Chapter 1

Serena's POV

I walked inside my parent's bedroom, and the first thing that caught my gaze was my mother shaking nervously while avoiding my gaze. I sensed something was wrong, but I chose to ignore it.

"Father, you called for me," I said nervously, my pot belly pushing towards my stepfather, who sat staring at me with a look of disgust in his eyes.

Just that stare alone, I knew the night was going to be hell for me, but what could I do? I couldn't disobey him although he was my stepfather.

"What is your usefulness in this house? Don't you think you were born to be useless?" My father's question thundered in my head, but I stood still, waiting.

I shifted uncomfortably, unable to answer the question I was being asked. It was true, all my life has always been nothing but an extra baggage to my family. I have always been useless and can't even do anything for a moment or seconds.

At times, I do wonder why I was born fatter than every other person in my family; neither my mother nor my father was as big as I am, but here I am, big like baggage with nothing useful to do than eat, sleep and lock myself inside the room. My father's harsh words hit their mark; I felt useless and burdened.

"Donald, she's still in her prime age. Let's leave her," My mother's shaking voice said behind me, I knew she was trying so hard not to burst into tears. 

"Prime age, you said, huh?"

"She's a fat, ugly, lazy sow who spends her days stuffing her face and lounging about. Why, she can barely fit through the doorway anymore!"

I tightened my grip and felt like hiding myself away from the room and everyone inside, but where could I possibly hide myself when I was as big as a bamboo?

"Please don't talk about her that way," My mom pleaded, her voice quivering while I stood still like a foolish fatty who I am.

But my stepfather's words were sharp as blades. "She's nothing but a burden to us," he hissed coldly while I staggered behind due to the heavy words from my father.

If I were told I would be finding myself in a situation like this, I would deny it because I never thought my stepdad would call for my attention by this time of the day and start with his usual words.

He usually confronted me during the day; I never thought he would start at night, calling me from my room to theirs.

"Go back to your room and get a few of your things."You're getting married," My father's cold words resounded in my brain. By then, I already knew something bigger was about to happen, and that would shake the hell out of me.

My heart skipped a beat, and my expression froze in shock.

"Married?" I stammered, my voice was barely above a whisper. "Today?" 

My stepfather's expression remained hard; I could see his eyes were narrowed and calculating. I looked back at my mother who was fighting back the tears that were about to stream down her cheeks. 

"Yes, tonight," My father said with no string of remorse. I looked at him again before clearing my throat and speaking up. I need to ask him a question to ease my tension. 

The question has always been throbbing me, but I guess that was the best moment to bring it up. "Have you ever considered me as your daughter, father?" I asked, and just like I expected, the room dropped silent as my stepdad was unable to answer.

It was quite expected as I already expected such an answer from him.

~~~~~

Minutes later, My breathing labored as I struggled to maneuver my body through the narrow opening that led to the outside. Sweat was gaslighting my forehead, my hand clutching the door frame as I hoisted myself forward, one arduous step at a time.

This was mostly the reason I tended to lock myself inside my room without stressing myself out. I see no reason to go out because I would surely be made fun of, so I would rather stay indoors than stress myself over that.

I lowered my gaze, feeling embarrassed as everyone turned to look at me when I stepped outside. My stepfather, who was exchanging pleasantries, also stopped and gave me a short, disgusting glare, while my mother and my step-sister just gave an awkward look, which I returned with a short smile to ease my embarrassment.

"Come over here and introduce yourself to your Father-in-law," My stepfather said to me as he beckoned to me. My heart pounded in my chest, my breath catching in my throat as I struggled to suppress my fear and embarrassment.

Finally, I reached the old man who was my supposed father-in-law, just like I was being told; my hands were shaking as I tried to force a smile.

I looked into the old man's face expecting to see some kind of disgusting look on his face, but to my surprise, the old man's face was softened into a tender smile, which instantly melted my heart. That was the first time I came across a stranger who didn't feel disgusted with my sight.

My father-in-law's expression seemed to dance with warmth, his face crinkling with kindness as he looked upon me with a gentle expression. At that moment, I didn't even know when my hand fell to my sides, my shoulders relaxing as I returned his smile, my fear and anxiety melting away in the light of his acceptance.

"Nice, doing business with you Mr Donald. We'll be leaving now," My father-in-law said as he shook hands with my stepfather, who couldn't help giggling happily every second. I couldn't comprehend why he was that happy, but thinking about the fact that he wouldn't see my swollen pumped face agawas is worthy of being happy.

I looked at my mother one more time; I could see her tears behind her expression, but what could I do? I turned back and followed my supposed father-in-law-in-law inside the car.

~~~~~~seven months later ~~~~~~~

I sat alone on the terrace, the breeze caressing my long, silky hair as I stared into the endless expanse of sky. The sun was beating down on my fat face, my skin damp with sweat, as I tried to busy my mind with idle thoughts and daydreams.

For the past four months, I have done nothing but wait in this penthouse, abandoned by my so-called husband.

A part of me was happy as I was able to do what I wanted with nobody to throw shades at me. Though the servants in the mansion do throw shades at me, they do it behind my back, which seems a little bit better.

A slight breeze danced through the air, rustling the leaves in the trees, but I remained unmoved, my eyes fixed on a distant horizon.

I was lost in thought, my mind wandering through the labyrinth of my memories, when Steward Gu came rushing towards me. His face seemed to be flushed over something, but he remained calm, just like his usual posture.

Steward Gu rarely comes over here unless there is an important message he has for me; he has been the messenger between me and my husband. He has been the one I know and not my husband.

"Madam, master is back!" He said.

"It's Miss for you and not madam!" I corrected immediately without hearing the other words said by him. I was just too engrossed in that madam thing. I always felt like I was being mocked by being called 'madam' when I never saw the man I was married off to.

"All right, Miss. Master is back," Steward Gu said again, which got me to look up, my eyes narrowed in disbelief. " What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice dismissive. " For seven months, he never came. I am sure there's a mistake somewhere,"

After my response, I expected Steward Gu to turn around and leave, but the Chinese man shook his head. "No. Miss. He's on his way to the living room. Besides, we came here together, "he said.

My eyes widened, my lips parting in surprise, as the news sank into my mind. I thought ladies were always meant to be happy for their husband's arrival, but mine was otherwise. 

I am sure my expression must have made Steward Gu confused as I could see the confusion written boldly on his forehead, but that wasn't what caught my attention; I noticed my hands were trembling, my palms slicked with sweat as I tried to steady myself against the sudden rush of adrenaline.

It was unbelievable news but despite feeling reluctant, I had to follow the steward 

"But why? Could it be.....?" I stammered as I sluggishly stood up and ma

de my way inside the mansion not without thinking if my so-called husband was really here.

TBC