Chapter 5

The day before the wedding, Lucas returned.

"Baby, I missed you so much!" Lucas said, pulling me into a hug, leaning in for a kiss.

I turned my head. "I'm tired. Not tonight."

He didn't push, visibly exhausted from his trip. After washing up, he collapsed into bed and fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, I quietly grabbed his phone. Unlocking it, I found his chat with Braelynn.

Braelynn sent, "Lucas, what should I prepare for Ashton City? Will I embarrass you?"

Lucas replied, "You're my wife, the lady of the Morrison family. Who'd dare embarrass you?"

Braelynn sent, "Lucas, I love you so much!"

Lucas replied, "I love you too. Sleep early. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning."

My fingers trembled. When I'd asked to go to Ashton City, he refused me, but it was because he was taking Braelynn, hiding their affair.

I exited the chat and found the hidden folder on his phone, replacing all the videos of me one by one.

Once I was sure none of my videos remained, the weight in my chest finally lifted.

...

The morning I left, Lucas pressed a quick kiss to my forehead and hurried out.

I watched his retreating figure, a cold smile curling my lips.

"Lucas," I whispered, my voice so soft it nearly vanished in the breeze, "see you tomorrow."

He didn't hear me. His luxury car sped toward the airport.

I climbed into the car Derek had arranged, and our vehicles drove one after the other to the airport.

Lucas reached the private jet tarmac, boarding with the Morrisons and Braelynn.

I stood in the terminal, sent a message to Laura, and walked toward the gate for my flight to Ashton City without looking back.

Our planes took off at the same time, heading in the same direction.

...

Lucas felt restless, standing on the hotel balcony, absently toying with his phone.

He opened my chat by reflex. The last message was still his morning text about arriving at the airport.

His brow furrowed as he sent a photo of the hotel's night view.

Ten minutes later, the chat remained eerily silent.

I used to reply instantly, but scrolling through our recent messages, he realized I hadn't initiated a conversation in half a month.

His messages got only an occasional "okay" or "sure," if I replied at all.

Unable to hold back, he dialed my number. "Sorry, the number you've reached is powered off..."

Lucas froze. Was my phone dead?

When we first got together, I was scatterbrained, often letting my phone die. Once, while painting, I didn't notice, and he couldn't find me. He'd been furious.

It took all my effort to calm him down that time.

The memory made his lips curve slightly, a warmth stirring in his chest.

Braelynn approached in a bathrobe. Lucas frowned, about to push her away, but after a few seconds of her clinging, he grabbed her tightly, kissing her fiercely.

Afterward, he checked his phone. I still hadn't replied.

Frowning, he sent another message. "Baby, I'll be back the day after tomorrow. Pick me up, okay?"

By the next morning, as Lucas and Braelynn greeted guests outside the hotel lobby, his irritation grew. I still hadn't responded.

He wanted to call me several times but was interrupted by the stream of guests.

He pushed thoughts of me aside. The Morrison-Walton alliance was a golden opportunity for the Morrisons to rise higher.

Melodic music swelled, stage lights twinkled, and the grand doors slowly opened.

The bride stepped out in a snow-white gown, its hem studded with diamonds, shimmering like scattered starlight with every step.

Her veil hid her face as she walked up the aisle, a vision of celestial grace.

Lucas paused. Laura seemed taller and slimmer today.

But he didn't dwell on it, glancing at his phone. Still no reply from me.

"Mr. Walton, do you take Miss Walton to be your wife, to love her alone through sickness and health, never betraying her?"

"I do!" Derek said, gazing at the bride with deep affection, his voice ringing through the hotel.

"Miss Walton, do you take Mr. Walton to be your husband, to love him alone through sickness and health, never betraying him?"

"I do!" came an ethereal voice from beneath the veil.

The officiant's voice boomed. "I now pronounce Mr. Derek Walton and Miss Ariella Walton husband and wife! Congratulations to the couple! Mr. Walton, you may kiss your bride!"

Lucas's head snapped up, staring in disbelief at the bride on the stage.

Derek solemnly lifted the veil, revealing the bride's face.

It was me.