bel

are you looking so sad?" Vi

e waiting for us." I put more effort into forcing

looks incomplete," he grumbled as he

room. I couldn't bear for him to step into the nightmare I had just witnessed. My hand trembled slight

es searched mine, and I quickly averted my gaze, tugging him t

ionship? Every memory came rushing back-their subtle glances, their inside jokes. All the moments I had dismissed as mere friendship bet

r, I would have stepped aside. How could she betray me like this when she knew I had loved him since childhood? And Xavier-why h

g. I was the wife of Xavier Thompson, one of the most well-known criminal law

rly waiting to meet him." My father-in-l

should I

to sound convincing, but my voice w

him, forcing my expression into something neutral. He looked calm, completely unaf

or us to begin the ceremony. As he approached the

xie, my sister-in-law, ur

like a farce. Everything-from our vows to the ring on my finger-felt like a cruel joke. All I

s skin against mine, something I had once longed for, now repulsed me. I wanted to pull a

omous hatred. How had I been so blind to her? Every look she gave me wa

alizing the knife was still in my trembling hand, stuck in the middle of the cake. Xavier's

eer

for your hap

t and remorse. But there was nothing-just that same, cold indifference. His smile was a performance for the guests. His hand push

d the crowd laughed. I picked up a piece with shaky fingers, offering it to

laughter, entertained

this act might have given me butterflies. Now, it only made me nauseous

booming through the hall. "I will now step down as CEO of my legal

waiting with bated breath. I stood in line next to Xavier, who shifted rest

ld be the heir. He was the most log

n the air. I could feel it

Grayson, his older brother, with Dixie on the other. Victor too

remony. I hadn't completed my education, and I had no bus

th respect and show that I was part of the family. But that didn't stop the confusi

eeing me stand next to him; he hated that I was never good enough for him. Now I understand why h

ked, breaking the silence. "We

e, lingering for a moment before he

lla Thompson,

hrough the room

disbelief washing