Chapter 18

Chapter 18
TWO MONTHS LATER

It was the wedding day of Henry Duke and Anna Duke.... a ceremony so grand, so dazzling, it had the entire city talking.

The venue was no ordinary hall.... it was a massive glass-walled ballroom perched on the cliffs above the ocean, decorated with cascading floral arrangements in white, blush, and gold. Crystal chandeliers sparkled from the ceiling, and a thousand white roses adorned every corner, filling the air with a sweet, luxurious scent.

Red carpets lined the floors. Guests arrived in expensive designer wear. Journalists were outside, capturing every detail as A-list dignitaries, billionaires, and top socialites streamed in for what was now considered the event of the year.

Among the guests sat Michelle, her eyes fixed bitterly on Anna. Her fingers curled tightly around her purse as envy churned in her chest. Everywhere she looked, people were praising Anna—laughing with her, hugging her, admiring her dress. Even Michelle’s own parents and grandfather were on their best behavior around Anna now. They clung to her like she was the pride of the family, and Michelle? She felt like a ghost in her own bloodline.

What hurt most was knowing that Henry did whatever Anna asked. Their family company had landed a huge collaboration, because Anna mentioned it casually to Henry. With just a nod, he had arranged the entire deal. Michelle’s parents, who once criticized Anna for everything, now praised her like she was royalty.

Michelle’s heart burned with anger. Her marriage to Sam a month ago, had been humiliatingly modest in comparison. No important faces showed up. Not even Henry Duke, despite all the calls and begging from Sam’s mother. No Anna either. And yet, here she was, forced to attend Anna’s wedding like a commoner. If she had skipped it, the city would have taken notice—and she would have been the one looking petty.

What made it worse was how Tanya treated her. Ever since Anna became Henry’s wife, Tanya threw snide glares and sarcastic comments her way, making Michelle feel lower than dirt.

Looking at her husband now, Michelle’s disgust grew. Sam sat beside her, grinning awkwardly and pretending to enjoy the wedding. She clenched her jaw, thinking about how she barely had anything of her own. Everything depended on what Sam’s mother gave them—and even that came with strict rules. Meanwhile, Anna was living the life of a dream. If she so much as coughed, Henry would fly her out in a private jet to any country she wanted. Michelle had once asked Sam to take her on a weekend trip. He’d said no.

She wanted to scream.

Across the hall, Anna was glowing.

She stood tall in her shimmering lace wedding gown—custom-made by a world-renowned designer. The dress fit her like a glove, the off-shoulder design showcasing her delicate collarbones. Her long veil trailed several feet behind her, and her hair was styled into soft waves, pinned back with a tiara made of real diamonds. Her makeup was flawless—soft, elegant, and glowing. She looked like a princess straight out of a fairytale.

Beside her was Tanya—her only bridesmaid. Dressed in a champagne-colored silk gown, Tanya looked just as stunning with a little baby bump, her hair pinned in a sleek bun and soft curls framing her face. She stood proudly beside Anna, as if silently telling the world she had always known her friend was destined for greatness.

Henry stood beside Colby Tanner, his best man and Tanya’s husband. Dressed in a white suit with a black velvet bowtie, Henry looked like something out of a fashion magazine—handsome, tall, and commanding. Colby was just as sharp in a navy-blue suit, both men drawing admiration from everyone present.

The ceremony was breathtaking. Vows were exchanged, rings were slipped on fingers, and the officiant declared them husband and wife. Thunderous applause followed. Cameras flashed. Some guests even wiped away tears.

Throughout the reception, guests whispered about how lucky Anna and Tanya were. Two best friends who had ended up with two of the most powerful, wealthiest, and most handsome men in the country. It almost felt like something out of a novel.

When the party ended, Anna couldn’t stop crying tears of joy. She hugged Tanya again and again.

“I can’t believe this is my life,” she whispered.

Tanya smiled, wiping her tears. “You deserve all of it, Anna.”

Even Anna’s family—those who hadn’t treated her well, were all over her now, congratulating her, smiling at her, taking pictures beside her. Anna treated them kindly. She reminded herself that they were the only family she had known since being adopted from the orphanage. Despite everything, she would hold no bitterness in her heart.

People around whispered excitedly about her honeymoon, already leaked to the press. It was said to be a three-country tour—starting with a week on a luxury yacht in Greece.

Michelle heard every word.

Her stomach turned. She should’ve been in Anna’s place. If only she hadn’t sabotaged her engagement to Sam. Maybe Anna would’ve been married to Sam, and she would’ve had a shot with Henry.

But no. She had destroyed Anna’s life, only to watch Anna rise higher. And now she was stuck in a marriage to a man who had no money, no power, and no backbone. All her efforts had backfired. And Anna? Anna looked like a goddess.

After the celebration, while Henry was greeting some important guests, Anna stood quietly at the balcony, staring out at the city lights in her gown, smiling to herself.

Then Sam appeared.

He walked up behind her, eyes burning with resentment. “Wow. You must be so happy,” he said.

Anna turned slowly and gave him a soft smile. “Of course, I am. Who wouldn’t be?”

He nodded, jaw tightening. “Did you ever love me?” he asked. “Because from where I’m standing, you jumped from me to my uncle like it was nothing.”

Anna’s expression didn’t change.

“You didn’t even act upset that day,” Sam continued. “You saw me with Michelle, and you just… walked away. And then, boom—you’re suddenly married to my uncle. You used me, didn’t you? This was your plan all along. You saw an opportunity and you took it. Tell me… how cheap can you be?”

Anna stared at him, letting him rant.

“I heard you gave yourself to him in one night,” Sam spat. “You never let me touch you—but you let him have you. Don’t you feel disgusted with yourself when you look in the mirror?”

Anna smiled and folded her arms. “Of course, everything you have said is correct. I never loved you, so I never let you touch me.

Oh yeah, I knew your uncle was coming for your engagement party. So I planned, and I had you send me a text to meet you in Room twenty. I also set someone up in your room to force himself on me.

Oh, and I also happened to know your uncle would be passing at that time. So I hurried to the room, and while the person was trying to force himself on me, your uncle came, saved me. I gave myself to him, and voilà! Yes, I planned it all because I wanted to jump from you to your uncle, and I wanted you to refer to me as Aunt.

Are you satisfied now? Well, I have admitted my crimes, and oh yes—when I look at my face, I do not see a disgusting person. I see a beautiful wife who is loved, adored by her husband, and who is living her best life ever. Anything else you want to say?”