Chapter 1
Chapter One: A Fairy Tale Turns into a Living Nightmare
A grand celebration is currently happening at Newton's residence. The castle-like mansion is designed with a period theme—the romantic era of poems, dramas, and literature.
Women are wearing elegant and fancy gowns with their chests pushed up and their waists squeezed until they can't breathe, hiding their suffering with a beautiful smile. Men are wearing layers of suits that most of them were forced to wear by their partners, grumbling under their breaths at how corny the theme was.
The Newtons are known as one of the rising families in America because of their skills and intelligence in structure and industrial designs. They are a family of engineers and architects. Alice, the eldest member of the family, is the founder of Newton Inc., a five-year-old company that has already made its name known in the industry for the quality of its designs and products. She has an only child, Maggie, and two grandchildren, Jinx and Lola.
Considering their name, it was not a surprise that their guests are familiar names in the business world as well. Tycoons, millionaires, bachelors, bachelorettes, heirs, heiresses, and even famous celebrities and players.
But the Newtons were not the only ones the guests wanted to see, but the wife of Jinx Newton, Eloise Crimson-Newton, not only known as the sole heir to the Crimson clan, who owns several banks, malls, companies, and condos, but for her ethereal beauty as well.
Eloise Crimson has been popular since she was a young woman to this day. She's the product of men's fantasies and the envy of women. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also known to have a kind soul. Her pure heart was captured by Jinx Newton two years ago when they got married and are now celebrating their second anniversary.
Their love story is known to many people. Everyone who knows them knows what they went through. Most of them were impressed and envious, and why not? Their love story is like a fairy tale where the princess runs away and meets her prince.
Lucas Grant, a popular talk show host, stood in front of a platform, and everyone's attention turned to him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for attending this very special day where Jinx and Eloise's second wedding anniversary is being celebrated. Who here has yet to hear how their story began? Tonight, let us all reminisce about a love story that happened two years ago."
A few minutes later, a theater-like performance was played in front of everyone to revisit the story of Jinx and Eloise's love.
It started with the younger Eloise, who was surprised to learn that she was engaged to a man she did not even know. Not wanting to get married to someone she doesn't love, she goes with the maid who's going back to her province, abandoning the luxurious life and her university to serve the Newton family as a maid.
Everyone loved how the actors showed how Eloise and Jinx fought like cats and dogs in the beginning, until they gradually fell in love with each other and became engaged. Until the unexpected happened and it was revealed that his supposed fiancé was none other than Jinx.
"Our dear Eloise believes in destiny and believes that they were fated to meet each other. It was a fairy-tale-like encounter that ended up in a fairy-tale-like wedding two years ago," Lucas narrated.
Many of the guests still remember that elegant and expensive wedding that was a fusion of two families. A family that is slowly building their name, and a family that was already at the top. It was such a powerful union, and it not only shook America but the whole world. It can even be compared to the royal wedding, where a lot of people followed, from the preparation of the bride and groom to when they finally said their vows in front of the lord and rode in the carriage as if they were real princes and princesses.
All the guests applauded the actors who acted out the couple's story well. After this, Lucas Grant returned to the platform.
"That was such a beautiful representation of the love story of our heroes today. I'm sure you all want to see them, so let's not delay any longer. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you our beautiful couple who's celebrating their 2nd anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Newton!"
Everyone clapped again and gasped softly as red rose petals suddenly showered from above, and the couple emerged from the stairs with happy smiles plastered on their lips while some pictures of them and their wedding picture were being shown on the big screen.
"Welcome, Jinx and Eloise!" Lucas Grant greeted them when they reached the platform, and the couple greeted him.
Eloise was a little nervous because she wasn't used to having the spotlight on her, while Jinx had his forehead raised and a confident smile on his lips. The host gave them the mic, and of course, Jinx was the one who took it, knowing how shy his wife was.
"Good evening, everyone. Thank you for gracing us with your presence. Ah, has it already been two years since I hit the jackpot and even married her?" Jinx cracked a joke, and everyone laughed. He wrapped his arm around Eloise and looked at her lovingly. "Happy anniversary, love. I am the luckiest man alive to have you." Jinx kissed Eloise's cheek and turned to everyone. "Tonight is going to be special and unforgettable not only for us but for everyone. Please stay and witness a surprise I prepared for my wife later. Let's enjoy the night!" He returned the mic to the host, and Eloise spoke to her husband in surprise and excitement.
"What surprise, babe? You always surprise me."
Eloise is embarrassed because Jinx always has gifts and surprises for her. She considers herself the luckiest woman in the world because she is married to a gentle and loving man. There was no moment that he forgot to make her feel his love. The only thing Eloise prays for is to give her husband a child because she knows it will make him happy, but they have not been blessed yet.
Jinx smiled mysteriously and winked. "Like I said, it will be unforgettable, babe, something you won't forget for the rest of your life."
Eloise frowned and didn't know why she suddenly got nervous at what he said. Why does she feel strange?
"Eloise!"
Eloise turned to the source and smiled when she saw the Newtons. Alice, Maggie, Edward, and Lola. She is happy that they are complete on that special day, but she couldn't help but feel sad that her parents will not be able to come because they are far away.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, saying goodbye to her husband for a moment to greet his family.
Their house was not far from theirs, but he hardly saw them because they were all busy with jobs and business. Alice, being the head of the family, is busy with their company; Maggie and Edward are busy with their business; and Lola is an international model and the wife of the mayor's son. Eloise herself is busy with her charitable work. She manages several donations and charity work and is often the one who personally goes and gives help to those in need.
"You look like a princess!" Lola gushed while looking her over.
"Thank you, so are you. You all look great." She complimented them with a genuine smile.
The theme was her idea of being the hopeless romantic woman that she is. She always thought that their love story was like the one she read growing up, so why not make it the theme?
"I'm so excited for later!" Lola exclaimed and even clapped her hands.
"You know about your brother's surprise?" Eloise asked her in disbelief.
Lola nodded her head. "Of course! We all do," she said, gesturing to her family.
Eloise gasped in surprise while looking at them, and they all nodded with a smile. She couldn't believe that they planned something without her knowledge. But like Jinx's smile, Eloise saw and felt the same with his family, so she couldn't help but feel anxious as the party continued.
Eloise and her husband went around and greeted the guests. She smiled and thanked them, trying to hide her nervousness behind the smile.
Eloise didn't even notice how the Newtons, including Jinx, looked at each other and nodded, as if communicating using their eyes.
Jinx briefly left Eloise, who was nervously drinking wine and hoping it would calm her down.
"Congratulations, my lady. The story was spectacular and tearjerking." The sarcastic tone made Eloise turn to the voice and see a man she hadn't seen before.
Because she doesn't really socialize, the number of people she knows is limited.
"Thank you...?" Eloise's response was awkward because she was uncomfortable with the way he was looking at her.
His hypnotizing chocolate brown was looking at her with so much intensity, yet she didn't feel threatened by it. Recognition can be seen in his eyes, but Eloise doesn't really know him. Will he be offended if she says she doesn't know him?
"I'm Collin Wolf, a nobody. Not from any prestigious family, and not a billionaire either. Oh, wait, this is a period era. My apology, my lady." The man introduced himself, as if reading her mind, and pretended to bow a little.
Eloise cracked a smile at his cheekiness. She doesn't know him, and he's looking at her in a way she couldn't decipher, but she doesn't think he's a bad person.
"I'm Eloise Newton; it's nice to meet you, Mr. Nobody."
The man smirked and opened his mouth to probably say something sarcastic again, but she heard Jinx speaking, turning to see him on the platform while holding the mic and a bouquet of roses in his other hand.
"Hello again, everyone. Some of you look bored, so why don't we spice up the mood? I want you all to witness this special night for me, for my family, and especially for my beloved. Let's all welcome..."
A bright smile appeared on Eloise's face, and she moved forward, but a woman rudely bumped into her, and all her senses were lost when she walked to the stage.
"... Lilian Murphy."