I hugged him tightly, ensuring every movement looked natural. "Forgive me, darling, but... dinner at your parents' house feels excessive. You know your mother doesn't like me?" I added a touch of doubt, to make him more confident in my act.
He stroked my hair, his touch forced. "Darling... don't worry, my mother is like that. It's her birthday tonight, there will be a lot of cameras at my family's house, my mother won't be rude to you, I promise." That last sentence sounded like a veiled threat.
I sighed dramatically, pretending to agree. "Okay." I knew he would play the perfect fiancé in front of the media. And I would be there, following his every plan, waiting for the right moment to expose all the lies.
An hour later, he left. I followed him, my shadow like a ghost trailing him everywhere. My suspicions were confirmed. It wasn't the studio, he was on a date with Veronica at various places. My phone didn't stop recording, every touch, every laugh, every intimate moment became collected evidence.
They returned to the hotel yesterday. This time, I wouldn't just be a spectator and a victim. I would call Felix, my lawyer, the man who had helped me settle debts with major brands, issues that arose after the accident that shattered my life.
Felix's office. He didn't care about my arrival. "You can contact my secretary first, I'm currently—"
I cut him off. "Felix, don't you recognize me?" I removed my hat, face covering, and glasses. I wanted him to see.
He stood up, startled. "You?" His voice was filled with surprise.
I smiled, a smile filled with sorrow and vengeance. "Yes. It's me, the cripple, Lizzy Larson."
"Don't talk like that, Lizzy," he said, his voice full of sympathy. "Tell me, when did your legs heal?" Joy, that's what I saw in his eyes, the expression of joy that I should have received from Julius.
I told him everything: the accident, the betrayal, the struggle, and my plan. I wanted to break up, but the house and shared assets were mine. If I left just like that, wouldn't I be the one who suffered?
Felix thought for a moment, then said, "You can turn the tables. Threaten him with those photos, make him buy them, then transfer all your assets."
I understood. Felix was supporting me to destroy them. I had no proof of who caused the accident. Only a direct confession from Julius and Veronica. That evidence wouldn't be enough in court. But what was wrong with getting revenge in another way?
The plan began. Julius's parents' house, grand and cold, like the heart of Julius's mother who always looked at me with hatred. Camera flashes filled the yard, creating a siege of journalists hungry for sensation. Their questions were like bullets aimed at me.
"Where is Julius Velden? Why are you here alone?" Their voices pierced, sharp like knives.
"Were you invited? Don't Julius's parents dislike you? You're really brave coming here alone like this." They surrounded me, wanting to tear me apart with their insulting questions.
I didn't have time to answer. From a distance, Julius appeared, accompanied by the shadow of Veronica behind him—the woman, with her shimmering blonde hair, sensual red lips, and a gaze filled with veiled contempt, quickly disappeared.
"I'm here, I'm sorry," he said, grabbing the microphone. His voice sounded calm, but his eyes were filled with anger and fear.
The reporters' questions bombarded him. He answered quickly, creating a convincing false story. I just stood there, pretending to be confused, while inside, I enjoyed every second of his panic.
Julius's mother appeared, her voice cold and full of contempt. "She's been disabled for three years, going back and forth isn't difficult for someone like her, you shouldn't make a big deal out of it." Her words were like poison aimed at me.
Julius stopped his mother from speaking. "Mom. Enough, don't go too far." Then, he took my hand, tightly. The cameras captured the moment. When I opened my phone, a headline notification appeared: Julius, a true man who loves his disabled fiancée. My lips curled, this was a perfectly orchestrated play.
The news spread. Julius was praised, I was humiliated. Veronica, with her triumphant smile, watched me from afar, I guessed she was the mastermind behind all this.
Julius's face was tense, like a mask hiding a lie. From a distance, Veronica quickly disappeared into the shadows, like a snake escaping after injecting its poison.
Julius pushed my wheelchair into the house. The guests gathered, staring at me with sharp, contemptuous gazes, while Julius pretended to be sympathetic.
Whispers pierced my ears, sharper and more painful. "Poor Julius, that woman is truly selfish!" "She should know her place and leave! If she truly loved Julius, she wouldn't do this." "She dared to come, even though Mrs. Velden hates her! She's got a thick face!"
I sighed, enduring the pain gnawing at my heart. This humiliation was always there, but tonight, the pain was doubled.
"I want to go to the bathroom," I whispered to Julius, my voice trembling. He left, and I cried my heart out.
In front of the mirror, I wiped away my tears. Then, Veronica appeared, a sinister smile etched on her face. "Oops, sorry. I thought no one was here," she said, her voice mocking.
I remained indifferent, trying to hide my sadness. As I was about to leave and ignore her, she pulled my wheelchair. "Someone like you shouldn't be here, especially since they never accepted you," she sneered, full of hatred.
"What do you mean, Veronica?" I asked, holding back my anger.
Veronica's eyes widened, feigning surprise. "You know me?" she asked, dismissively.
"Of course," I replied sharply.
Veronica's eyes sparkled. "Well, who doesn't know me? Supermodel Veronica Hoffman." Her self-praise. Ridiculous.
"No, not because of that." I retorted, Veronica's eyes widening. "As far as I know, you were the one who stole my last contract?" I sneered.
