Chapter 254: Chapter 254: A Forced Marriage
Cecilia Vaughn’s heart trembled slightly, thinking of how Adrian Law had given it to her so readily, bringing her some comfort. She took a deep breath and finally mustered the courage to open the wallet...
However, the scene that followed struck her heart like a bolt of lightning, and her ears buzzed.
— Just as Rosalind White had said, there was indeed a woman’s photograph inside the wallet.
The woman was someone Cecilia had never seen before, yet she exuded a deadly beauty.
Her jet-black hair cascaded down, gently fluttering in the wind. Judging by the photo’s background, it seemed to be at a private stable. She was riding a magnificent horse with snow-white fur, her vivacious spirit more captivating than any scenery.
It seemed to be a candid photo. The girl held the reins, smiling slightly at the camera, completely unperturbed. Beneath her left eye was a tear mole, her gaze full of emotion. Her skin was as immaculate as jade, her features delicate like a painting.
Perhaps due to her mixed-race background, her eye color was lighter than most, somewhat resembling amber.
Such an ethereal beauty seemed capable of sweeping everything before it, almost making one doubt whether it was a wonderful dream that might vanish at any moment.
The photo had been laminated, evidence of how cherished it was by the wallet’s owner. Nonetheless, the edges of the photo were slightly yellowed and curled, suggesting it had been with Adrian Law for quite some years, highly treasured.
...
Cecilia Vaughn was visibly shaken, gripping the wallet with such force that her fingers turned unnaturally pale without her realizing it.
So, Rosalind White was telling the truth...
Yet the woman in the photo was exceedingly beautiful. Cecilia, who had been complimented on her looks since childhood, only now understood that there is a kind of beauty that cannot be duplicated or replaced.
A beauty that could topple a kingdom.
No wonder... for all these years, Adrian Law remained fixated on that fiancé, a meeting by fate but not by destiny.
Cecilia Vaughn only glanced at it a few times but was completely unable to forget it. This kind of charm was a genderless assault.
Faced with such a celestial being, her jealousy diminished, leaving only confusion.
Why did Adrian Law marry her?
Was it because he couldn’t have his beloved, so he settled for someone else?
Or because he found her interesting at the time, so he rescued her as an act of charity from dire straits?
From the very beginning, her union with Adrian Law was unequal.
Because this marriage was something she had insisted on.
Could someone like them... truly be happy?
...
"Cecilia, what’s wrong?"
Adrian Law noticed the lost and bewildered look on the girl’s face, and panic seized his heart as he quickly reached for Cecilia Vaughn’s hand.
But Cecilia instinctively avoided him.
Adrian’s eyes darkened... It was just fine a moment ago, wasn’t it?
Why was she suddenly angry again?
Adrian Law glanced at the wallet in Cecilia Vaughn’s hand, and a possibility dawned upon him. He hastily began to explain.
"Cecilia, did you misunderstand something? You can just ask me directly..."
"No! There’s no need! I have nothing to ask."
Cecilia bit her lip and forced a pale smile to hide her inner turmoil.
Things had reached this point. Why should she let Adrian Law cut open her wounds again?
Doesn’t everyone have a past?
Cecilia told herself.
She tried to convince herself that it was a possibility, that it was reasonable.
Moreover, the woman was extraordinarily beautiful, so much so that even as a fellow woman and a rival, she couldn’t help but be amazed.
A beauty so excessive was a sharp weapon that attacked the heart.
...
Seeing Cecilia Vaughn decisively refuse, Adrian Law wanted to reach out and hold her hand, but his own hand hung rigidly in mid-air before he silently withdrew it.
He gazed at Cecilia Vaughn for a long time, his voice calm and firm.
"I’m sorry, Cecilia... There are some things I haven’t told you in detail, and that’s my fault. Please don’t feel hurt, okay?"
"If you ever want to know, just ask me anytime. I will absolutely, absolutely not avoid it."
Cecilia Vaughn’s pupils lightly scattered, her fingers trembled once more, and she didn’t know how to respond.
Was he apologizing to her?
Apologizing for not introducing his past excellent and beautiful fiancée?
A Vessarian noblewoman, a hybrid mix of Veridia and Vessaria, no wonder she had such rare and exquisite features...
Cecilia Vaughn was still sitting in the taxi, but her strength had been completely drained.
She stalled for a moment and finally managed a reluctant smile at Adrian Law.
"Alright, I’ll ask if I get the chance. I don’t want to talk now, I’m going to pretend to sleep for a bit."
Without waiting for Adrian’s response, Cecilia closed her eyes, like an ostrich hiding its head.
Even with her eyes shut, her mind replayed that woman’s face chaotically.
Vaguely, Cecilia even felt a sense of familiarity.
She laughed at herself inwardly, how could it be familiar?
Such an otherworldly face, not to mention seeing it in person, even just glimpsing it like this in a photo, she was sure she would never forget for the rest of her life.
How laughable.
Adrian Law always solemnly swore that she was his first love, the only woman he wanted to cherish, value, and spend his life with.
Yet he had secretly kept a photo of that Vessarian fiancée.
One longing, lasting many years.
Cecilia Vaughn was truly exhausted. She considered it and decided not to humiliate herself by asking questions.
So, she lifted her head again to glance at Adrian Law. The man sensed her gaze, and their eyes met —
In the silence, Cecilia Vaughn heard her own hollow laughter.
"Adrian... I actually already heard from Miss White that you can’t forget her. I understand. Let’s not bring it up again in the future, okay?"
"Rosalind told you? You know everything?"
"Yes, I know everything."
Adrian Law gazed at the girl’s lost and forlorn face, silent for a moment before he finally nodded.
"Alright, we won’t mention it again."
...
Each with their own thoughts, they returned to Starfall Bay. Cecilia Vaughn didn’t even change her clothes, collapsing directly onto the sofa, allowing herself to sink into the darkness.
In her dream, bizarre and disjointed, she screamed in fright.
"No, Adrian... Don’t like someone else... Like me, please?"
"Cecilia, I’m here."
Adrian Law heard the girl’s cries and hurriedly rushed downstairs, pulling her into his arms.
"Silly girl, how could I like someone else? From beginning to end, I only love you, forever and ever..."
"Really?"
Cecilia Vaughn smiled at his words, though her lips curved up, the smile looked worse than a cry.
Too bitter, too bitter, like it’s soaked in wormwood.
A single tear rolled down from the corner of her eye.
And silently fell.
