Married for Revenge, Trapped in Desire

In a beautiful hotel ballroom with flowers placed all over the place, guests gazed enthusiastically at the bride, walking gracefully to the altar with a bouquet of white roses in her hand.

She smiled happily, revealing the beautiful arch of her eyes.

Her beautiful flowing gown looked so fitting on her slender body, adding to the graceful and charming impression that only a bride can have.

After arriving at the front, she turned around, gazing longingly and expectantly at the double doors through which her beloved would pass.

She couldn't wait to say her vows. Even now, her heart couldn't stop beating with unimaginable excitement.

Just then, the loud voice of the host welcomed the presence of her beloved, Daniel, followed by the opening of the double doors and the spotlight only on him.

Their gazes met, and her sweet smile grew.

Daniel began to step steadily towards Kiara. However, before his feet stepped on the stage, a man suddenly came barging into his side and whispered something.

Kiara's smile slowly faded when she saw this. She became anxious. But soon, the man left, and Daniel resumed his steps, making her tug at the corners of her lips again.

However, the unexpected happened. Once in front of Kiara, Daniel suddenly said out loud, causing the music to stop and everyone to fall silent. "Kiara, I can't marry you!"

Kiara was stunned. Her smile had completely faded. Even now, she looked at Daniel with trembling eyes. "Daniel, what are you saying?"

"This marriage is off!" snapped Daniel, who turned angry. "I can't marry you!"

"Honey, you... what's going on? Why are you like this?" Kiara's eyes burned as she began to hear the whispers of the guests talking about her. She glanced at them nervously and looked back at Daniel worriedly. "Everyone is staring at us. This wedding is a very special day for us. Please don't make jokes like this."

Then she was about to grab Daniel's hand, but the man who looked very handsome in his neat suit brushed it away and stepped back.

"Daniel." Kiara's voice began to tremble.

"I don't love you anymore," said Daniel, who then walked towards the table, where there was a tray with a ring box on it.

He grabbed the box and threw it until both rings were thrown out.

Kiara was even more shocked. She stared at her diamond rings as they rolled and stopped right in front of her feet. Her tears welled up.

However, Daniel didn't seem to care. Instead, he took a wide step away from the event while roughly pulling his bow tie and taking off his suit.

The guests' boisterous voices echoed even more.

They stared at Kiara with judgmental eyes. Word after word was exchanged, creating a terrible echo in Kiara's ears.

In fact, when Kiara lifted her gaze and looked at her family, they looked away and left in a hurry.

Kiara's tears fell instantly.

Then her eyes wandered, looking at the dozens of people who were laughing at her, making her feel even more like she was doing a stupid performance that was very embarrassing.

Feeling like she couldn't take it anymore, she quickly lifted the hem of her dress and ran out of the ballroom with shaky steps. But, because of the pain in her heart, she became weak and fell down.

Her tears immediately broke out. She sobbed loudly while trying to stand up and resume her steps.

However, at the entrance of the hotel, there were several journalists who had come to gather. Kiara was even more frightened, and she shakily stepped back, turning toward the other exit.

As her steps raced with tears, she took off her heels and the accessories that weighed her down.

"Daniel, why did you do this to me?" It felt so suffocating that she couldn't take another step.

But she couldn't stop. She had to see Daniel and ask for an explanation.

Meanwhile, in a hospital, Daniel ran frantically through the hallways until he finally stopped in front of an inpatient room.

The man who had whispered to him earlier was there. And as soon as he saw Daniel coming, he straightened up and swiftly opened the door to the room. "She's unconscious."

Daniel didn't reply. But his feet began to step slowly into the room.

His eyes dimmed as he gazed at the girl lying weakly on the gurney with reddish marks on her neck.

"Luckily, she was found in time. Otherwise, the two of them might not have been able to be saved," a fierce-looking young man suddenly stood beside Daniel.

He was Henry, the younger brother of Nova, the girl who was lying unconscious from the suicide attempt.

"They?" Daniel spontaneously turned his head and looked at Henry uncomprehendingly. "Who do you mean? Did Nova do it with someone else?"

"Stupid! Stupid bastard!" Instead of answering, Henry pushed Daniel roughly and then grabbed the front of his shirt with great emotion. "How could you do this to my sister? If you didn't like her, why did you fuck her? Just so you know, because of your selfish act, I almost lost my sister! Daniel! Don't just because you're the son of an influential person, you can do whatever you want! I will fight you no matter how influential the person behind you is!"

Then he released his grip violently and turned his back to Daniel. "You must take responsibility. She is pregnant."

"Pregnant?" Daniel, who was adjusting his shirt, froze. His eyes widened as he looked at Henry and Nova in turn. "Nova is really conceiving my child?"

"Do you think my sister is a bad girl who sleeps with just any guy?" Henry immediately glanced at Daniel sarcastically.

Daniel was still on the verge of shock. He looked incredulous. Even his steps suddenly felt heavy as he tried to approach Nova to hold her stomach. "Since when?"

"It's been two months," Henry replied, glancing briefly at Daniel's hand on Nova's stomach and then turning to leave. "I've asked the driver to pick up Kiara. You have to break up with her."

Daniel no longer listened to what Henry was saying because, at that moment, Nova's tightly closed eyes slowly moved before finally opening.

"Honey," Daniel called softly.

Seeing him in front of her eyes, Nova's tears spontaneously flowed.

Daniel immediately hugged her to calm her down, but Nova tried to let go. "You shouldn't be here, Daniel! Today is your wedding with Kiara. You can't just leave her, she must be sad. I don't want her to-"

"Shut up, Honey. I've already decided and canceled our wedding. Now, my priority is you and our future child," Daniel interrupted, tightening his embrace.

Nova's rebellious movement stopped. She blinked slowly in surprise. "The wedding is canceled?"

"Yes. If there is a wedding, it belongs to both of us." Then Daniel released his embrace and wiped away the traces of tears on Nova's pale face. "I'm sorry for not realizing the existence of our child. From now on, stop thinking about something that has nothing to do with you."

"But Kiara is my best friend," Nova murmured sadly.

"Even so, you can't keep thinking about her. The only thing you should be thinking about is..." Daniel continued his words through the motion of his hand, rubbing Nova's flat stomach. His smile expanded, making her smile, too. "He's the only one you should be thinking about."

The two looked at each other, and Daniel slowly moved his face forward. However, a choked voice surprised them.

"Apparently, you guys have gone this far."

"Why are you guys so heartless?" Kiara looked at the couple in front of her with tears in her eyes. Her eyes looked blank with disbelief. "What did I do wrong?"

"Why me? What's my fault?" screamed Kiara suddenly.

Her hands were clenched tightly, trying to hold herself together as she met Nova's triumphant eyes. "You! I never thought that you would do this to me."

"I treated you very well. I've always helped you and tried to be there for you, no matter if I'm in a bad situation. Nova, we've been friends for a long time, how could you? Not only did you snatch my fiance, you're even now...." Kiara was unable to finish her last word.

Her gaze traveled to Nova's stomach briefly, and she felt even more choked up.

They already had a child. Doesn't that mean it's been a very long time?

It felt so claustrophobic just imagining the two people she trusted and cared about having an affair behind her back.

Don't know who started it, but it was painful. Her heart shattered like it was pierced by two arrows from two different directions.

"Kiara, I... forgive me," Nova said at last.

Kiara's crying stopped. She looked at Nova closely and slowly stepped closer.

However, before actually approaching her, Daniel suddenly stood up and blocked her way.

"Don't ever think you can approach her just to hurt her," Daniel said with emphasis.

Kiara was instantly transfixed. She blinked slowly, with tears flowing down her face. Her gaze turned to Daniel. "Am I that bad in your eyes?"

"Shouldn't you explain everything to me instead of making me feel even worse?"

"Daniel, don't be like that. Kiara is my best friend, please don't treat her harshly," Nova said.

"No! I can't let her get close to you. Who knows what she'll do? You're pregnant, Honey. I don't want anything to happen to you and our child." However, Daniel just dismissed his words quickly and emphatically, as if Kiara was indeed a villain who had to be kept away from Nova.

Kiara was even more stunned. She stared in disbelief at the man standing in front of her.

The look in his eyes was different, no longer like Daniel, her fiancé who loved her wholeheartedly.

Now, it felt unfamiliar, like they had never taken a step towards the altar.

Only a few moments ago, they were gazing at each other with the happiness of being married. But now... everything changed in an instant.

"Kiara, I'm sorry." At a moment like this, Nova suddenly burst into tears. "I wronged you. I'm sorry."

"Honey!" Of course, this made Daniel panic.

He immediately turned towards Nova and hugged her from the side. "Don't cry. You'll make our son sad. It's not your fault, okay? We're not at fault in this."

"No! I was wrong! Kiara, forgive me! Please forgive me. But I'm really helpless. I love Daniel and want to be with him. This feeling makes me unable to think clearly. I love him so much. Please forgive me!" Nova exclaimed sadly.

"So you feel guilty for not being able to leave him? Not for betraying me? Nova, why are you so cruel?" screamed Kaira, who then received a hard slap from Daniel, making her fall silent with her head turned to the side.

Nova's crying also stopped.

"You're the cruel one! Stop acting like you're the one being hurt and the saddest one here! I should be the one to ask you that. Why are you being so mean to me?" Daniel's eyes became sharp and hateful.

However, unbeknownst to anyone, his hands were clenched into fists. Not out of anger but out of restraint from pulling Kiara into his arms and soothing her.

This was the first time he had seen her cry so violently and pitifully, making him, who had been with her for 5 years, inevitably feel pain.

"What are you saying? You're the one who cheated on my best friend and had a child, but you're blaming me? Daniel, why are you being so heartless?" The girl, who was still wearing her wedding dress, looked at him disappointedly. The loose coils of her hair looked even more messy.

Daniel, who initially felt heartless, immediately lost his feelings and replaced them with anger when he saw Kiara's innocent face.

He immediately pushed her roughly and grabbed her neck for a grip, then snapped, "You're the heartless one, Kiara! You betrayed me first! You slept with another man and forgot your promise to me!"

"At first, I thought everything was fine and I could accept you no matter what. It was all because my love for you was so great. But you had absolutely no initiative to explain. You didn't even feel the slightest bit of remorse and guilt towards me. You are the cruelest one, Kiara! You're the one who betrayed me!" Daniel's eyes bulged sharply, with the veins on his neck protruding.

He looked so angry that his eyes glazed over.

Kiara was stunned.

Her mind was noisy, with Daniel's words spinning in an echoing voice. Her breathing started to become labored as her body began to weaken.

Where did Daniel find out?

She had tried to cover it up, not caring, even though she was always haunted by fear and trauma. But now, it seemed that all her efforts had become a sharp weapon that destroyed her.

"Daniel, I can explain. It's not like you said. I... that night... I-"

"Enough, Kiara!" snapped Daniel, cutting off Kiara's stammering. "It's over, and your chance is over. I don't want to hear it anymore."

Kiara shook her head with tears falling. She tried to grab Daniel's hand, but the man rushed back. "Go away! I don't want to see you again."

"No! I'm not leaving! You misunderstood. That's not how it happened. I was trapped," Kiara said quickly, hoping Daniel would listen to her explanation.

"Trapped? Then tell me who trapped you."

However, as soon as these words were said, Kiara fell silent. She didn't know either. Even the man she slept with didn't know.

Seeing her silence, Daniel suddenly smiled sarcastically.

He looked at Kiara with a disgusted look in his eyes, as if he was seeing something he shouldn't. "I never knew you were a prostitute."

"Daniel." Kiara was dumbfounded, with tears welling up.

"You always refused when I asked you to have fun. You even kept your distance from me. But it turns out you're just a slut. Now that I know why, it must be because you didn't want your secret to get out. Kiara, our relationship is over. Go away, don't bother me and Nova anymore!" After that, Daniel turned around and sat on the chair next to Nova's bed and held her hand.

Nova could only remain silent with a sad face. However, her eyes radiated real victory.

"If the truth is revealed, I hope you won't regret it. Because when that happens, I don't want to see you anymore," Kiara said in a low but determined voice.

Then she wiped her tears and turned to leave after looking at Daniel and Nova in turn.

Nova saw her leaving and couldn't help but smile happily.

The only person who stood in her way was gone. Now, she could live happily with Daniel and the child in her womb.

"Are you happy?" Suddenly, Daniel's voice rang out.

However, instead of fading her smile, Nova smiled even more and grasped Daniel's hand back. "Thank you for choosing me. I won't let you down."

"I know. You're very different from Kiara. You're loyal and always manage to make me happy. Whereas she... never mind, no need to think about it anymore." Daniel then moved to Nova's side and pulled her into his arms. "I'll take care of our wedding soon."

Nova's smile became even more unbearable. "I hope your family will come and approve of us."

"They will. Especially now that you have my offspring in your stomach."

Outside the hospital, Kiara walked absentmindedly with dragged feet.

Her flowing dress looked dirty, with her hair completely down. She did not care at all about the people who were staring at her with various gazes.

Her thoughts raged together with the pain in her heart, making the distrust and disappointment she felt even more deeply ingrained.

Hence, she didn't realize that the long walk to her house was on foot.

When she opened the door, a suitcase was suddenly thrown in front of her, making her freeze and slowly stare in the direction it was thrown.

"Ma?"

"All your belongings are packed. Get out of this house!" After saying that, the middle-aged woman who was still wearing the special dress for the bridal party's family threw two more suitcases.

She was Zahra Adaline Harrison, Kiara's mother. Her face now looked full of anger. "What are you waiting for? Get out of my house right now!"

"Ma?"

"No need to ask for an explanation. You are a disgrace to this family. You are a disgrace, Kiara. I don't want this family to suffer the consequences of your actions. Get as far away as you can. You are no longer part of the Harrison family," Mrs. Zahra said passionately, with her eyes wide with anger.

Kiara was still frozen in place. Her heart was again bombarded with disappointment and disbelief, making it even more painful.

However, it only made Zahra angrier.

She stepped closer and kicked Kiara's suitcases furiously. "What are you waiting for, bitch? Leave right now! Leave my house and never set foot here again! Leave! I don't want to see you any longer!"

Kiara's tears fell instantly.

She looked up at her Mama with her lips trembling from sobs. "Didn't I hear you wrong? Ma, what did you just call me?"

"Bitch? Ma, is this real? Did you really call me that? I'm your daughter, Ma! Why did you say a word that a mother shouldn't say?" Kiara screamed with tears streaming down her face as her breathing became labored. "I am your child! Someone who is a part of you! You brought me into this world, but why are you so cruel? What did I do wrong?"

Plak!

A slap landed fast and hard on Kiara's face, making her, who was already feeling weak, immediately fall down.

However, instead of getting up immediately, the girl was as still as a statue, with her hair completely covering her face.

"I didn't know you were this disgusting, Kiara," said Mrs. Zahra with a flat expression. She had a cold glint in her eye as if she was looking at her most hated enemy.

"You started it all, but you also act like you're the victim. You tarnished Daniel's sincere love and ruined the Harrison family's reputation. What exactly are you looking for? Money? Haven't you never been lacking in material things? You have an amazing family and reputation, but why are you sleeping with a stranger? What are you looking for, Kiara?" Mrs. Zahra shouted angrily in her last sentence.

Her hands clenched into tight fists, and the next second, she grabbed Kiara by the hair, forcing her to look up.

Kiara didn't care about the pain that assaulted her head.

She shook her head quickly as the tears continued to flow like a river that would never stop. "It's not like that, Ma."

"Then what is it like?" snapped Mrs. Zahra, slightly jerking her grip, making Kiara spontaneously close her eyes in pain. "There are many girls out there who envy your life, but why are you ruining it?"

"It's not my will. I was framed. Please, believe me, Ma." Kiara's tears broke even more.

She felt scared and frustrated because no one was on her side.

Everyone was blaming her without caring about the truth. In addition, she had no evidence, so she didn't know what to do.

All of today's events were completely unexpected. And it made her dizzy to the point of almost going crazy.

"Framed?" Mrs. Zahra smiled sarcastically as if Kiara's words were a ridiculous joke.

She then released her grip and walked away.

But it wasn't long before she came back and threw a few photos into the air in front of Kiara. "What about this? Can someone who was framed look this aggressive? You're very good at acting, Kiara. You're worse than I thought. Looking at your picture and seeing you as you are now made me realize something. You really are like a cheap bitch who likes to flirt with married men."

All those harsh words pierced into Kiara's hearing. But the girl whose crying had stopped didn't care.

Her gaze was completely fixed on one of the photos closest to her, and it was a photo of her hugging a man in front of a hotel room and hiding her face in the man's neck so that only the upper part of her face was exposed.

It wasn't very clear, but Kiara recognized her.

It was indeed her.

The dress she was wearing, as well as the bracelet with her initials pendant, were hers.

The bracelet was a special identity that belonged to the Harrison family. And as the only granddaughter, she was made even more special.

The photo was taken from an angle facing her, so the face of the man with her is not visible.

His tall and well-built posture, as well as his expensive suit, showed that he was a mature man of unusual status.

Kiara fell silent in shock. Anyone with an interest in the photo would definitely think the same, even if the reality was anything but.

"Why do you still want to be evasive?" Mrs. Zahra smiled haughtily. "The evidence is there. You shouldn't be here. You are no longer welcome in this family. You are a disgrace, and you are a disaster that could destroy the Harrison family. Leave before the rest of the family comes and embarrasses you further!"

Kiara was still silent. But suddenly, she smiled with her head bowed before moving slowly to get up, carrying all the scattered photos with her.

"Who gave all these photos to you, Ma?" she asked in a low voice.

Mrs. Zahra frowned for a moment but then shook her head with her arms crossed. "Go away, Kiara! You make me sick!"

"Is that Nova?" But Kiara didn't flinch and asked another question.

Madame Zahra's body stiffened slightly.

But then she relaxed and gave Kiara an angry look. "Kiara, you and Nova are always together, but why can't you be like her? You should be a better woman than Nova, but now... you've really tarnished the family name!"

"Leave now! You're not welcome here anymore!" Mrs. Zahra walked quickly, pulling Kiara's hand and leading her out of the house.

She turned back inside and soon threw all her suitcases. "Never appear before me again!"

The door slammed shut, leaving Kiara standing stiffly with tears streaming down her face.

She stayed in that position for a long time, staring at the tightly closed wooden door. In her grief, she still hoped that the door would open.

However, no matter how much she wished, it would never happen.

Her mother had kicked her out, and this house was not her home anymore.

So Kiara wiped her tears, picked up her suitcases, and pulled them away.

As she neared the gate, she stopped her steps and turned to stare at the house that had witnessed her growth for 21 years. The house that was not just a shelter but also a place where she received abundant love and affection.

"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry," she muttered and then continued her steps.

As if saddened by what happened to her, the sky that had looked bright suddenly turned cloudy and slowly released small sprinkles.

Kiara, who had lost her way, did not care at all and continued to walk aimlessly.

She didn't even realize that the clock was ticking and the sun was about to set. What was just a small drizzle had now become a heavy downpour accompanied by lightning.

"Why?" Kiara muttered in her hoarse voice. "Why do I have to go through all this?"

Her steps stopped near the bridge, and she stared at the rushing river with a blank stare. "If I hadn't come there that night, none of this would have happened."

Car horns honked as they passed Kiara. Even one of them immediately called the police, thinking she was going to jump off the bridge.

"Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of my life," she continued, smiling bitterly as the image of Daniel and Nova from earlier in the day came back to her.

"You were my world. But when that world betrayed me and left me alone, what good am I here for? Don't I have no place to live anymore?"

Kiara laughed sadly and then cried hysterically while gripping the bridge railing tightly. "Why? What did I do wrong, why me?"

Suddenly, Kiara's crying stopped, and she looked down at the deserted street.

She slowly released her grip on her suitcase and stepped toward the center of the street.

Just then, the sound of thunder rang out. A car was coming at high speed from the right. But Kiara seemed blind and deaf.

She kept walking until finally, her body fell unconscious with blood flowing from her groin.