts I didn’t want to feel. I lost count of how many bottles I drank.

The party roared on behind me, but I didn’t care.

Tonight was mine.

Mine to disappear into.

At some point, someone took my hand. I didn’t know who—they led me gently through the house, into a room where a soft bed waited like an open invitation. I sank into its warmth. Its comfort. The room was hot. I peeled off my clothes and let the softness wrap around me like a lullaby.

As I drifted into unconsciousness, I heard a voice.

“My sweet April…”

And with those words, I let go.

Falling into the warmth, into the darkness, into forgetting.