I let out a bitter laugh. A marriage this rotten was something I should have walked away from long ago.
"Fine. So be it."
I shook off his grip and turned, walking straight into the banquet hall.
Hailey Abbott saw me and grabbed my hand, her emotions a tangled mess. She lowered her voice. "Lorraine, why did I just see your husband—"
She didn't finish. She'd caught sight of Nathaniel behind me, his face dark as a storm.
"Lorraine, you…"
I gave her a reassuring smile. "I already know everything."
Hailey knew the truth about Nathaniel and me, and her expression went ugly. "He's gone too far. This whole family is shameless. I'm going to stand up for you—"
I caught her arm. "Let it go. I don't care anymore."
The celebration began. Their happy little family stood at the center of it all, surrounded by well-wishers.
"What a gorgeous baby. The spitting image of his daddy."
"You two are the lucky ones, landing such a wonderful son-in-law. Now you've even got a grandson. Time to sit back and enjoy the good life."
"That's right. I hear your son-in-law's a general manager at a big company, pulling in millions a year. Eileen's a blessed girl."
My parents were practically bent double from all the praise, smug pride written across their faces.
"Ha, that's all Eileen's own doing. She earned it."
Then someone brought me up. "I hear Lorraine works at your son-in-law's company too. Isn't she two years older than Eileen?"
"You're Lorraine's brother-in-law now. Keep an eye out, why don't you—set her up with someone good too."
A flicker of discomfort crossed Nathaniel's and Eileen's faces, but my parents' expressions went cold on the spot.
"That girl's got a strange temper, nothing like our sweet Eileen. Who'd ever want her? Don't go putting our son-in-law in a tough spot."
The guest gave an awkward little laugh and clamped his mouth shut, dropping the subject of me entirely.
Hailey's chest was heaving with fury. "This is outrageous. How can they say such shameless things? I'm going over there to get justice for you."
"You're their daughter. How did it end up looking like Eileen is the real one?"
I pulled Hailey back again and let out a bitter laugh. "You know how things are in my family, don't you?"
The fight drained out of Hailey all at once, her eyes filling with pity.
Eileen was my cousin. When her father died and her mother couldn't manage to raise her alone, she handed Eileen over to my parents.
From the day she arrived, my parents' favoritism tilted hard.
She was better with words than me, more likeable. One word from her, and whatever was mine instantly became hers.
But that wasn't enough for her. She started framing me. She'd take a fall and say I pushed her. Her backpack would go missing and she'd say I threw it away.
I shook my head and said I hadn't, and got a whipping from my father for it. "You're just jealous that Eileen is smarter and more mature than you, so you set out to hurt her. How did you turn out so vicious?"
I was locked in the basement for a full day and night, until I'd cried myself hoarse.
Eileen, meanwhile, smiled at me with cold satisfaction. "Lorraine, I just want you to know—it doesn't matter that you're the real daughter of this house. The only one they truly love is me."
I didn't want to hear any more. I took Hailey's hand and started to leave.
But then I heard someone else pipe up. "You've already thrown the baby shower. So when's the wedding?"
My mother jumped in eagerly. "Next week. We'll have you all over for the celebration."
I stopped walking. I turned, looking at Nathaniel with a flicker of hope. His eyes were fixed deep on Eileen. He didn't say a word against it.
My heart died completely.
When I saw the message on my phone, I didn't hesitate this time. "Fine. I accept. Just give me a little time to take care of some personal matters."
