Chapter 5 The Bastard Man

• The cold water pouring over her body meant nothing to Cecilia. Once she returned to her room, wrapped in a white kimono, her mind spiraled into chaos.. The problems with Evan, Bertha, and Charles had drained her completely. It was as if the three of them had conspired to attack her all at once.
• Cecilia stood in front of the mirror, staring at her own frustrated reflection. She was well aware of the mess her life had become. The next moment, her cold right hand reached for her phone, fiddled with it, and pressed it to her right ear.
• “Good evening, Elliot,” Cecilia greeted as the call connected—reaching out to someone she hoped could help.
• “Good evening, Cecilia. How are you?” came the deep voice on the other end.
• “I’m fine, I’m fine. I’m calling because I need your help. Can you help me?”
• “Help? What is it? Just tell me, Cecilia.”
• Cecilia had decided to contact one of her acquaintances, Elliot Wolfe, a lawyer. The company policy stating that employees could only resign after five years was driving her mad. It meant she’d be tied to Evan for years, when she couldn’t stand even one more day.
• “Yes. I have a problem. I’ll send you a file containing my employment contract. I need you to check it and make sure. There’s a clause that says employees can’t resign before five years. Is there any way around it, or any loophole?” Cecilia explained, her heart pounding with hope.
• “Alright, I understand. Please send me the file, Cecilia.”
• Cecilia pulled the phone away, found the file in her email, and sent it to Elliot. The call went silent for a while. Cecilia sat down in front of her large makeup mirror, removed the towel from her head, and began brushing her hair.
• “Cecilia, I’ve checked it,” Elliot said at last.
• Cecilia picked up the phone, pressing it to her left ear. “So, Elliot? Is there any way I can break the contract?” she asked, a hopeful edge in her voice.
• “Cecilia, unfortunately, the contract is binding, and anyone who signed it must follow every rule stated,” Elliot replied seriously.
• “Are you sure, Elliot? There’s no way around it? What if I claim it’s a form of coercion?” Cecilia pressed, convinced there must be a way out.
• Elliot sighed audibly. “Cecilia, there’s a clause stating that if you break the contract, legal action will be taken. You’d be considered in breach. You’ve signed every page, and initialed each one. It’s legally binding and cannot be broken.”
• Cecilia fell silent, listening to Elliot’s explanation. She muttered a curse under her breath. She never imagined she’d end up in this position. She had trusted Evan completely. Even when signing the contract, she hadn’t bothered to read it.
• Cecilia had been too naïve. She believed her fiancé would never cheat. Fate was mocking her. Now, when she wanted to run away, she was trapped in a ring of fire.
• She wanted to leave, to have nothing to do with Evan anymore. Seeing her fiancé and best friend’s betrayal had shattered her heart. But that damned contract kept her chained—unable to break free.
• “Cecilia? Are you okay?” Elliot asked, concerned.
• That was enough to make Cecilia sigh in disappointment and frustration. “I’m okay, Elliot. Thank you for your help,” she replied, forcing a thin, empty smile.
• The call ended. Cecilia placed her phone limply on the table, among her makeup bottles, then rubbed her face roughly. Her mind spun, searching for any solution. But right now, she was at a dead end—at a crossroads with every path equally steep.
• Suddenly, her phone rang again, breaking the silence of her soft brown-and-white apartment. Cecilia glanced at the screen and swallowed hard.
• ‘Mommy Lena is calling you...’
• Why, of all times, was Evan’s mother calling her now?
• At first, Cecilia considered ignoring the call, letting her screen go dark. But guilt crept in. She was close to Evan’s family, especially Lena Langston, whom she considered a second mother. Ignoring her felt impossible.
• “Hello, dear. How are you?” Lena’s clear, warm voice came through as soon as Cecilia slid the green button.
• “Hello, Mom. I’m fine,” Cecilia replied stiffly.
• After years with Evan, Cecilia called his mother ‘Mom’. Lena insisted on being called ‘Mommy’, never ‘Auntie’, especially since she believed Cecilia and Evan would soon marry.
• “I’m glad, dear. Mommy misses you. Come over tonight, will you? Mommy wants to invite you for dinner,” Lena said lightly.
• Cecilia froze, a chill creeping into her heart. She swallowed hard. “Mom, this is... so sudden... I...”
• Lena heard the hesitation but ignored it. “Come, dear. Mommy has prepared everything,” she coaxed—more like insisted.
• Cecilia’s tongue felt heavy, unable to utter a refusal. In the end, she nodded—though Lena couldn’t see—and replied weakly, “Alright, Mom. I’ll come.”
• “Mommy will be waiting, okay?” And with that, Lena ended the call.
• Cecilia stared blankly at the screen, letting out a frustrated sigh. She continued brushing her damp hair, her gaze distant, her eyes reflecting the tangled mess in her mind.
• ***
• Lena had truly prepared everything for the family dinner. When Cecilia arrived at the Langston mansion—her steps heavy—Lena greeted her with a warm hug.
• A hug that once replaced her mother’s embrace, far away in Manchester. A hug that could ease her burdens, but now only deepened her wounds.
• Cecilia lived alone in London, renting a two-bedroom apartment. Her parents remained in Manchester—her mother ran a famous bakery, her father worked for a company.
• Since dating Evan, Cecilia had grown close to his family. Their warmth made her feel she’d found a second home.
• Tonight, though, Cecilia was quiet, not her usual cheerful self. Lena assumed her future daughter-in-law was simply tired from work. Evan was nowhere to be seen, and Cecilia made no effort to look for him, instead soaking in Lena’s attention.
• Soon, Lena led her to the dining table, seating her to her right. The other seats were still empty.
• “Finally, you’re here, son,” Lena greeted as Evan entered.
• Evan walked to Cecilia’s side. Cecilia shot him a sharp look before returning to her appetizer—her appetite gone at the sight of him.
• “Something came up, Mom,” Evan said, then briefly pulled Cecilia close and kissed the top of her head.
• Cecilia wanted to pull away or slap him. She shuddered at his touch, her mind flashing with images of Evan and Bertha together. Anger flared, just being in the same room as her ex-fiancé.
• Evan sat calmly beside her, fiddling with his phone.
• Lena sighed, shaking her head. She was puzzled by Cecilia’s coldness—no greeting, no affectionate gesture. The usually clingy Cecilia was now distant and indifferent. Still, Lena decided not to pry. Maybe her future daughter-in-law was just tired or in a bad mood.
• “Dear, let’s wait for Mommy’s other guest,” Lena said, smiling gently at Cecilia, trying to lighten the mood.
• Cecilia nodded, forcing a smile. “Alright, Mom.” She looked back down at her plate.
• Tonight’s dinner would drain her. Pretending everything was fine with Evan? She’d rather work overtime for a week.
• The grand dining room fell silent, its warmth fading. Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted.
• “Sorry I’m late,” came a deep voice as someone entered.
• “Charles!” Lena exclaimed happily. “You’re finally here. I’ve been waiting. Come, sit, Charles.” She welcomed her brother-in-law with a wide smile.
• Cecilia held her breath and cursed inwardly as the man she most wanted to avoid appeared. She barely moved, eyes fixed on her nearly empty plate.
• Worse, Charles chose the seat directly across from her. Cecilia glanced up and accidentally met his gaze. Charles flashed a crooked smile, but was soon distracted as Lena engaged him in conversation about his recent return from Tuscany.
• “Hello, Auntie. Sorry I’m late.” Bertha appeared not long after Charles.
• Cecilia nearly choked at the familiar, syrupy voice. She looked up coldly—sure enough, it was Bertha.
• “Bertha,” Lena greeted warmly. “Welcome, dear. I’m so glad you could come. Please, sit!”
• “Thank you, Auntie.” Bertha replied sweetly, glancing around at the four already seated.
• Unfortunately, the seat beside Evan was taken by Cecilia, so Bertha had to sit next to Charles.
• Charles looked dashing in his black suit, calm and composed, not even glancing at Bertha as she sat beside him. The strong scent of his cologne was enough to make anyone’s head spin.
• “Well, since everyone’s here, let’s begin dinner,” Lena said, looking around at them all.
• Everyone nodded in agreement. The staff entered, serving the food perfectly onto the table.
• “Mom, where’s Dad? Why isn’t he joining us?” Evan asked.
• “Your father had to fly to Singapore this morning for a sudden business trip,” Lena explained.
• Evan nodded, understanding. He knew his father was still actively running the business—Langston Group owned many subsidiaries, not just the fashion company.
• “Auntie, this food is amazing. You must have made it yourself,” Bertha praised Lena.
• Lena smiled at Bertha. “Yes, dear. I made it with the help of the staff. I’m glad you like it.”
• “It’s wonderful, Auntie. You really are the perfect woman. No wonder Evan’s father chose you as his wife,” Bertha said, shooting a sly glance at Cecilia.
• Cecilia struggled to keep her emotions off her face, though inside she was falling apart. She didn’t understand why Lena had invited Bertha. If she’d known the snake would be here, she would have found a thousand excuses to decline. Bertha’s presence shattered her composure.
• Across the table, Charles kept stealing glances at Cecilia. The fact that she was his brother’s son’s fiancée only made things more interesting.
• “Evan, Cecilia, your relationship seems to be going well. Mommy is very happy about that,” Lena said, glancing at the couple.
• Cecilia suddenly found it hard to swallow. She sensed trouble, but tried to remain calm.
• Unaware, Lena continued, “When are you two getting married?”
• Evan ate calmly, while Cecilia stopped chewing and Bertha gripped her spoon tightly. Charles didn’t miss any of their reactions.
• “Soon, Mom,” Evan replied, breaking the tension with a calm voice. He took Cecilia’s hand, lifted it, and showed it off. “I would never let the woman I love wait any longer.”
• Your mouth is full of shit, bastard! Cecilia cursed inside. She glared at Evan, but he just smiled sweetly, stoking the fire in her heart—just as someone else was quietly consumed by jealousy.
• Bertha clenched her fist, glaring at the couple. Her chest heaved, breath quickening. She wanted to throw her drink in Cecilia’s face.
• Beside her, Charles glanced at Bertha, a thin, mysterious smile on his lips. He took a sip of his drink, unbothered.
• “My nephew seems very eager,” Charles remarked, baiting.
• “Of course, Uncle. Cecilia and I have been engaged for three years. I’m not going to waste any more time,” Evan replied with a broad smile.
• Charles smiled again, growing more intrigued by the minute. “Alright. Don’t forget to invite me,” he said calmly.
• “Mommy is glad you’re planning to marry soon,” Lena chimed in, relieved. “I can’t wait to see you married and give Mommy adorable grandchildren.”
• Evan chuckled, while Cecilia felt as if her throat had been poisoned.
• “Don’t worry, Mommy. Cecilia and I will give you lots of beautiful grandchildren,” Evan joked.
• Bertha coughed loudly, deliberately disrupting the mood. Cecilia was grateful for the distraction, using the moment to yank her hand from Evan’s grip and return to eating in silence.
• Dinner continued, the atmosphere growing more uncomfortable for Cecilia. She wanted to leave the table, if not for Lena’s presence. For Lena’s sake, she forced herself to stay until the end, trying to block out everything Evan and Bertha did.
• Thankfully, Charles behaved himself, only occasionally casting glances at Cecilia. Whenever she caught him, he’d flash that crooked smile that made her shiver.
• Finally, dinner ended. Cecilia quickly excused herself, putting on her best face for Lena and claiming she needed some fresh air.
• Unfortunately, Evan followed. As soon as they left the dining room, he caught up and grabbed her hand.
• “Let go, bastard!” Cecilia hissed.
• Evan finally let go, motioning for her to calm down. He was about to speak when someone else appeared.
• Bertha.
• Cecilia bit back the vilest curse she could muster. She knew cursing those two—who openly flaunted their affair in front of her—was pointless. Better to walk away than let her anger consume her. So Cecilia turned and walked away quickly.
• Evan looked like he wanted to follow, but Bertha clung to his arm, giving him a protesting look. Torn, Evan finally gave in to Bertha.
• Meanwhile, Cecilia hurried through the rooms until she reached the quiet edge of the pool. Finally, in the calm, the 21-year-old woman exhaled sharply, trying to ease the tightness in her chest.
• She stood rigid, chest heaving, eyes squeezed shut. She was fighting to regain her composure. Thankfully, the pool area was truly empty—even the staff were gone. She finally had a moment of peace.
• “Looks like Miss Moreau can’t contain her happiness at the thought of marrying my nephew soon,” a voice teased, making Cecilia want to throw herself into the pool.
• Charles appeared, that crooked, infuriating smile on his lips. He strode confidently toward Cecilia, while she was too drained to deal with yet another problematic person.
• “Tonight’s dinner was very entertaining. I got quite a show,” Charles whispered as he reached her, his tall frame looming over Cecilia, intimidating her.
• Cecilia glanced around in panic. First, she was afraid someone might see them together—though it wasn’t her choice—and get the wrong idea. Second, she was hoping anyone, anyone at all, would walk by and save her from this man.
• “Why so quiet, hmm?” Charles lifted his hand, about to touch her chin.
• But Cecilia quickly slapped his hand away. Charles laughed shortly, looking at the hand she’d just brushed off. His sharp gaze returned to Cecilia, intimidating her. She swallowed nervously.
• “Now you’re trying to fight me, hmm?” Charles teased, his crooked smile lingering. “Funny, considering you were the one begging for me to please you before.”
• Cecilia’s cheeks burned at his suggestive words. Her breath quickened, hands clenched tightly at her sides, lips pressed shut. She refused to engage with this madman.
• “Why so silent?” Charles chided. “Afraid someone will see? Relax, it’s safe here. No one’s around.”
• Cecilia glared at him, ready to unleash a string of curses. But she held her tongue, her wide eyes revealing the storm of emotions inside.
• Charles relished the sight. He stepped closer, forcing Cecilia to take a small step back. But she could go no further—she was already at the pool’s edge.
• Charles’s crooked smile returned. Sensing her predicament, he slowly closed the distance, moving like a predator. Cecilia had no choice but to keep retreating—until her foot nearly slipped.
• Charles’s large hand shot out, grabbing her waist and holding her firmly. Their bodies pressed together.
• Charles could feel Cecilia’s rapid breath against his chest—his shirt unbuttoned at the top. Cecilia, in turn, felt his cool breath on her scalp. His intimidating aura grew stronger, leaving her frozen in his embrace.
• Charles leaned down, bringing his mouth close to Cecilia’s right ear. “I wonder what Evan would say if he knew you lost your virginity to me. I’m also curious—how were you still a virgin after years with him? Well, I’m very grateful for it. I love taking a woman’s virginity. You know? It’s so tight, and so good.” He whispered wickedly, that crooked smile never leaving his handsome face.
• Cecilia froze in Charles’s arms. His words sent a shiver through her, her eyes wide with shock and fear.