Chapter 4

Cheryl's smile froze. Anger flashed across her face as she retorted with biting sarcasm, "He's only marrying you out of pity."

I looked at her with contempt.

As something vicious flickered in her eyes, her expression suddenly changed. Then, she raised her hand.

I thought she was going to hit me, but to my shock, she slapped herself hard before crying out, "Jen, what are you doing?"

Before she even finished speaking, Gilbert burst in. "Cheryl, what happened?"

Cheryl covered her face and pretended to leave, but he grabbed her by the arm.

He pulled her hand away and saw the bright red handprint on her cheek. His expression darkened as he immediately glared coldly at me.

Before I could even explain myself, Cheryl mentioned in a low voice, "Don't blame her. It was my fault. I ruined her wedding dress, and she slapped me in anger. It's understandable."

Rage flared in Gilbert's eyes as he almost growled at me. "Why did you hit her over such a tiny matter? Apologize to Cheryl right now!"

I laughed in a cold manner. "Do you really believe her that much?"

He shook his head and answered coldly in disappointment, "I used to think you were just naive, but I never expected you to be so unreasonable."

I stood in place, and his tone turned harsher as he threatened, "If you don't apologize, the wedding's off."

Staring at him, I felt my heart turn icy as I asked slowly, "Are you using the wedding to threaten me?"

Gilbert sneered as his lips curled up in mockery. "Figure it out yourself. The invitations have been sent. If I don't show up, it's your family that will be humiliated."

I glanced at Cheryl. That victorious glint in her eyes couldn't be hidden, no matter how pitiful she tried to look.

Before I could say anything else, she suddenly swayed, pretending to faint.

Gilbert immediately rushed to catch her in his arms. "We can talk about the wedding again when you're ready to apologize to her.

From that day on, he texted me daily. "Have you realized what you have done wrong yet?"

I simply turned off my phone and never replied.

…

On the wedding day, I sat alone in the waiting room. Through the closed door, I vaguely heard one of Gilbert's friends calling him. "Dude, why aren't you here yet?"

"What? Did Jennifer talk you guys into this?" Gilbert replied. "Has she admitted that she's in the wrong yet?"

I sneered. He was still so full of himself.

"No. I mean, just hurry up and get here. It's hard to explain."

Moments later, the door to the waiting room was flung open. Gilbert stormed in furiously. "Well, Jennifer, who's this random guy you found to help you put on this little act?"

Before he could finish, a deep, husky voice cut him off. There was a calm but commanding chill to the voice. "Gilbert, what are you doing?"

Gilbert froze and slowly turned his head.

Standing behind him was a tall, broad-shouldered man in a perfectly tailored suit. His sharp features, composed expression, and powerful presence made the entire room fall silent.

Gilbert was stunned as he shouted in shock, "Uncle Edward? What are you doing here?"

I walked over and took the man's arm. "Well, since we're all here, let me introduce him. This is my husband. Meet today's groom, Edward Hughes."