Chapter 4
After slipping into the gown, a pair of pink panties, definitely not mine, tumbled out from the bottom of the closet. They were still damp, stained with fresh evidence.
My phone buzzed with a message from Rachel:
“Lily, did you see the surprise I left for you? Last night, Jack was so caught up with me, he didn’t even notice you were awake. But I saw you crying.”
“I really don’t get it. After all these years of you supporting me, why can’t you just let Jack go?”
“Do you know Jack says the thought of being with you makes him want to puke? Honestly, if I were you, I’d rather end it than keep being such a burden to him!”
“And by the way, Jack’s taking me to his family dinner tonight. Do you really think a cripple like you, or me, carrying the Thompson family’s heir, has any chance of marrying into that family?”
Maybe it was because my feelings for Jack had completely died, but Rachel’s taunts didn’t bother me at all.
“Is that so? Since you’re so sure of yourself, I wish you all the best.”
I pocketed my phone and slipped on my heels, walking out of the mansion with purpose.
As I passed the corner of the building, I caught a glimpse into Jack’s secret hideaway. There he was, half-dressed in his evening wear, pressing Rachel against the balcony, their bodies moving together. So that’s why he had rushed out earlier.
I turned away, called a taxi, and made my way to the salon.
By the time I arrived at the venue for the engagement party, after getting my hair and makeup done, luxury cars lined the parking lot, and news vans and reporters were already setting up. I walked in with confidence, and there they were, Jack and Rachel, just arriving.
Jack immediately pulled his hand away from Rachel’s, his face paling when he saw me standing there. His eyes widened in surprise.
“Lily! When… when did you recover!? This is amazing!”
“Now you can finally be the most beautiful bride at our wedding! I’m so proud of you!”
He rushed over to hug me.
I took a step back, expression unreadable. “Mr. Thompson, please mind your manners.”
Jack’s eyes flickered with confusion, but he quickly tried to brush it off with a chuckle. “Lily, I’m sorry I haven’t been more attentive lately. I was wrong, baby. Come on, stop teasing me. Let me give you a hug!”
I stayed perfectly still. Rachel’s face twisted with hatred, but she quickly plastered on a fake smile and marched over.
“Lily, you can finally stand! I’m so happy for you! I knew good things would come to someone like you!”
She came charging toward me, tears already streaming down her face as she pretended to embrace me, but just before she could reach me, she tripped and fell hard to the ground.
“Ah… Lily! Why’d you push me!? Jack, my stomach… it hurts so much…”
Jack shoved me aside and rushed to Rachel, panic in his eyes. He glared at me, fury lacing his voice. “Lily! I can’t believe being paralyzed made you turn into such a heartless woman! Just because you can stand now, you think you can act this way? Rachel only wanted to congratulate you, why would you hurt her like that?”
I met his gaze, my tone icy. “I didn’t touch her. She fell on purpose.”
Jack’s rage only grew. “You’re still denying it?! How could Rachel possibly fake something like this? She’s already, ”
Seeing Rachel’s unspeakable tears, Jack’s expression softened for a split second, his concern breaking through the anger. But it didn’t last long. He turned on me again, shouting, “Lily! Apologize to Rachel right now! Or I’ll seriously reconsider whether someone like you belongs in the Thompson family!”
I didn’t move an inch. But before Jack could grab me and force an apology out of me, a collective gasp swept through the crowd. Flashbulbs went off, and the attention of everyone in the room shifted to the entrance.
And there, walking through the door with quiet authority, was Ethan Thompson, tall, sharp, and commanding. He strode in like a man who owned the room, his cold eyes locking on Jack as he called out,
“Who dares lay a hand on my fiancée, Ethan Thompson’s future wife?”
