Chapter 2A Mother's Justice

A sharp, audible gasp from my father.

I beamed, my eyes wide with expectation, locking him in place. If he admitted it, here, in front of everyone, that I was his only child, then Celia and Caleb would be condemned to the shadows forever. If he denied it, all the praise he'd just accepted would turn into a hail of scorn, branding him a hypocrite.

Down in the audience, Madeline's fist was clenched so tight her knuckles were white.

This man, so decisive and ruthless in the boardroom, was now paralyzed by the simplest of questions. The loving smile vanished from his face, replaced by a storm of conflict. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.

Hugh shot a panicked look from my father to me, his expression twisting into one of pure disgust. "Elara, don't push him. Can we please just continue the ceremony?"

So, they were allowed to plot against me, but my fighting back was an inconvenience?

I turned my head away petulantly. "No. Daddy hasn't answered my question yet. I spent so many years alone overseas... I feel so insecure. I just need his promise. I need to know that whether I'm married or not, I'll always be his only child, that he'll never abandon me."

Perhaps it was guilt over my mother's death. Perhaps it was the social blade held to his neck. Whatever the reason, my father finally broke.

"Elara, don't overthink things," he conceded, the words tasting like ash in his mouth. "How could I ever abandon you? You will always be my only child."

Victory. I threw my arms around him again. "Daddy, I love you so much!"

The hall erupted in applause.

In my peripheral vision, I saw Madeline and Caleb rise from their seats, their faces black with rage, and storm out of the room.

The look Hugh was giving me now wasn't just disgust; it was pure hatred. I, however, savored it. I loved seeing him despise me while being forced to play the part of the doting husband.

Amidst the cheers and applause, Hugh and I exchanged rings. When it came time for the groom to kiss the bride, he hesitated, his lips pressed into a thin, resistant line. I just smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him closer.

Just then, the grand doors of the hall were thrown open with a crash.

Celia stormed in, her face a mask of fury. She marched right up to me and slapped me hard across the face.

Her eyes were bloodshot. "You little homewrecker! You stole my boyfriend!"

I didn't feel anger. I felt a flicker of amusement. After all, I was the one who'd secretly leaked the wedding details to her.

Celia turned to Hugh, tears streaming down her face, her voice a pathetic wail. "Hugh, why? Why would you marry this woman?!"

Hugh shoved me away instinctively. He took a step toward her, then froze, his fists clenching at his sides, his eyes filled with pain.

The guests broke into a frenzy of whispers.

"Who is that? Does she have a death wish, trying to steal Harrison Vance's son-in-law?"

"Seriously, they're already married. To make a scene like this... how shameless."

Even under the weight of their scorn, Celia held her head high with an air of defiant arrogance.

I looked at Hugh, my voice trembling with practiced vulnerability. "Who is this girl? Hugh, don't you think you owe me an explanation?"

A vein throbbed in Hugh's temple, but he remained silent.

"Hugh," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Now that we're married, you need to get your affairs in order. Please don't let people like her humiliate me like this. It... it scares me."

Perhaps I played the part of the fragile victim too well. They both underestimated me completely.

Hugh finally spoke, his voice low and placating. "Celia, it's not what you think. Go home for now. I'll explain everything later, okay?"

Celia looked like she was about to strike me again, but my father, ever conscious of the situation, boomed, "Enough!"

She shot me one last hateful glare before spinning on her heel and leaving.

I watched her go, a deep, cold hatred churning in the pit of my stomach. My mother's death was not an accident, and I knew she and her family were involved.

I was back now. And I was taking everything: the inheritance, the company, and the truth.