Chapter 2 A greater heartbreak.

//Elena//

“There’s no way that I’ll be a substitute bride and marry someone I don’t even know!”

I refused their ridiculous offer.

I never expected to come home from work only to hear that I was getting married to someone I never met in my life.

Just because I was an orphan and had no idea who my biological parents were, doesn’t mean I was going to allow myself to be used in that manner.

“We can set up a meeting for you both to see and get to know each other better," Julia gloatingly suggested.

“That’s not the point. I already have someone that I want to get married to and I love him a lot.” I couldn't help but shout at her.

“This is the only way you can help your father, the only way you can show appreciation to both of us as your parents,” Ignoring my protests, Janet started her evil chanting again. “Elena—

I moved away before she could touch me, “I am not doing it.”

I glanced at my father, realizing he hasn’t uttered a word since Julia offered the ridiculous suggestion, and his helpless sight greeted me.

He was the nicest person to me in the world. He found me and catered to me after my mother abandoned me to die as a child. He never once treated me with disrespect. I owed him a lot.

But Jake was also the sunshine of my life. I already had plans to settle abroad and start a new life together. I didn't want to give up my hard-earned happiness.

“You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to, Elena.” Father patted my shoulder with a forced smile. "Don’t give up your happiness for me."

My tears burst out. How lucky should I be to have a father like him in my life? If only he was my biological dad.

“Harold!” Janet yelled furiously.

"Stop it, Janet. The one the Waltons want is Julia, not Elena. Have you ever thought about what Elena has to bear if they find out she is a substitute bride?"

None of us had seen Father so angry and it even made Janet speechless. Taking that time, he took me to the door. "Leave here for tonight, Elena. I'll talk to them first."

Before I could speak, he slammed the door. With tears in my eyes, I entered the street and ran to Jake's house. More than anything, I wanted his comfort at that moment.

Thanks to the drizzling rain, no one could detect that I was crying or see the emotions I wore on my skin.

As I drew closer to Jake's house, the rain got heavier but I didn't stop running. Jake's house was many miles from mine and on a normal day, I would have boarded a ride; especially because of the rain.

I noticed the light in Jake's apartment was on so I knew he was still up. The plan was to throw open the door and jump into his arms, staying there until every one of my worries gradually fades. But as I threw the door open, I was left stunned by the scene that greeted my sight.

Tears burn my eyes as I saw my dear boyfriend keep railing himself into a naked woman from behind.

Noticing my presence, Jake immediately jumped off the naked woman, grabbing the nearest cloth and tying it around his waist.

I looked from him to the woman, who stared back at me without remorse before drawing the blanket to cover herself.

"E-Elena," Jake stuttered, the shock evident in his voice.

"How could you.." I seethed at him, my tears resuming as they fell in trickles.

"Baby, I can explain-" his hands started to reach for me and I slapped him hard across the face. I wasn't sure where the courage came from, I had never put my hands on Jake the entire time we dated.

He turned to me, shock and a burning fire visible in his eyes.

"It's over!" I screamed at his face and turned around to leave but he didn't want to give up, "No, babe. Let me explain-"

"Don't you dare touch me with your dirty hands!" I screamed at him as I avoided his hug. I tried to keep my way but his cackling stopped me in my tracks. It started as a slow pitiful laugh and grew into an annoying one that fueled my anger.

"I am dirty? Yeah, you're always being that holly virgin. Of course, it's over. I'm sick and tired of you anyways!" He said, looking me dead in the eyes.

"What?"

"I don't know if you're naturally dumb or clueless but if you were neither you would have noticed that I never really liked you. The hell, you're not even my type, Elena. You're way too cautious and boring, and all you do is work work work. You are no fun."

I scoffed. "Really? You literally begged me to date you. If I was so boring, why did you approach me in the first place?!" I screamed. I could feel myself losing my mind. Coming here was only increasing my burdens and it was weighing me down.

"I had a bet with Lucas. When we found out you were a virgin," he paused to laugh and scorn me, "I bet some money with him that I could make you lose your innocence."

I stiffened at the revelation, my heart breaking a second time as my vocal cords froze.

Jake smirked, "Seriously Elena, I doubt there's anyone in this world that would want to get married to an orphan with unknown parents whose life is as fucked as yours. I don't care if I lost the bet, I'd rather go to jail than end up with a woman like you."

"Then I hope you and everything that concerns you rot in the stinkiest part of the jail, you bastard!"

As I ran out, I heard their mockery laughter, and the light went off.

Right there in the rain, I fell to my knees and cried. My fist gripped my chest which was hurting from the heartbreak and I cried like I was in my worst phase of life, because honestly, I was.

Jake used to be my everything!

Now feeling more miserable than before, I dragged my feet forward with no direction.

What started as a tiring night for me, had gotten even more exhausting and emotional.

I was completely drenched in the rain but I didn't even feel the effect, the hurt I felt was more superficial than the cold. I felt like a walking dead with no sense of direction.

Until I stopped walking an hour later, I didn't realize I had been walking towards home. I was now standing in front of the door and I could still hear my adoptive parents arguing fiercely.

As I turned to leave, Janet's words abruptly stopped me.

"If Elena doesn't get married to the young master, we're going to lose everything! You could lose his life too, Harold and our family name will be tarnished. Do you want that to happen?"

My jaw dropped. Among everything, she said the only thing that had me rethinking my decision was the part that involves my dad's life.

Thoughtlessly, I burst through the door. My presence instantly gained their attention.

"Elena?" My Dad looked surprised by my state and presence, "what happened? Are you-"

“Is it true?" I cut him off, "Will you really die if I don’t get married to that man?” I asked him, fighting back my tears.

Harold sighed, blinking back his tears, “Don’t worry about me, I will be fine-

“Don’t lie to her, Harold! The Waltons will never spare you,” Janet bellowed, before turning to me, “Elena, do the right thing for your family. Remember our grace to you, we accepted you when your own parents abandoned you like trash.”

I felt like throwing up when she mentioned the word 'family'.

How did she have the nerve to say that when she and her daughter only treated me like a maid for all the past years?

Not wanting to be stuck with these two greedy demons anymore by such a "family" bond, I made a decision as I wiped off my tears.

“Fine. I’ll do what you want but on one condition.”

“What?” Janet stepped forward, her eyes beaming with excitement and curiosity.

"No, Elena..."Harold wanted to stop me but I shook my head at him, telling him not to worry.

I turned to Janet, “Henceforth, I don’t owe anything to you guys anymore and I will have no relationship with this family ever again."

"The moment the wedding rite is completed, you all cease to be my family.”

“Deal!” Her response was quick and brazen. “It’s a deal.”