218\u2013Not Wanted By Her Father\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeline:\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment Baxter pulled me back onto the platform, every gaze in the hall landed on me again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stomach tightened with a strange agitation. I stood there with Baxter gripping my wrist firmly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tried to steady my breathing, but it felt like I would start crying at any moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, he is here!\u201d someone from the crowd yelled, referring to the fact that we had returned after the conversation we were told to have to make a decision.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I glanced toward Yuvonne, Kaylee, and Silver, I noticed that the three of them were sharing a strange smirk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their eyes shifted between each other and then back to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, I wondered if they had all worked together against me or if my mind was simply playing tricks on\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed hard, trying to force back the tears because I did not want to cry in front of others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Five years ago, when I ran away pregnant, I promised myself that I would never break down in front of anyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had spent years building myself back up, yet these people had managed to pull me down in front of everyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then I heard footsteps behind me. I turned slightly to look at Ron, who stepped back onto the platform. His posture had changed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His shoulders lowered and he avoided the eyes of the crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It seemed like he was upset that things had reached this point, and I did not blame him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lord Eldon stepped forward, and my head snapped toward him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His expression carried the same pride he always showed whenever he tried to belittle me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo when is she leaving for the woods, Alpha Baxter?\u201d Lord Eldon asked, loud enough for the hall to fall silent and focus on him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed hard and lowered my eyes, trying to pull my wrist free from Baxter\u2019s grip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I noticed that some people in the front row were already pointing at the way he held onto me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The reporter Sherry still had her cameras on, and I could tell she was urging her team to zoom in from the way she moved her hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everything was still streaming live.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRon will not be marrying, Madeline,\u201d Baxter stated, announcing the news with his chin up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everyone went silent for a moment before Lord Eldon broke it with a chuckle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He shook his head with clear sarcasm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then he pointed at me before turning to the crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m not surprised,\u201d he remarked loudly. \u201cTwo of her mates have already dropped her and rejected her. It is safe to assume something is wrong with this woman.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
299 or wted ity For Father\u00a0<\/p>\n
$25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
He pointed at me again as he spoke. His voice echoed through the hall, and several people began to nod before whispering about me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I lifted my head and looked around slowly. Once again, my enemies had won.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Many faces I recognized looked pleased, as if they had been waiting for this to happen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The strangers reacted differently.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They watched me as though they already believed every word said about me and were disgusted that they had been invited to a wedding like this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then my eyes shifted back to Yuvonne.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stared at me with widened eyes for a moment, shocked at how far things had gone, before a smile formed on her lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It seemed like she liked this twist even more. 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
I lowered my head again and tugged at Baxter\u2019s hand, since he was still holding my wrist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did not have to bring me out here to say that,\u201d I whispered to Baxter, almost complaining because I did not want to be in front of others like this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, Baxter turned to me with a firm expression, as if he was doing nothing wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you need to stand here,\u201d he told me loudly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I noticed he spoke clearly and on purpose so everyone could hear him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lord Eldon cleared his throat once the crowd grew quiet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He placed his hands behind his back and lifted his chin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, now that the announcement has been made and the wedding is cancelled, I would like to apologize to everyone whose time has been wasted,\u201d he muttered, watching others shrug and nod along.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut how about we not waste the food? Let\u2019s enjoy the evening as ourselves. It is not like anyone has lost anything apart from the woman who deserves it,\u201d he commented, looking around the hall with a false polite smile. 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not once did anyone ask him why he showed such hostility.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even if I was a whore\u2019s daughter, how was it my fault? 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
And what did an eighteen\u2013year\u2013old diary have to do with my character now?\u00a0<\/p>\n
My fingers curled against my palm. His words made my chest swell with the breath I held in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then Lady Abigail stepped forward to stand beside him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, and at the same time we will arrange to send the children to their fathers so they can be well taken care of,\u201d she remarked, glancing around at the men.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was when I noticed Graham step forward instantly. Almost a little too instantly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife is pregnant. It will not be fair for her to take care of another child who is four years old. A child who will likely throw tantrums because her mother is in the woods,\u201d he explained in a harsh tone, showing no empathy for me or concern for his daughter Gina.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
78\u2013Not Wanted By Her Father\u00a0<\/p>\n
The way he shifted his weight, as if it bothered him to even speak about it, disgusted me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He then wrapped his arm around Kaylee, who gave me a mocking and victorious smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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