Chapter 3 Intense Debate

LAURA.

I don't know where the courage came from. Maybe it was because I was too fed up with this family game, or maybe it was because I just wanted to control something-whatever it was. While everyone was still arguing in the living room, I grabbed Darius' hand in a swift motion, leading him out of the room toward the deserted side of the mansion.

"Darius, come with me. We need to talk."

He didn't resist, though I could feel the stiffness in his body. His face showed confusion, but he let me drag him to the quiet end of the hallway, away from the commotion.

"Laura, what are you doing? What's all this about?" he asked once we reached the large window overlooking the back garden. His tone of voice sounded flat, but I knew there was anger hidden behind it.

I let out a long breath, trying to calm myself down. "Darius, I know this is sudden and might sound crazy. But I need you to listen to me before you jump to any conclusions."

He crossed his arms over his chest, looking at me with raised eyebrows. "Alright, I'm listening. Explain."

I bit my lip, searching for the right words. "I apologize for what I just did. Asking to marry you in front of everyone without warning... I know it was outrageous."

He was still looking at me with a flat expression, but I could see the tension in his jaw. "If you knew it was outrageous, why did you do it?"

I took a deep breath. "Because I had no other choice. There is something you must know, Darius, something that will destroy you if you continue to let this go on."

He frowned, confusion beginning to show in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

I looked at him, trying to show the earnestness in my eyes. "It's about Valerie. And Galen."

His face instantly changed. "What do you mean? What are you trying to say about my sister and Valerie?"

I reached into my dress pocket, pulling out the small envelope I'd been preparing since I realized what had really happened in the past. The envelope contained evidence that would change everything-photos and letters that showed the affair between Valerie and Galen.

"I know this is hard to believe," I said softly, handing the envelope to her. "But I want you to see this for yourself. You deserve to know the truth."

She took the envelope hesitantly, her eyes looking at me suspiciously. Slowly, she opened the envelope and began to look at the contents. As her eyes went through the photos and letters, I could see the change in her face-from confusion, to shock, and finally anger.

"This... this can't be," she muttered, her voice low but full of emotion. "Valerie... she couldn't have done this."

"I wish it weren't true," I said honestly. "But I've already confirmed it. Valerie and Galen... they had an affair. They've been going at it for a long time, even before I was set up with Galen."

She paused, her gaze blank as if she was trying to digest everything. I knew this was hard for her-Valerie was her fiancé, and Galen was her brother.

"So, you made a scene earlier... because of this?" she asked finally, her voice sounding calmer but burdened.

I nodded. "Yes. I know if I don't act now, things will only get worse. If you marry Valerie, you'll only get hurt. And if I marry Galen, I also know my life will be ruined. We'll both be victims of their lies."

She looked at me sharply. "And you think the solution is for us to get married?"

I shrugged, feeling a little awkward. "I don't really intend to marry you, Darius. It's just an excuse to stop all these plans for a while. I need time to think about the next step, and I think you need time to decide what you want to do."

He was still looking at me, but this time there was something different in his eyes. Whether it was trust or simply relief that she knew I was on her side, I couldn't be sure.

"I don't know if I can trust you completely, Laura," he said finally. "But if what you say is true... then I have no choice but to cooperate with you."

I smiled a little, feeling the weight on my chest ease a little. "That's what I was hoping for. We don't need to act in a hurry. We just need to play smarter than them."

He let out a long sigh, folding the photos back into the envelope. "Alright, Laura. I'll work with you. But I have one condition."

"What's that?" I asked.

He looked at me sharply. "If I feel you're using this for your own benefit, I won't hesitate to destroy your plan."

I nodded. "That's fair."

And for the first time, I felt that maybe I wasn't alone in this game. We both had the same goal-reveal the truth and destroy the lies that had destroyed our family.

***

I walked side by side with Darius down the long hallway of my family mansion. Our steps echoed along the walls, but no conversation passed between us. His silence was awkward, yet heavy.

Darius seemed lost in thought, probably digesting everything I had just shown him. Evidence of the affair between Valerie and Galen. I knew it was hard for him to accept this-two of the people closest to him had betrayed him. However, we didn't have much time to wallow in emotions. We had to go back to the living room and face reality.

When we got near the living room door, I heard Valerie's high, angry voice. It seemed like the commotion was still going on. I swallowed, preparing myself for the next wave.

As soon as we stepped inside, Valerie immediately noticed our presence. Her angry gaze immediately locked on Darius and me. She got up from the sofa with a sharp movement, her face flushed with emotion.

"You!" She pointed at me with trembling fingers. "What's this all about, Laura? What are you up to?"

I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Valerie, calm down. I can explain-"

"Explain what?" she cut in with an almost shrill voice. "You're really trying to take Darius away from me, aren't you? Do you think you're better than me? Do you think you can have everything just because you're older?"

"Valerie, listen to me," I said patiently. "This isn't about usurping anyone. I just want to stop something from going wrong before it gets worse."

However, she wasn't listening. She turned towards Darius, her eyes glazed over. "And you, Darius? Is this true? Are you secretly having a relationship with Laura behind my back?"

Darius stiffened beside me. I could feel the anger beginning to simmer within him, but he was trying hard to contain it.

"There is no such relationship," he said in a cold, but clear voice. "Valerie, you have to stop accusing for no reason."

"For no reason?!" Valerie chuckled, sounding bitter. "The two of you disappeared together, then suddenly Laura is screaming about marrying you. Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I didn't see something between you?"

"What you see is just your own imagination," I replied firmly, taking a step forward. "You want to know why? Because I know you and Galen... crossed the line a long time ago. I know you two are having an affair."

My statement brought an instant silence to the room. Valerie was silent, her face as pale as if she had just been slapped. Everyone in the room, including my parents and Mr. Galen, looked at me with shock.

My statement brought an instant silence to the room. Valerie was silent, her face as pale as if she had just been slapped. Everyone in the room, including my parents and Mr. Galen, looked at me with shock.

"You... what are you talking about?" Valerie finally spoke up, her voice trembling. "You don't know anything."

I raised an eyebrow, challenging her. "I know everything, Valerie. I have proof. The letters, the photos... everything that proves your relationship with Galen. So stop pretending to be innocent."

Valerie's face flushed again, but this time it wasn't from anger-it was from embarrassment. She glanced at Galen, who was now sitting with a stiff expression, like someone who had just been caught red-handed.

"You... you can't prove anything," she said in a defensive tone. "You're just lying to destroy me!"

I smiled faintly. "Well then, why do you look so panicked, Valerie?"

Meanwhile, Darius stepped forward, his voice cold and sharp. "Valerie, I'm giving you a chance to explain. But if you keep denying, I have no reason to keep trusting you."

"I'm innocent!" Valerie almost shouted, her eyes now filled with tears. "Darius, you can't trust Laura. She's just trying to manipulate you!"

However, Darius was unmoved. He stared at Valerie with a blank expression, as if the woman standing in front of him was a stranger.

"If you were truly innocent," he said quietly, "then you wouldn't be afraid of the truth."

I could see Valerie starting to lose control. She glanced around, looking for support, but no one spoke up for her. Even my mother, who usually defended her, seemed too shocked to say anything.

"I've had enough," I said finally, looking directly at Valerie. "I won't let myself or Darius be victimized by this lie. If you still want to deny it, go ahead. But I won't stop until the truth is revealed."

With that, I pulled Darius out of the room. I knew this was just the beginning, and there was still a lot to face. But for the first time, I felt like I had control over my life. No matter what happened next, I would fight to ensure that the truth prevailed.