THE ILLEGITIMATE BRIDE

Chapter 2

The next morning, Emily found herself at David's apartment, just before her wedding to Nicholas Thornton.

David, confused and hurt, looked at her. "What do you mean you're breaking up with me?"

Emily tried to hide her emotions as she managed to speak. "I need to. I'll be marrying Nicholas Thornton this afternoon."

David shook his head in disgust, unable to understand her actions. "You're such a gold-digger!"

Emily's voice trembled as she countered, "I have to do it to save my mom!"

David couldn't contain his anger any longer and raised his voice. "You're a liar!"

Emily yelled back, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "That's the only way they would give me the money!"

"Or that's the only way you can get to sleep with Nicholas Thornton!" David stormed.

"David! Why would you think such a thing of me. I'm in a tight corner right now and I need you to understand me." Emily pleaded.

"Why can't you ask your dad for money, isn't he the almighty Monroe?" David questioned.

"We don't need anything from him, but I had to try to reach him, Victoria didn't let me. The only option I have is to marry Nicholas Thornton."

Out of frustration, David lost his patience and yelled, " You're just looking for excuses. Get out! Get out!!!"

Emily looked at Nicholas, her heart aching as she left behind the love of her life to marry a stranger she knew nothing about, just to save her mother.

Without wasting any much time, she made her way to the Monroe mansion, where the wedding was scheduled to take place later that day. It was to be a quiet ceremony, held within the Monroe mansion.

She made her way inside and straight to Harper. "I need the money now."

Harper, cool and composed, responded with mockery. "Not until you're married to Nicholas Thornton. That was the deal! So go get ready in the maid's room. Dad will be here anytime soon."

Just then, Victoria Monroe descended from the stairs and interjected. "No!"

She turned to Emily as she sweetly mocked her. "Go dress in Harper's room. We don't want Daddy to think we're mistreating his beloved." Her words were filled with sarcasm.

As Emily climbed up to Harper's room, it was unlike anything she had ever known. It was enormous, lavishly decorated and undeniably beautiful, compared to the humble environment she had grown up in.

Despite being a Monroe by blood, she had never been treated as one, always reminded by her stepmother and stepsister that she was nothing more than an illegitimate child.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She hadn't imagined her big day like this.

Her mother was in the hospital, she had just lost the love of her life, and now she was about to marry a paralyzed man she had never even set her eyes on.

Just as she stood there lost in her thoughts, one of the maids entered the room, carrying a white dress fit for a bride.

She addressed Emily with a kind smile, "Miss Emily, here's your dress. Do you need any assis...."

But Emily cut her off, "I'm fine, thanks."

The maid smiled then exited the room, leaving Emily to her thoughts.

Downstairs, Thomas Monroe had already arrived with Nicholas Thornton, who sat in his wheelchair, accompanied by one of his bodyguards.

Thomas Monroe was eager to seal the deal that would bring immense benefits to their business.

He addressed Nicholas with a cheerful tone, "My daughter would be delighted to be your bride. What a great future for both families and our business."

Nicholas Thornton could only muster, "hmmmm"

Just then, Thomas Monroe's brows furrowed in confusion as he looked up and saw Emily approaching them.

He was surprised, It was meant to be Harper, the legitimate Monroe daughter, who should be the bride and not Emily.

His voice wavered as he exclaimed, "Emily?"

Nicholas Thornton couldn't quite tear his eyes away from her. "You have two daughters, Mr. Monroe? I thought you just had one."

Before Thomas could respond, Victoria Monroe, always quick to claim her position, interrupted.

"Of course, we have just one daughter." She pointed directly at Emily. "She is the illegitimate daughter of my husband and his maid."

Thomas Monroe, clearly displeased with Victoria's words, halted her abruptly. He insisted firmly, "Stop that!"

"But it's the truth, darling." Victoria continued. "She's nothing but the daughter of your maid."

Thomas grabbed Victoria's arm and hastily pulled her to a corner of the living room.

He whispered angrily. "What the hell are you doing? Emily is my daughter, and you have no right to treat her that way!"

Victoria forcefully released her arm from Thomas's grip. She soat back. "Harper isn't going to be tied to a disabled man for the rest of her life."

"This is business! You are embarrassing me" Thomas Monroe stated firmly.

"Then let your beloved illegitimate daughter be the sacrificial lamb!" Victoria Monroe shot back.

Emily, who had been standing there like an object waiting to be auctioned, was used to being humiliated and rejected.

She had never felt loved or wanted by the Monroe's. She knew that Nicholas Thornton would likely reject her as well, especially after discovering she was the illegitimate daughter of Thomas Monroe.

Her mother had worked as a maid for the Monroes years back and had become pregnant with her while Thomas Monroe was still engaged to Victoria.

Just then, Nicholas Thornton, who had been silently observing the drama, cleared his throat and declared.

"I want her!"

Thomas and Victoria Monroe turned to look at Nicholas Thornton, both of them were equally surprised.

Thomas hadn't expected the deal to still hold, especially since Emily was now replacing Harper, who had originally been intended as the bride.

Nicholas Thornton still couldn't get his eyes off Emily, who seemed lost in thoughts.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Nicholas Thornton rose from his wheelchair, handing over some documents that sealed their business deal to Thomas Monroe.

He spoke with warmth in his voice, "We're families now."

The room fell into a stunned silence, and all eyes remained fixed on Nicholas. No one had anticipated what just happened.

Victoria Monroe, stammering in disbelief, finally managed to utter, "You... you're not paralyzed?"