That familiar yet unfamiliar feeling shattered in an instant and Ken snapped back to reality.He stiffly withdrew his hand and took a step back.“I’m not feeling well today. You should get some rest.”
Hazel froze and her expression gradually darkened.
“Ken,what are you hesitating about?Are you still thinking about Emily?” she asked through gritted teeth,her voice trembling.She was on the verge of breaking down.
However,Ken remained unmoved,not even a trace of warmth in his eyes.
“Hazel,I’m really tired today.“With that, he turned and walked into the study without looking back,locking the door behind him.
The door closed with a loud clack.Hazel bit her lip hard and her nails dug into her palm.
Ken looked down at the invitation card in his hand,overwhelmed with frustration. He kept telling himself he was doing the right thing.
The engagement party was scheduled for just seven days later. Mr. Easton cared about appearances, so Ken didn’t dare cut corners. Everything had to be done to the highest standard…from the venue to the menu,the guest list to the security team. Even the red carpet was measured to perfection.
However deep down,Ken knew he wasn’t in the mood to celebrate.
The night before the engagement, Hazel still tried to get close to him. However, he just lay there with his eyes closed,pretending to be asleep. He let her cry silently in his arms while he stayed completely still.
He was the one who had agreed to the engagement. Everything was going according to plan.And yet,his heart felt emptier with each step,like he was walking deeper into a point of no return.
Suddenly,he was terrified he wouldn’t be able to turn back.A strong urge to run overwhelmed him.Maybe…he really had made a mistake.
No.He couldn’t have. They were already engaged. The Easton Family’s investment would come soon. He hadn’t done anything wrong.
It was just an engagement,not a marriage. Worst–case scenario,he could break up with Hazel after a year or so.
Ken had never imagined his wife would be anyone other than me.
The banquet hall was incredible and Hazel was wearing a custom–made gown while clinging to his arm and smiling with poised elegance.
Everything looked flawless until the sharp click of high heels rang out from the entrance of the
hall.
“Well,am I late?”
Everyone turned. Standing at the door was a woman in a black tailored blazer dress,towering in ten–centimeter heels.
Hazel’s expression instantly changed.“Diana Easton? What are you doing here?”
33
4:34 am DDD
The newcomer was none other than Diana Easton, Mr.Easton’s eldest daughter from his first marriage..
She had disliked Hazel and her stepmother since they were young and after moving abroad,she’d barely kept in touch with them.
Everyone had assumed she would never get involved in family matters again.But today,she showed up at Hazel’s engagement party without warning.
“What am I doing here?“Diana scoffed,her eyes sizing up Ken.”I just came to see which blind fool mistook trash for treasure.”
There was a commotion among the guests.
Mr.Easton’s face turned pale. He growled under his breath,” Diana!Shut up!”
However, Diana acted like she didn’t hear a word,her tone growing even sharper.“Ken,do you even know who you’re marrying?You think she’s the precious daughter of the Easton Family,right? Wrong!Her mother was a mistress who clawed her way to the top over my mom’s dead body!She is nothing.She only knows how to seduce men and act pathetic and she’s playing.She’s got all kinds of dirty tricks up her sleeve.”
Hazel’s face went pale. She rushed forward.“You’re spouting nonsense! What proof do you have?!” ‘Proof?“Diana sneered.“Didn’t those rumors about you being a school official’s mistress spread all over campus?Your mom runs that kind of business…don’t think people don’t know about it. My mom had a mental breakdown and jumped to her death because of you!And you still have the nerve to wear a white veil?”
‘And you!Do you think marrying Hazel means you’ll get the Easton Family’s investment?Dream on. My dad’s probably dying to cut ties with Hazel because she’s not even his biological daughter!”
The air froze for a few seconds and a deafening crack went off in Ken’s mind.
Hazel wasn’t Mr.Easton’s real daughter? Then everything he’d worked for…what did it even mean? He turned sharply to Hazel.”Is what she said…true?”
4:34 am DDD
