Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Sebastian Ford pinned me against the glass of the floor-length windows in the office, leaving me unable to move an inch. As he kissed my earlobe and my chest, I indulged myself in his warm breath. His kisses were scorching and passionate. My heart pounded in my chest as my dress was torn to shreds by his hands. I wrapped my legs around his waist and responded to his kiss. The bustling streets stretched below the building, outside the transparent glass. Could there be someone watching from the office building across from us? At this thought, I felt a little embarrassed. This was the first time I ever made love with him in the office. Sebastian seemed to see through my thoughts. He lifted my head and made me look at the reflection of our entwined bodies in the glass. His muscular physique was strong and defined, while my figure was curvaceous and seductive. He tightened his grip on my waist and said with a chuckle, "What are you afraid of? No one will disturb us. Besides, we've done far more intimate things than this. What's there to be nervous about?" His well-defined muscles pounded powerfully against my delicate body. Instinctively, I clung to his neck. My actions were filled with affection and attachment for him. However, a sudden ringtone stopped Sebastian in his movements. We were interrupted at the worst time. With a frown, he answered the call immediately and said in a cold voice, "Who is this?" I recognized the voice that came from the other end. It was his friend, Zachary Lance. "It's me, Zachary." Sebastian's expression softened slightly before switching to Francian. "What do you want?" A brief silence came from the other end before Zachary demanded, "Sebastian, have you lost your mind? Cassandra just returned from abroad, and you already got a marriage certificate with her? Are you insane? "Where was she when you suffered an accident and laid in bed for five years in a coma? She ran off abroad the very next day! Now that she has returned, you married her the moment she steps back into your life? Are you an idiot?" At that moment, the warmth in my body completely drained away from head to toe. Every complex word in Francian translated itself into Elgerian in my mind automatically. However, Sebastian was unaware of the fact that I understood his every word. He simply replied indifferently, "So what? If I don't marry Cassandra, her stepmother will send her overseas to warm the bed of some 60-year-old man. She has no one else to rely on but me." "What about Joanna? You've been with her for so long. Are you going to just abandon her? Back then, you were nothing but a breathing corpse in that hospital bed. "She was the one who took care of you day and night! No one in the world loves you more than she does! She loves you so much, but how could you…" The more Zachary spoke, the more agitated he became. His voice grew louder in anger, but Sebastian remained unfazed as he replied, "I know. That's why I'll keep this a secret. She won't find out.""Keep it a secret? Everyone knows you're registering your marriage and having a wedding next week! How the hell are you going to marry Joanna now that you've already registered a marriage certificate with Cassandra? It's against the law for you to have two marriage certificates!""That's enough!" Sebastian's expression darkened as he said impatiently, "My marriage with Cassandra will only last for two years. After that, we'll get a divorce. "I'll arrange a fake marriage certificate for Joan next week, and the wedding will go on as planned. There won't be a problem as long as you all keep quiet about this fake marriage certificate!" After hearing this, Zachary was so furious that he hung up immediately. Sebastian turned back to me and started kissing my chest again. However, I felt nothing but coldness in my heart. He knew I wouldn't be happy about this, yet he still did it behind my back. Did he even truly love me? My heart ached terribly at the thought. I no longer had the energy to respond to his touch. Moments later, he reached his climax. Sebastian let go of me and turned around to fix his clothes. Suddenly, his phone rang once more. I vaguely heard a woman's voice on the other end. "Alright. I understand." Sebastian hung up and turned to look at me with a calm expression. "Joan, I need to meet a client. You can head back on your own or have my assistant send you home." With that, he grabbed his coat and left in a hurry. He didn't even spare me a glance, leaving me standing alone in the empty office. I let out a bitter laugh as a tear slid down my cheek. Sebastian had no idea that I had pushed myself to learn several foreign languages back then to be worthy of him. Among them was Francian. I clearly heard every single word that Zachary spoke to him. His words pierced straight into my heart like a blade. In actual fact, I should have expected this day to come. After all, I was just the daughter of a lowly driver. In contrast, Sebastian was the heir to a billion-dollar corporation. Long ago, I met Sebastian by chance when I accompanied my father to the Ford residence. He sat in front of a floor-length window and was painting quietly with a brush in hand. That single glance had etched him into my soul, but I never told anyone. Because I knew that I was never meant to stand beside him. It wasn't only the vast difference in our statuses that made me feel inferior, but more importantly, I knew that Sebastian had a girlfriend that he loved to the core—Cassandra Sutton. They were childhood friends and grew up together. Sebastian was always cold to others, but he only showed his gentle smiles to Cassandra and protected her fiercely in every way. Even the accident that turned him into a vegetable and left him bedridden for five years was because of Cassandra. At the critical moment, Sebastian had pushed her back to safety and sacrificed himself to protect his beloved woman as he fell from the high-rise building. Although he was fortunate enough to survive, he ended up in a coma. After learning about the incident, Cassandra left the country and cut off all contact the very next day. Everyone believed that Sebastian had become a useless invalid. Moreover, his own parents planned to abandon him and groom a new successor. I was the one who willingly stepped forward and requested to be a personal caretaker for the bedridden Sebastian. Even the renowned surgeon who eventually healed Sebastian was someone whom I had begged a long time to operate on him. Sebastian recovered quickly after undergoing the surgery. It didn't take long for him to regain his footing within the Ford family and become the CEO of Ford Corporation. I stood by him through the darkest period of his life and eventually became his girlfriend. The vast difference in our social status pushed me to work harder constantly in order to catch up with him. I gave it my all, but I was never able to gain the recognition of his parents. Yet, Sebastian always stood by my side and told his parents that he would marry no one but me. He insisted on marrying me even without their approval. He promised to register our marriage and give me an unforgettable wedding. I thought I was the woman he had truly chosen. Despite all the challenges ahead, I would be the one always by his side, and the one whom he would grow old with. However, I never expected that this was all a lie. In his heart, Sebastian had never let go of Cassandra. Since that was the case, then our relationship should end here. I took out my phone and called Emily Potts, Sebastian's mother. "Mrs. Ford, I agree to your offer. I'll break up with Sebastian if you give me 50 million. Then, we will never see each other again."

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Emily was overjoyed when she received my call. She had never liked me as she thought that I came from a poor family. If it wasn't for Sebastian, she would have gotten rid of me long ago. I said to her, "Mrs. Ford, can I leave after the wedding?" Even if I couldn't grow old with Sebastian, I still wanted to see myself standing beside him in a wedding dress. Even if it was a wedding built on lies, I had spent a whole year preparing for this wedding. I didn't want to leave any regrets. "Fine! But I don't want to see you ever again after the wedding!" Emily agreed after some hesitation. It saved her the trouble of planning things since I was the one who suggested the breakup. She promised to handle my travel arrangements abroad in a few days and handed me a card with 50 million dollars on it. She said, "This amount is more than enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life. Do whatever you want abroad, but don't come back to look for my son. You have one week to prepare. A week from now, I want to see you board a plane out of the country." I took the card and nodded silently. In actual fact, I didn't need the money. I had the ability to support myself. However, I knew that Emily wouldn't be at ease if I didn't take the money. Accepting the money meant that I saw this relationship as a transaction. Emily could always claim that I left for money if Sebastian found out about this one day. I planned to go abroad to finish my postgraduate studies and further my education. I decided to let go of this hopeless relationship once and for all. When I got home, I picked up my phone out of habit and saw a new Facebook post from Cassandra. "It's pure bliss to take wedding photos with the person you love!" She had posted a picture of herself and Sebastian choosing her wedding dress at a bridal store. The photo was taken from the perspective of the groom. Cassandra was elegantly dressed in a white wedding gown that looked magnificent. She gazed straight into the camera with grace and confidence. It was clear that the lighting and angle were carefully chosen, evidence of the photographer's deep affection for the subject. A sharp pain shot through my heart as I closed my phone silently. Sebastian came home that evening. He went straight to the kitchen as soon as he walked in. He made my favorite steak, truffle soup, and even opened a bottle of red wine. Ever since his recovery, Sebastian had taken over all the household chores to prove his affection to me. I felt an overwhelming mix of emotions when I saw the table full of delicious dishes. Sebastian asked with concern, "Joan, what's wrong? Why aren't you eating?" I forced back my tears and mustered a faint smile. "Nothing, I'm just a little tired." Sebastian didn't notice anything unusual with me and put down his utensils. "Then you should rest more. Joan, I'll be busy these next two days, and I might not be home. Stay safe when you're alone at home, and call me if you need anything." My heart trembled violently in my chest as I nodded. "Alright, take care too." Sebastian left the house early the next morning. The bed beside me was already empty by the time I woke up. I stood at the window and stared at the empty room as an overwhelming sadness washed over me. I knew that our relationship was truly over. While Sebastian was away, I went out to get my passport done and start the travel preparations. As soon as I stepped out the door, I received a message from Cassandra. It was a photo of her and Sebastian on a beach vacation. In the photo, Sebastian was handing her a glass of juice. Their interactions looked very intimate. "It feels amazing to be on a honeymoon," her message read. There were more affectionate photos of the two of them together, as if they were the real couple and I was the outsider who had interfered in their relationship. I took a deep breath and ignored her messages. I started packing quietly once I got home. I opened the wardrobe and saw several beautifully crafted dresses inside. They were dresses that Sebastian had given me. Each one held memories of our time together, but those memories now had turned into my deepest wounds. I walked into the living room and laid out all the gifts Sebastian had given me one by one on the table. There were delicate ornaments he brought back from abroad, the necklace he personally picked out for me, and the handbag from our first birthday celebration together. I took a deep breath and put all these presents into a bag. I decided to sell them as there was no point in keeping them. Just then, Cassandra updated another photo on her Facebook. It was a photo of her and Sebastian in a hotel. She was leaning in his embrace and dressed in a seductive nightgown. His arm was wrapped possessively around her waist, and the chemistry between them filled the air. Sebastian's face wasn't visible in the photo, but I recognized his familiar figure and presence instantly. A moment later, Cassandra sent me a private message. It was a photo of Sebastian asleep beside her. Their bare skin was visible and the sight stung my eyes like sharp needles. Then, she sent me their marriage certificate along with a message, "Ms. Robinson, I heard your marriage certificate was fake. I can't even find the registration number on the government's official website!" A sharp pain shot through my heart. I took a deep breath and closed the chat. She was provoking me as she clearly wanted me to lose my temper. So, the more she did that, the more I shouldn't get angry. I had known all along that the marriage certificate was a fake. I didn't need her to remind me. For the next two days, I kept myself busy by handling my departure arrangements. I went to the office and tendered my resignation. My colleagues were surprised and sorry to see me leave. I met up with a few friends for a farewell gathering, thanking them for their years of companionship and support. I returned home after the meal. When I opened the door, I was shocked to see Sebastian back home earlier than expected. He was sitting on the couch, looking exhausted. "Joan, you're back." Sebastian heard the door open and looked up at me. As he stood up, his expression changed subtly when he noticed the suitcases in the corner. "Are you going somewhere? Where are you going?" My heart trembled, but I forced myself to reply calmly, "I… I just wanted to travel for a bit and clear my mind. You just got back, right? You must be tired. I'll cook dinner tonight." Sebastian didn't seem suspicious. He held my hand and said, "Alright, let's talk about the trip after our wedding. We can go together." The next moment, his gaze swept across the room. He noticed how empty the house looked. Many things were missing. Confused, Sebastian asked, "Joan, why does the house feel so different?" Taking a deep breath, I answered, "Oh, I did some spring cleaning recently and tidied up the house a bit."

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Sebastian didn't think too much of my explanation and nodded. "That's good. We're getting married, so it's time to buy some new furniture and decorations." I felt a little guilty, but I didn't let it show. I quickly changed the topic. "Why are you back so soon this time?" Sebastian didn't suspect anything and explained, "I finished dealing with things, so I came back earlier than expected." He gave me a meaningful gaze, with a hint of guilt in his eyes. "Joan, I've been too busy with work and neglected you. I'll make it up to you this time." Stunned, I didn't know how to respond to him. Sebastian grabbed my hand and said, "Come on, I'll take you somewhere." I felt doubtful and confused, but I still followed him into the car. Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a massive estate. I was surprised when I recognized that this was the exclusive private club in the city. Only the elite could access a place like this. "Why are we here?" I asked in confusion. Sebastian gave me a slight smile. "There's a gathering tonight, and I wanted to bring you with me." My heart was touched. I knew how busy he was. It was rare for him to take time off and accompany me to a banquet. Throughout the event, Sebastian stayed by my side the entire time, introducing me to important figures of elite society. Many women took the initiative to approach Sebastian, but he rejected them all. His eyes were only on me. Meanwhile, Cassandra also arrived at the banquet venue. She was dressed in designer clothes, looking beautiful and radiant. "Mr. Ford, long time no see," she greeted him while throwing me a provocative glance. "Can I invite you to a dance? I'm sure Ms. Robinson wouldn't mind, would you?" Before I could open my mouth to speak, Sebastian had already shook his head coldly. "I'm sorry, I only want to spend time with my girlfriend tonight." An unpleasant feeling surfaced in my heart when I saw the firm expression on his face. If I hadn't seen those photos or heard those conversations, I would've believed that he truly loved me. Unfortunately, I knew that everything he was doing now was an act. He was pretending to be a boyfriend who loved me dearly. At the banquet, Sebastian officially announced our wedding to everyone. We initially didn't plan on inviting any business associates to the wedding ceremony since Emily disapproved of our relationship. The guests were surprised with the sudden announcement, but they still congratulated us and said that they would attend the wedding. I was also surprised. I had thought only a few friends would be at the wedding, but now he had invited so many people. It seemed like he was trying to do this to show his love and please me. In addition, he probably wanted to make up for the guilt he felt after spending time with Cassandra these past few days. Unfortunately, I no longer needed it. The love I wanted had to be exclusive. Since I was only worthy of a fake marriage certificate in his heart, then I didn't need his love at all. We left the venue together. As soon as we stepped out the entrance, we heard a loud commotion nearby. I looked up and saw Cassandra being surrounded by a group of thugs on the side of the road nearby. "Hey, babe. You look so beautiful. Why don't you have a drink with us?" one said. "Don't worry, we'll take good care of you." As they spoke, the thugs stretched out their hands toward Cassandra and tried to grab her. They clearly had ill intentions. Seeing this, Sebastian immediately rushed forward. "Stop right now!" He shoved one of the thugs aside and shielded Cassandra behind him. The thugs were angered and turned to attack Sebastian instead. However, Sebastian was more skilled than them. He knocked them to the ground with just a few punches. His expression was dark with fury as he glared at the defeated thugs on the ground. Sebastian said through gritted teeth, "How dare you mess with her? If you touch her again, I'll make you regret it for the rest of your lives!" Terrified, the thugs scattered and ran for their lives. Sebastian turned around and wrapped his arms around Cassandra before hurrying off. In the chaos, a thug had shoved me aside. My arm was scraped on a sharp stone on the ground. Blood instantly gushed from the wound. I gasped in pain, but Sebastian didn't seem to hear me. All his attention was on bringing Cassandra to safety. I wanted to call out after Sebastian's retreating figure, but I swallowed my words in the end. A wave of bitterness surged in my heart. At this moment, I knew he would never choose me if he had to choose between both of us. I went to a nearby clinic alone to get my wound treated. I winced in pain as the doctor bandaged my wound, but what hurt more was seeing how Sebastian had cared for Cassandra so tenderly. I returned home after getting my wound treated. Sebastian still wasn't home. At that moment, Cassandra posted a picture on Facebook. It was a photo of Sebastian taking care of her in the emergency room. Then, she sent me a private message. "Ms. Robinson, Sebastian will be spending the night with me. You should sleep alone tonight." I threw my phone aside and sat on the couch alone, replaying everything that happened today. Sebastian had personally promised me before that he would protect me for a lifetime. He had been so afraid of my getting hurt that he wouldn't let me do something as simple as cooking. But now, he was able to abandon everything for another woman. I took a deep breath and held back the tears in my eyes. That night, I lay alone in the empty bed. I couldn't sleep until dawn.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

The next morning, I was awakened by my phone ringing. I endured my headache and answered the call, only to hear Sebastian's stern voice on the other end. "Joan, come to the office. I have something to ask you." His voice was cold and devoid of any warmth. My chest tightened instantly, and an ominous feeling rose within me. Was he finally going to confront me? I didn't want to hear it. Although I knew he loved Cassandra, I didn't want to hear the words from his mouth personally. That was why I had chosen to escape abroad. In the end, I still went to his office obediently. As soon as I entered the office, I saw Sebastian glaring at me with a dark expression. Next to him sat Cassandra, and she looked aggrieved. I asked nervously, "What's wrong? What happened?" He fixed his stare on me and spoke deliberately. "Joan, were you the one who hired those thugs yesterday to bully Cassandra?" I was startled by his imposing manner, but I firmly replied, "How is that possible? Sebastian, you have to believe me. I would never do something like that." However, Sebastian only let out a cold laugh. His eyes were filled with anger. "Joan, I never thought you would become such a despicable person. The evidence is all here. Are you still going to deny it?" I was completely baffled. At that moment, Cassandra walked up and pulled out her phone. She showed me the screenshot of a chat log and said, "Ms. Robinson, I've already investigated everything about you hiring people to harm me in secret." As she spoke, she gave me an aggrieved look. "This is your chat log with those thugs. I knew you never liked me, but you shouldn't do something like this… If you really hate me that much, I'll just stay out of your way from now on." My face turned pale when I looked at the screenshot. An account with my profile picture and nickname sent a picture of Cassandra to a strange man, along with a message, "Do you see this woman? You guys go and teach her a lesson tonight! Money is not an issue. Just make sure she pays the price. Better yet, make her wish she was dead!" Alarms went off in my head immediately. I never sent those messages. Obviously, the chat was fake. "Sebastian, this is fake! You have to believe me!" I was so anxious that tears welled up in my eyes. However, Sebastian didn't believe me at all. He simply said, "Joan, I never thought you could be so evil! Apologize to Cassandra right now." I was stunned by his reaction. A bitter feeling welled up in my heart. We had been together for so many years and endured many challenges. In the end, was Cassandra still the person he trusted most? "I won't apologize. I didn't do it, and I will never admit to something I didn't do!" I clenched my teeth and refused to give in. In a fit of anger, Sebastian yelled at me, "Making a mistake is one thing, but refusing to admit it is another. Joan, I don't like the person you've become. You've become so cruel and heartless!" Taken aback, I stared at him in disbelief. Sebastian, who once cherished me like the apple of his eye, actually yelled at me because of Cassandra. How could he call me cruel and heartless? Seeing this, Cassandra pretended to be considerate and understanding. She tugged on Sebastian's sleeve and said, "Mr. Ford, forget it. Ms. Robinson didn't do it on purpose. She's just jealous that we used to be lovers. "She's afraid that I'll take you away now that I'm back. That's why she hired those thugs to teach me a lesson. She made a mistake because she's too in love with you. There's no need to apologize. Ms. Robinson only hated me out of love for you, and I can understand that." Cassandra turned to look at me, her eyes malicious. "However, you should be punished since you did something wrong. Hiring thugs to harm others is a crime. I can let it go this time, but what if you target someone else next time? If you drink all the alcohol on this table, I'll consider this matter resolved." I looked at the row of vodka bottles on the table. A chill ran down my spine. There were at least five or six bottles of alcohol. How could I possibly handle all that in one go? However, Sebastian's expression remained indifferent, seemingly going along with Cassandra's suggestion. He clearly knew that I had developed severe gastric problems from caring for him in the past. Even a sip of something cold or spicy could cause me unbearable pain. Drinking this much vodka was no different from a death sentence for me. Nonetheless, he still acquiesced to Cassandra's request. My heart was filled with agony, and I found it hard to breathe from the pain. "Fine, I'll drink." I picked up the glass and emptied it in one gulp. The vodka scorched my throat and burned in my stomach like fire. My face drained of color instantly, but I still reached for another glass. One bottle, two bottles… By the fifth bottle, I could no longer endure it. My stomach was churning violently, and cold sweat broke out all over my body from the pain. I clutched my abdomen and collapsed onto the floor after vomiting. Before I lost consciousness,I vaguely heard Sebastian's panicked voice. "Joan!" I was in the hospital when I woke up once more. An IV was attached to my hand, and an oxygen tube was in my nose. In a daze, I met Sebastian's worried gaze. "Joan, are you okay? Why were you so foolish to drink all the alcohol?" His voice sounded anxious, as if he was truly concerned about me. My heart ached terribly at the thought of his coldness and disbelief earlier. "Mr. Ford, shouldn't you be comforting your ex-lover who was wronged? Why are you here pretending to care about me?" My tone was icy as I turned my head away to avoid looking at him. Sebastian was silent for a moment before he sighed. "Joan, I have no other feelings for Cassandra. I was just too angry, so I acted that way. Besides, my parents don't like you. If they found out you hired thugs to hurt someone, they would think you're heartless and hate you even more. Moreover, you… How could you hire thugs to attack Cassandra? That's illegal!" I closed my eyes as tears rolled down my face silently. He still didn't believe me. I couldn't be bothered to explain myself further. At that moment, Cassandra walked in. Her expression darkened when she saw Sebastian sitting at my bedside. "Sebastian, my head really hurts. Can you come with me to get it checked?" Cassandra tugged at his sleeve in a coquettish manner. In the past, Sebastian would have gone with her without hesitation. However, he didn't move at all this time. He said indifferently, "You can go by yourself. I'm staying with Joan." Cassandra's expression darkened instantly, but she quickly masked it with a gentle smile. "Ms. Robinson just woke up, so she probably needs rest. Mr. Ford, you should get some rest too. You've stayed up all night." "There's no need. I'm not tired." Sebastian refused her suggestion directly. Cassandra continued, "Ms. Robinson, I've already withdrawn my complaint against those thugs at the police station. Don't hire anyone to hurt me again. "You're about to marry Sebastian, so every move you make reflects on the Ford family. If the media finds out that you committed a crime, it will impact the company negatively." With that, she turned around and left. Sebastian glanced at me with a disappointed look. I didn't explain myself. After all, I was planning to leave soon. I wasn't his real wife, so I wouldn't bring any negative impact to the company. I stayed in the hospital for two days, and Sebastian remained by my side the entire time. He tended to my needs carefully and waited on me hand and foot. The moment I opened my eyes, I met Sebastian's anxious gaze. "Joan, are you awake? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?" He touched my forehead gently to make sure I didn't have a fever before finally sighing in relief. "Stay in bed. I'll go buy you something to eat." With that, he turned to leave. I fixed my gaze on his retreating figure. Seeing how considerate he was, I felt a warm feeling spread in my heart. Maybe… it was possible that Sebastian still had feelings for me. The thought of leaving started to waver within me. Perhaps I could pretend that I was unaware of everything that happened. After all, he would divorce Cassandra in two years. The fake marriage certificate in my hands would become the real thing! I waited for him in my ward for a long time, but he never returned. Stepping outside the door, I overheard an argument between Sebastian and Emily. "Sebastian, how many times do I have to tell you? Joanna is not good enough for you. Are you telling me you want to hold a wedding, and you've invited so many people? I'm telling you, I'm not going!" Emily's voice was filled with anger. Sebastian's tone was firm as he replied, "Mom, I only love Joan. I will marry her, and I'll stay with her for the rest of my life." Emily sighed and said, "Why are you so stubborn about her? Sebastian, listen to me. Haven't you been spending a lot of time with Cassandra lately? Why are you still clinging to that driver's daughter? You probably don't know about this, but Joanna has already taken the money and is planning to leave."

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

At that instant, my heart was in complete chaos. I quickly stepped in and interrupted their conversation. "Sebastian, Mrs. Ford, what are you two talking about?" Emily's demeanor changed slightly when she saw me, but she quickly regained her composure. "Joan, have you been waiting long?" Sebastian's face lit up with a smile once he saw me. "I already asked my assistant to buy soup from your favourite restaurant. Just wait a little longer, okay?" Nodding, I shot Emily a meaningful look, signaling her to not say anything to Sebastian. I greeted her casually, "Mrs. Ford, are you here at the hospital for something?" Her expression stiffened for a moment before putting on a calm front. "It's nothing, I just came for a routine check-up.""Oh." I nodded obediently and fell silent. However, Sebastian frowned and looked at Emily in confusion. "Mom, what did you say about leaving? What do you mean? Who's leaving?""Nothing much. It's nothing important." Emily cut him off before he could ask further. "I'm busy, so I'll be going now." After saying that, she glared at me before turning to leave. I let out a sigh of relief as I watched her retreating figure. Fortunately, she hadn't told Sebastian about our deal. At that moment, my phone buzzed with a notification. I looked down and saw a message from Emily, "Joanna, don't forget our agreement. You'd better leave Sebastian according to our arrangement. Otherwise, I won't let you off." A grim smile appeared on my face as I simply replied, "Okay." I put my phone away and gazed at Sebastian's silhouette in the distance. A bitter feeling welled up in my heart. In the past, Sebastian had always been like this. He constantly argued with Emily for my sake. "Mom, I want to be with Joan no matter what. No one can stop me. If you ever try to hurt Joan, I will never forgive you!" Sebastian used to hold me tightly, his voice unwavering with determination. "Joan, don't worry. No matter what challenges we face, I will never let go of your hand." Back then, his eyes were filled with hopes for the future and deep affection for me. However, all this had become nothing more than an illusion now that Cassandra was back in the picture.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

Our wedding was set on the day after my discharge from the hospital. I would leave once the wedding ended. I put on the wedding dress that Sebastian had custom-made for me a year in advance and did my makeup beautifully. I wanted him to remember me at my most beautiful moment. The wedding venue was covered in pink rose petals, but I wasn't happy about it. I didn't like pink roses. I preferred red roses that were passionate and bold, just like my love for Sebastian. It was Cassandra who liked pink roses. I looked up and noticed that the dress Cassandra was wearing was from the same collection as my wedding dress. "Ms. Robinson, congratulations on your wedding. Do you think my dress looks nice? This is a bridesmaid's dress. How about I be your bridesmaid today?" Cassandra shot me a provocative smile when she caught sight of me. "Ms. Robinson, this dress doesn't quite fit you, does it? Sebastian is really too much. Why didn't he order a different design for you? "Instead, he gave you the wedding dress he designed for me a few years ago. Even if he doesn't like you, he shouldn't be so perfunctory about it." Her words felt like a bucket of cold water that had overturned and drenched me from head to toe. She continued, "Ms. Robinson, I know you really love Sebastian and want to get his attention. That's why you're willing to wear the wedding dress he designed for me. You want to be me. "However, love isn't something you can force. You will never be me even if you're wearing this dress. At most, you're just a stand-in. Even if you got plastic surgery to look like me, do you think Sebastian would love you?" Her voice was gentle, but her eyes betrayed her mockery and scorn. I was so furious that my whole body trembled, but I couldn't say a word. Sebastian had told me that he designed this wedding dress for me, but I never expected that its original owner was Cassandra. "Look, I still have the original sketch with me!" She showed me the sketch on her phone. My heart ached so much that I could hardly breathe. In the end, I was nothing but a fool. If I had known the truth about this wedding dress, I wouldn't have waited until after the wedding to leave. Just then, Sebastian walked in. He didn't seem surprised when he saw Cassandra in her bridesmaid's dress. "Joan, you don't have many female friends, so I asked Cassandra to be your bridesmaid." Cassandra put on an aggrieved expression and said, "Sebastian, Ms. Robinson doesn't seem to like that I'm wearing a dress from the same collection as hers. She also doesn't want me as her bridesmaid… "I can leave if you don't like me, but don't send thugs after me again. I heard those guys are desperate criminals. If they come after me again, I might actually get beaten to death without Sebastian there to protect me." As she spoke, tears started welling up in her eyes. I turned to Sebastian with reddened eyes and tried to explain, "I didn't…" The surrounding guests noticed the commotion and started to gather around. They whispered among themselves, "Wow, why is this woman wearing the wedding dress that Sebastian designed for Cassandra?" "Maybe she just wants him to pay more attention to her." "Everyone knows that she's just using her looks and the fact that she took care of Sebastian back then to force him into marrying her!" "She cried and made a fuss just to marry him! What a desperate woman." "She's not even officially Mr. Ford's wife yet, and she's already bullying others. She really is just a driver's daughter. She's obviously up to no good!" The guests around pointed their fingers at me, and their words stung as they reached my ears. I bit my lip and forced back the tears. Sebastian lowered his head and whispered to me in a low tone, "Joan, I forgave you the first time regarding the thugs, but I don't want to hear about it happening again. "From now on, we're husband and wife. Rumours like these will only embarrass us. Alright, today is a happy occasion. Let's go and cut the cake together." The waiter pushed an elegant wedding cake to the center of the hall. Sebastian extended his hand to invite me, but Cassandra quickly stepped forward and took his arm. "Sebastian, we haven't seen each other for so long. Today is your wedding day. I want to help you cut the cake to celebrate, okay?" Sebastian glanced at me as he hesitated for a moment. Cassandra continued acting coy. "Sebastian, please? Just think of it as my blessing for your marriage!" Sebastian couldn't resist her coquettish demeanor and finally nodded. "Alright." It felt like a knife was stabbing my heart as I watched their intimate figures walking away. I was supposed to be the woman standing beside him at our wedding, receiving everyone's blessings. But now, another woman had taken my place beside him. I looked like the third party in our relationship. I couldn't bear the pain within me. I made an excuse to touch up my makeup and fled to the restroom. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water against my face. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't wash away the bitterness inside me. I didn't know how much time had passed before I finally composed my emotions and prepared to return to the banquet. Just as I reached the door, I saw Cassandra standing at the entrance, looking at me with a smirk. "Ms. Robinson, have you been crying?" I lowered my head without a word, intending to walk past her and leave. However, she reached out and grabbed my hand. "Ms. Robinson, I have something to say to you." I instinctively frowned. "What do you want to say?" She leaned in closer with a smug smile that pierced my eyes. "Joanna, do you really think you're worthy of Sebastian? You're just the daughter of a driver. "Now that your father is dead, you have no power nor status. What else do you have other than your beauty? What makes you think you can compete with me?" Her sharp words were cutting, and her gaze was full of disdain. I clenched my fists on both sides as I struggled to suppress the anger rising within me. "Cassandra, don't go too far! This is my wedding!" She laughed scornfully. "So what if I do? What can you do about it? Your wedding? Don't make me laugh. Everyone knows this is just a fake wedding! Is your fake marriage certificate not enough to make you realize that Sebastian doesn't love you? "Joanna, I'm telling you. Sebastian is mine. You're nothing but a passerby in his life. Don't think that you can compete with me just because you took care of him for a few years!" With that, she walked away triumphantly. I was left standing in front of the mirror, feeling humiliated. I could only tremble with rage as I watched her retreating figure. I knew that she was right. I was just a powerless and weak orphan. What right did I have to compete with her?

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

I took a deep breath to compose myself before returning to the wedding ceremony. I decided that since I was already here, I had to see it through to the end. Running away in the middle of it all was never my style. Cassandra spotted me and a smug smile appeared on her face. She walked up to me and whispered, "Joanna, I thought you had already left. Let me be straight with you, Sebastian's heart belongs only to me." She pulled out her phone and showed me a picture of her marriage certificate with Sebastian. "You can't change this fact no matter how hard you try." I had thought that my heart had long grown numb from all the pain, but hearing her words and seeing their marriage certificate still made me upset. I turned to the side, refusing to look at Cassandra. Seeing that I was not running away in humiliation, Cassandra sneered and continued, "Hmph! You should back off now if you still have any semblance of self-respect. Otherwise, everyone will just just call you a mistress and make fun of you! "This wedding ceremony is nothing more than a little show to comfort your feelings. Take a look around you. Do you think any of the guests are here to give you their blessings? They're here to laugh at you! Everyone knows that Sebastian and I are the real couple!" With that, she turned around and left. As Cassandra passed by me, she suddenly lost her footing and stumbled toward me. I instinctively reached out to try and catch her, but she just used the momentum to shove me into the champagne tower beside us. The champagne tower collapsed onto me with a loud crash. The icy champagne soaked my body while shards of glass cut into my skin, sending sharp stings of pain throughout my body. Cassandra, on the other hand, only suffered a small scratch on her calf. She let out a scream and collapsed onto the floor. Sebastian immediately rushed over after hearing the commotion. "Cassandra, what happened?" His voice was anxious, while his gaze was filled with concern. Cassandra put on a pained expression. "Sebastian, it hurts!" Sebastian picked her up into his arms without hesitation and strode toward the exit. "Cassandra, are you okay? Someone call a doctor, now!" His gaze was still filled with concern, but his voice was now frantic. Cassandra shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes. "Sebastian, I'm fine. But Ms. Robinson—" She fainted in his arms before she could finish her words. Sebastian turned around and glanced at me. I was sprawled on the ground, drenched by the champagne. My body was covered in cuts from all the broken glass. "Cassandra fainted, so I'm taking her to the hospital first. You can get there by yourself, right?" Sebastian asked. With that, he left without even waiting for my response. My heart twisted in pain as I watched them leave. I stood frozen in place, drenched from head to toe. All around me were whispers and mocking laughter about my humiliating state. "Oh, isn't she the bride? Why does she look so terrible?" "Heh, just who does she think she is? She should take a good look at herself before trying to compete with Cassandra." "Seriously! She doesn't even compare to Cassandra! Sebastian must be blind to have married her!" "Just look at how cheap looking this entire wedding ceremony is. Does she really think that Sebastian actually loved her?" "I heard that their marriage certificate isn't even real!" I bit down on my lips and forced back my tears as I turned to leave. I then hailed a taxi to head to the hospital all by myself. The taxi driver was startled when he noticed my disheveled appearance. "What happened to you? Did someone bully you?" I smiled bitterly and replied, "I'm fine. Don't worry about it." Even a complete stranger had shown me concern. And yet Sebastian, who I had been with for years, had completely ignored my pain. Forget it. I let out a long but silent sigh. I was leaving soon anyway, so I did not really need his concern. After arriving at the hospital, I registered to have my wounds treated. The nurses were whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with pity. "I heard that the CEO of Ford Corporation just called away all of our best doctors just to treat his lover!" "Seriously? That's insane! Cassandra sure is lucky!" "I know, right? I heard that she only suffered a small cut and fainted due to low blood sugar, but it was already enough to make Sebastian panic." I lowered my head, a bitter feeling welling up in my heart. They were right, Cassandra sure was lucky. Cassandra never had to do anything in order to receive Sebastian's love and care. Meanwhile I, despite being drenched and wounded, was only given a single glance before he left. I took a taxi home after getting my wounds treated. As soon as I stepped through the door, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Cassandra. "Ms. Robinson, Sebastian is currently taking care of me and doesn't have time for you. But there's no need to be upset, since you were never important to him in the first place. If you still have any respect for yourself, you should just leave on your own." I was trembling with rage as I gripped my phone tightly. Just then, my phone started vibrating again with a call from Sebastian. I took a deep breath to calm myself down before answering the call. His voice carried a hint of exhaustion. "Hello? Joan, are you okay? How are your injuries? I'll arrange another wedding ceremony for us." I calmly replied, "My injuries aren't serious, and I've already got them treated. As for the wedding, we can talk about it some other time." He fell silent for a short while before replying, "I see. Get some rest, Joanna. I'll come to see you tomorrow." I rejected him. "I'll be fine. You should just take care of Cassandra." With that, I hung up, turned off my phone, and headed for a flight abroad with my suitcase. Before takeoff, I snapped a photo of the airport and sent it to Emily. Emily replied with satisfaction, "Good. Now that you've left, don't ever come back. And remember, you and Sebastian are no longer a thing from now on." I threw away my SIM card before turning around to board the plane. Goodbye, Sebastian. We shall never meet again.