Love Beyond The Contract.

Evelyn's POV

"Lucas! How could you do this to me?" I shrieked angrily with gritted teeth at the man in my stepsister's room. My eyes pricked with hot tears, while I shook my head slowly in disbelief.

Breathing heavily, Lucas quickly released his grip on the lady lying beneath him and covered their nakedness up with the duvet. He laid down comfortably on the bed and directed his gaze to where I stood.

This was the man I have dearly loved for four good years of my life. The man that I wore his ring in my middle finger and was supposed to walk down the aisle with, in a matter of hours.

Lucas was every woman's dream. The looks, the money, he got it all. I couldn't contain my joy when he knelt down solemnly before me, to insert that beautiful diamond ring into my middle finger. I felt blessed indeed to be the lucky one and was too eager to flaunt my ringed finger in front of my friends. All of that was months ago. Right now, he's more than a worst enemy.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" He boomed into my ears. "You should have been sensible enough to have knocked on the door before you got in, but unfortunately, you're too dumb to think of that."

His face was expressionless. It was anything, but remorseful. So was that of the woman he made love to. I couldn't believe he could say such a thing to me, at least not now, not when we're supposed to get married soon.

"It's our wedding tomorrow, Lucas and this was all you could think of?" I said, in a soft but firm voice, laddened with sadness.

"Look here, young lady!" He began. "There is no us, so stop being so pathetic. It's never my fault that you are dumb! Too dumb to fathom that I was never getting married to you!"

His fierce words cut through my delicate heart, shattering it into many pieces. To think of it that this was someone who was on his knees months ago, pleading earnestly with me, in all genuineness of heart, that I should be his. How on earth could I have believed he could do this to me?

"You think you were ever going to get married to him? Oh poor, you! Lucas is mine," Lisa scoffed, giggling heartily under his embrace.

I ignored my stepsister's ill remarks. I already knew she despised me, but not this much. I didn't really understand why she always wanted to have what was originally supposed to be mine.

Lisa chuckled irritatingly, mocking me openly with a mirthless laughter. Her large almond eyes blinked slightly, while her gaze was fixed at me.

"I've been with Lucas even before he met you and you thought you could steal him away from me so easily? Never! That's never gonna happen!" She threatened, with clenched teeth.

I felt yet another stab in my chest. I should have known I've been fooled all these while. Why did it take four solid years before I got to realize that I had been living in a facade?

As much as I knew, Lucas and Lisa were just friends. They only spent stolen moments with each other, each time I wasn't close by and I felt jealous of those times, but I didn't show it. I never knew there was more to their little chitchats than I could possibly imagine.

I did so many things to make him happy, and to keep him to myself, but it never seems to work. I've been blindfolded by love and have begun to lose myself just in the process.

It hurt me each time he compared Lisa to me. He made me feel I was inadequate; almost worthless.

"Oh why can't you work out at the gym, so you'll get as curvy as Lisa," I heard him say on one occasion.

It has always been 'oh why can't you be like this or that?' I stupidly registered for gym sessions, worked my ass off, just to please him. Nevertheless, he still blamed me for not working hard enough and complained about my figure, claiming I fattened myself up by eating too much junk.

"But I loved you, Lucas. I trusted you with all my heart!" I whimpered, choking on my tears. "Is this what I get in return?"

"Enough of this!" He roared. "As you can see, we're having a good time right now, so you had better leave this instant!"

"What?! How can you say that? C'mon Lucas, our wedding is tomorrow! You can't tell me that!" I protested, unwilling to take in the tense message.

"Leave immediately! Don't let me push you out myself. I would not be gentle on you for any reason!" He growled, in a menacing voice.

"Lucas!" His name lingered in my heavy heart, tears now cascaded freely down my eyes. "I will leave, but I'd definitely make you regret this!"

My tiny voice was drowned by fits of uncontrollable laughter, as I uttered those words.

"Look how pathetic you are! Is this your own attempt at being stoic? Pity, it's just an attempt," Lucas sneered, with an amused expression on his face. " I have no regrets about this. I can't believe I could be with such a miserable creature as you are all these years!"

My eyes welled with a fresh wave of tears. His words hurt me so badly and unfortunately, they were true. I couldn't stand and watch him talk to me in that manner, so I decided to leave.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the door and swung it open. I stormed out, slamming the door carelessly with a loud bang and I headed down the stairs, as fast as I could, my heart wrenching with deep pain.

I made it to the front door and just as I was about to step out, I was called back by a shrill but firm voice from behind.

"Where the hell do you think you're going? Get back in and go do the dishes, silly!"

I averted my gaze slowly to see who it was that addressed me. It turned out to be Rosalie, my worst nightmare!

"Where the hell do you think you're going, you silly fool?" The rash feminine voice repeated, pulling at my hair from behind.

My scalp burned with pain. It felt like my hair would pull off the scalp. Rosalie didn't care. She tossed me back into the living room

"You think you were smart, huh?" she snarled at me. "Now go do the dishes. You have just a few minutes!"

My head was lowered to the ground, so I didn't get to meet her angry gaze. I could feel her piercing eyes on me, so I had better not raised my face.

A loud unexpected slap echoed against my left cheek. "Don't you ever waste my precious time!" she snapped.

My cheek writhed in severe pain but I dared not say a word. What was I going to say and who would listen to me?

I hurriedly rushed out of the living room and traced my steps to the kitchen, evading her palm, which would have brushed heavily against my cheek. More tears rolled down, but I wiped them off and tried not to look pathetic, so it doesn't earn me more insults.

I got into the kitchen and began preparing what was on the menu, the fastest I could. In less than an hour's time, I was done with it. I dish out the food from the pot and lay it on the already set table. Rosalie and Lisa were already seated, chatting about something they didn't want me to know about. As I got in, they went totally silent.

"Why did you have to take so long to prepare dinner? I thought you were only dumb, I never knew you were sluggish as well," Lisa scoffed, giggling at her mum.

"Nature was so generous to give you good looks. At least, that is the only thing you could be proud of and yet since you are a good-for-nothing, it is not surprising that you are a failed model," Rosalie jeered, alluding to my failed modelling career.

Lily chortled loudly, amused by what her mum just said.

As much as I tried to react to their insults, I couldn't get myself to do that. If Dad happens to hear that I ever talked back at any of them, I'd be skinned alive. He detested me so much since after my mum's death and had even brought in his pregnant mistress a few days later, who now is my worst enemy. I never belonged, no matter how hard I tried.

"Go call your Dad for dinner, dumb ass!" Rosalie's voice rang again.

I stomped out of their presence immediately and headed upstairs to dad's study. That was where he spent most of his time.

"Dinner is ready!" I announced, as soon as I got there.

Dad appeared not to be interested in what I was saying. He buried his face into the magazine he held in his hands.

"Leave, I'd join in soon!" he muffled, without sparing me a glance.

I felt like a plague, being avoided by everyone I met. Why did my mum leave me to this wicked world? I wish I had joined her in the vehicle that had led to her Waterloo, because living in this house was as good as being dead to me.

As I got back downstairs, Rosalie and Lisa were still discussing in low tones. My presence instilled a fresh wave of quietness, which made it become more suspicious what they were discussing.

"Come serve us, loser!" Lisa sneered.

I walked up to the table and began dishing out the food I cooked into the plates, while Rosalie stared at me consciously. I served them both and sat down to eat mine.

"It seems you have forgotten your place in this house. You don't deserve to sit on the table with me! You are nothing but an unfortunate stepdaughter, a miserable one at that! So get lost!" she growled remorselessly.

I darted my eyeballs sideways for a while and as I heard heavy footsteps descend the stairs, I gave up being adamant. I had better leave, while she was still being gentle with me.

I took my plate and cutlery and left for the kitchen, shutting the door behind me slowly. I dropped my food on the kitchen island and rested my ear against the door.

"Why did you allow that stinking hag to sit here in the first place? You don't want me to breathe in peace?" I heard my dad, James Peterson say.

"I'm sorry, hunny. I could have done better. I wonder why she came to this world in the first place," my stepmother hissed.

I exhaled deeply and ran my rickety fingers through my silky hair.

"So how about the plans?" Lisa opted to change the topic.

"Oh yeah! I was on a phone call with him just a few moments ago. Evelyn was never a match for him. I'm glad their wedding won't come by. We need to get connected to this powerful family, so we don't get to miss out on the deals with those higher ups," Dad spelt out, not risking that I listened secretly.

My eyes widened with shock. My jaws dropped at once, but no word came out of my mouth.

My spoon slipped off my grip and fell to the ground with a loud noise. I immediately covered my mouth with my palm and picked it up quickly.

Silence descended on the living room at once. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen next. Soon, I heard footsteps nearing the kitchen door. I doubled in fear.

The door was pushed open and Lisa walked in, finding me by the door with my meal untouched.

"So you think you can eavesdrop on us and do away with it so easily huh?" she threatened in a tone similar to her mother's.

"I'm sorry. I..." A thunderous hit on my head shut me up and sent me reeling backwards. I hit my hand against my plate and it fell down and shattered, sending pieces of ceramics flying to my foot. I got injured by it, while Lisa scampered for safety.

"What?! You just broke my mum's dish? You'll pay for it!" she said, coldly.

I bent down to clean up the mess and she slapped her palm against my back remorselessly. I cried in pain, but no one listened.

Rosalie walked in immediately and found the kitchen messed with the broken pieces. she gritted her teeth and kicked at me.

"When you're done with that, you go prepare the dress for your sister upstairs. It's never my fault that you're so unfortunate!" she declared and walked away, with Lisa behind her.

"It's never my fault that you're so unfortunate!"

Those fierce words echoed in my ears. But why did she always have to remind me of how unfortunate I was? Why can't I be happy for just a second?

Today was supposed to be my wedding day, the happiest day of my life, but Lucas had already cheated. I can't stoop so low to get married to him, not after the painful betrayal. I had known better than to expect him to marry me either. I had to come to terms with the fact that the perfect life with Lucas, as I had previously envisioned, was a just farfetched fantasy.

My parents had forced me to be here today to serve their guests. From the look of things, I can tell they had another secret plan for me. The hushed voices with which they and Lisa spoke and condescending looks on their faces attested to that. But what could it be? And What could I do about it?

The guests were already trooping in, clad in their festive attires, all joyful and chatty. The hall was intricately decorated with balloons and ribbons of various hues. The magnificent diamond chandelier that hung low glowed brightly and gave the hall a grand feel.

"Come here, you stupid thing!" A savage feminine voice amidst the crowd called out to me.

Without scanning through the crowd, I already knew who it was; the demon that was sent to torment my world.

Before I could make words in my mind, I found the most dreaded person standing right in front of me. Rosalie landed a deafening slap across my cheek that silenced the entire hall. I froze on the spot and lowered my gaze in shame.

"You should be serving our guests and here you are, lazing about, you spoiled brat!" Rosalie spat the second time and spanked my face.

"I...I'm sorry mum," I faltered on my words, my knees wobbly like jelly.

"Don't you ever call me that, you miserable fellow! I'm not your mum and would never be!" Rosalie berated, in a ferocious tone.

My heart sank as those words pierced deep into it. Yes, she is my stepmother, but she is also my mum for now. Why did she detest me so much?

"I'm sorry ma. It won't happen again," I pleaded.

"It had better not happen, else I'd skin you alive and show you how much of a godforsaken stepdaughter you are! Now go get the dishes served to the guests immediately!" She ordered and walked away briskly.

I hurriedly rushed to where the caterers stood and joined in their work. I worked so diligently, to avoid being scolded or thrashed by my Stepmom.

My jaws dropped when it was announced that Derek should kiss the bride. I watched keenly in despair, as the love of my life hungrily devoured the lips of my stepsister in the presence of the guests. Torrents of hatred and of fury burned within me.

After a while, I all of a sudden became the centre of attention. Most of the chitchats in the hall were either about how nice and gentle I was, or how pretty I was.

I had served my last guest of the day and was about to leave, when I felt a strange hand grip mine suddenly. I felt dominated by his gentle touch and froze at the door.

"Don't you think you should have a drink with me?" His baritone voice sent shivers down my spines.

My gaze travelled to the young man that held my hand. He was in a black Armani suit that reeked of nothing but opulence. His cologne immediately seized my nostrils and registered in my senses.

"I...I'm sorry, I don't collect drinks from strangers," I waved him off, and tried releasing my hand from his now tightened grip.

"Oh you can have this then, since you don't drink stranger's drinks!" A familiar voice sounded from behind, making me twist my head to see who it was that interrupted our conversation.

It was none other than Lisa, my now ex fiance's new wife. She held out a glass of champagne and handed it over to me with an obviously feigned smile.

"You can have this then!"

I stared at her first, in both confusion and contempt and then back to the gentleman, who now thumped at my fingers. His face appeared convincing.

"C'mon, she's your sister! You should have that!" He urged, with a beautiful smile, a smile that revealed the perfection in his dentition.

"Okay fine," I shrugged and collected the glass of wine from Lisa's hand slowly, still wondering what she might be up to with such an act of generosity she had never displayed to me all these years.

Lisa walked away in a confident gait and with a satisfied grin on her face. I couldn't make out why she should be so cheerful just because I had accepted a drink from her. Could it be that she had other plans?

The handsome young man offered me a seat at his table. I sat reluctantly and hesitated to take a sip of my wine for a moment until he asked me to.

"Won't you like to drink yours?" He asked, staring intently at my face.

"Oh I will," I smiled and took a sip, to please this hot stranger.

"My apologies, I'm Liam and it's a pleasure to meet you," he said with a smile on his tender face, stretching out his hand for a handshake.

"I'm Evelyn. Nice to meet you too!" I shook hands with him, a handshake that was a little too lingering.

"So tell me more about yourself," Liam asked, peering eagerly into my face.

"Oh okay, I am the first daughter of the Petersons and I..." I began, looking away for a moment.

I could spot Lisa and her mum discussing in hushed voices that brooded nothing but ill, while casting sinister glares at me.

Soon my eyes grew weary of looking and my vision began blackening out. My limbs grew weak and wobbly when I stood up after a long discussion with the hot stranger and I almost tripped off on my high stiletto heels. Liam held me in place, just in time and led me out of the hall into his car.

It was all I could remember when I woke up scantily clad and in a strange exquisite room, caged in an unfamiliar man's embrace.