He Mocked My Choice, I Married The Guard

Chapter 2

From that day on, I saw Zayden Rhodes quite often.

To be honest, he was strikingly handsome, he matched Liam in looks perfectly. Yet he was rarely around the neighborhood, as if he always had other urgent matters to attend to.

As we spent more time together, I found I did not dislike him at all. In fact, I felt a twinge of sympathy for him. He could have married someone he truly cared for, but because of my impulsive choice, he was bound to me instead. What was more, it was clear he had no interest in my family's wealth. That only made my sense of guilt grow deeper.

Born into an old, wealthy family, I had known since I was little what my place would be. Sooner or later, I would be married off to seal a business or political alliance.

Rather than becoming Liam's secret, disrespected mistress, I would far rather build an ordinary, honest life with Zayden. I had no craving for lavish luxury, all I wanted was to live a peaceful, happy life.

A few days before the wedding, Zayden went with me to pick out my wedding gown.

The moment we stepped inside, I spotted two "familiar faces" browsing gowns nearby.

Gwyneth ran her fingers gently over a mermaid-style dress, her eyes shining with delight... but when she glanced at the price tag, she hesitated and looked over at Liam. "Liam, I think this one is beautiful, but isn't it a little too expensive? I don't want you spending so much on my account."

Liam smiled warmly at her. "This only happens once in a lifetime. You deserve the very best." He caught sight of me out of the corner of his eye, and his tone turned sharp with mockery without him even noticing. "It's just a dress... why talk about cost? Unlike some people who really went and married a neighborhood security guard, they probably couldn't afford something like this even if they saved forever."

I knew those words were meant for me, but I had no desire to argue back. I simply walked past them and began looking through the racks myself.

Seeing that I paid him no mind, Liam's expression darkened. He frowned and strode quickly over to me. "Yvonne, that little game you played at your birthday party was just a tiny lesson. You've always bullied Gwyneth, you deserve everything you get. If you get down on your knees and apologize to her right now, I'll go straight to your mother and call off this ridiculous marriage to that guard." His tone was superior, his posture arrogant... like he was offering me the greatest favor in the world.

At that moment, I understood fully, the boy I had once loved more than anything was gone for good.

I had no more patience for his games. I glanced at him coldly. "No, thank you. I would rather end up scavenging for scraps than be the mistress of a cruel, shameless man like you. And since you're going to marry my sister, you'd better show Zayden some respect. He's your brother-in-law. Don't you ever again call him 'that neighborhood security guard'? Didn't your parents teach you any manners?"

My words made Liam's face turn livid. Spoiled his whole life, no one had ever humiliated him like that.

"Yvonne! Do you really think you're still some precious heiress? How dare you speak to me that way?" He jabbed a finger at Zayden beside me. "You think this guard can protect you? One word from me, and he'll never find work in this city again."

I laced my fingers through Zayden's and squeezed gently to reassure him.

Liam's family did have significant influence, targeting one person would be easy for them. But this city was not his private domain. If he tried to harm the Arden family's son-in-law for no reason, our clan would never stand by and let it happen.

"Yvonne, just apologize to him, won't you?" Gwyneth stepped forward, her voice soft and pleading. "There's no need to make such a scene. You two grew up together... what is a security guard compared to all those years you shared?"

Gwyneth was always like this, she would pretend to be the peacemaker, but every word she said twisted the blame back onto me.

I stepped back when she reached out to take my hand. I did not move or push her, but Gwyneth stumbled as if pulled by an invisible force and fell forward with a cry.

"Yvonne... !" she yelped dramatically.

For years, I had swallowed my pride and stayed silent, and all it had earned me was more cruelty from her. Now I had nothing left to lose.

Before Liam could reach her, I leaned forward and gave her a firm shove. "If you can't stand on your own two feet, then don't bother getting back up."

Gwyneth landed hard on the floor, dragging Liam off balance with her as he tried to catch her.

She stared up at me, her eyes wide with shock, she had never imagined I would actually push her.

Liam's face flushed with rage. "Yvonne, you really are selfish and cruel! If you ever hurt Gwyneth again, I swear you will regret it!"

I looked at the two of them in such a mess and laughed freely. "Some people just make fools of themselves for no reason."

Liam froze, his mouth hanging open, unable to think of a single reply.