Chapter 2

The new wedding happened quickly.

Vincent and I exchanged rings before the priest, and he pressed a cold kiss to my forehead.

The entire time, Carlos stared at me, his eyes stormy enough to swallow me whole.

I knew what he thought.

He believed this was a ploy to make him jealous, to punish him for caring about Isabella, to make him want me more.

He waited for me to regret it, to come crawling back to him.

How pathetic.

After the ceremony, I was led to the bridal chamber.

This room was originally prepared for me and Carlos, but now Vincent was its master.

He wheeled himself in and stopped in the center of the room.

"What do you want?" he asked, his voice calm.

"I want Carlos and Isabella to pay for my death in my past life," I said, meeting his gaze.

A flicker passed through his eyes. "Your past life?"

"I was reborn," I said without hiding anything. "The moment I died, I returned to the church on our wedding day."

Vincent went silent.

He looked at me quietly, as if weighing the truth of my words.

"Do you believe me?" I asked.

"I do." His answer came without hesitation.

My heart trembled slightly.

Even I found my story absurd, yet he believed me so easily.

"What you said in the church," he paused, "Carlos let you die for Isabella?"

"Yes."

His hand tightened slowly on the armrest of his wheelchair, his knuckles turning white.

A cold, murderous aura radiated from him, chilling the room.

"I understand," he said.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door.

It was Carlos's voice, furious and slurred with drink. "Open the door! Aria, get out here now!"

He pounded on the door, the sound deafening. "You shameless bitch! You think marrying a cripple will make me see you differently? I'm telling you, it won't work! Aria! Listen to me. Come out now, and I'll pretend this never happened!"

I walked to the door.

Vincent watched me, waiting for my response.

I gave him a small smile and pulled the door open.

Carlos charged in like a raging bull but stumbled clumsily when the door opened suddenly.

He reeked of alcohol, his handsome face twisted with anger.

"Finally decided to show yourself?" he said, a spark of hope in his eyes. "Come with me. This farce is over."

He reached to grab me.

I stepped back, avoiding his hand.

"Carlos," I said coldly, "watch your words and your place. I'm your sister-in-law now."

"Sister-in-law?" He laughed as if it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "Him? A useless man who can't even stand?"

He shot a disdainful glance at Vincent in his wheelchair.

Vincent's face remained expressionless, as if the insult wasn't aimed at him.

"Aria, don't be foolish. Everyone in the duchy knows you love me. You're just trying to make me jealous. Fine, I'll admit it. You've succeeded." He softened his tone, trying to charm me with his usual gentleness. "Now, the game's over. Come back with me. I can forgive your recklessness."

I watched his heartfelt act and felt my stomach churn.

That same face had fed me sweet words in my past life.

That same face shed not a single tear after I died.

"Game?" I echoed his word. "Carlos, this isn't a game. The moment I chose to marry Vincent, we were done."

"No way!" he roared, his anger flaring again. "You're mine, Aria! Marrying him won't change that!"

He lunged at me.

I was ready and dodged to the side.

A hand reached out from behind me, firmly grabbing Carlos's wrist.

It was Vincent.

He had moved his wheelchair behind me without me noticing.

Sitting there, he looked up at the taller Carlos, his presence commanding despite his position.

His grip was shockingly strong, and Carlos's face turned red.

"Let... let go!" Carlos struggled, but his boasted strength was nothing against the man he called a cripple.

"Get out." Vincent's voice was soft but final.

He released his grip, and Carlos stumbled back several steps, like discarded trash.

He looked at Vincent, his eyes filled with shock and humiliation.

He probably never imagined his despised, disabled brother could overpower him so easily.

"Fine... just fine!" he gasped, clutching the door. "Vincent, Aria, you'll both regret this!" With that, he fled in disgrace.

The room fell quiet again.

I looked at Vincent. His hand, which had grabbed Carlos, trembled slightly.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly.

"I'm fine." He tucked his hand under the blanket. "It's just been a while since I used that kind of strength."

I knelt in front of him. "Thank you."

He looked at me, my small reflection visible in his deep gray eyes.

"We're married," he said.