Chapter 2 The Announcement

Isabella~

"Bella, what happened? Why are you looking so sad?" Victor gave me a worried look.

"I'm all right. Let's go to the party; Dad must be waiting for us." I put more effort into forcing a fake smile on my face, trying to hide my tears.

"But my brooch, you said my appearance looks incomplete," he grumbled as he glanced at the locked door to my room.

"You look perfectly fine; you don't need a brooch." I grabbed his hand, stopping him from entering my room. I couldn't bear for him to step into the nightmare I had just witnessed. My hand trembled slightly as I held onto his, the weight of Xavier and Alicia's betrayal pressing on my chest like a boulder.

Victor let out a soft sigh. "All right, if you say so." His eyes searched mine, and I quickly averted my gaze, tugging him toward the party hall. It became impossible to face anyone alone.

As we walked, my world crumbled in my mind, replaying Xavier and Alicia's intimacy over and over. How had I been so blind to their relationship? Every memory came rushing back-their subtle glances, their inside jokes. All the moments I had dismissed as mere friendship between them suddenly came back to me. I had mistaken it for loyalty, but now, standing in the ruins of my trust, I saw how wrong I had been.

Alicia was my stepsister, but my father had never treated us differently. If she had told me from the start that she loved Xavier, I would have stepped aside. How could she betray me like this when she knew I had loved him since childhood? And Xavier-why hadn't he stopped his father from forcing him to marry me? The questions swirled in my head, each one more painful than the last.

Tears threatened to spill again, but I blinked them away. People were watching. I was the wife of Xavier Thompson, one of the most well-known criminal lawyers, and David Thompson's daughter-in-law. My emotions had to remain hidden.

"Bella, where is Xavier? Guests are eagerly waiting to meet him." My father-in-law's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

Now, what should I tell him?

"Dad, he'll be here soon." I tried to sound convincing, but my voice wavered as I stumbled through the lie.

"I'm here, Dad." Xavier's voice came from behind me, startling me. I turned to face him, forcing my expression into something neutral. He looked calm, completely unaffected by what had just transpired. As if the last few minutes meant nothing to him.

"Come, let's cut the cake," Dad said, motioning for us to begin the ceremony. As he approached the cake, Xavier plastered a fake smile on his face.

"Cut the cake, Bella," Dixie, my sister-in-law, urged, handing me the knife.

My hands shook as I took it, trying to ignore the heaviness in my heart. This celebration felt like a farce. Everything-from our vows to the ring on my finger-felt like a cruel joke. All I wanted was to scream, to confront Xavier, to demand answers. But I couldn't. Not yet. Not here.

His hand glided over mine, guiding the knife as we cut through the cake. The warmth of his skin against mine, something I had once longed for, now repulsed me. I wanted to pull away, but his grip tightened, keeping me close. I felt trapped, suffocated by his proximity.

Alicia stood just in front of the table, her eyes locked on me with venomous hatred. How had I been so blind to her? Every look she gave me was dripping with resentment, yet I had always been too trusting to see it.

"Bella cut the cake." My father-in-law's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I blinked, realizing the knife was still in my trembling hand, stuck in the middle of the cake. Xavier's grip was firm, too firm, and I struggled to remove the knife as the crowd cheered around us.

"Cheers."

"Well, wishes for your happy marriage."

We finished slicing the cake, and Xavier turned to me, holding a piece toward my lips. I stared into his eyes, searching for guilt and remorse. But there was nothing-just that same, cold indifference. His smile was a performance for the guests. His hand pushed the cake into my mouth, and I forced myself to chew. The sweetness turned bitter on my tongue, heavy like a stone in my chest.

"Bella, why so shy? He's your husband; give him some cake!" Dixie teased, and the crowd laughed. I picked up a piece with shaky fingers, offering it to Xavier. His lips parted as he leaned forward, licking the cream off my thumb.

The crowd burst into laughter, entertained by his playfulness.

But I felt sick. If I hadn't just caught him in our bedroom with Alicia, this act might have given me butterflies. Now, it only made me nauseous. I wiped my thumb on a napkin, desperate to remove his touch sensation.

"As I said on their wedding day," my father-in-law began, his voice booming through the hall. "I will now step down as CEO of my legal practice and select a family member to be the Thompson firm's heir."

The room fell into a heavy silence. Every eye in the hall turned toward him, waiting with bated breath. I stood in line next to Xavier, who shifted restlessly beside me. His impatience was clear, and I could sense his eagerness.

Of course, everyone knew Xavier would be the heir. He was the most logical choice-the only one qualified.

Still, there was tension in the air. I could feel it pressing down on all of us.

We lined up, standing side by side-Xavier and I on one side, and Grayson, his older brother, with Dixie on the other. Victor took his place on my left, his hand brushing mine in silent support.

I couldn't help but wonder why I was even part of this ceremony. I hadn't completed my education, and I had no business standing alongside lawyers as accomplished as Dixie.

My stomach tightened. Perhaps my father-in-law was only including me to treat me with respect and show that I was part of the family. But that didn't stop the confusion that gnawed at me. How could a dropout like me be considered for such a position?

I glanced at Xavier. He met my gaze briefly, then shook his head, disappointed. He always hated seeing me stand next to him; he hated that I was never good enough for him. Now I understand why he never took me to events or let me attend important functions. He thought I wasn't worthy of him.

"Why the delay, Dad?" Xavier asked, breaking the silence. "We all know I'm the rightful heir."

Mr. Thompson's eyes flicked toward me, lingering for a moment before he spoke. My heart pounded in my chest.

"I chose Isabella Thompson, my firm's heir."

His voice cut through the room like a blade.

My eyes widened, disbelief washing over me. "What?"