From Abandoned to Adored

“What have you done?” Samuel growled at me as he blocked his body to protect Nora.

I ignored Samuel and shot daggers at Nora. If looks could kill, she would have been dead by now. “You better keep your filthy mouth shut!”

Nora retorted, “Was I wrong? Your mother was not sick at all. You planned everything and used her fake illness to convince Samuel to marry you! Otherwise, Samuel wouldn’t even think about bringing you to the altar!”

My heartbeat became erratic. I turned to Samuel and asked, “Do you think the same?”

Samuel said nothing and averted his gaze. He didn’t have to open his mouth for me to get his reply. I already knew the answer the moment he looked away.

Six months ago, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. The doctor told us she didn’t have enough time left, so she made sure to tell me her last wish… And that would be marrying Samuel, the one I loved.

I was hesitant at first, knowing that Samuel may refuse. But for my mother’s sake, I begged him to say when I proposed to him for marriage. I was desperate, but there was nothing I wouldn’t do to make my Mom happy on her last days.

However, Samuel thought that my mother was just pretending to force the wedding between us. Perhaps he always looked down on me since that day. I couldn’t blame him though.

Samuel was born with a silver spoon and was the heir of the Wilson Group. I fell in love with him the very first time we met. I loved him so much that I swallowed my pride as a woman and shamelessly pursued him for years.

Samuel liked obedient women, so I learned to be submissive and obeyed everything he wanted without complaining. I could die for him if he wanted and I thought doing everything he asked would make him love me.

I was wrong.

When Samuel met Nora, he changed. He became a gentleman that I could barely recognize. While I did everything he wanted, Nora could ask him anything. He spoiled her like a child even without her asking. They held hands and cuddled… Things I wasn’t allowed to do with him.

Nora could do all the things I wish I could with Samuel. She was his queen and I was just an extra to their story.

I was a fool and even tried to copy what Nora did but Samuel treated me coldly with disgust written on his face.

“Juliet, stop being childish,” he told me back then.

“Why?” I stuttered.

“You’re embarrassing me in front of people. Stop acting like we’re lovers. I don’t even love you,” he said, coldly.

Reality hit me hard that time and after that one embarrassment, I dared not do it again.

Samuel never held my hand while on a date with me. When we were outside, it was I who always took the initiative to start a conversation. Most of the time, I found myself walking behind him. Sometimes, he made it so obvious to me that only Nora could walk by his side.

I was only Samuel’s girlfriend in the name. The one he really wanted to date was Nora.

It was ironic that even in public, it was Samuel and Nora who were dating. After all, he introduced her to everyone as someone special in his heart.

If it weren’t for my mother’s last request, I wouldn’t think of asking Samuel to marry me. There wouldn’t be a ridiculous wedding then.

A sad smile crept into my face as I faced Samuel. He was the man I loved dearly for years and the same man who hurt me. I wondered what I saw in him in the first place.

My train of thought was disrupted when Nora groaned. “Samuel, come and check if my face is red. I feel like it’s swollen too. How could she be so evil? My face hurts a lot!”

The look on Samuel’s face softened as he checked Nora’s cheek.

I went all out with that slap I could see the palm mark left on Nora’s face. Well, she deserved it for dragging my Mom into this conversation.

Samuel turned to me with a dark expression on his face. “Apologize, Juliet!”

“And if I don’t want to?”