Unexpected Turn

Loud, unbelievable gasps echoed throughout the hall.

"What?" Rebecca inquired, holding a hand to her throbbing cheek. "Seduced who?"

She looked over to Jacob, hoping he'd say something in her defence, but he just watched quietly. Her gaze moved to Patricia, who shuffled closer to him with a smug smile, and in response, he held her closely, playing along with her pretence.

It was then it dawned on her; she was betrayed; everyone was in on this.

But why would Jacob do this to her? She thought. It was a usual thing to be treated this way by her stepmother and sister—not by him.

Didn't he say he loved her?

Gathering the little courage she had left, she threw a glare at Mrs. Park.

"You know that's a lie; I never seduced anyone. I have known Jacob since we were children." Rebecca defended. "We have been together for three years now. Why is no one stating the truth?"

She looked at their families for support, but they all snobbishly threw their faces to the side. This was defamation. She didn't know who to turn to and as a last resort, her sad eyes found her father's,

"Dad," She breathed, dejected, but all she got was silence.

His ignorance of her stepmother's ill-treatment was something she became used to ever since she grew to know the difference between good and bad. He acted like he didn't see the subtle signs of her malicious and vile treatment, and it became worse after the incident that happened four years ago.

The incident that almost ruined her life.

Mr Park's behaviour remained a mystery to Rebecca. From the little she could remember of the few months she got to spend alone with him after her mother's death, he was the best father in the world.

That was up until the day he came home with an indifferent look and his pregnant secretary behind him. It marked a turning point in their father-daughter relationship.

This marriage was supposed to be her ticket to freedom. Why was life so cruel?

Rebecca had thought that things were beginning to look up for good. She was going to start a family with the man she loved and believed loved her too.

Does love change easily? How long had they been plotting this behind her back? What did she do to deserve this betrayal?

Her mind spun with several questions, and she cried at her helplessness as harsh whispers flew over her head.

Did she plan to seduce her sister's fiancé?

What an unfilial child!

What a wicked girl.

Rebecca clasped her knees together, burying her head in shame. Nothing she could say or do would convince these people that it was all a lie.

She had been humiliated once again.

Suddenly, someone from the crowd released a loud sound in astonishment; all heads turned to the source, resulting in more stunned gasps.

Their whispers were not so much of a whisper anymore.

All attention was on the young, handsome man sitting in a wheelchair in front of the hall adjacent to theirs.

What is going on?

Isn't that the daughter of the mayor?

Is she getting married today as well?

They voiced their thoughts at the other scene in front of them.

The man held himself with so much grace.

Even his disability couldn't hide how tall and dignified he seemed to be. With a swollen face marred with tears and snorts, Rebecca lifted her head to peek at the source of their astonishment.

"How dare you? You think a pretty girl like me would end up with a disabled man like you?" A pretty lady wrapped from head to toe in luxury screeched at the man in a wheelchair. "I am going to discuss this insolence with my father! We agreed to a marriage proposal from the healthy son of the Maynard family, not the handicapped one!" She huffed and trotted out of the venue with her guards closely behind her, oblivious to the scene she'd created.

Rebecca felt her heart sink at the lady's hurtful words to the unfamiliar man. She couldn't see his face as his back was turned towards her, but she could relate to the pain she assumed he was feeling.

He's just like me, betrayed by the one he loved and abandoned. she thought.

As though her words reached him, he wheeled around, and their gazes met.

Rebecca's heart skipped a beat.

She let out a soft gasp at the intensity of his stare. He didn't look like a man whose heart had just been broken. Instead, his deep blue-green eyes were void of emotion, and the longer he stared, the more it felt like he was trying to reach into her soul.

She felt uncomfortable but refused to look away.

Something about him doesn't add up.

There was no one who didn't know of the Maynard family. They had the largest business empire in the over three countries, including theirs; their wealth dates back to generations. Even hers or the Lee family would not hold a candle to them.

Unfortunately, the elder Maynard had a heart attack three years ago and has been in a coma ever since. The company was currently being managed by his only son so who was this man?

The mayor's daughter had just said he was from the Young family. Everyone knew they had only a son and he wasn't disabled, so who was he?

Her thoughts were interrupted as a series of heavy feet marched into the hall, diverting everyone's attention—causing Rebecca to break out of the staring contest, unfortunately.

She eyed their uniform, wondering what the police were doing at a wedding venue.

A formal voice boomed

"We're here for Miss Rebecca Park. Is she here, please?"

It took Rebecca a second to realize that she was the one. Hurriedly wiping her wet face, she timidly raised her hand as she answered in a small voice.

"That's me."

The men marched over to her.

"Miss Rebecca Park. You're under arrest for the murder of Mr. Stevens."

"Wh.... what?"

"You have the right to an attorney and to also speak, but note that anything you say would be used against you in a court of law."

Rebecca could only watch, stunned, as they placed a handcuff over her wrists.

Did he just insinuate that she killed someone?

The guests couldn't hold back their gestures of disbelief. They all had expressions of both shock and fear but Mrs Park was the most astonished.

She stormed over to her.

"You killed your uncle?"