Chapter 6 Unwed mother

Erin's POV:

Kai was actually getting engaged to Gloria?

For five years, I hadn't stopped thinking that Kai might fall for someone else, but why did it have to be Gloria?

Why should someone so vicious become Kai's fiancée?

Just thinking about everything Gloria did to me five years ago made my anger uncontrollable.

I lifted my foot to step forward, wanting to tell everyone what Gloria had done.

Before I could get close, Leopold grabbed me. He frowned at me and spoke in a low voice.

"Erin, what do you think you're doing?"

"Kai can marry anyone, but absolutely not Gloria. Brother, you know what she's done! I'm going to expose her!" I said angrily.

Leopold tightened his grip on my hand, his eyes full of disapproval.

"If you go expose Gloria right now, what will that accomplish besides embarrassing the Perez family?"

"Besides, do you have proof?"

Leopold asked the most crucial question.

I had no evidence to prove Gloria schemed against me five years ago. No way to prove Gloria hired those homeless men to assault me.

But was I supposed to just let Gloria get away with it?

Why should she get to steal my engagement after doing so many terrible things?

"Erin, you need to learn patience! I'll investigate the evidence from back then. I don't want to see Gloria and Kai get engaged either. Hilda has been wanting another child lately. She wants to have a boy to compete with me for the Perez family inheritance. But now isn't the time to deal with them. Be patient a little longer."

Fine! I had no evidence now and no other options.

But I didn't want to watch Gloria and Kai being all lovey-dovey anymore. I turned and picked up a glass of champagne from the table.

The alcohol couldn't dispel that pain. I needed something stronger.

My gaze swept around and landed on a martini. I poured myself a glass and was just bringing it to my lips when I caught sight of Dad walking toward me.

I drank the liquor and turned around, only to notice a tall man beside him. His gaze was examining me in a rather impolite way.

Under the effect of the strong alcohol, my face began to flush and feel warm.

"Erin, let me introduce you. This is Mason, the third son of the Hall family. He's 25."

I was confused. What did Dad mean by this?

Before I could react, I heard Dad introducing me to Mason.

Mason's gaze became increasingly naked as he looked me up and down, finally settling on my chest with a hint of satisfaction.

A strong sense of being violated washed over me. This man was completely ungentlemanly, even crude.

I was disgusted.

Mason extended his hand to me and spoke arrogantly.

"I'm fairly satisfied with you. You look decent, good figure too. We don't need to waste time. Tomorrow you dress up and come with me to get the marriage license."

The way he spoke made me feel like I was a commodity being selected.

Only now did I realize that my father wanted to arrange a marriage between me and the Hall family. The marriage partner was this arrogant, conceited man in front of me!

So as soon as I came back, Dad was eager to use me as a marriage tool to expand into the Varedo market.

Beyond anger, I felt more disappointment.

Dad wasn't my father anymore. He was Gloria's father.

Ever since Gloria came to our house, he made me give up my room, give up my favorite toys.

Now he wanted me to give up my own fiancé.

I used to think that as long as I listened to him, he would love me like before.

But five years ago I learned I was wrong.

Now, five years later, I would never keep giving in just to please him!

With the alcohol's help, I laughed and reached out to shake Mason's hand, answering him slowly.

"Sure, you're so kind. Once we're married, I'll have my son start calling you daddy right away!"

Mason froze, not understanding what I meant.

"Son? What son?" he asked in surprise.

Dad's face changed, and he quickly explained, "She's drunk. She's talking nonsense."

"I'm not talking nonsense." I immediately retorted, my expression particularly serious. "I have a four-year-old son. He's very well-behaved. He'll definitely treat you like his real father!"

Mason's face darkened. He pulled his hand back and wiped it with disgust, frowning mockingly.

"Unmarried mother? You think any decent Christian man would marry a woman who couldn't even wait till marriage?"

He glanced at Dad Lorenzo, snorted, and turned to leave.

"Erin! Look what you've done!" Dad cursed at me. "You're not a virgin anymore. No decent man will marry you. Finding someone like Mason took all my effort! What more could you want? Can't you learn from Gloria and be obedient and sensible? The Perez family is your family too. Don't you want it to prosper?"

No wonder Mason treated me like a commodity. My own father treated me like one.

"What does this have to do with me? I don't depend on the family for my living now! I don't have any Perez family shares either!"

I looked at Dad and spoke word by word.

Five years ago, I was supposed to get a Ferrari and my own shares on my 18th birthday.

But before that, Gloria staged her own fall down the stairs and blamed me. Even though I showed the surveillance footage proving I didn't push her.

Dad still chose to believe her and declared that my shares would go to Gloria as compensation!

My words completely enraged Dad. He raised his hand and slapped me.

"Slap." A crisp sound.

Sharp pain shot through my cheek, and my ears rang continuously.

My head turned to the side, my heart tightening wave after wave. Compared to the pain in my heart, what was the pain on my face?

"Erin, you will go apologize to Mason right now. You were born into the Perez family, so you should sacrifice everything for the family, including your marriage!"

Dad was furious, commanding me.

"I won't go!" I refused to compromise. I wouldn't listen to a father who didn't love me anymore!

"I'm warning you one last time, Erin. Go find Mason immediately and salvage this relationship! You messed around five years ago, and now I'm introducing you to such a quality man, and you refuse!"

"What kind of good man do you think you can still find? Having a bastard child with some random man, you should be grateful Mason would accept you!"

Dad's patience had reached its limit. His eyes were full of anger as he looked at me.

"I won't apologize! I won't marry Mason either. Don't even think about controlling my life!"

I stuck my neck out stubbornly, refusing to bow my head.

Dad suddenly laughed. He said "good" three times, then his smile disappeared and he spoke coldly.

"If you refuse to go, then I'll just have to kill that so-called son of yours!"