Chapter 1: "A Loveless Marriage"

Sara stood alone in her lavish bedroom, staring blankly at the wedding photo on her dresser. Five years of marriage to Jackson had felt like an eternity. Their relationship was a facade, built on obligation rather than love.

Jackson's father, a close family friend of Sara's dad, had fallen gravely ill. On his deathbed, he extracted a promise from Jackson: marry Sara. Jackson reluctantly agreed, prioritizing family loyalty over his own desires.

Sara had been blinded by love and hope. She believed their marriage would blossom into something beautiful. But reality crushed her dreams. Jackson's heart belonged to another – his lover, Elony, whom he took her to live with after a few months of their marriage only.

As the years passed, reality was a bit deep. Jackson's attention waned, and he began spending increasing amounts of time with Elony – his "business partner" or so he claimed. Sara discovered the truth through whispers among the household staff: Jackson and Elony were lovers.

Her heart is heavy with betrayal, Sara felt like a mere accessory in Jackson's life – a symbol of his family loyalty rather than a beloved wife. She wondered if he ever loved her at all or merely tolerated her presence.

The sound of laughter and music drifted from downstairs, likely Jackson and Alex entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet evening together. Sara's stomach twisted into knots as she imagined the scenes unfolding below.

She turned away from the wedding photo, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Five years of marriage had yielded only heartache and loneliness. Sara felt trapped in this loveless prison, unsure how to escape or reclaim her dignity.

Sara's father, Josh Taylor, was a successful businessman and close friend of Jackson's father, Richard Smith. Their families had known each other for decades, bonding over shared interests and social status.

Growing up, Sara witnessed the strong camaraderie between her father and Richard. They would often meet for golf outings, business lunches, and charity events. Sara felt comfortable around Richard and his family, especially Jackson, who was only a few years older.

Sara recalled summer vacations spent at the Smiths' luxurious beach house. Jackson would tolerate her presence, even occasionally playing games or going for swims together. Though he never showed romantic interest, Sara developed a crush on her older "friend."

Richard, aware of Sara's feelings, would smile knowingly and tell her father, "Josh, your daughter grows more beautiful each year. Perhaps one day she'll join our family officially." Josh would chuckle, appreciating the hint, though neither family suspected it would become a reality through marriage.

When Sara was 19, her mother passed away suddenly. Her father, devastated, leaned on Richard for support. As Josh navigated grief, Richard offered guidance and comfort – strengthening their friendship.

Two years later, Richard faced his own mortality due to a terminal illness. On his deathbed, he extracted the promise from Jackson to marry Sara – solidifying their families' bond and repaying Josh's loyalty.

Sara's father, still grieving his wife, encouraged Sara to accept Jackson's proposal, seeing it as a union of their families and a secure future for his daughter.

Sara's thoughts returned to her present reality, the weight of her backstory settling heavily upon her heart. She realized:

* Her marriage was a result of family loyalty and obligation, not love.

* Her father's encouragement had blinded her to Jackson's true intentions.

* She had ignored warning signs, hoping love would blossom over time.

As these truths sank in, Sara felt a surge of determination. She needed to reevaluate her life, prioritize her own happiness, and consider escape routes from this loveless marriage.

As she wandered aimlessly around the bedroom, her gaze fell upon a family photo featuring Jackson's younger brother, Alex – a gentle soul with kind eyes. Unlike Jackson, Alex had always treated her with warmth and respect.

Sara's thoughts lingered on Alex, a spark of comfort igniting within her troubled heart but then she felt hungry.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***