Chapter 2

When I got there, Marissa and Cameron were busy instructing the staff on how to set up the venue.

Before I even got close, I heard Marissa say, "Cam, if Gwen finds out you're alive, will she crash our wedding? I'm a little scared. She is my friend of many years, after all."

Cameron pulled her into his arms and planted a kiss on the top of her head. He said calmly, "Don't worry. She wouldn't dare make a scene.

"Gwen's parents had no idea we were dating back then. Besides, her parents are both teachers. They care too much about their reputation to make a scene and embarrass themselves.

"You just focus on being the happiest, most beautiful bride. I'll handle everything."

He sounded so sure of himself, and every single word he said felt like a knife to my heart, leaving it bloody and torn.

"Gwen!"

Marissa was the first to notice me. Her face instantly turned pale.

She squirmed, trying to get out of Cameron's arms, but he just wrapped his arms around her tighter.

"So you came after all. You just can't let me go, can you?"

Cameron let out a sigh, looking annoyed, as if I were some clingy burden he simply couldn't shake off.

My heart throbbed with pain. I stayed silent but kept my gaze on him.

"Now you know that Marissa is the one I love. I've already made her wait for seven years. I don't want to do that to her anymore."

With that, he fixed me with a cold stare, his tone unmistakably threatening. "Gwen, don't make a scene. It won't end well for either of us if you do."

Right as he said that, my phone rang. It was my mom. The second I answered, her frantic voice blasted through the speaker.

"Gwendolyn Lockwood, are you the other woman in someone else's relationship? Your father has been hospitalized because of you! Get back here this instant!"

I hung up, turning to Cameron. The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over. "Did you do this?"

Cameron arched a brow, his voice even as he said, "Gwen, I just don't want you ruining our wedding. As long as you behave yourself, I can clear things up with your parents."

Unable to listen to another word, I turned and sprinted toward the hospital. The second I walked into the hospital room, Mom slapped me hard across the face. "Look at what you've done, Gwendolyn! Your father and I have been utterly humiliated because of you."

She threw a thick stack of papers at me. Every page detailed how I had supposedly come between Cameron and Marissa, casting me as the other woman in their story.

The dull pain in my chest returned once more. I shook my head over and over, my voice cracking. "I'm not the other woman. Cameron and I got together first."

She slapped me again. "Stop lying! Cameron already told me everything. If you don't apologize to him in person, the Finch family won't lend us 500,000 dollars. That's the money needed to save your father's life!"

500,000 dollars? I bit down hard on my lip and said nothing.

Seeing this, Mom panicked. "What are you still hesitating for at a time like this? If you won't go, I will! I don't care if I have to throw away my dignity at my age. I'm going to get that money for your father!"

I dug my nails deep into my palms, though I couldn't feel a thing. "Fine. I'll go."

The moment I stepped out of the ward, my phone rang. It was Cameron.

His voice was still as gentle as ever, yet every word he said sent a chill down my spine.

"Gwen, when you're ready to behave, come apologize to Mari. As for the apology gift, you can just use that wedding dress you designed. Mari and I will be waiting for you at our new place."