Chapter 225
Michelle bit down hard on her lower lip, hiding the cold fury churning behind her eyes.
Her voice came out small, laced with hurt. "I couldn't help it. Veda beat me so badly last time I nearly died. I was still in the hospital when you called, Dad."
She'd expected this to stir some fatherly concern.
Instead, Hayden waved a dismissive hand. "Go upstairs and change into something decent. Put on some makeup."
Michelle's instincts fired immediately. "Why? What's going on?"
"A date."
Hayden said it like he was discussing the weather.
Michelle stared at him in disbelief. "I'm not even healed yet, and you want me to go on a date?"
"When I was beaten half to death, you took Veda's side and ignored me completely. I spent a whole week in the hospital, and none of you even bothered to check on me!"
Her voice climbed higher, her eyes burning red.
Veda nestled against Delta's side, her voice a petulant whine. "What's there to get worked up about? You're standing right here, aren't you?"
"You didn't die, so what's all the screaming for? Anyone listening would think you'd actually suffered."
Every word made Michelle angrier.
Michelle gritted her teeth. "Shut up! What right do you have to sit there making snide remarks and pointing fingers?"
She was always the one forced to sacrifice for this family. Always.
Veda's eyes reddened on cue, her voice wobbling. "Why are you yelling at me? We're all just worried about you. Besides, you're old enough to get married. What are you going to do—mooch off this family forever?"
"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't even be in this mess!"
That last line set Hayden off instantly.
His face darkened, cold eyes locking onto Michelle. "You told us you had Charles in the bag. We spent a fortune on you, and it was all for nothing."
"That's not my fault—it's Victoria's!"
Michelle blurted it out, voice dripping with resentment. "If she hadn't kept throwing herself at Charles, clinging to him like a ghost, he never would've kept his eyes on her!"
"I don't want excuses. You can't even handle one man. What good are you?"
Hayden sneered.
Delta, who'd been silent until now, finally spoke. "Michelle, your father and I know you've been trying hard and that you've had a rough time. So we won't push you to go after Charles anymore."
Instead of relief, Michelle felt her stomach drop.
Sure enough, Delta continued. "Go upstairs and freshen up. Mr. Soto will be here shortly. You two can meet and have a chat."
"You mean Eldon Soto? That playboy?"
Michelle's voice shot up, sharp with disbelief. "He's not even married and he already has God knows how many kids with different women! You want me to marry him? You're throwing me into a fire pit!"
Delta gave her a look of disappointment. "What kind of way is that to talk? We're your parents. Of course we'd never hurt you."
"Mr. Soto may have his flaws, but the Soto family is extremely wealthy. Mrs. Soto adores you. Once you marry in, you'll be well taken care of."
Michelle let out a bitter laugh. "If it's such a great match, why don't you send Veda?"
Delta's expression shifted. "Veda's been spoiled her whole life. She's too headstrong. She's not suited for it."
"But I am?"
Michelle shot back. Her heart went ice cold.
She'd assumed that even back in the Spencer household, she'd manage to come out on top.
After all, Veda was clearly a brainless fool. What could she possibly compete with?
But reality proved otherwise. Veda didn't have to do a thing—she just hid behind Delta, and Delta's favoritism did the rest.
As for Hayden...
He was simpler. He just wanted to trade his daughters for profit.
Either one would do.
But since Delta favored Veda, Hayden didn't bother to object.
Michelle's gaze swept across all three of them.
They were her flesh and blood. Yet every pair of eyes staring back at her held the same indifference.
Michelle's lips trembled. Her voice came out tight. "Have any of you... ever loved me?"
Dead silence.
Delta recovered first, plastering on a smile. "Michelle, what are you saying? Of course Mom and Dad love you."
She stood, steering Michelle toward the stairs without waiting for a response. "Come on, enough with the tantrum. Go get ready. Mr. Soto will be here any minute."
Michelle went upstairs, seething with reluctance.
It wasn't that she didn't want to run. But the Johnson family had completely disowned her—they'd even dragged her to court to change her name.
Where could she possibly go?
As if worried Michelle might pull something, Delta personally picked out a strapless mini dress and stood guard while she did her makeup.
Michelle stared at her own beautiful reflection in the mirror, bitterness flooding her chest.
She was supposed to be Mrs. Smith. She was supposed to spend the rest of her life with Charles, who loved her deeply.
How had everything gone so wrong?
It wasn't fair.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
Delta frowned slightly, urging from the side. "Michelle, be a good girl. The Spencer family isn't what it used to be. While we still have some standing left, marrying into the Soto family will at least give you some security."
"If you hadn't failed to land Charles, we wouldn't have had to resort to this."
Spoken so righteously—and every ounce of blame dumped squarely on Michelle.
Michelle's lips twisted in a bitter smirk. She didn't respond.
---
The meeting went smoothly.
When Eldon laid eyes on Michelle, a flash of appreciation crossed his face.
He was pleased with her looks. He had only one condition for the marriage: "I'm used to doing whatever I want. After we're married, don't try to control my personal life. Understand?"
He might as well have stamped 'I will cheat on you' across his forehead.
Before Michelle could open her mouth, Hayden cut in. "Don't worry. Our Michelle is very well-behaved. She'll make an excellent wife."
Eldon looked even more satisfied.
Hayden discussed the wedding arrangements with him. Michelle wasn't allowed to say a single word throughout.
As if she were just merchandise, sitting there on display to be inspected and selected.
Before leaving, Eldon fixed Michelle with a long, appraising look. "The wedding's next week. Be ready."
Michelle clenched her jaw, forcing herself to swallow her rage.
Delta had a point about one thing.
At least marrying Eldon meant she'd never have to worry about money.
---
Victoria's mood had been heavy for days.
As the overseas evaluation drew closer, her thoughts grew more tangled.
The weather was nice today, so she took Percival out.
Percival was a bright child—he could already say quite a few words.
Even though Dena treated him well and spent the most time with him, Percival still clung to Victoria above everyone else.
"Mama! Up!"
Percival toddled over from a few feet away and threw his soft little body straight into Victoria's arms.
Victoria's heart melted completely.
She held him tight, stroking his fuzzy little head.
"Such a good boy, Percival."
A quiet sigh echoed deep in her chest.
With this sweet, precious child in her arms—how could she bear to leave?