Caleb's absurd request sent a palpable shockwave through the lavish wedding venue.
I perfected the role of the wronged but dignified woman. With tears welling in my eyes, I simply nodded.
An overwhelming wave of sympathy in my favor immediately flooded social media.
Even Mrs. Hawthorne was stunned by her son's audacity. "This is ridiculous! Caleb, marriage isn't a game!"
Caleb looked at me guiltily. "Clara, this is my fault. I'll make it up to you."
The guests murmured among themselves, some shooting me sympathetic glances, others looks of disdain. I remained composed, my face a mask of quiet strength.
Daphne immediately retorted, "Caleb saved me, not you. If he hadn't agreed to marry me today, I would have jumped."
Her words sent the already guilty Caleb into a rage. "Daphne! If it weren't for the friendship between our families, I wouldn't have even bothered with you!"
He snapped, "Clara has suffered enough because of you. That's enough!"
Daphne's eyes reddened with hurt. She lowered her head and softened her tone. "I'm sorry, Caleb. I just love you so much! Since… since Clara is willing, let's just begin."
As Caleb looked at me hesitantly, I gave him a pained smile and stepped down from the ceremonial platform.
Before I even reached the dressing room, the wedding march began to play. Daphne's passionate vows echoed along the coast.
After I changed into my own clothes, a hotel staff member rushed in, saying there was a commotion in the guest lounge.
When I arrived, I found Caleb manhandling my nephew, Noah. Daphne stood nearby, the antique lace veil on her head torn at the corner, screaming, "Teach that little brat a lesson!"
I rushed forward in a blaze of fury, trying to pull Caleb away. "Caleb, let him go!"
Noah saw me and cried out, his voice thick with tears, "Auntie!"
He was my sister's only child, a sweet, kind boy with a passion for technology. In my previous life, Caleb had used him as a pawn to control me, ruining his future until he ended his own life by leaping from a skyscraper.
Seeing him alive and well, I couldn't stop my own tears from flowing.
Caleb ignored my protests. He flung his arm back, shoving me away with brutal force.
A sharp pain shot through my lower back, and a vicious cramp seized my abdomen as a cold dread washed over me.
I slammed into the stone balustrade at the edge of the terrace.
Then it hit me. At this exact moment in my last life, I was already three weeks pregnant.
