Chapter 2
Kaylee's expression darkened, and she raised her hand to slap me.
A burning pain spread across my cheek, and tears streamed down my face.
"Lydia, keep that filthy mouth shut," Kaylee snapped. "Let me make this clear. As long as I don't give the green light, he would never have the guts to marry you.
"If you don't believe me, go ask him yourself. Just don't embarrass yourself in front of me like some pathetic little sideshow."
Seeing me looking so miserable, she let out a cold laugh. "Crying? What good does that do? Tears are worthless. He doesn't give a damn about you. Nothing you do will ever make him care.
"You're just something he messes with when he's bored."
For a moment, I was speechless. My tears just made me look more pitiful.
"Lydia, we'll figure something out for the company. You don't have to marry Charles Guzman just because of that," Karen said with a sigh, pulling me into her arms, her voice full of concern.
I shook my head. "Marrying Charles is my own choice. With the Guzman family's influence, nobody will dare push me around ever again. As for the Jennings, I'll make sure Xavier regrets dumping you."
The next day, the Guzman family sent over the items they'd prepared for the wedding. The wedding dress was elegant and luxurious, with pearls shimmering in the sunlight.
"Charles really does care about you. If you marry him, you won't have to suffer anymore. But he's so much older than you, and rumor has it he's not really capable in that way," Karen said, her excitement dimming.
I just smiled and tried to comfort her.
Over the next few days, trucks kept rolling up to our house, each one loaded with gifts.
Among them were one-of-a-kind treasures that had fetched sky-high prices at auctions in recent years. Our home was soon overflowing with luxury items.
People used to mock me, saying nobody would want me even if I threw myself at them. But thanks to Charles's extravagant gestures, the rumors did a complete 180. Now, everyone was calling us a match made in heaven.
"Lydia must've been fated to be with Mr. Guzman. Otherwise, why would he go all out just because he caught a glimpse of her at a party, pulling out all the stops to make her his?" someone gossiped.
I couldn't help but blush as the rumors kept getting crazier.
Honestly, I had no clue when I'd ever even met Charles, but now people were spinning stories about how he'd fallen for me at first sight and everyone seemed to believe it.
Karen grabbed the jeweled necklace off the table, her lips curling into a cheerful smile.
Out of the blue, I blurted out, "Did Xavier really ask you out yesterday? What was that all about?"
Her smile faded and her face grew colder, but she sounded pretty indifferent. "Just the usual. He came to apologize, saying the breakup wasn't his decision, and told me to wait for him a little longer."
That was exactly what Emmett used to keep telling me—just wait for him.
Karen nodded and continued, "Why should I waste my best years waiting around for him? I should be out there living my own life, not putting it on hold for some guy.
"Men's promises are just talk anyway. Just treat it like a joke and don't take it seriously."
She looked right at me.
I realized her words weren't just for herself; they were meant for me, too.
I kept chasing after Emmett, refusing to give up, year after year, hoping he'd finally come around.
Karen saw every bit of the pain I went through, every tear I shed. She felt sorry for me, and she always said I was worth more than that.
I squeezed my sister's hand, her palm cool against mine. "You're right, sis. We should live for ourselves, not let our lives slip away waiting around for some guy's empty promises."