Chapter 5 New Beginning

• Taylor walked back toward the kitchen, pausing just at the doorway as her stepmother entertain the guests.
• "My daughter is going to marry Mr. Knox soon..." Mrs. Ess boasted, swirling her wine glass.
• "Wow, Ess! That is huge news! How can you say it so calmly?" one of the guests gasped.
• "Is that really true? I heard Mr. Knox was fiercely disapproving the marriage," another chimed in, sounding skeptical.
• "That's rumors, she is going to meet him today," Ess said, confident smile spreading across her face.
• "Which daughter?" the first guest asked. "Taylor?"
• The smile froze on Mrs. Ess’s face.
• "No!" Ess chuckled, waving her hand. "Taylor already has someone else she insists on marrying—someone much more... suited to her. The one marrying Mr. Knox is my precious, beautiful Mira."
• A cold smile touching her lips.
• Her stepmother was already trying to paint her as the daughter who settled, while setting Mira up as the golden child.
• "So, I will give Taylor my blessing, if that is really what she wants," Ess continued. "And Taylor is quite talented with jewelry. I even told her I’d help auction one of her designs soon. A mother has to support all her children equally, after all."
• The auction. Taylor’s eyes narrowed. That was the very trap that had ruined her.
• "Is everything alright with the jewelry business, though?" a guest asked, picking up on a subtle shift in Ess's demeanor.
• Mrs. Ess nodded slowly. "Yes, yes... everything is fine. Though... there is something a little suspicious going on with her suppliers. But it's okay, I'm sure it's nothing."
• The guests exchanged quiet, uneasy glances.
• "Mom, let me help," Taylor said smoothly, stepping into the kitchen with a warm smile.
• The guests turned to look at her, their eyes immediately falling on the heavy, white bandage wrapped around her hand.
• Mrs. Ess glared at her, "Why are you back here darling? I thought I told you to go treat your cut."
• "Taylor!" one of the guests warm-heartedly interrupted. "I heard you are getting married soon!"
• Taylor smiled gracefully.
• "Congratulations, dear."
• "Thank you. Honestly, it is all thanks to my mother," Taylor said, casting a sweet look at Mrs. Ess. "Because of her... my future has suddenly become very clear."
• Ess's eyes narrowed.
• "Mom, what are you going to do about dinner now?"
• "Leave it dear. We will just order takeout, just go take care of yourself."
• "I am so sorry, everyone," Taylor said, bowing politely to the guests. "I ruined the dinner. Please forgive me."
• "Oh, don't worry about it, sweetheart!" one of the guests insisted. "Taylor is such a good girl. I hope you find nothing but happiness in your marriage."
• Taylor smiled, bowed one last time, and left the kitchen.
• Taylor locked the door of her room and pulled an elegant, deep purple gown.
• The dress hugged her curves perfectly, the rich fabric catching the light.
• Looking at her reflection in the mirror, her hand rested on her hip. She barely recognized the woman staring back.
• The sharp click-clack of her heels echoed off the living room tiles.
• The laughter in the living room died instantly. Everyone—her stepmother and the guests—stopped talking and turned to stare.
• "Mom," Taylor called out.
• Mrs. Ess was entirely speechless, her eyes scanning Taylor from the stunning purple gown to the flawless makeup.
• "I'm going out," Taylor said, her eyes shining. "I'm going to meet the man I'm going to marry."
• Before her stepmother could even find her voice, Taylor turned and walked out the door. Behind her, she heard the frantic click of Mira’s bedroom door flying open.
• ***
• Taylor arrived at the grand, five-star hotel downtown.
• She scanned the room, her heart beating in a steady rhythm.
• Then, she saw him.
• Sitting in the VIP lounge, surrounded by a quiet aura of absolute power, was Knox.
• He was the man who had never even spared her a glance in her previous life. The man her family was desperately trying to ensnare.
• Taylor smiled, adjusted her shoulders, and walked forward.