Husband by Mistake, Groom by Design

Before I could process what was happening, Dylan angrily raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face.

The sound drew Eunice's attention, and she hurried over. When she saw the red mark blooming on my cheek, she frowned.

"Dylan, how could you..."

Before she could finish, Dylan pulled the baby closer and broke into tears, playing the victim perfectly.

"He called me a homewrecker. I lost it. I've never been humiliated like that in my life."

Just like that, Eunice's sympathy vanished. Her face twisted with anger as she turned on me.

"Jayden, how could you say something like that to Dylan? You..."

She trailed off, but I heard the accusation she didn't voice—I was the real homewrecker. What right did I have to point fingers at her husband?

I laughed, the sound coming out jagged and unhinged.

"Eunice, I know he isn't the homewrecker. I am. This baby is yours and Dylan's too, isn't he?"

Before I could even react, a second slap came crashing across my face.

Eunice's chest heaved violently with rage, and she stared at me with bloodshot eyes.

Those two stinging slaps, delivered like bookends, finally cleared the fog in my head. This sick, humiliating farce should have ended years ago.

My phone buzzed with a new message, but before I could even glance at it, someone clamped a hand over my mouth.

"Eunice, the ceremony's starting soon. Don't waste another second on him. You and Dylan should get ready. We'll deal with Jayden."

Through my blurred vision, I saw Eunice nod. Her expression was terrifyingly cold. I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood.

"Eunice, I can leave the Mercer family right now. Please don't hand me over to someone else..."

She paused. For just a moment, I thought she might change her mind, but Dylan pulled her back.

"Don't tell me you actually care about him. You have to prove to me today that you never touched him. Otherwise, I'll never trust you again."

In the end, she stepped away.

I was unable to scream for help or break free. All I could do was let them drag me into a room, where an overweight, sleazy-looking elderly woman was waiting for me.

After positioning the camera, Eunice's friends winked at me.

"Enjoy yourself. Your first time should be unforgettable. If Eunice won't give it to you, she will."

They ignored my desperate pleas and left, sealing the door behind them.

I clawed at my thigh to keep myself awake and fumbled desperately for my phone.

The woman crept closer, eyeing me with a lecherous grin. "I've been curious for years—what kind of man did Eunice keep hidden for five whole years?"

I fought as hard as I could.

And just when I thought I was about to break, I saw the door being kicked open. A familiar figure appeared, and I nearly broke down from the relief.

Several bodyguards dealt with the vile woman, and my savior hurried over to me, helping me to my feet.

Her gentle voice washed away my fear completely. "Let's go to the city hall. I'm not letting you go ever again."

…

Meanwhile, Eunice and Dylan's wedding ceremony was in full swing.

"Ms. Mercer, you may now place the ring on the groom's finger."

Eunice took the ring from the ring bearer.

Just as she was about to slide it onto Dylan's finger, one of her friends rushed onto the stage carrying the camera, gasping for breath.

Eunice's expression darkened with annoyance. "I'm in the middle of my wedding. You can show me the video later. What's wrong with you?"

The woman shook her head wildly, still struggling to breathe.

"No, Eunice. We didn't manage to film anything. Jayden's been taken to the city hall. He's getting married right now!"