I tilted my head slightly, observing Margaret with a quiet, amused stare. Her entire body radiated anger—hands balled into fists, jaw tight, her gaze locked onto me like I was the last obstacle standing in her way. She looked like someone already certain she’d won.
“Still pretending you don’t know?” she hissed through clenched teeth, her voice laced with scorn.
I chuckled softly, feigning innocence. “Sorry? You’ve lost me.”
Her eyes darted around. She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m only saying this because I want you gone. Don’t you dare mention this to Ronnie.”
I raised an eyebrow, giving her my best impression of curiosity. “Alright, I’m listening.”
She leaned in, her tone sharp and deliberate. “Ronnie’s not in love with you. He never was. He’s using you, Doris. This is all about payback. It’s revenge, not romance.”
I kept my expression unreadable.
Margaret misread my silence as intrigue. Her lips curved into a smug little smile as she pressed forward. “Your brother took something that was meant to be Ronnie’s—a company, a future. And now Ronnie’s punishing him through you.”
I widened my eyes ever so slightly. “That’s... quite the story.”
“I’m not finished,” she said, clearly enjoying herself now.
Then came the twist she thought would shatter me. “That girl—Krystal? She’s not just any kid. She’s ours. Mine and Ronnie’s.”
Of course I knew that. But I gasped softly anyway, parting my lips as if the revelation had stunned me to my core.
Margaret stepped back, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Now, with all that in mind, I think it’s time for you to back out. The ceremony? It belongs to me.”
For a moment, I let the silence stretch out between us. Then, slowly, I began to laugh.
Her smile faltered. “What’s so funny?”
Looking her dead in the eye, I replied, “And what if I don’t feel like walking away?”
She blinked. “Didn’t you hear me? What more do you need to know?”
“Oh, I heard every word,” I said coolly. “But why should I make it easy for you?”
Margaret’s lips thinned, her face twisting into barely concealed rage.
I leaned forward, my voice lowered to a murmur only she could hear. “You want him? Take him. But don’t think I’ll go quietly. Don’t think I won’t fight back.”
As I began to wheel myself away, Margaret lunged. She gripped my arm and yanked me sideways. Pain flared in my legs as they jolted with the sudden movement.
I winced but didn’t fight her. That was what she wanted—for me to strike back. Instead, she struck herself across the face, hard enough to redden her cheek.
I inhaled sharply. My stomach twisted. So this is what it had come to?
“Help!” Margaret screamed, her voice echoing through the corridor.
Within seconds, the doors burst open. Ronnie came running in, with Krystal gripping his hand tightly.
“Mommy!” Krystal cried out, rushing to Margaret’s side.
Margaret collapsed to the floor, holding her cheek like it had been crushed. “She hit me!” she wailed.
Ronnie’s face darkened, turning toward me.
Krystal’s voice trembled with betrayal. “Did you hurt my mommy?”
“Yes,” Margaret sniffled, staring up at him. “She got angry—she thought I was going to steal you. I was only trying to help. I even offered to be her stand-in for the wedding. I never meant to hurt her.”
How pathetic. Their lies weren’t even clever anymore. I had once been blind, but now I saw everything for what it was.
Ronnie’s glare was fierce. “Doris, seriously? Why would you attack her? You could’ve just talked to me.”
I forced my tone to remain calm. “She provoked me. She told me to disappear. To leave you.”
Margaret gasped dramatically. “That’s a lie! I told her I respected her. I told her I was here to support her, not replace her!”
Ronnie crossed his arms. “Why would Margaret lie? She’s been nothing but kind. You’re just... making a scene.”
“She—”
He cut me off. “You're in a wheelchair, Doris. And you're still causing drama? Really?”
Krystal’s eyes narrowed at me, her tiny face twisted in disgust. “You’re mean! Stay away from my daddy!”
I didn’t respond. I sat still as Ronnie helped Margaret up—gently, lovingly—without sparing me so much as a glance.
He carried her out like she was the one needing comfort.
I was left alone on the cold floor.
A few minutes passed before a nurse came rushing in to help me. I let her assist me without protest. But inside? I was done. Utterly and completely done. I no longer wanted closure or forgiveness.
I wanted retribution.
Later that night, Ronnie entered my room with an apologetic sigh. “I’m sorry for earlier.”
I didn’t speak.
He sat on the edge of my hospital bed, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly stressed. “I had to take care of Margaret first. I’m sure you understand.”
I gave him a small nod, my eyes vacant.
“She’s agreed to stand in for you tomorrow,” he said, watching for my reaction. “I need her to be okay for that.”
I didn’t even blink. “I see.”
His shoulders eased. “You’ve always been so reasonable. That’s one of the things I love about you.”
I smiled faintly.
He reached out and took my hand. “Just hang in there, okay? Let me get through the ceremony. It may be Margaret standing there tomorrow, but it’s still our marriage license. You and I will have a real wedding after your recovery.”
I tilted my head, feigning trust. “Of course. I understand.”
Ronnie exhaled, relieved. “That’s why I chose you. You get it.”
He brushed a kiss against my forehead before leaving.
The next morning, Ronnie and Margaret left together for the venue. He looked proud. Triumphant.
He had no idea what was coming.
Meanwhile, my brother had arranged for a car to pick me up. I was going home. I didn’t say a word as I was taken to the private airstrip. A plane awaited me.
Back at the wedding venue, Ronnie stood confidently beside Margaret. Cameras flashed, music played. This was his fantasy come to life.
Until it all fell apart.
A staff member came rushing toward him, pale as a ghost. “Sir,” he gasped, clearly out of breath. “I have urgent news.”
Ronnie turned, frowning. “What now?”
The man hesitated. “It’s Miss Doris. She... she boarded a private jet this morning. The aircraft went missing. Authorities say it likely went down over the sea.”
