Amber's POV

While Chloe and my stepfather were looking at me, I was staring at my mother in return, waiting for her response-hoping she'd support me and look at me with the same softness she had looked at Chloe with earlier.

"Oh my sweet Amber," she called, her face lighting up in relief. "I know this is too much to ask, but you are our only savior right now." She got up and walked closer to me, then reached for my hands, which were folded across my chest. "Please, marry Vincent."

"I... I should marry Vincent?" My mother nodded quickly. "But she just said he is an abuser. Why should I be the one to marry him and not her? I can understand if he..." I snatched my hands from hers and pointed at my stepfather. "...were the one asking me to marry Vincent. But you, aren't we both your daughters? Why are you protecting her alone?"

Tears brimmed in my mother's eyes as she shook her head, flashing pitiful glances at Chloe, who was trying her best to look as vulnerable as ever. "You have to understand where I'm coming from, Amber. Your sister has always been weak since childhood. She can never survive Vincent's harsh treatment once they get married." Her tears were flowing at this moment.

A disbelieving scoff left my lips. "She has always been weak and can't survive Vincent's harsh treatment, so you think I'm the strongest between us? I can go through anything, right?"

"No, that's not what Mom meant," Chloe chipped in. She jumped out of her bed and came in front of me. "I can't..."

I tuned out whatever she was saying. My mouth parted in astonishment, and my eyes stayed fixed on her acclaimed injured leg, which was standing firmly on the hard tiled floor.

"...please," she stopped talking when she noticed I was staring at her leg. She quickly turned away and began limping back to her bed. I looked at my mother to check if she noticed Chloe's act, but she didn't. She was crying her eyes out-or maybe she saw it but pretended like she didn't.

"You are my only hope, Amber," Chloe said.

"I'm not your only hope!" I screamed, which was a big mistake because a resounding slap landed on my face.

I held my face and looked up, only to come face-to-face with my stepfather. His eyes darkened as he narrowed them and clenched his jaw tightly.

"Do you think you still have a choice?" he asked. He shook his head as he turned away from me and walked towards his daughter. "Whether you approve or not, you must marry Vincent. I cannot afford to call off the wedding." His words were final. He had spoken, and there was no room for argument, but I still wanted to try.

"Mom..." My mother shook her head as she leaned closer to my ear.

"Just do this for us," she said, referring to herself and me. "You remember how we were suffering after your father left with his mistress. It was Richard who came to marry me and rescued us from poverty. Now his business is in trouble and can fold up at any moment, so he really needs this marriage to form a relationship with the Liams."

"But I..." My mother dropped to her knees before I could complete my words. "Mom, what are you doing?" I tried to pull her up, but she wouldn't budge.

"We can't afford to be thrown into the streets, Amber." She took a quick glance at Chloe. "Besides, I can't leave Chloe behind, and if your father decides to throw us out, he won't let me take her with me," she cried.

I wanted to scream that he is not my father. I wanted to walk away from all this manipulation, but what would happen to my mother if I did? Seeing my mother helplessly on her knees brought tears to my eyes. At this moment, I'd be no less than a villain to her if I said no.

Throwing my head back, I took a deep breath to swallow my pain and let out a defeated, "Fine, I will marry him."

My mother's face lit up immediately. She got up and pulled me into a hug, patting my back in appreciation. Meanwhile, I locked gazes with Chloe, and she was smirking victoriously.

> Back To Present <<

And that's how I became Mrs. Liam-through my half-sister's manipulation. I wonder what lies she told Vincent that made him hate me to the core.

A tired yawn escaped my lips, which reminded me that it was late at night and I needed to sleep. I picked myself up and climbed the stairs tiredly. On getting to our room, I tried to push the door open, but it seemed to be locked from the inside.

"Vincent?" I called, knocking on the door gently.

"I don't want to see you tonight," he replied from inside. He sounded sleepy, which meant he would not open the door anymore tonight... well, I guess it's me and one of the guest rooms tonight.

I released a tired sigh and headed towards one of the guest rooms. When I was near one of the rooms, I suddenly felt something rush up my throat. I pushed the door open without wasting time and rushed to the toilet. On getting there, I began throwing up. After throwing up for a while, I became too weak to walk, so I simply sat on the floor and leaned against the wall as I tried to recall what I ate that must have upset my stomach.

While I was still thinking, my phone beeped, and it was a text from Annabelle, my best friend.

"Hey, pumpkin, Ethan is coming back tomorrow. Care to join me to pick him up?" the text read.

My lips curved into a smile. Ethan was finally back. My breath of fresh air.

"Sure," I replied to her.