"What are you even thinking, Alina? Have you completely lost it?" Alan's expression turned grim, a vein pulsing at his temple. "So you're seriously choosing a dead man over me?"
Jessica snapped out of her shock, a mocking smile curling on her lips. "Don't tell me you actually believe you can marry into the Gilbert family just because Mr. Gilbert is gone. You're still a servant's daughter—he's far beyond your reach, even in death."
A ripple of contemptuous stares spread across the church.
In the next instant, a silver-haired aristocratic woman entered swiftly, surrounded by her entourage and dressed in finely tailored couture.
Her presence alone carried the kind of authority that dominated the entire room.
It was Pamela.
She appeared exhausted, as though she hadn't rested in days, but the second she saw Alina, her eyes ignited with desperate hope. "Is it true? Will you really marry my son?"
Alina met Pamela's gaze and gave a firm, solemn nod. "Yes, I will."
She had already decided. If marriage was her fate, she would rather tie herself to someone of Kellan's caliber. Even becoming a widow would be better than being trapped with that manipulative bastard!
More importantly, once she became a Gilbert, Alan and Jessica would no longer be able to trample over her as they pleased.
Pamela clasped Alina's hands tightly. "My child, are you absolutely sure? If you do this, you'll spend your entire life as a widow."
"I've made my decision," Alina replied, holding her gaze without hesitation. "It would be an honor to be the widow of someone as noble as Kellan."
Each word hit Alan like a heavy blow.
Pamela's voice shook with emotion as she spoke. "Good. If you're willing to become part of our family, I will protect you for the rest of your life. I'll arrange for the marriage registration immediately."
Thanks to the Gilbert family's immense influence, a government registrar arrived within an hour.
Soon, the marriage license was completed and issued immediately on site.
Panic and chaos broke out among both the Hopkins and the Hayes families.
Ignoring the risk of offending Pamela, Alan seized Alina's wrist. "Have you lost your mind? You're ruining your entire life just to become a widow!"
Alina yanked her arm free, shooting him a freezing glare. "Marrying you would have been the true disaster!"
Alan trembled with rage. "Alina, this is a betrayal!"
"We were over the moment you had sex with Jessica," Alina retorted, every word laced with absolute disgust.
The sheer loathing in her eyes left Alan speechless.
There had once been warmth and affection in her eyes for him, but now only cold disgust remained.
His chest tightened painfully, as though he could hardly draw air into his lungs.
A sour unease crept into Jessica's heart. The woman she had always despised was now marrying into an elite, powerful family.
But then she reminded herself the groom was already dead, and a wave of relief quickly replaced her anxiety.
Leaning toward Alan, she murmured quietly, "Stop it, Alan. You know Alina has always feared poverty. Now that she finally has a chance to step into wealth, just let her be."
Although she spoke to Alan, her words were clearly meant for Pamela as well.
Her intention was to make Pamela see Alina as nothing more than a woman chasing money and status.
Pamela didn't even bother looking at Jessica; her attention stayed firmly on Alina, her gaze soft but resolute. "From this moment on, you are a Gilbert. If anyone dares to trouble you, you don't hold back—fight back twice as hard. Don't let those manipulative women think they can push you around."
Jessica's expression stiffened instantly.
A surge of warmth filled Alina's chest, and her eyes burned faintly with emotion. "Yes, Pamela."
Pamela broke into a delighted smile. "Consider this your welcome gift. I'll have a property transferred into your name soon."
Without hesitation, Pamela took off a valuable diamond bracelet and placed it securely on Alina's wrist.
Unable to turn it down, Alina accepted it with some reluctance.
Jessica's face twisted with jealousy as she stared at the bracelet. Damn it! She had never possessed anything even close to that level of luxury.
The government registrar respectfully handed the marriage certificate to Pamela.
Adrian's expression darkened like a brewing storm as he addressed Alina. "Since you have chosen a luxurious life as the widow of the late Kellan, we'll be leaving. But keep this in mind—if you ever regret your decision, our family will never accept you again."
Alan threw in a final remark, his tone sharp. "Alina, make sure you act like a proper grieving widow. Everyone will be keeping an eye on you."
He doubted she could actually endure such a lonely life without having sex. In his mind, the moment she broke, she would come crawling back to him in regret.
The Hopkins and the Hayes families then turned away, preparing to leave in a huff.
Suddenly, a clear knocking sound echoed from within the coffin.
Everyone present froze in place.
Pamela reacted first, rushing forward in panic. "Open it... Quick, open the coffin!" she shouted.
The workers hurried forward in a panic, struggling as they tried to pry open the heavy lid.
A pale hand slowly appeared, its fingers curling tightly over the edge of the coffin.
Then a tall, lean figure gradually rose up from inside the coffin and sat upright.
