“To tell you the truth,Xavier,my parents are very much alive.If I had listened to them at the start,I would never have chosen such a place where I’m never welcomed.”
Xavier held my shoulders,shaking his head as if I were inventing excuses to comfort myself.“Mia,let it go this once.You must be a good daughter-in-law and wife.”
“Xavier!Vanessa is having trouble breathing,you must come quickly.”Our conversation was cut short by Colin,who hesitated as he looked between us.
“Mia,come inside—it’s going to pour.I must help Vanessa;for now,please wait.”He looked at me like I was a stranger,hesitated for a moment,then squeezed my hand before rushing to Vanessa’s aid.
My mother-in-law messaged me instantly:[You can come inside now.Earlier I assumed things.][Let’s not waste this dinner party.]I smiled through my tears as I realized I had never once been welcomed in this household;it had always been about status and prestige.
Three years ago I was kidnapped by criminals,and my father and brothers had left no stone unturned to find me,though my identity was kept hidden to protect my life.In the end,it was Xavier—head of the Jade Moon firm—who helped rescue me along with others.My mother agreed to compensate him handsomely,and I told her I liked him and wanted to be his wife.
My brothers opposed the match.They argued that as the only daughter of our family I had never known hardship,and marrying someone cold like Xavier would not suit me.
How foolish I was to think love could transcend status when today my husband told me I was worthless because I had no standing.
Rain drenched me as I ignored Xavier’s mother’s insistence that I come back.In that moment I felt foolish for loving such a heartless man.I was ashamed to return home—what would I even say to my parents?Would they accept me back?
Suddenly warmth wrapped around me as Xavier embraced me.He was soaked through,but he pulled me aside.“Are you all right?I’m sorry I left you like that.Just go inside and obey.”
“See,Vanessa is terribly ill,”he continued in a softer voice.“She came because I invited her;I couldn’t leave her like that.You should learn from her.”
“Mom has been trying to call you;she even messaged you to come inside.Why can’t you stop being stubborn for a moment?”he sighed,his tone almost reproachful before he noticed my pale face.