One year later. The house was filled with the soft glow of Christmas lights, their gentle hues dancing across the living room. Emily and Vincent had transformed their home into a cozy haven, with garlands, twinkling lights, and an extravagant Christmas tree that sparkled from every angle. The scent of cinnamon and pine mingled in the air as holiday music played softly in the background, creating a festive, heartwarming atmosphere. This Christmas, their first as a married couple, felt like the beginning of something truly beautiful, a peaceful moment carved from the chaos theyâd left behind. Guests began to arrive, the first among them being Allen and Olivia, who had just returned from their honeymoon. They entered, hand-in-hand, faces glowing with happiness. Olivia had transformed over the last year. Now a poised and capable woman, sheâd embraced her role in helping Allen manage the family business, but her girlish side was still evident. âEmily!â Olivia squealed as she hugged her f
"Three years ago, I nearly died." Emily snatched her passport back from Sophiaâs hand. "This British couple is my family. Theyâre good people. They saved me and took me to England."She held the passport firmly. "And yet, you still wouldnât let me go. You went to every length to forge my death certificate.""Do you all want to know why they wouldnât leave a âdeadâ woman alone?" Emily let out a bitter laugh. "Because this was their only chance to inherit the wealth I left behind.""I didnât die; Iâm alive and back to reclaim whatâs rightfully mine. This time, no one will hurt me. Sophia, you and your mother wonât steal my inheritance, and you wonât ruin my wedding. Now, the ceremony continues."Satan stood in the grand hall, watching the strong, fearless woman Emily had become, a wave of unspeakable joy rising within him. His woman had become powerful.Dressed in a white gown, Emily walked slowly toward Satan, accompanied by Bert. The small diamonds on her gown sparkled under the light
âI know,â Emily said firmly.When Vincent slid the ring onto her finger, she felt a flash of disbelief. Sheâd expected Sophia to pull something, but Vincentâs unwavering stance took her by surprise. Itâs overâeverythingâs finally over.Emilyâs eyes glistened with tears.The priestâs voice resonated, âThe groom may now kiss the brideâŚâEmily lowered her head, tears shimmering on her lashes. Vincent leaned in, kissing away the tear before it fell.Applause thundered through the church, and the priest laughed. âGo on, kiss her; sheâs yours now.âVincent didnât hesitate, pulling Emily into a kiss. âYouâre my wife, Emily. Finally.âEmily smiled through her tears. âYes, Iâm finally your wife.âVincent turned with Emily still in his embrace, facing the crowd. âEmily and I are together now, and nothing will ever come between us again.âThe guests watched, Meggie wiping tears of joy from her eyes.But Sophia wasnât about to let things end on such a perfect note. Her face twisted with such fury
Dylan was right.Three days later, Emily Carter and Vincent Norman were to be married. With Meggie as the weddingâs head organizer, invitations bore Emily's name, revealing to everyone that Mirandaâthe talented designer making waves at the Pritzker Architecture Prizeâwas indeed Emily.The announcement stunned all of New York and the entire architecture community. So Miranda is really Emily? People couldnât believe the cityâs most eligible bachelor, Vincent, had been swept off his feet so quickly.The Norman family, known for their longstanding legacy, hosted an extravagant guest list. Alex greeted everyone warmly, while Mandy barely cracked a smile. She was still fumingâsheâd barely started her schemes with Grace to find Vincent a âsuitableâ bride, only to be blindsided by this wedding! She muttered, âWasnât he supposed to be so deeply in love with Emily? Now heâs marrying someone else so fast?âMeggie overheard and firmly replied, âThe bride is Emily.ââOh, come on, Mom. Sheâs notââ
Emily suddenly felt super self-conscious. âFine, Iâll drink it. But after Iâm done, go back to your office!âWith that, she tilted her head back and gulped down the entire glass of lemon water in one go. She quickly shoved the empty glass back into Vincent's hands, saying, "There, all done!"Vincent's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Great. Come to my office at lunchtime," he said with a hint of mischief.Emily frantically tried to signal him with her eyes, mouthing, âPeople are watching!âVincent seemed completely unfazed and continued, âItâs freezing outside, so donât go out. I already asked Dylan to pick up lunch for us; heâll bring it up, and weâll eat together.ââ...Okay.âHeâs gotta be done now, right? Emily thought to herself, hoping heâd leave before the entire office saw this unfold live.âOh, one more thing,â Vincent added nonchalantly, âDonât rush off after work. Weâll swing by and pick up your uncle first, then head to my place for dinner with my dad and Meggie.âEmily blink
As soon as Allen left the hospital room, Jackson turned pale and, with a sudden heave, threw up everything heâd just eaten, leaving a mess on the floor.The young nurse, no older than twenty, panicked and rushed toward the door to call a doctor, but Jackson stopped her. âStay,â he commanded.The nurse looked at him with wide eyes, almost on the verge of tears as she saw his ashen face. âSir, if youâre unwell, you really should let the doctor checkâââIâm not unwell,â Jackson replied, his voice cold, with a glint of harshness in his eyes. The nurse flinched slightly at his intense gaze.âAre you scared of me?â he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.âN-no, not at all,â the nurse stammered, shaking her head. âItâs justâŚââDonât worry about it,â he said, a faint sneer forming. âFear is natural. Iâve never been the nicest person, and I donât pretend to be.ââOh no, youâre a good person, sir! You⌠well, you pay me well,â she replied hesitantly.âMoney alone doesnât make someone good,â Jacks