Cathleen's body trembled with anger as she gritted her teeth, the bitter taste of betrayal lingering on her tongue. She had always felt like an outsider in her own family, constantly overlooked and mistreated by her stepmother and stepsister. But it was her father's passive acceptance that fueled her rage. For years, he stood by while his wife and daughter tore her down. And now, Cathleen couldn't take it any longer; she wanted to sever all ties with them and cut off the toxic roots that were suffocating her spirit.
Cathleen was determined to leave her toxic family behind and start anew. From a young age, she endured the pain of feeling unwanted and unloved by her own father. He never once stood up for her, even when others cruelly labeled her as an illegitimate child. His silence only fueled her feelings of worthlessness. And when she was mercilessly bullied, he turned a blind eye while his wife and daughter made her life a living hell. But it wasn't until Cathleen discovered Avery had slept with Finn-the ultimate betrayal from the people she thought were supposed to love and protect her-that she saw their true colors in crystal clear clarity.
It's not that she wanted to come between Finn and Avery in any way, but she expected her father to say something about it. As Finn and Avery's relationship blossomed, she knew she had to stay out of their way. But when her father didn't even acknowledge her existence, it was like a slap in the face. She was cast out of the family without a word, abandoned by the one person who should have protected her.
So that begs the question: why would she coerce herself into becoming a Jackson? She had requested that she be separated from them, but they had ignored her request. And now, forced into becoming a Jackson, she couldn't escape their grasp. They refused to let her go, even though they had never accepted her as one of their own.
Since Dora and Avery had never in their lives regarded her as a Jackson member, this marriage proposal presented her with an excellent opportunity to break free from her twisted family and her father's toxic holds. She was trapped, suffocating under the weight of their twisted family ties. Why did she ever wish to be part of this dysfunctional clan?
Cathleen's heart pounded against her chest as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. A single tear traced a path down her cheek, a stark reminder of the pain and anger that consumed her. How could she marry Finn, the man who had stabbed her in the back and shattered her trust? Her hatred swathed not just for him but for all those who had wronged her.
Finn's treacherous betrayal has left her with a venomous disdain for all men. The thought of someone deceiving her for three long years is unfathomable, and it fuels the raging fire of hatred that consumes her heart. She can no longer trust anyone, especially not those who claim to love her.
When Dora entered the room where Cathleen was, she observed that Cathleen was crying. She put on a happy face and tried to be a wonderful mother. But then Cathleen knew better. Dora never liked her. If anything, she's happy she's getting rid of her.
"Why are you crying? You and Finn were engaged at one point. You have been with him for three good years. If you ask me, I believe that you are going to marry the man who was always meant to be yours." Dora's brows were furrowed, and her eyes narrowed with a sharp glint of mockery. Her lips were curled into a sneer, her posture exuding a sense of superiority.
Dora's words hit Cathleen like a slap in the face, but she refused to give her the satisfaction of a response. Instead, she sat there in tense silence, her jaw clenched and her eyes blazing with unspoken rage. Dora's presence was like poison in the room, but Cathleen would not stoop to her level. She simply avoided her words, leaving Dora to stew in her own toxicity.
Cathleen suspected that she was only marrying Finn because there was a more affluent suitor in the city for her sister, Avery. The thought hit her hard, and she quickly wiped away the tears with a tissue before standing up and composing herself.
"The tears that you see coming from my eyes are not tears of sadness but rather tears of joy because I am now a free person. Free from your corrupt habits and liberated from the Jackson family name. From now on, my name is Cathleen West." Cathleen declared.
Dora's eyes narrowed as she studied the girl standing before her. This was not the sweet and kind Cathleen she knew. This version had a sharpness to her, an edge that Dora couldn't quite place. She wanted to turn away and leave, but something kept her rooted in place. She felt conflicted, unsure of how to approach this unfamiliar version of Cathleen. She snorted and started to leave, but she suddenly stopped.
"You look like a real bride. Oh, we will be waiting outside, and oh, you will always be under me and my daughter. That's where you belong. Even though we might have given you your freedom, we are still going to marry you off to the man whom we have selected for you. You are nobody, Cathleen West." A smirk danced across Dora's lips before she vanished into the distance.
Cathleen wasted no time, a trait that many admired. She swiftly slipped into her breathtaking bridal gown and strode outside with steely determination. Ignoring the luxurious limo waiting for her, she made a beeline for her sleek Maserati and sped off towards the church. Despite a chauffeured vehicle already at her disposal, Cathleen refused to rely on others for help. She couldn't stomach the fake concern plastered on everyone's faces as they claimed to care about her, knowing deep down they didn't truly care at all. As soon as she arrived at the church, she marched straight to the private room reserved for the bride and locked herself inside, refusing to come out until it was time to make her grand entrance.