07

Throughout the night, Caraline couldn't sleep because she was trapped in her thoughts. Watching a movie, taking a walk in the backyard, and finishing a few books all failed to induce drowsiness. It wasn't until the clock struck 4 am that she fell asleep on the sofa and woke up to sunlight.

Caraline shook out her hair that was left loose. She was sitting in her study with a cup of tea and a few slices of cake. When there was a knock on the door, Caraline took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Miss Caraline," said Helen, who had just entered the room, "the preparations are almost complete."

"Almost?" Caraline set the teacup down on the table. Her eyebrows knitted slightly. "Is there a problem, Helen?"

Helen shook her head, then smiled. "The thing that keeps these preparations from being completed is the arrival of the groom and... the bride in her wedding dress." 

"What about security, Helen?"

"We have put a super tight cordon around Mililine Tower 2, Ms. Caroline. We have made sure that the area within a one-kilometer radius is safe. In addition, we have deployed guards throughout the building."

Caraline let out a long breath. Although it sounded like good news, it couldn't dispel the strange feeling that raged in her heart.

As if understanding the hesitation in Caraline's eyes, Helen continued, "I've done my best to secure your marriage."

"Okay, I trust you, Helen," Caraline said, checking the clock on her wrist. There was still about an hour before the wedding started.

Helen nodded and dialed someone on her cell phone. While waiting for the messenger to arrive, Helen asked, "Is this... marriage weighing on you, Miss? You seem to be in a bad mood since yesterday."

"I have my reasons for doing this," Caraline replied as she turned her gaze toward the window.

"I understand very well, Miss." Helen looked at the door for a moment, then back at Caraline. "I'd like you to calm down a little longer. But it looks like we'll have to act quickly since your makeup artist is already here."

"Then hurry up so that I can be free from this strange situation."

***

"That cripple Deric makes me sick," shouted James, who was sitting in the back seat. The 25-year-old grabbed his hair, then hit his thigh.

"I don't know what that woman named Caraline is thinking," Jonathan said, "if she intends to get married, she should choose an equal man, not some trash like Deric. Isn't he close to the CEO of Otopixel?"

"Wealth sometimes makes a person's mindset abnormal," said Jeremy in the driver's seat, "but look on the bright side. With that woman's crazy behavior, our company can be saved and that paralyzed man can leave our house without coercion. It's like killing two birds with one stone."

"You are right." Jonathan agreed.

Jeremy added, "Besides, we have the opportunity to make the most profit from Caraline."

"Maybe this is God's answer as to why that paralyzed man is still alive after the accident a few years ago." Jonathan chuckled. "Keeping that trash alive has its uses for us."

"I hate to admit it so much that I want to cut out my tongue when I'm about to say it. But, right now, I envy that paraliyzed man," James said with a scowl on his face, "that cripple Deric doesn't deserve to be in that fancy car at all. The only vehicle that suits him is a junk car!"

"Oh, no." James shook his head. "The hearse is the most appropriate for her."

"Shut up, James," Jeremy pleaded under his breath. "By continuing to nag, you're not going to suddenly find yourself in that fancy car and take Deric's place. Besides, do you want the functionality of your legs traded for a moment's luxury?"

"Can't I be rich and have working legs at the same time?" James chuckled "At least the world is fair to me for a moment."

"You won't get justice until your accounts are full of money," Jeremy replied. The man then said again, "So stop messing around and focus on helping us manage the little company the old man left behind."

The conversation between the three brothers ended after that. Silence reigned for almost half the journey. James and Jonathan fell asleep in their respective seats, while Jeremy focused on driving and following the movement of the car in front of him.

Jeremy let out a long breath. His grip on the steering wheel tightened. His teeth chattered as his jaw hardened. He completely understood how James felt right now because he felt the same way. In all the injustice in the world, why should a crippled man like Deric get this? 

"I have to make a plan," Jeremy said with a bitter smile.

At a different location, Caraline had just finished getting her makeup done.

"You are perfect, Miss Caraline," Helen complimented, her eyes looking Caraline up and down.

Instead of smiling, Caraline let out a long breath. "Helen, leave me alone. I need to call someone."

Without much resistance, Helen withdrew as requested.

Caraline was alone in this large room. Her face sank and her gaze centered on her intertwined fingers. For a moment, the silence held her tightly. It was in stark contrast to the state of her mind, which was buzzing with whispers of either continuing the choice or stopping this madness.

Caraline looked up after being lost in thought. The first thing she saw was her reflection in the mirror. She had left all the makeup and dresses to Helen, but it seemed like her assistant knew what she needed. 

The long white dress with a rose pattern suited Caraline's slender body perfectly. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail with white flower accessories around the ponytail. Instead of looking simple, Caraline looked so elegant.

"Do I... have to do this?"

Caraline stood up from the chair. As her eyes closed, her body began to sway. The bottom of her dress flew up as her long legs took wide steps, then twisted several times. It was like Caraline was dancing, conveying her feelings through her beautiful movements.

When her eyes opened again, Caraline's dancing had completely stopped. The woman paused for a moment to stabilize her breathing. Her hand then reached into her bag for something. A dark red box with gold engravings was now within her grasp. Caraline opened the box, taking out a necklace that was stored there.

Caraline sat back down in front of the dressing table. She observed the silver necklace with the white crystal pendant for a few seconds. As the past is about to pull her in, Caraline hurriedly puts on the jewelry.

"Is this the end of my life or the beginning of the real one?" Caraline monologued as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. There was a hint of a smile there.

Caraline turned her head when there was a knock on the door. Helen emerged from the open doorway shortly after.

"Forgive me for interrupting your time, Miss Caraline," Helen said, "but, I hope that you are ready as Mr. Jacob Aberald has already arrived at the wedding venue."