Forced to Marry Vegetative, He Doted on Me

Chapter 3

Under everyone's scrutinizing gaze, Juliette's face burned with embarrassment. She quickly shook her head, trying to explain herself.

"No, that's not what happened. It's not like that. Amelia, why would you say that?"

I gave a cold laugh. "What? You've enjoyed standing in my place for so many years that you've actually forgot who you really are, Karen Smith?"

"Pfft!"

"So her name is Karen Smith? That explains the whole vibe. She really does have that fake heiress energy."

A few heiresses couldn't hold back their laughter. Juliette's face turned from red to white, humiliation written all over her.

"That's enough, you spoiled brat! You don't get to insult Juliette like that!"

My mother stepped forward and pulled Juliette into her arms, protecting her like she was made of glass.

"Amelia, wouldn't it be better if both you and Juliette were daughters of the Rowan family? Why are you letting your own resentment ruin everything and embarrass Mrs. Rowan and Juliette in front of all these people?"

Mark Ashford hurried over, his chest heaving from anger.

He was my fiancé, yet he stood there defending Juliette without hesitation, blaming me before he even knew the full story.

Thinking about how he had looked at me with pure hatred before my death in my previous life, and remembering the pain I had endured at the hands of those men, a chill ran down my spine.

"What's wrong? You can't accept that the woman you were engaged to isn't the true heiress of the Rowan family, but an adopted daughter?"

I stared at him coldly.

A flicker of guilt flashed across Mark's face.

"Y-You already knew? You're marrying into the Blackwell family because it's Mr. Blackwell's arrangement. Naturally, our engagement is over. I asked your father to arrange this marriage because I'd loved Juliette for years. Don't blame her for this. She didn't do anything wrong."

I laughed. "Really? She took my identity, stole my mother's love, made me replace her in this marriage, and then turned around and took my fiancé too. In the end, she's the victim here?"

I ripped away Juliette's mask in front of everyone.

The guests around us sucked in a breath, and their eyes toward Juliette became filled with doubt. Her expression turned awful, but she quickly picked up a glass of wine and put on her most pitiful expression.

"Amelia, I'm sorry. But could you please leave me some dignity in front of everyone today?"

Before I could say anything, her body suddenly shook. The red wine in her hand spilled all over her, soaking her white dress and ruining it instantly.

The next moment, a sharp sting exploded across my face. My cheek burned, and within seconds, it started swelling.

My mother's hand was still frozen in midair after the slap. She looked at my swollen cheek, her lips moving for a long time before she finally said,

"Amelia, you've gone too far!"

Then she turned away and focused all her attention on Juliette's injuries.

The second Juliette cried out, Mark rushed to her side and shielded her behind him. He held her hand like it was some priceless treasure, gently blowing on it while frantically calling for the family doctor.

I stood there alone, suddenly finding the entire scene painfully absurd.

After I returned to my room, I received a message from Mark.

The moment I opened it, the first word that jumped out at me was "Breakup".

The cold, glaring word felt like a slap to my eyes.

He really couldn't wait to erase every trace of his connection with me.

That was fine. When we met again, I would settle every score and collect every debt.

The door opened.

I turned around and saw a rare hint of guilt in my mother's eyes.

"Amelia, I was too emotional earlier. I shouldn't have hit you. Don't hold it against me. Juliette was always sickly when she was little, so I naturally ended up worrying about her more. I know I neglected you all these years and caused you pain. But I hope you and Juliette can get along. Both of you are the most important people in my life."

A cool sensation spread across my cheek as my mother gently applied ointment to my face with her fingertips.

"You're getting married soon. A scar on your face wouldn't look good."

I couldn't remember the last time she had spoken to me so softly. For a moment, my heart actually softened.

But her next words instantly pulled me back to reality.

"What happened today was still partly your fault. You were too impulsive. Go apologize to Juliette, and I'll let this matter go."