Chapter 4 Lia's Plan Backfired

Kevin and his son, Erik Stanley, occupied the front row, both wearing grim, unreadable expressions.

The ceremony was a lavish spectacle, drawing every influential figure in town. Perfection was the bare minimum-any slip would turn their family into tomorrow's gossip fodder.

And yet, Ellie managed to stumble at the most pivotal moment, her thoughtless mistake souring both Kevin's and Erik's impressions.

Still, the wedding had to go on; this wasn't the moment for chaos.

Theo quietly ordered someone to fetch a doctor and ointment.

While they waited, the ceremony pressed forward as though the disruption had never occurred.

Brayden cast a look at Gracie. Her expression remained composed-no shock, no trace of satisfaction.

As the rings were exchanged, Brayden clasped her hand and murmured, "You don't look the least bit surprised by Ellie's allergic reaction."

Gracie's lashes flickered, and for an instant, her poise faltered.

He stood a full head taller, forcing her to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. The cool gaze that looked down at her was edged with both curiosity and a silent warning.

She hesitated before the realization settled in. Her family stood to gain so much from this alliance. She had signed the agreement, yet she knew his distrust remained. Was he wondering whether ambition might one day stir in her-whether she might grow possessive, and try to claim him not just in name, but in truth? Could she even become a threat to Lia, that gentle, sweet woman, if it meant securing what she wanted?

Their hands remained joined, yet neither moved closer, the air between them weighted with distrust.

Gracie's tone remained even. "Since I was the one targeted, it's only fair I look out for myself-and remind her not to test her luck. Marrying you doesn't give anyone the right to push me around."

Brayden's gaze sharpened. "Ellie caused trouble for you?"

Her lashes fluttered as she looked down, silent confirmation in the gesture.

"Lia's not that kind of person," Brayden said calmly. "You've got nothing to worry about."

A faint, almost indifferent smile touched Gracie's lips, the kind that revealed nothing of what she truly thought.

In the blink of an eye, a bright, melodic voice cut through the murmurs. "Brayden."

From the crowd stepped a poised woman in a flowing white gown that shimmered under the lights-so reminiscent of a wedding dress it drew every eye in the room. A faint, ironic smile curved her lips. "As your good friend, I brought a wedding gift."

No doubt about it-it was Lia.

The crowd went utterly still.

Brayden's jaw tightened, his expression hardening as a deep frown shadowed his face.

Kevin shot Erik a sharp look and hissed, "What the hell is this? How did she even get in here?"

They had long been aware of Brayden's relationship with Lia, but her background offered no benefit to their ambitions. That was why Kevin had pushed Brayden into marrying a Sullivan daughter instead.

Gracie turned slightly, catching sight of Lia stepping gracefully from the crowd.

Her beauty was striking-an ethereal mix of poise and innocence that naturally stirred a man's instinct to protect her.

Across the aisle, Ellie and Theo had just exchanged rings. The moment Ellie spotted Lia, her smile deepened, curling into something far too pleased.

It was happening all over again-history looping like a cruel joke from another lifetime. Only this time, the one destined for humiliation was Gracie, not her.

"This is a music box." Lia said softly, stepping toward Gracie and Brayden with an air of calm that didn't quite mask her trembling composure. Her delicate fingers brushed the lid as she smiled-a gentle, almost innocent curve that failed to hide the wistful sorrow in her eyes. She murmured, her voice carrying just enough ache to stir the crowd, "It was a gift from Brayden. A symbol of our love."

Only the three of them caught her final words.

Brayden's jaw tightened, anger flickering in his eyes. "Lia, go home."

He had told her countless times that his marriage to Gracie was nothing more than a convenient front.

They'd agreed that once the moment was right, they'd end it cleanly, leaving no ties behind.

Yet Lia, fragile and anxious, could never let it rest-forever doubting, forever asking whether he still loved her, as if hearing it once could never be enough.

With quiet poise, Gracie smiled, unbothered by the all-too-familiar setting.

"Inside is our song, Brayden," she said softly. Lia acted as though Brayden hadn't spoken at all. With trembling fingers, she flipped open the lid and set the music box playing.

She wanted every guest at the wedding to see-to understand-that she, not Gracie, was the one Brayden had truly loved.

Even if her defiance infuriated Brayden, she didn't care. All she wanted was for Gracie to remember this day forever-with nothing but hatred in her heart for the man she'd married. Only then could she feel certain he would never slip from her grasp.

As the lid lifted, the music box chimed to life, its tinkling notes floating through the hall.

Gracie's calm wavered; a faint smile touched her lips, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

But the tune never came. Instead, a scratchy recording spilled from the tiny speaker.

"I've stuck by his side all this time, and all I get are worthless little gifts. Just wait-once I marry into the Stanley family, I'll make sure he hands over shares in the company."

The voice belonged unmistakably to Lia.

Lia froze. How could this be? Her fingers trembled as she fumbled to stop the recording, panic flashing across her face when she looked at Brayden.

His expression had turned thunderous, that icy stare freezing her in place.

From below, the guests whispered in a rising tide of curiosity and shock.

Ellie, who had expected to relish the drama, felt an odd mix of irritation and unease.

Only she possessed the advantage of a reborn memory. However, judging by Lia's reaction, she clearly had no clue the recording had been replaced. How could this be possible?

Gracie stepped forward to retrieve the music box from Lia's trembling hands. "Thank you for the gift," she said evenly. "You can return to your seat now."

A perceptive staff member moved at once, guiding the ashen-faced Lia back to her place among the guests.

The ceremony continued as if nothing had happened.

Brayden slid the ring onto Gracie's finger, his voice low enough for her alone. "It wasn't supposed to happen. I'm sorry."

His remorse sounded genuine, and for a fleeting moment, Gracie softened. "Do you even know who Lia really is?" she asked quietly, her tone carrying more concern than accusation.

"This is between the two of us," Brayden said, his tone frosty. "You'd do well to stay out of it."

Gracie curved her lips into a faint smile. "Then I suppose I spoke out of turn."

In that moment, a shadow shifted at the edge of her vision-someone was coming closer.

For a heartbeat, fragments of her past life surged to the surface, making her hands tremble despite herself.

That visceral fear-one she could never unlearn-belonged solely to Theo.

Noticing her subtle recoil, Brayden furrowed his brow. With an almost imperceptible motion, he shifted his stance, placing himself squarely between Gracie and Theo.

The small, protective gesture seemed to calm her; the stiffness in her shoulders softened.

What was it about Theo that frightened her? It puzzled Brayden-he was certain the two had never even met before the engagement.

The ceremony dragged on, and once it concluded, the banquet began. The newlyweds began circulating through the crowd, offering polite toasts to the guests.

Whether by coincidence or deliberate intent, Brayden always seemed to place himself between Gracie and Theo.

The subtle barrier he created was something Gracie couldn't quite make sense of, yet it shielded her from any more fear.

By the time darkness spread across the estate, the celebration had faded to soft music and scattered laughter. The newlyweds were finally ushered to their suites.

Gracie politely excused herself and slipped into the bathroom to freshen up.

A sharp knock echoed through the suite.

Gracie froze, listening as Brayden went to answer it. His voice turned clipped. "Why are you here?"

"Brayden, please listen to me." Lia's tone was delicate, trembling just enough to sound sincere. "That recording was fake. I never said any of it."