Chapter 3

The wedding was held at the Caesar Palace Grand Hotel, the most luxurious hotel in the city.

Early that morning, someone dragged me out of bed.

A few makeup artists crowded around me, dabbing and smearing at my sallow face, trying to cover up the look of someone near death.

They changed me into an expensive gown to hide my skeletal body and the odor coming off me.

I was lifted into a wheelchair and pushed into a stretch Lincoln.

By the time we reached the hotel, the place was already packed with people.

Over the years, Derek had built himself up on my resources, and he really had made it big.

Nearly every person of note in the city had come.

Luxury cars lined the hotel entrance, and an arch of flowers stretched from the front doors all the way to the ballroom.

A huge poster stood at the entrance: Derek and Sophie's wedding portrait.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman. A match made in heaven.

And I was wheeled into a corner of the ballroom like some kind of mascot.

"Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Hart."

A few old acquaintances from my business days walked over, drinks in hand.

They looked at me with pity, with mockery, and most of all with an eagerness to keep their distance.

"We heard Mr. Sullivan has gone to a lot of trouble taking care of you. Just look, you're divorced and you still get to come to your ex-husband's wedding. The man's generosity is really something."

"That's right, Ms. Hart. You should try to let it go. Since your health isn't up to it anymore, just hand the company over to Derek to run. Look how well he's doing. He's about to take it public."

I couldn't speak. All I could do was stare at them blankly.

Which one of these people hadn't once trailed after me, calling me "Ms. Hart" and "Evie"? Now that Derek was on top, they had turned around and started bootlicking him.

Suddenly the lights in the ballroom dimmed.

A spotlight fell on center stage.

The emcee's voice rang out, bursting with passion.

"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family! Today we are gathered here to witness the sacred moment of Derek and Sophie! This is a story about love and responsibility..."

A carefully edited video began playing on the big screen.

In it, Derek wiped my face in the hospital, read to me at my bedside, and pushed me through the park.

The music was deeply moving, and the narration was even more of a tearjerker.

"He is the guardian who never gave up; she is a modern-day Cinderella. In the days of caring for his paralyzed ex-wife, they came to understand each other and stood by each other, and their shared kindness brought them together..."

Below the stage, plenty of female guests who didn't know the truth were wiping away tears.

"That's so touching! You don't find good men like that these days!"

"That maid is a good person too. She didn't mind that he came with a paralyzed ex-wife."

I sat in my wheelchair, my fingers digging into the armrests so hard my nails nearly snapped.

Lies! All of it lies!

Every one of those videos was staged for show!

The second the filming stopped, he threw the towel in my face because he thought I was filthy!

When the video ended, thunderous applause filled the room.

Derek, in a white tailcoat, led Sophie, in a pure white wedding gown, slowly up onto the stage.

Sophie looked stunning today. Her gown was covered in diamonds that glittered under the lights.

With a shy, happy smile on her face, she leaned into Derek's arms, looking exactly like a princess from a fairy tale.

"Thank you all for coming to my wedding."

Derek held the microphone, his voice choked up.

"It hasn't been an easy road. I want to thank my ex-wife, Evelyn. She's the one who taught me to grow. Even though we weren't meant to go the distance, I promise I'll take care of her for the rest of her life!"

With that, he looked down at me from the stage with deep affection.

In an instant, the spotlight swung onto me.

I was forced into full view of everyone, put on display like a freak.

Sophie took the microphone too, her voice sweet.

"I want to thank Evelyn as well, for giving Derek and me her blessing. Evelyn, don't worry. From now on, Derek and I will take care of you together and treat you like my own big sister!"

The room broke into warm applause again.

"Kiss! Kiss!"

Someone started the chant.

Derek and Sophie smiled at each other and slowly leaned in. Just as their lips were about to meet—