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I shook my head as I read the heading and the rest of the document again. I refused to believe what I was seeing was real. There had to be a joke somewhere as I read the content of the file. I quickly flipped through the pages, reading more of it. The more I read, the more I felt like someone was stabbing my heart continuously.

Tears blurred my eyes as I took in everything like a bitter pill. I dropped my hand and stared ahead of me, rage building inside of me. I wiped the tears out of my eyes and marched out of the closet, past the room and down the stairs.

I saw Lucas sitting on the couch, lost in thought and at my presence, he stood up, frowning. I stood before him and tossed the file in his face, making him surprised at my action.

"How could you?!" I yelled at the top of my voice. My heart hurt and my breathing seized for a second that I had to catch my breath. "Lucas Hamilton! How could you keep this from me?! Who the hell do you think you are to accuse me of something that is false yet you hide such secret from me!"

I was raging to the point that my hands shook. I watched through burning eyes as he picked up the file that had fallen and opened it. His eyes widened before he looked at me, shaking his head.

"Jackie, I can explain."

"Explain what?! That there is a marriage arrangement between you and Maddy Kingston?!" I barked. "Why me?! Why did you do this to me?!"

"No, Jackie."

"Stop! I don't want to hear it! There's nothing you can say or do about that issue because this is clear to me! You used me! You used me, Lucas?! God, I am so stupid! All these time, you were supposed to marry Maddy and yet you didn't tell me about it?"

Tears poured out of my eyes as the hurt inside of me doubled, making me shake.

"You claim to love me, to never hurt me. You said I was the one for you yet you are supposedly married? Wow, I have been played."

I started to walk around, trying to convince myself that everything was a dream.

"Lucas, is this a dream? Tell me this is a dream. I have to wake up if this is a dream. Has all my life been a dream?" I looked around and started to pinch myself, hoping to wake up to my old life.

"Jackie, stop," Lucas said and tried to touch me.

"Stay there!" I yelled and clutched my hair with my hands. "How did it get to this? Why did you lie to me? Why didn't you tell me?"

I dropped my hands and cried out, not caring if I looked bad crying in front of him. I cried so hard that snot rolled out of my nostrils. I cried so hard, hoping the pain in my heart to go away.

"Maddy and I—"

"Maddy? Oh, so Maddy knew all these while and didn't tell me? Wow. Where's my phone?" I searched my pocket and took the phone out. I called Maddy's number and pressed the phone to her ear.

"Hello? Where are you? I came back and didn't see you," Maddy said from the other end.

"Come to Lucas place. I want you here, right now!" I yelled and heard her gasp.

"Are you hurt? Jackie, what is—"

I ended the call and threw my phone aside. Lucas was staring at me with tears in his eyes. I grimaced at the sight of it.

"Wipe those tears because I won't fall for them. You said all manner of shit to me yesterday! You hurt me with your words, accused of shit that I didn't do! Yet who's the backstabber? The lying piece of shit?!" I demanded angrily and when he came closer to me, I punched him in the face.

I hissed at the pain in my knuckle while he bent over, cradling his cheek. I glared at him as he stood to his full height and rubbed his cheek.

"Where's Maddy?" I asked, since the guest house was just ten minutes away and she should be here by now.

"Jackie, I swear to you, I was going to tell you and—"

The door opened and Maddy barrelled into the house, sweating and looking afraid. I walked up to her and slapped her across the cheek, sending her onto the door.

"You!" I pointed at her face. "I trusted you! Why did you have to do this to me?!"

I staggered backward and cupped my cheeks, feeling like I was loosing my mind. I looked around and chuckled as a thought dropped in my head.

"Why did you slap me, Jackie?" Maddy asked and came forward.

"When were you going to tell me that you are marrying Lucas?" I asked in a calm tone and met her shocked eyes.

"Jackie, I can explain."

"Seems like everyone these days have something to explain. Now, start talking," I said and crossed my arms while tapping my foot on the floor.

"Jackie, it's our parents. My parents and his have been friends since they were in high school. They were these popular kids back then in Redside High. So, recently my parents wanted to create a new era of their business which they wanted his parents to collaborate with. They needed a strong bonding and that was getting the both of us married. At first, I saw it as a good thing because I used to like Lucas before but when I saw how toxic he was for me, I realized that it wouldn't work. I've been telling my parents that I didn't want to get married to him but they've been insisting," Maddy said.

"She's right. Even during her family event that we went to, her father talked to me about it. This is what I've been trying to hide from you since we came back. Jackie, I don't want this marriage too," Lucas said.

I raised my hand, stopping him as I remembered what had crossed my mind.

"So, it was because of the two of you that your mother almost killed me?" I asked and chuckled. "Aside from the fact that your mother has always hated me even before I started dating Lucas, your mother almost killed me and my baby because of this marriage? What did I ever do in my past life that I always get unfortunate?"

I looked from one person to another. Maddy had tears in her eyes and Lucas was looking sad. None of their emotions fazed me as I was tired with everything.

"Secondly, was it because of me that you two couldn't get together and fulfil your parents' wishes?" I asked and no one said a word.

I sniffed and ran my fingers through my hair, feeling more restless.

"Why did you two not just tell me? Why did you hide such from me? I could have understood and maybe allowed you two to be together. This is bigger than me, this is bigger than anything I could overlook and think it would not affect my feelings for Lucas. As long as I am in the way, your parents will never accept me for either of you," I said with realisation in my voice.

I lifted my bag and took out a pen then with trembling hand, I raised the pen.

"Lucas no longer wants me or this baby and Maddy, I don't think we should be friends again. So, I beg you two to sign the papers."

I did not meet any of their eyes as it was hard for me to say what I had said. It was hurting me deeper than anything I have ever experienced.

"Jackie, I will not do such," Maddy said in a cracked voice which was followed by a whimper from her. "I will not sign that paper."

"I don't care," I said. "I don't have anything to say I'll lose. As I said, Lucas hates me because I chested on him, right? So, what's the point? You know, this is why I never wanted to have friends or a lover or anyone. I always wanted to be alone, far from all these type of problems. Now, look at me."

I blinked and fresh tears rolled down my cheeks. Lucas was looking away, trying to hide his tears while Maddy cried silently to my right.

"Sign it, Lucas. You wanted me out of your life, right? You don't trust me anymore and I've broken your heart. Your family knows best and I'm sure Maddy will make a great wife. She's an amazing person who does good things for the better. She's rich and fits your type and family standards. So, please. If you still have an ounce of feeling for me, sign the paper."

I walked to him and placed the pen in his folded hand. He slowly turned his head and looked into my eyes. Hurt was heavy in his darkened blue eyes but it no longer affected me. I grabbed his other hand that held the file and poised it before him.

"I won't sign it," he said and I stepped back, chuckling.

"If you don't sign it, you won't see me again. Plus, I don't want anyone's trouble. Her mother was ready to kill my baby and me for this marriage, I'm sure. Her mother is powerful enough to get herself out of prison so what makes you think that I'm safe as long as I'm standing between the both of you?"

I heard rushed footsteps and turned my head. Maddy was standing beside me, shaking her head.

"I am sorry for not telling you. Lucas and I had agreed never to talk about this a year ago. We pretended like none of these existed. Jackie, please I don't want this marriage."

"I want it. I want it because I don't want any more harm coming to me. I've suffered enough! I've been assaulted enough and don't want any more problems. His sister hates me and wants me far away from him, your parents are the same. Don't you think I'm tired too?"

I grabbed the file from Lucas and opened it to the part where their signatures were needed. I grabbed Lucas to the kitchen counter then dropped the file. I grabbed his right hand and placed it on the file then looked up at his face. He shook his head and cupped my cheek.

Tears could no longer drop out of my eyes but my heart hurt as he stared at me. I placed my own hand over his and smiled through my sadness before stepping back.

"Sign it if you want me safe," I said, wanting to end everything once and for all.

I went over to Maddy and grabbed her hand then pulled her to where Lucas stood. They looked at each other before looking at me, which angered me.

"Sign it!" I yelled and they flinched.

I watched with heavy sadness when Lucas shakily signed on the paper before passing the pen to Maddy who shook her head.

"Sign it now! I want to be free!" I demanded and she quickly signed it.

I smiled. "Congratulations, guys."

Without wasting time, I rushed out of the house with them calling my name. I saw Jared who paused in shock. I whimpered and rushed into his arms, hugging him tight.

"Uh, what happened?"

"Please, take me home. I want to go home to my mom," I said and cried onto his shoulder.

"But—"

"Please, Jared. I want to go home, away from this place for good."