Chapter 1 : Bittersweet decision.

The first time I was hurt by a man was when my biological Father left me, Grace and my Mom. He went with another girl, younger than my biological Mom. At first, I didn't think much about it, I wasn't that aware that my family was no longer a whole.

Little by little, I felt the pain when my friend often asked why my father was not with us. I gradually felt the longing of a Father figure. At first, I just ignored it, until I reached the my limit. I knew I was in pain. Until my biological mother died because of depression. Grace and I was adopted by a rich married couple.

It took a long time before I was able to process it.

Until Liam came. We became friends first, our story is typical of friends to lovers. He liked me first. He asked for the help of my best friend, Lara, to court me. Their teamwork is good because I'm saying yes. We've been together for a long time. I have been with him in different seasons of my life.

I liked a lot about Liam, he have these personalities that I wanted in a man.

I know him as a good person, hardworking, and I know he loves me. Because of our relationship, I thought my heart had been healed from being torn apart by what happened to my family.

But, I found out that healing doesn't just happen, it just happened that my life was quiet and far from the noise of pain because of what happened to my family.

It was Tuesday. I was really happy and excited to go home, not only because Liam was at our house today, but also because today is our anniversary. When I finished work, I immediately went straight to the comfort room to fix myself, I made sure my clothes were in order. It's beautiful and red, because that's Liam's favorite color. I put on make up and applied red lipstick on my lips. I made sure I looked good.

I was happy to travel home. However, something makes me feel nervousness I don't know where it's coming from, I just felt hesitant to open the door of the house where Liam and I were staying. I slowly opened the door and I heard a soft grunt, it seemed very eager and chasing. I felt very nervous when I saw the familiar shoe, I knew it was from me, because I remember I gave this shoe to my step sister Zoey, last year. Next thing I saw was Liam's shoes that I also gave as a gift. The way they place their shoes on the floor seems to be casual and rushing to where they need to go.

I quickly went to the room, the memory of how biological Father cheated on biological Mother seemed to come back to me. I can clearly remember the time she caught my Father having anothet woman.

I heard two people muttering inside the room, I winced when I gently touched the door knob without even bothering to lock it. It seems that all my muscles are losing. I feel weak, losing my temper, nervous and afraid. My chest seems tight. And my tears started to flow when I gently opened the door, it's funny that they didn't notice me and they were still doing what they were doing. I covered my mouth and cried.

Liam my long term boyfriend and Zoey my step sister, cheated on me. Of all people.

"H-Hon" I uttered.

Suddenly they seemed to return to their senses when they heard my voice.

"A-Abigail?" they said in surprise.

I sighed and bowed. I winced when I saw my heels, red dress and remembered how I got ready and was so excited to see Liam. But this is what saw.

Suddenly, all the memories of Liam and I seemed to come back, of our entire relationship, which had just ended.

"H-Hon" Liam said.

I didn't realize that Zoey was in a hurry to get dressed and Liam was already in pants. My mind is flying too much, I can feel the weakness of my knees and I'm going to fall. I don't even know how I can get out of this house.

"Hon, I will explain"

I looked at him dumbfounded. I could not see the regret in his eyes. It seems that he had thought that this would happen for a long time and he had prepared everything even the words he was saying now.

"It's not what you think"

"What do your mean, this is not like what I thought??, both of you are naked and moaning! My sister is lying on top of you Liam- Zoey!" I looked at her with a very disappointed look, she was now dressed even though her hair was messy.

"Abigail" My ears perked up when I heard my step sister's voice.

"She's my sister, why? Liam! why! Liam" My voice screamed.

"I'm sorry" There was no remorse in his voice. I completely lost myself.

I turned and quickly walked out of the house.

"Hon!-" I slapped him.

"Let's stop this Liam"

"What? Why???"

"I see no reason to have a relationship with you Liam"

"No! No! Let me explain!"

"I don't want it anymore Liam, let's break up"

He tried to hug me but since I was too angry, I have an enegry to push him away.

Liam was about to go after me, but Zoey quickly got out to stopped him, causing me to walk away.

I thanked God because I was able to walk towads my car and cry. I found myself again at a crossroads in my life. It all started with my Dad and now with Liam, the love of my life. Our relationship had been a whirlwind of emotions, filled with passion and promises of forever but he cheated. With my sister.

The next day, I heard the voice my adopted parents William and Nora aggresively asking Zoey about her relationship with Liam while being engaged. Zoey was desperate to escape an arranged marriage.

Suddenly, I remembered what happened yesterday, it wasn't a nightmare. This is my current reality. Tears fall again in my cheeks. It felt like something was blocking my throat and I couldn't breathe properly. I wanted to continue my tears when I heard Daddy's high voice.

I came down quickly and my eyes seemed to hurt from what I saw. My parents, the stern and unyielding people. Their usually composed faces contorted with fury as they saw Zoey in the arms of another man which is Liam, unaware of her engagement. The shock and anger on their faces were palpable, as they felt deceived and betrayed by Zoey's actions.

"I am pregnant! I cannot marry that man! I didn't even know!" Zoey shouted.

"This is perfect Zoey! You found a man that you really knew!" Our adopted Father sarcastically said while pointing his finger to Liam. "You knew that this man is your sister's boyfriend!"

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos unfolding before my eyes. My adopted Mother walk towards me and took matters into hands. I know what will happen next.

"You are our only hope Abigail, marry Elijah"

"Mom" hoping that she could change her mind.

"I know it is painful, I'm sorry for putting you in this situation but we have to do this"

Daddy stopped discussing with Zoey, then came over to Mommy.

"Abigail.." I closed my eyes. My tears flowed again.

This suggestion struck a painful chord within me, igniting a blend of anger and confusion.

How could my parents propose such a heartless solution to me that is already broken hearted?

"We will lose our rights to the shares of the company if the marriage does not go through" Dad said.

"You're going to prioritize that over my feelings?" I couldn't stop asking them.

"I'm so sorry but we have to do this" said Mommy.

As the tension in the room reached its peak, my adopted parents knew that they had crossed a line by suggesting such a compromise.

However, their intentions were not entirely misguided. They were well aware that I also desperate the need for money to afford my sister Grace's medical treatment. Driven by their love for me, they were willing to go to extreme lengths to make sure that sister's is in good condition.

I don't know what to do, this is too much for me.

It was in this heartbreaking moment of vulnerability that I have to make a decision that would change the course of my life. Despite the mistreatment I had endured from my family and the unfairness of the situation, I agonizingly accepted the proposal. Every fiber of my well-being rebelled against this decision, but my overwhelming love for my sister outweighed any personal desires or dreams I might have had.

The man I was about to marry was unknown for me. An actual stranger with a lineage shrouded in mystery. Despite of my pain, I mustered all of my courage and accepted this life-altering arrangement solely for the sake of securing the necessary funds for Grace's treatment. It was a bittersweet decision that would forever blur the lines between love, sacrifice, and the lengths one is willing to go for the sake of family.

In this tale of heartache, deception, and sacrifice. My journey had taken an unforeseen detour into the realm of the unknown. While I hoped to find solace and financial security for my beloved sister, I wrestled with the understanding that my heart's desires may never see the light of day.

It's the night before my wedding. I still can't accept the fact that I was about to marry someone I didn't know. I dreamt to marry Liam not a stranger.

This is a very serious matter that I allowed myself to happen.

I sat at the balcony of the hotel and drink the wine in the glass I was holding, I keep on doing that until I am satisfied.

"I hope I don't wake up tomorrow" I said dizzy. I managed to walk towards my room.

When I felt an arm on my shoulder.

"Be careful Abigail.." I heard a cold voice from a man. Even though I was dizzy, I could smell her perfume.

I tried to look up to find out who that fragrant man was.

"W-Who are you!!" I shouted. I tried to push him "Why do you know my name?" I heard him laugh softly and carefully support me.

"It's only natural that I know the one I'm going to marry.."

To be continued…

Chapter 1 : Bittersweet decision.

The first time I was hurt by a man was when my biological Father left me, Grace and my Mom. He went with another girl, younger than my biological Mom. At first, I didn't think much about it, I wasn't that aware that my family was no longer a whole.

Little by little, I felt the pain when my friend often asked why my father was not with us. I gradually felt the longing of a Father figure. At first, I just ignored it, until I reached the my limit. I knew I was in pain. Until my biological mother died because of depression. Grace and I was adopted by a rich married couple.

It took a long time before I was able to process it.

Until Liam came. We became friends first, our story is typical of friends to lovers. He liked me first. He asked for the help of my best friend, Lara, to court me. Their teamwork is good because I'm saying yes. We've been together for a long time. I have been with him in different seasons of my life.

I liked a lot about Liam, he have these personalities that I wanted in a man.

I know him as a good person, hardworking, and I know he loves me. Because of our relationship, I thought my heart had been healed from being torn apart by what happened to my family.

But, I found out that healing doesn't just happen, it just happened that my life was quiet and far from the noise of pain because of what happened to my family.

It was Tuesday. I was really happy and excited to go home, not only because Liam was at our house today, but also because today is our anniversary. When I finished work, I immediately went straight to the comfort room to fix myself, I made sure my clothes were in order. It's beautiful and red, because that's Liam's favorite color. I put on make up and applied red lipstick on my lips. I made sure I looked good.

I was happy to travel home. However, something makes me feel nervousness I don't know where it's coming from, I just felt hesitant to open the door of the house where Liam and I were staying. I slowly opened the door and I heard a soft grunt, it seemed very eager and chasing. I felt very nervous when I saw the familiar shoe, I knew it was from me, because I remember I gave this shoe to my step sister Zoey, last year. Next thing I saw was Liam's shoes that I also gave as a gift. The way they place their shoes on the floor seems to be casual and rushing to where they need to go.

I quickly went to the room, the memory of how biological Father cheated on biological Mother seemed to come back to me. I can clearly remember the time she caught my Father having anothet woman.

I heard two people muttering inside the room, I winced when I gently touched the door knob without even bothering to lock it. It seems that all my muscles are losing. I feel weak, losing my temper, nervous and afraid. My chest seems tight. And my tears started to flow when I gently opened the door, it's funny that they didn't notice me and they were still doing what they were doing. I covered my mouth and cried.

Liam my long term boyfriend and Zoey my step sister, cheated on me. Of all people.

"H-Hon" I uttered.

Suddenly they seemed to return to their senses when they heard my voice.

"A-Abigail?" they said in surprise.

I sighed and bowed. I winced when I saw my heels, red dress and remembered how I got ready and was so excited to see Liam. But this is what saw.

Suddenly, all the memories of Liam and I seemed to come back, of our entire relationship, which had just ended.

"H-Hon" Liam said.

I didn't realize that Zoey was in a hurry to get dressed and Liam was already in pants. My mind is flying too much, I can feel the weakness of my knees and I'm going to fall. I don't even know how I can get out of this house.

"Hon, I will explain"

I looked at him dumbfounded. I could not see the regret in his eyes. It seems that he had thought that this would happen for a long time and he had prepared everything even the words he was saying now.

"It's not what you think"

"What do your mean, this is not like what I thought??, both of you are naked and moaning! My sister is lying on top of you Liam- Zoey!" I looked at her with a very disappointed look, she was now dressed even though her hair was messy.

"Abigail" My ears perked up when I heard my step sister's voice.

"She's my sister, why? Liam! why! Liam" My voice screamed.

"I'm sorry" There was no remorse in his voice. I completely lost myself.

I turned and quickly walked out of the house.

"Hon!-" I slapped him.

"Let's stop this Liam"

"What? Why???"

"I see no reason to have a relationship with you Liam"

"No! No! Let me explain!"

"I don't want it anymore Liam, let's break up"

He tried to hug me but since I was too angry, I have an enegry to push him away.

Liam was about to go after me, but Zoey quickly got out to stopped him, causing me to walk away.

I thanked God because I was able to walk towads my car and cry. I found myself again at a crossroads in my life. It all started with my Dad and now with Liam, the love of my life. Our relationship had been a whirlwind of emotions, filled with passion and promises of forever but he cheated. With my sister.

The next day, I heard the voice my adopted parents William and Nora aggresively asking Zoey about her relationship with Liam while being engaged. Zoey was desperate to escape an arranged marriage.

Suddenly, I remembered what happened yesterday, it wasn't a nightmare. This is my current reality. Tears fall again in my cheeks. It felt like something was blocking my throat and I couldn't breathe properly. I wanted to continue my tears when I heard Daddy's high voice.

I came down quickly and my eyes seemed to hurt from what I saw. My parents, the stern and unyielding people. Their usually composed faces contorted with fury as they saw Zoey in the arms of another man which is Liam, unaware of her engagement. The shock and anger on their faces were palpable, as they felt deceived and betrayed by Zoey's actions.

"I am pregnant! I cannot marry that man! I didn't even know!" Zoey shouted.

"This is perfect Zoey! You found a man that you really knew!" Our adopted Father sarcastically said while pointing his finger to Liam. "You knew that this man is your sister's boyfriend!"

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos unfolding before my eyes. My adopted Mother walk towards me and took matters into hands. I know what will happen next.

"You are our only hope Abigail, marry Elijah"

"Mom" hoping that she could change her mind.

"I know it is painful, I'm sorry for putting you in this situation but we have to do this"

Daddy stopped discussing with Zoey, then came over to Mommy.

"Abigail.." I closed my eyes. My tears flowed again.

This suggestion struck a painful chord within me, igniting a blend of anger and confusion.

How could my parents propose such a heartless solution to me that is already broken hearted?

"We will lose our rights to the shares of the company if the marriage does not go through" Dad said.

"You're going to prioritize that over my feelings?" I couldn't stop asking them.

"I'm so sorry but we have to do this" said Mommy.

As the tension in the room reached its peak, my adopted parents knew that they had crossed a line by suggesting such a compromise.

However, their intentions were not entirely misguided. They were well aware that I also desperate the need for money to afford my sister Grace's medical treatment. Driven by their love for me, they were willing to go to extreme lengths to make sure that sister's is in good condition.

I don't know what to do, this is too much for me.

It was in this heartbreaking moment of vulnerability that I have to make a decision that would change the course of my life. Despite the mistreatment I had endured from my family and the unfairness of the situation, I agonizingly accepted the proposal. Every fiber of my well-being rebelled against this decision, but my overwhelming love for my sister outweighed any personal desires or dreams I might have had.

The man I was about to marry was unknown for me. An actual stranger with a lineage shrouded in mystery. Despite of my pain, I mustered all of my courage and accepted this life-altering arrangement solely for the sake of securing the necessary funds for Grace's treatment. It was a bittersweet decision that would forever blur the lines between love, sacrifice, and the lengths one is willing to go for the sake of family.

In this tale of heartache, deception, and sacrifice. My journey had taken an unforeseen detour into the realm of the unknown. While I hoped to find solace and financial security for my beloved sister, I wrestled with the understanding that my heart's desires may never see the light of day.

It's the night before my wedding. I still can't accept the fact that I was about to marry someone I didn't know. I dreamt to marry Liam not a stranger.

This is a very serious matter that I allowed myself to happen.

I sat at the balcony of the hotel and drink the wine in the glass I was holding, I keep on doing that until I am satisfied.

"I hope I don't wake up tomorrow" I said dizzy. I managed to walk towards my room.

When I felt an arm on my shoulder.

"Be careful Abigail.." I heard a cold voice from a man. Even though I was dizzy, I could smell her perfume.

I tried to look up to find out who that fragrant man was.

"W-Who are you!!" I shouted. I tried to push him "Why do you know my name?" I heard him laugh softly and carefully support me.

"It's only natural that I know the one I'm going to marry.."

To be continued…