Left In The Past

After a car accident left Vincent Holt, head of the powerful Holt family, disabled, he stunned high society by publicly seeking a wife.

My father immediately submitted my profile.

“Since you’re so determined to break up with Cole, let’s see if you can land someone from the Holt family instead.”

I refused, only to get slapped hard across the face as I tried to grab his phone. “You have no choice in this.”

With nowhere else to turn, I went to ask Cole Brody for help. He was the only one who could change my father’s mind.

However, I overheard their conversation.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Brody. Vincent Holt is just a cripple. Bethany’s too proud to accept him. Just give it some time. She’ll come crawling back to you.”

Cole chuckled. “Lulu wants a baby. I’m just helping her out by sleeping with her a few times. It’s not a big deal, yet Bethany just won’t leave it alone. I knew you got a way to keep her in check.”

My body went cold.

It turned out that I had been standing alone in a ruin of lies all along.

However, when the Holt family really picked me, they panicked.

I held my breath outside the study. My heart ached with every word uttered inside.

The conversation carried on inside.

“Mr. Brody, Lulu has a gentle heart and a trusting nature. Please, take care of her.”

“Don’t worry, sir. If Lulu hadn’t risked her life to save me from that fire five years ago, I wouldn’t be here today. I’ll protect her for the rest of my life.”

Cole Brody paused for a moment before continuing, “However, getting Lulu pregnant was just repayment for her kindness, nothing more. Bethany is threatening to break up with me over it. Who knows what other crazy things she might do out of jealousy?”

My father, Adrien Theroux, appeased him with a smile.

“Please don’t take it to heart, Mr. Brody. She’s just being childish. A few harsh lessons will set her straight.

“Vincent Holt is not only crippled, but he is also infamous for being a violent madman. Even an idiot like Bethany wouldn’t be stupid enough to throw herself at him. Anyone with half a brain knows who to choose.”

Cole sighed and said, “Still, Lulu is carrying my child. I can’t let her suffer.”

“Yes, of course.” Adrien nodded.

My body went numb.

So, in my father’s eyes, I was just a stepping stone for his illegitimate daughter, Lulu.

To Cole, the man I had once loved more than anything in the world, I meant nothing.

My nails dug into my palms, and the taste of bile rose in my throat.

I staggered back and collided with the vase by the entryway.

The sound of shattering porcelain split the air.

The study door swung open. Cole frowned as he saw my tear-filled eyes.

“Are you still upset about the matchmaking arrangement?”

He said with a troubled expression, “I tried talking your