All Chapters of A Bride for the Cripple: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

My mother's eyes instantly welled up."Catherine, what the hell are you saying? I won't allow it!"Her voice cracked with tears."That Astor heir has been completely unhinged ever since his accident. No one even knows how many caregivers he's tortured to death."And word is he doesn't have much longer to live. If you marry into that family, you'll basically be a widow before your husband's even dead! How could I ever let you suffer like that? Don't be impulsive. Don't throw your life away for us."Lex Cale stepped forward and gently steadied her, his expression controlled."Mrs. Luthor, please don't get so upset. The Astor heir is just paralyzed. Catherine is young and healthy, and I've already made arrangements to keep an eye on her. Nothing will happen."Then he turned to me and took my hand."Catherine, you've really grown up. You've become so selfless." His voice softened. "Don't worry. I swear to God—I will never let you suffer."As soon as this blows over, I'll bring you

Chapter 2

Veronica's perfectly staged performance turned me into the villain of the entire Luthor family.That night, I got a text message from her with an attached photo.In the picture, Veronica lay naked in a hotel bed, curled up against Lex's chest. She looked straight at the camera and flashed a triumphant peace sign.Under the image was a single line:[Catherine, Lex says you're the only one in his heart, but his body sure seems to be a lot more honest. See? He's right here next to me right now.]The image burned my eyes.A cold wind seemed to sweep through my chest.Without a word, I saved the photo.The next morning, my mother's impatient voice came from outside my door."Catherine, get up! Veronica and Lex are about to go wedding dress shopping. You're coming with us.""No need. The Astor family will handle everything," I said calmly.Veronica suddenly pushed the door open, her eyes glistening with tears."Catherine, are you still mad at me?"I know you didn't mean it yeste

Chapter 3

"Biggest regret?" Lex let out a cold laugh. "Catherine, yesterday you tried to hurt my child. Today you destroyed Veronica's wedding dress. And now you're standing here telling me you regret ever meeting me? My patience has its limits.""And breaking up with me?" He sneered. "That's a joke. Can you even survive without me? Besides, once you marry into the Astor family, who do you think is going to save you besides me? Who else would even care about you?"If you keep this up, don't expect me to come and get you back."With that, he pulled the tearful Veronica into his arms and softened his tone."Veronica, don't cry. Someone like her isn't worth getting upset over."I'll take you to a better bridal shop and have a one-of-a-kind wedding dress custom made for you."Then he wrapped his arm around Veronica and walked off, leaving me standing there disheveled and alone.After getting dressed, I stepped out of the bridal shop and realized just how middle of nowhere the place was.Ther

Chapter 4

A man in a wheelchair appeared at the entrance of the alley, pushed forward by a bodyguard dressed in black."Who the hell are you?" the thug snarled. "Mind your own damn business!"The bodyguard, James Leiter, stepped forward, his voice flat and cold."My employer gave you an ultimatum. You'd better think carefully before answering.""Who gives a damn about your employer?" another thug shouted. "We've already decided we're having our fun with this girl tonight. Stay out of things that don't concern you."As he spoke, he reached for my ankle.Crack!James snapped the man's wrist in one swift motion.Blood immediately poured from the wound."Annoying," the man in the wheelchair said calmly.Then he turned his gaze to me."Catherine, it's over now. Come here." He took off his suit jacket and draped it around my shoulders. Warmth instantly wrapped around me."What would you like to do with them?" he asked quietly.I clutched the edge of his jacket tightly, my voice shaking.

Chapter 5

"The fact that they made you marry me in Veronica's place only worked in my favor," Charles said. "Catherine, don't be afraid. Marry me, and from now on, I'll protect you. I'll never let anyone bully you again."That night, I stayed at his estate.The next day, he drove me back to the Luthor family home.The moment I stepped through the door, Lex pointed at me and demanded, "Catherine! So you actually know how to come back? Where the hell were you last night? You're a young woman, and you have no shame whatsoever—staying out all night like that!"I looked at him coldly."And what business is that of yours? Lex, don't you think you're overstepping?"My mother frowned, her voice full of reproach."Catherine, why are you getting more and more out of control? Is that any way to talk to Lex?"Do you even care about this family anymore? Yesterday, you cut up your sister's wedding dress, and neither she nor I said much about it. Yet you're the one who disappeared afterward!"You didn

Chapter 6

Charles gestured for James to place the gift box on the coffee table.Inside was a wedding dress encrusted with countless shimmering diamonds. It sparkled with dazzling light, so beautiful it was almost suffocating."Yesterday, I took Catherine to meet the designer for her custom gown," he said calmly. "We spent quite a while selecting fabrics and taking measurements. By the time we finished, it was already late, and the mountain roads were unsafe. So I had her stay at my place."He handed the wedding dress to me, his gaze indulgent."Catherine, if you need anything, call me anytime. With me, you'll always come first."Three days from now, I'll personally come to pick up my bride."With that, he turned and left.The moment he was gone, Veronica broke into tearful pleading."Catherine! This dress is so beautiful—I really love it! Can we switch?"The one I have was also custom-made by Lex. It's beautiful too. I'll give mine to you, okay? Please, I really like yours."Lex frowne

Chapter 7

Three hours later, the Astor and Cale families each sent cars to take Veronica and me to the wedding venue.Suddenly, Veronica stepped onto the stage with a bright smile and addressed me."Catherine, today we're both getting married at the same time. As your sister, I'm truly happy for you."But I also have a few words of advice. I know you like to have a good time, but marriage is different."I hope that after you marry into the Astor family, you'll behave yourself, honor your duties as a wife, and not do anything that would embarrass Charles or bring shame to either one of our families."The crowd burst into knowing laughter. Everyone looked at me as if I were some kind of spectacle.I took the microphone and replied calmly."Thank you for the well wishes, Veronica. As they say, 'one good turn deserves another.' Since you've given me a gift, it's only right that I give you one in return—along with my dear ex-fiancé, Lex."I pressed the remote.The giant screen behind me lit

Chapter 8

"Of course it's Lex's baby! Who did you pay to Photoshop these pictures? Catherine, you bitch! You're faking this just to destroy me!" Veronica pointed at me and shrieked."Faking?" I calmly pulled out a DNA report. "The report shows that the child you're carrying has no biological relation to Lex whatsoever."The entire banquet hall erupted."Veronica! You evil snake!" Lex grabbed her by the throat, his voice hoarse with rage. "You not only lied to me and used me—you even cheated on me! Whose bastard are you carrying?!""Cough… let go… let me go…" Veronica struggled, her face turning purple as she fought for air."Veronica, I must have been blind to ever get mixed up with you. From today on, the Cale family and you are enemies. I will make you pay for everything you've done."With that, he turned and dropped to his knees in front of me. "Catherine, I'm sorry. I was wrong—I know I was wrong! The person I've always loved is you. It's always been you."It was that bitch Veronica w

Chapter 9

The next day, headlines across the city were dominated by the scandals of the Cale and Luthor families.Cale Group's stock opened at its daily limit down. Under aggressive pressure from Astor Group, nearly a hundred billion in market value evaporated in just three days, pushing the company to the brink of collapse.The Luthor family fared even worse. Under Cale's retaliatory attacks, the family business fell apart overnight.Mr. and Mrs. Luthor were buried under massive debt and forced to move out of their villa into a crumbling old apartment building. But they didn't take Veronica with them.Veronica was thrown out of the family home. She went looking for Lex, only to be humiliated by him. During a violent fight, she miscarried—and ultimately lost her mind.Mr. and Mrs. Luthor came all the way to the gates of the Astor estate to find me, crying until their voices gave out."Catherine! Please come out and see us! We were wrong! We know we were wrong!""Catherine, please—if only

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