Chapter 4
The moment he walked in, he eagerly embraced me, bubbling with excitement.
“Zoey, the venue is ready and invitations sent. Want to try on wedding dresses?”
“Zoey, I’ve waited five years for this day. Thank you for making my dream come true.”
Before I could refuse, he whisked me into his car.
During the drive, he vividly described his dream wedding.
His expression was genuine and sincere, as if he’d truly been waiting for this moment.
I turned away as tears silently fell.
Aiden panicked, leaning close to kiss away the teardrops.
“Why are you crying? Honey, it breaks my heart to see your tears.”
“In three days we’ll be family. We’ll never be apart again.”
But there is no “again” for us.
At the bridal shop, Raven stood waiting with a wedding dress.
Aiden’s expression froze.
‘What are you doing here?”
Raven pouted with fake hurt.
‘What kind of sister misses her brother’s wedding? Besides, your bride’s dress is too expensive to trust with just anyone.”
‘Zoey, try it on. My brother picked it out himself after searching for ages.”
With the dress on, I stood before the full-length mirror with Aiden’s adoring gaze fixed on me from behind.
‘Zoey, you’re still so beautiful.”
in the distance, Raven stormed off, her retreating figure radiating endless resentment.
As Aiden held me close, she returned with a camera, forcing a smile.
‘Brother, let me take a photo of you two?”
‘Sure.”
While adjusting the angle, Raven accidentally knocked over a clothing rack,
The rack hit the chandelier above, sending it crashing down.
Chaos erupted instantly.
Screams filled the air from all directions.
Blood seeped from my forehead as I collapsed.
The heavy chandelier crashed onto my leg, breaking bone with excruciating pain.
The last thing I saw was Aiden rushing toward Raven.
Raven, are you okay? How’s the baby? Don’t scare me…”
Tears flooded uncontrollably, soaking my face.
“Aiden…”
When I opened my eyes again, surgery was over and I was in a hospital room.
Nearby, Raven sobbed with fake remorse.
“I didn’t mean to…”
Aiden sighed with resignation.
“I’m not blaming you, but you’re not alone anymore. What if something happened to the baby? What if something happened to you? It would kill me.”
“Thank God you’re both okay. No more stunts like this. Now go.”
As footsteps faded away, I slowly opened my eyes.
The same doctor from before stood there, looking disapproving.
Miss Parker, didn’t I already warn you about your stoma-”
Before she could finish, I knocked my phone to the floor.
iden bent to pick it up.
shot a pleading look at the doctor, subtly shaking my head.
he sighed deeply.
You’re out of danger now. Just rest.”
When the door closed, Aiden looked at me with confusion.
What’s wrong with your stomach?”
Nothing. Just old injuries. You know about those.”
omething unreadable flashed in his eyes.
Zoey, let’s adopt a child after we’re married. We’ll raise them as our own. Don’t worry about what happened-I’ve investigated and it was just quipment failure at the shop…”
And Raven? Are you saying this had nothing to do with her?”
dopt a child? Or adopt his child with Raven?
ly smile turned bitter.
iden’s face instantly hardened.
You don’t believe me?”
Raven’s just a girl. How much strength could she have?”
You’ve been suspicious of her for three years. Still not over it? If something was going on between us, it would have happened long ago. Why would I ring you back?”
taring at his face-familiar yet strange-I suddenly found this whole charade pointless.
eeing my silence, he softened his tone and took my hand.
Zoey, listen. This was just an accident. The doctor says your injuries aren’t serious. You can still attend the wedding. Worst case, I’ll carry you down the aisle-wouldn’t be the first time I’ve carried you anyway.”
For six hours, Aiden never left my side.
Even while handling work, he stayed in the hospital room.
Until late that night, when he received a call. Raven’s voice trembled, panicked and weak.
“Aiden, the mansion’s on fire! I couldn’t catch who set it. He spoke French. He sealed the main entrance. Come quick or I’ll die!”
In an instant, his facade of tenderness shattered.
“A Frenchman?”
“Stay right there. Cover your face with a wet towel and hang on. I’m coming now!”
After hanging up, he gave his assistant ten minutes to launch a rescue.
When he turned to me, his gaze was ice-cold.
“Was it him?”
I laughed bitterly.
“You think he’d listen to me? If it was him, why would he have agreed to the divorce?”
But he wasn’t listening anymore.
‘A Frenchman-who else could it be? Zoey, I’ve told you Raven is just my sister. Why are you so fixated on her?”
‘If I’d known this would happen, I never would have brought you back! You two must be close if he’s crossing oceans to help you. I really underestimated you!”
I swallowed any explanation.
Without even a glance at me, Aiden stormed out of the hospital.
The doctor walked in with a medical report.
‘Miss Parker, this severe injury caused a miscarriage. Your previous treatments were all wasted. You can never have children now. Try to accept it.”
That night, my heart-wrenching sobs echoed through the entire hallway.
Crying then laughing, I looked completely insane.
At dawn, I checked myself out and headed straight to the airport.
Before boarding, Aiden sent a message.
Raven is out of danger now. I don’t want to blame you, but I hope you won’t become someone I don’t recognize. Zoey, you weren’t like this before.]
‘I’ll stay here taking care of Raven until two days before the wedding. Rest well, and please don’t disappoint me again.”
Was he caring for Raven, or afraid I might hurt his supposed “sister” again?
I no longer cared.
A notification appeared at the top of my screen.
Document cancellation successful.
I removed the SIM card, tossed it in the trash, and boarded the plane without looking back.
Aiden, this time I’m setting you free.
I only hope we never meet again.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.