Chapter 1
The night before our wedding, my legs, paralyzed from the accident I’d suffered saving Jack Thompson, finally healed. I was flooded with relief and excitement. I couldn’t wait to run to him and share the good news. But when I found him, I walked straight into a nightmare.

There he was, holding Rachel Green, the underprivileged student I’d been sponsoring, as she lay pale and trembling after a near miscarriage.

As she tried to steady herself, Rachel giggled, pulling Jack into the hospital’s disabled restroom with a playful grin.

“Jack, baby, now that the little one’s safe, want to try something new? Doing it here might even remind you of Lily, doesn’t that make it more thrilling?”

“Shut up! Who told you to bring up Lily?” Jack snapped, but the moment the words left his mouth, muffled moans echoed from inside.

My heart dropped.

I never imagined the man who promised to wait for me, the one who’d claimed he treasured me, would be so caught up in another woman, especially one he’d fathered a child with.

In that moment, I knew I couldn’t marry him. I couldn’t even tell him I was healed.

Turning away, I texted my mom:

“Mom, let’s switch my arranged marriage to Jack’s older brother, Ethan Thompson. As for Jack, I’m done.”

It wasn’t long before Jack appeared, reluctantly carrying Rachel in his arms. I followed them quietly, heart sinking with every step. They went to a mansion, and as they entered, Jack’s brothers were waiting with confetti and party poppers. They cheered, their voices full of excitement.

“Congrats on the pregnancy, sis-in-law! Jack’s gonna be a dad!”

I froze, staring in disbelief. Then Jack’s mom walked out, grinning.

“Let me feel my precious grandbaby! Thank God Rachel got pregnant before Jack’s wedding. Otherwise, I would’ve never agreed to let him marry that cripple!”

Jack’s best friend piped up, laughing. “Exactly! If Jack hadn’t stepped up, who in New York would marry a disabled girl like Lily?”

“Always acting like she’s some rich heiress, Rachel’s a much better match for Jack,” someone else added.

Another voice laughed. “Once the baby’s born, I call dibs on being the godfather!”

Jack’s face darkened, but not because of what they were saying about me. No, it was only when they mentioned Lily.

“Watch what you say. Lily risked her life to save me. You should still show her respect,” Jack muttered through gritted teeth, but the others ignored him.

They were too busy pushing Jack and Rachel into a kiss, celebrating the “happy news.”

As Jack gazed lovingly at Rachel and kissed her deeply, my world cracked wide open. I stumbled away, realizing the cruel truth: Jack’s love nest was right behind our home.

Tears streamed down my face as I tried to process the betrayal. The same people who’d once called me “daughter-in-law” and “sister-in-law” now stood before me, showing their true, ugly faces.

That’s when my mom called.

“Sweetie, Ethan agreed to the arranged marriage. He wants to move fast. He’s even hoping to announce the engagement tomorrow.”

“Darling, what do you think? With the way Jack’s treated you, don’t you think it’s time to cut ties for good?”

I held back the tears, my voice tight. “Yes, Mom. Let’s do it.”

In a world full of lies, I couldn’t wait to escape.

It was nearly midnight when Jack came home, his face flushed with barely-contained happiness.

“Lily, work was really crazy today, that’s why I…” His eyes widened when he saw my tear-streaked face. “Lily, why are you crying?”

He rushed over to me, his voice full of concern. “Is your leg hurting again? I wish I could take the pain for you. Let me massage it.”

He carefully lifted me, carrying me upstairs as he’d done so many times before. Every time I suggested hiring a caregiver, he always refused, saying he didn’t trust anyone else and wanted to take care of me himself.

But tonight, seeing him be so gentle, it felt like the bitterest irony.

“By the way, I went to the hospital today. The doctor said…” I began, but Jack’s face immediately turned panicked.

“You went to the hospital? Lily, you didn’t see anyone familiar, did you?” His voice shook with fear.

The scene from earlier flashed through my mind again, and I couldn’t stop the bitter laugh that escaped me. I shook my head, forcing the words out. “No.”

Jack sighed in relief. “Lily, you can’t go out alone like that. You should’ve told me first. I worry about you.”

Was he worried about me, or was he worried I’d learn the truth?

As for the future, Jack, we won’t have one.

Jack prepared my milk and coaxed me into taking my medicine, just like every night. But once he left, I spat out the pills, hidden under my tongue. Now that I was healed, I didn’t need them anymore.

But later that night, my door creaked open. Instantly, my body tensed.

Then came the unmistakable sound of a man and woman kissing, followed by the muffled sounds of passion.

The familiar voices hit me like a slap, and the flood of betrayal, hurt, and anger washed over me all at once.