"Welcome home, Miss Poppy."
Poppy Sinclair offered a small, polite smile to the old butler as she climbed the stairs that led to the entrance of the Sinclair's mansion.
"It's good to see you, Mr. Richard."
"Likewise, Miss," he nodded. "Your father is in the living room. He's been waiting quite a while."
She sighed softly before saying, "Thank you for the information."
"You're most welcome, Miss Poppy."
As Richard watched her go, he shook his head pitifully. Things were about to get messier for her, and after everything that happened the past few days, he knew she was barely holding on.
...
Poppy rounded the corner toward the living room with a frown.
She hated this place. She barely had memories, but every one of them were horrible. And she keeps getting reminded whenever she visited.
If her father hadn't summoned her, she never would've returned. She'd meant it when she said she was done with this house… and everyone in it.
When she almost got to the glass door, a bright light that reflected from a wrist watch shone on her face.
Poppy stopped.
She hadn't noticed him first, but now she stared at the back of Dale Roosevelt who stood close to the door.
He wasn't alone. He was with Layla, her step sister and from their distance, Poppy could hear her laughing giddily.
Layla's hand rested on Dale's chest like she owned him. And apparently, now, she did.
The moment Layla saw Poppy standing there, her lips curled into a wicked smile.
Without breaking eye contact, she grabbed Dale by the collar and crushed her lips to his passionately.
Right there. In front of her.
Poppy watched them without blinking.
Once upon a time, Dale Roosevelt had been her betrothed, the man who had been obsessed with her since they were children, but three days ago, he got married to Layla!
Poppy had always known Layla had eyes for Dale since they were kids. She hated he was betrothed to her, and loathed her mother even more for making such an arrangement.
Her mother and Dale's were best friends and because they wanted a lifetime bond, they suggested the marriage between them. But life can be unfortunate, and they both passed before any of them turned 18.
Still, since it was stipulated in her mother's will, she had to go through with it.
Three days ago, they were supposed to finally get their marriage certificate, but the unexpected had happened.
At the civil bureau, they were informed that Poppy was already married to a man she knew nothing about.
Out of spite, Dale had gotten a marriage certificate with Layla instead. He'd refused to believe she was innocent.
Like the rest of her family, he joined them in calling her a liar.
She wouldn't deny she was heartbroken that day, but she could never have anything to do with someone who didn't trust her!
Poppy's hands stayed at her sides. She didn't flinch, not even when Dale's eyes finally opened mid-kiss, and locked with hers.
He stiffened, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he let the kiss linger long enough.
Poppy smiled faintly and continued walking.
The moment she walked past them, Dale angrily held her back, pulling away from Layla.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Poppy eyed his hand on her wrist. "Let go of me, Dale!"
Behind them, Layla frowned heavily. She couldn't believe Dale would shove her away because of Poppy!
She stepped in between them. "Why are you causing trouble already, Poppy? You just got here and you're already yelling."
Poppy scoffed. "Are you so blind that you can't see that your husband still can't keep his hands off me?!"
Layla gritted as she looked at his hand on her wrist.
She immediately held Dale's hand. That was when his grip loosened, and he finally pulled away.
"Dale is just trying to teach you manners! You were going to walk away without giving any salutations," she retorted.
Poppy smiled mockingly. "I walked away because watching you two make out was painful. An absolute eyesore! I'd rather gouge my eyes out than risk being traumatized."
Layla's face turned red.
"You're just jealous, Poppy," Dale sneered. "I chose Layla over you and you can't stand it!"
Poppy shook her head disappointedly. "Think whatever you want."
Before they could say anymore, she walked away.
Dale's jaw tightened. He hated how she was always so indifferent like nothing he did got to her. It irritated him.
...
The moment Poppy walked into the living room, her eyes fell on her father, Rowland Sinclair, who was sitting on the couch with her stepmother, Lauren.
They both frowned on seeing her.
"You decided to take your time," Rowland said coldly.
"I'm sorry, Father—"
"I don't want your pathetic apology!" He slammed his cane so hard against the marble floor that the entire room trembled.
Everyone jumped, including Poppy.
Her father had always had a bad temper. Even after spending more than fifteen years with him, she couldn't get used to it.
Dale and Layla walked in just in time to witness this and they hurriedly took their seats.
"You kept us all waiting like you're some kind of royalty!" Rowland continued. "And then you walk in here without remorse like a proud peacock! What exactly are you proud of, huh? Go on, say it. Tell us what you're so damn proud of!"
"She enjoys embarrassing us, Rowland. That's what she's proud of," Lauren said angrily. "She's turned the Sinclair name into a joke. After all we've done for her, this is how she pays us back, with shame and scandal!"
Poppy said nothing.
Rowland looked at the entrance. "Where is he?! Don't tell me you had the audacity to walk in here without that bastard of a husband after everything I told you!"
"I—"
"I told you she wouldn't bring him!" Lauren snapped, not allowing her to speak. "Now that it's time to fulfill her part of the deal with the Roosevelts, she's showing her true colors and looking for a way out."
"I hope for your sake that your mother is wrong about you. Now bring him in. This instant!"
Poppy's fists clenched. "There's no one outside, Father."
"What did you say?"
"I don't know who he is. I told you, I didn't marry anyone. I never did—"
"Again with this nonsense?!" Rowland pointed a trembling, furious finger at her. "After the disgrace, you dare stand here and lie to my face again?!"
Lauren scoffed. "Are we really surprised anymore? She's always been like this. Selfish, manipulative and greedy. Just like her useless mother. She'll say anything to keep the shares for herself!"
Poppy felt her chest tighten from anger.
While Layla could barely keep in her smile, Dale stared at Poppy nonchalantly.
In the past, he was the one that always saved her from her father's wrath. But after everything she did, he decided to let her suffer!
"That will never happen!" Rowland said coldly. "She will tear up whatever joke of a marriage she has with that mysterious bastard, and get married to Dale. As his second wife."
"What?!"
Dale's face lit up immediately.
"Dale has been nothing but good and faithful to you all these years," Lauren said distastefully. "You should be grateful he's even willing to take you in as a second wife after your unfaithfulness and scandal!"
Poppy's fist clenched as she stared at the smug look on Dale's face.
Good? Faithful?
She fought the urge to laugh hysterically.
She'd only realized three days ago what a fool she'd been after she came back from the civil bureau and received a text from Layla.
It was a medical result showing Layla was pregnant, accompanied by a prenatal paternity test that Dale was the father.
Dale called her a liar and whore for marrying another man, even if she was innocent, while he was screwing around with Layla.
And now, her father wants her to marry him as his second wife?!
"I won't marry Dale," Poppy said coldly. "How can I when my lovely husband doesn't want a divorce?"