Chapter 2: Murderer
"I did not sleep with him! The photo was probably—"
PAK!
Evelyn's words hung in the air, unfinished, as her father's hand connected with her cheek. The sharp slap echoed through the hall, leaving everyone momentarily stunned. The maids, pretending to be busy with their chores, paused to watch. Some smirked, believing Evelyn deserved it after last night's scandal. Others, especially the older staff, pitied her.
Evelyn's life had never been that of a pampered princess, contrary to the image her parents projected to the world. In reality, she was treated more like Cinderella—barely acknowledged by her father and secretly loathed by her stepmother. And now, her situation had crumbled further since that maid's shocking confession.
Six months ago, Belly, a former maid had appeared at their door with Annabelle by her side. Everyone recognized Belly instantly; she had been kicked out of the house for trying to pin her accidental pregnancy from her adulterous affairs on William. Driven by revenge, Belly claimed to have swapped the babies in the hospital, leading her daughter to live a life of luxury while she tormented the true heiress.
Belly added that her karma had caught up with her in the form of incurable cancer, prompting her to come clean after 25 damn years. As suspicious as it sounded, DNA tests confirmed her story to be true. Annabelle was indeed the real daughter of the Wright family, and Evelyn was declared fake.
"We are ashamed to even acknowledge that we have raised you all these years!" Sophia spat, her voice dripping with disappointment. Fake tears glistened in her eyes, fueling the farce. Evelyn scoffed at her words and tried to fight back her tears as her father glared at her.
"Please don't be mad at her, papa," Annabelle mumbled from the couch, her left leg in a cast and her right hand bandaged. "Maybe she was drunk, and Uncle Nicholas took advantage of her. Maybe—"
"You will marry Nicholas Blake this weekend. Prepare for the wedding," William interrupted, sending another shockwave through the room. As Evelyn looked at him, hurt evident in her eyes, he continued, "Even Elder Blake believes this is the best way to salvage our reputation."