Chapter 4

The next day, I waited quietly for William to come pick me up.

From a distance, I saw a long line of cars approaching.

But instead of a nicely decorated wedding car leading the line, a hearse pulled up, looking much like a funeral procession.

Andrew frowned at the sight. "You're pretty unlucky to run into something like this on your wedding day. The groom's convoy should be here soon, Ms. Stone. Do you want the bodyguards to clear these cars out?"

I shook my head, expressionless. "We should pay our respects. Just let them pass first."

Andrew hurried over to speak with them. "Ms. Stone is kind enough to let you pass first. Wrap things up and move along. Don't hold things up."

But the line of cars didn't budge.

The window of the lead car rolled down, revealing Zachary's furious face. "Who are you calling a funeral procession? These are the cars here to pick you up for the wedding!"

Just then, another convoy of wedding cars pulled up from the opposite direction and stopped, ready to pick me up.

Zachary looked at me with open disgust. "Do you have any shame at all, Victoria? You hired someone to pick you up just to make a show of the wedding? Are you trying to make yourself a laughingstock?"

I replied coldly, "I'm not marrying you. I told you we're done."

Zachary looked at me with mockery in his eyes. "Why would you be standing here in a wedding dress if you're not marrying me? Don't tell me you found a new groom overnight."

I nodded. "That's right. And whoever it is, it's definitely not you."

Zachary didn't believe a word of it and acted as if he'd just heard a joke. "Stop pretending to be tough. You've waited five years for this day. There's no way you'd just walk away. As long as you drop the attitude, say something nice, and apologize, I'll still marry you today—"

I glanced at the cars behind him with a mocking smile. They looked even more convincing with the headlights on. "You're here to pick me up? Anyone who didn't know better would think this was for a funeral."

Zachary's expression immediately darkened.

Before he could respond, a soft, tearful voice cut in. "What are you talking about? What do you mean it's a funeral procession? It's just minimalist decorations. Why would you say something like that?"

Mary stepped out of the car in a red dress, teary-eyed. "Are you still upset about me wearing your wedding dress yesterday, Victoria? It's all my fault.

"I thought you wouldn't mind me trying it on just for a photoshoot. I'm from a small town, and I've never done a photoshoot like that before. I don't even have a boyfriend. I just wanted a few pictures."

She continued, "You're wearing a new wedding dress today anyway, and it didn't affect the wedding. Can you forgive me? If you're still upset, I'll get on my knees and start begging for your forgiveness—"

Mary made a show of trying to kneel while crying. Zachary quickly pulled her back up before she could even get on her knees.

He snapped, "That's enough, Victoria. Mary stayed up all night trying to make it up to you. She even went to all the trouble of arranging your wedding procession. Don't be so ungrateful."

That explained why the funeral procession was here. As it turned out, this was Mary's handiwork.

At this point, it wasn't surprising anymore.

I remained unmoved. If anything, I even started waving toward the wedding convoy across the street.

"What are you waiting for?" Zachary snapped angrily. "Get in the car already."

Even now, he still thought I was marrying him.

It wasn't until a man in a groom's suit walked toward me. "What's going on, Victoria?"

William took my hand gently, his expression protective as he glanced at the others.

Zachary's eyes darkened at the sight. He chuckled coldly. "I didn't expect you to go so far as to hire an actor to keep up the act, Victoria."

The moment he finished speaking, Andrew rushed over in a panic. "There's been a mistake, Mr. Everdon. Ms. Stone is getting married to someone else. The wedding cars across the street were arranged by the groom. Please step aside."