Chapter 1 Called off the wedding and proposal

"Sorry, Charlotte! This may not be the best timing, but I’ve decided your little sister will replace you as the Mistress of the Hawks family!" Charlotte's heart sinks as her father's words reverberate through the room. A hollow feeling spreads through her chest. Her biological parents—her own flesh and blood—want to give her half-sister the life she had always been promised. Charlotte Milestone, the eldest daughter of the Milestone family, is seen by everyone as a princess born with a golden spoon. But beneath the façade of luxury and privilege, she feels more like Cinderella. Her younger sister, Rachel, is four years her junior and a constant reminder of their mother’s betrayal. Their mother had cheated on their father, and when Rachel’s father—her mother's lover—died in a tragic accident, Charlotte’s father took their mother back out of misguided love. Rachel’s arrival changes everything. Charlotte gradually becomes an outsider in her own home. Her parents’ neglect grows more apparent as Rachel skillfully uses her charm to win their favor. Despite this, Charlotte always chooses to forgive, believing that family should not hold grudges. Today is supposed to be a joyous occasion. She has been looking forward to wedding shopping with her long-term fiancé, who has just returned from abroad. She has waited patiently for his return so they can finally start their life together. Now, her father’s announcement shatters those plans. Charlotte stares at him in disbelief, watching as he sits comfortably on the couch, a soft smile playing on his lips as he gazes at Rachel, who is now twenty and a freshman in college. Rachel shyly tucks her hair behind her ear, looking every bit innocent, like a white lotus in bloom. “Why, Dad?” Charlotte asks under her breath, ignoring the splitting pain in her heart. She has been looking forward to getting married and starting a family of her own. She has only ever seen her fiancé in a photo and hasn’t even met him yet. And now, her father wants to destroy her dream. “It’s simple! Brian Hawks told his parents that he doesn’t want to marry someone a little too old. He prefers your sister!” Charlotte purses her lips, staring at her father, who is sitting comfortably across from her. The pain in her heart tightens like a vice, but she knows there’s nothing she can do. “Besides, Sister, you aren’t suitable for Brother Brian. He’s smart, handsome, and intelligent. When I met him, he said he didn’t want someone like you!” Rachel says, her tone hostile, a smirk tugging at her lips. Her attention, however, is on her freshly manicured nails. “You met him?” Charlotte asks in disbelief. Today was supposed to be her first time meeting her fiancé. She had planned to go shopping with him. And yet, her sister has already met him. “Well, since Dad has announced everything, there’s nothing left to hide. Brother Brian and I have been dating for three months. I’m already going to be a mother. I’m two and a half months pregnant.” Rachel smirks, patting her stomach. Charlotte’s fingers tremble as she stares at her sister, her gaze filled with a mix of pain and hatred. She has never asked for anything from her parents. She had always been okay with whatever they decided for her. She had even accepted the engagement between the two families, willing to marry a man she didn’t love. Over time, she learned to love him, dreaming of a happy family. “So she seduced him. And you knew about it, Dad?” Charlotte asks in a calm, almost detached voice. She shakes her head and closes her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. “Why are you acting like your sister stole your husband? Whether it’s her or you, what does it matter? She’s pregnant with Brian’s child. She deserves the position! Now listen to my other announcement.” Her father’s voice is filled with indifference. To him, all that matters is profit and making money. He doesn’t care about his daughter’s feelings or the fact that he’s destroying her hope of a wedding. Charlotte keeps her eyes shut, feeling the sharp, twisting pain in her fragile heart. She can’t move past the fact that her family doesn’t care about her feelings at all. They treat her like a toy, and she still doesn’t understand why she always gets this kind of treatment from them. "You all must have heard about the Rodriguez family. Yesterday, I had a meeting with them. They have two sons and want one of my adorable daughters to be their daughter-in-law. This is great news for us, isn’t it?" Her father says, his voice filled with pride, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. Charlotte keeps her mouth shut. Right now, she has lost all interest and hope in getting married or building a perfect family. "What? Isn’t that the richest family in our state? Are you serious?" Rachel exclaims. She seems to know about the Rodriguez family. “Why didn’t you tell me before? That family is much better than Brian’s! I always wanted to marry into that family.” Her voice rises with disbelief. “But you’re already pregnant with Brian’s child. You should be grateful you’ll marry him,” her father replies with a smirk. Rachel raises an eyebrow, trying to grasp his meaning, but disappointment flickers across her face. It’s clear she’s unhappy that she won’t get to marry into the Rodriguez family. Meanwhile, Charlotte is lost in thought. She knows a little about the Rodriguez family; she had once dreamed of working in their fashion design department. But she could never join. Now, she’s just an employee at Sunshine Company. “So, is Sister going to marry into that family?” Rachel asks, puffing her cheeks angrily. She’s obviously upset at the idea of Charlotte marrying into a wealthier family than she will. “What do you say, Charlotte? This is a huge opportunity for our company! Being in-laws with them could make our company skyrocket!” Charlotte’s uninterested gaze settles on her father, who is already daydreaming about the financial benefits of an alliance with the Rodriguez family. Her soft hands curl into fists. Her tears hover at the edge, threatening to fall, but her expression remains blank and empty. “Can I refuse your wish, Dad?” Charlotte asks softly. After seeing her family’s behavior for years, she thinks she deserves better than what she’s endured. She has always worked hard to be the perfect daughter, striving to make her parents happy, only to be met with neglect. It’s time for her to follow her own wishes. A deafening silence fills the room. Her father and Rachel look at each other in disbelief. They aren’t used to her defiance. To them, Charlotte has always been a loyal, obedient daughter. This is the first time she’s ever said no to something that matters so much to them. “So, you want to disappoint me? Do you think I’ll be happy seeing you throw away the chance to catch a goose that lays golden eggs?” Mr. Milestone yells, slamming the glass of wine he’s holding onto the table. Charlotte flinches, but inside, her heart laughs with mocking bitterness. Her father only sees her as a trade deal, a means to make money. Her own family, her sister, and even her fiancé have mocked her. They’ve been laughing at her all along, even when she was excited about getting married. Now, once again, they want to marry her off to someone for financial gain. They don’t care if the man she marries is a drug smuggler or a playboy. All her family cares about is money. “You’re getting married today, this afternoon. It was decided by your mother before we announced Rachel’s wedding with Brian. You’re moving in with your new husband today!” he declares. It’s hard for Charlotte to keep going. She wants to end her relationship with her parents and sever the trust and respect she once had for them. She wishes for a little respect, a little consideration for her opinions. She wants them to understand that she’s disappointed in them. But she knows this isn’t a fantasy world where she can stand up to her parents and be a rebellious daughter. She was raised to obey, to say yes to everything her parents decide. She doesn’t want to make them unhappy, but she desperately wants them to see how unhappy she is because of them. Yet, there seems to be no way to make them understand. They are obsessed with money and fame. “I understand, Dad. I’m happy with whatever you want me to do. It’s okay to get married today,” she replies, sounding exhausted. She forces a smile, feeling like a clown mocking herself for how hopeless she has become. She can’t say no, even to the things she hates.

Chapter 2 The wedding with surprise..

" Stupid!!" Her slurry voice echoes the dressing room where she is changing her dress for her wedding. What is going to happen in the next few minutes? She has completed her makeup and now she is going to wear the dress. She looks at the wedding gown that is sent from the Rodriguez family for her to wear. Seeing the dress, her heart fills with sudden uncertain feelings. This is the latest model from the Rodriguez fashion design department that was launched last week in an international fashion show. The dress hasn't been launched in the market yet. However, She wanted to join the fashion show but she is just a normal employee so she wasn't able to. " How lucky you are!! sister! You are wearing the dress that I have ordered with Brian for our wedding..." Rachel says hostilely, showing how unhappy she is with Charlotte for having the dress she desires. However, Charlotte is surprised to see how comfortable Rachel is after stealing her man. Even showing off her tummy which isn't a baby bump yet. Charlotte isn't angry with her but she thinks about how she seduced her Fiancé in the first place. Brian came back a few days ago. But She is already 2 and half months pregnant. Come to think about it, Charlotte remembers when her Mother informed her Dad that Rachel was leaving for a few months because of some courses she needed to complete. After that, Last month, her Mom brought her home unannounced. " She went abroad to meet him and seduced him. And Mom knows everything!" She mumbles, mocking herself. She was dreaming about Brian every night, proving herself as a fool. But She shrugs, she doesn't know where her fate is taking her. She looks at herself in the mirror. The reflection is looking so beautiful but she finds it meaningless since it is not for the person she wished to be. But now she can't even think of that. The person she loves betrayed her. " Is Bride ready? The wedding will start so soon!" A female voice, mixed with excitement, comes when a middle-aged woman enters the room. She looks beautiful, gorgeous, and elegant. Her light makeup with the dress in light blue is making her outstanding. Charlotte keeps her pose straight, fixing the crown on her head. Doesn't care about looking at the lady who entered the room. The lady approaches her with a bright smile, holding the flower bouquet from the table. " My Charlotte is looking so beautiful, like a princess from Disneyland!" Her mother, Mrs. Milestone, smiles at her, gently placing the flower bouquet in her hand. She touches Charlotte's face with tears. Seeing her, anyone can tell how much she loves and adores her daughter but Charlotte laughs loudly inside of her heart. She feels ridiculous, seeing how beautifully and perfectly her Mom is acting like a loving mother who never acknowledges her without any reason. Charlotte feels pathetic when reality slaps her. Her Mom who hates her is crying for her. " Charlotte, My Daughter! Be happy. Congratulations on getting married. And You know Not everyone is perfect. So Don't give up and adjust to everything from now on!" She fixes the dress for her. Showing motherly love even though her eyes aren't sincere as she sounds. Charlotte's eyes settle on her hands, squeezing the bouquet. " And Remember to take control of your family. You are going to be the madam of the Rodriguez family. So You can be beneficial. Also, Don't you think it's time for replaying the kindness we have shown you? Don't forget about it.." Charlotte stops walking towards the door when her Mom whispers those words. Kindness? Repaying the kindness for raising her. How could her Mom say something like that? Isn't she her daughter? Charlotte feels an uneasy feeling about it but she can't keep on thinking about it when her father holds her hand and walks down the aisle. She is lost in thoughts. Didn't even look forward. Her bridesmaids are showering flowers but she feels irritated. She suddenly discovers herself with lots of debt. Anyway, She stops when her father stops. But eyes are still fixed on the red-covered flower mattress. She snaps out when she feels a warm hand wrapping her soft hand with long and slender figures. The palm is rough but warm. The hand squeezes her hand firmly. She looks a little surprised, Immediately looking straight in that direction when she can see the man who is standing. But Upon the situation she faces after that, is something she never imagined before. She looks straight toward the direction of her sight, But she finds nothing but the Priest standing. She frowns, slowly looking at her hand which is firmly wrapped by a strong grip. She follows the hand, next is the arm, and then the chest. When she finds The chest is the same height as her waist, Her eyes go down. She flinches when she finds the legs are covered with a thin blanket, and the person she is going to get married to is sitting in a wheelchair. As she loses her composure suddenly, she almost falls off the stage. She closes her eyes tightly, afraid that she is going to be embarrassed in front of everyone who always mocks her directly or indirectly. She wants to dig a hole to hide from this embarrassment. But Making her stunned, She finds she is being pulled and embraced by two strongly defined arms. " Are you okay?" Her eyes open widely. The attractive and addictive, appealing voice whispers in her ear, She can feel the heartbeat what is beating loudly. She looks up, at the person's sharp jawline, his chin covered with beard, His Adam's apple, and most importantly the scent of refreshing, everything is making her heart pound. " Are you okay? Everyone is watching! You should stand up first!" Another male voice she could hear, Slowing composing herself, She gets herself free from the man's strong arms. Her face turns red and stands still. She isn't able to look at the person because of shyness. She stretches her neck and looks down. " You look uncomfortable with your heels. You can put them off If you want!" Charlotte's eyes now finally shift to the man who is looking at her with a soft gaze. Her heart suddenly feels an electric shock when their eyes meet. She feels her face heating up and the person is making her hitch on his attractiveness. He isn't super handsome. His appearance with the custom-made suit is quite normal but there is an unknown charming handsomeness in his face. His eyebrows are thick and black, Eyelashes are long and thick. the proud nose with the high bridge standing extraordinarily on his face which makes him look admirable. She presses her lips, gulping her last saliva down, she tries to hide her shyness. Even though she has been loving Brian, She never met him till now. So the sudden uncertain feelings towards the stranger in front of her shaking her love for Brian in her heart. But the realization hits her. She is going to marry someone who is crippled. She wasn't informed about it beforehand. She doesn't hate him not she discriminates but she has the right to know about it. She disbelievingly looks at her parents who are looking at her with cunning smiles. She can't believe that they did it to her. " Shall we start?" The priest, after reciting, announced. Charlotte purses her lips, feeling extremely uncomfortable. But She has no idea that two eyes are watching her every single second. The man she is going to marry has noticed how uncomfortable she is with him. " Are you sure you want to marry me? Please think once again." The question from the person makes Charlotte a little surprised. She is being easy to read, He just proved it. But She has already decided to marry him. Even if he is crippled, there has no turning back. " I will marry you. It's final.!" The man, Edward Rodriguez, 25, the elder son of the Rodriguez family, is now staring at his soon-to-be wife with widely opened eyes. He is stunned by hearing her sweet voice. Edward has been in his wheelchair for quite a long time. When he was 23 years old, he was supposed to be the Co-CEO in his family business. However, an unfortunate accident took away his ability to walk. Now he has given up on his recovery. Even though, Doctor told him if he continues to take medicine and therapy. It may give them the results They are wishing for. However, To get married, He never wanted to do it. He didn't want to get someone's sympathy or let anyone's life be destroyed because of him. But His Mom forced him to get married to a girl who didn't say No to marrying him. Right now, When he saw Charlotte walking by her father's side, her eyes were on the mattress yet her long eyelashes were sparkling on the light, her beautiful face with an unreadable expression. He was eager to see her eyes. Wanted to hear her voice. He was in love when he first saw her coming towards him. When she looked up to see him, He felt a sharp pain in his heart. His never-wanted Desire to get back on his feet suddenly appeared. But he was shocked by seeing her falling. He caught her wrist, he was stunned seeing how skinny and slender she was. Her jasmine perfume hits his nose. He loves it. When she got up flustered face. He decided to cherish it. But His heart sunk into deep agony when he found her facial expressions changing into sour and bitter. She hated him being crippled by what he was afraid of. That's why he asked if she still hesitated to marry him, burying his obvious sadness inside his heart. But Her words surprised him. She looked confident. She will Marry him and she already said 'she does'. " Yes.. I do..!". He snapped out when she said yes. She accepts him as her husband. Her two words make her world delightful and colorful. " Mr. Edward Rodriguez, Do you accept Ms. Charlotte Milestones as your lawful wife?"" Yes. I do!!" He replies without any hesitation, looking deeply into her eyes. " The husband and wife may kiss each other!" Edward's heart beats faster. He wasn't there in the entire ceremony that Priest finished. He was lost but he doesn't regret that. He has crossed the most fearsome step successfully. He is happy. Even though, his emotions surprise him seeing how deliberately he wanted to make this girl his in his first time meeting. But He finds it is worth it when he notices Charlotte bends over to approach his face. He wants to get up and places a soft kiss on her lips but sadly, He is unable. While Charlotte frowns seeing his face darkening. She realizes maybe he is feeling down because of his stage. She doesn't want him to feel sad. Since she has accepted him as her other half, She is going to treat him wholeheartedly. She bends down clutching her dress up. Like a princess, she pressed her Pink soft lips on his lips. " I will do my best to keep you happy since you are my family now!" She mumbles before drawing her lips back. But She looks shocked when Edward presses his lips against her once again. Giving the sweetest and most passionate kiss that anyone would be envious of. " I am looking forward to it, wifey!" He whispers on her lips. Charlotte immediately stands up blushing. She can't stand before his deep voice. It is breathtaking.

Chapter 3 "She is MINE "

The wedding has been finished, avoiding procrastination. The guests are excusing themselves after congratulating the newlyweds on their happy marriage. Most of the guests look satisfied with the wedding since it was wholesome, seeing the bride and groom in beautiful collaboration, as if they were lovebirds who would never let go of each other's hands. Charlotte is standing, clutching her dress a little tightly. From the crowd, she can see her husband, who looks charming and classy in his gorgeous, expensive suit. It would be a lie if she denied that he captivated her so badly. His soft expression, devoid of ruthlessness, and his deep voice with a distinct flirtatious tone can shake her wounded heart, which needs to heal. "He is handsome. Sadly, he won't be able to make you happy. I feel sorry for you, Sister!" Charlotte snaps out of her thoughts when Rachel whispers mockingly. She sounds envious yet condescending. "But it's fine. Control him. He is nothing but a crippled man who has nothing. His parents may have—"Slap! Rachel touches her face when the slap lands soundly. Her face is filled with anger, her hostility raging uncontrollably. "How dare you!!" she shouts, making everyone look at them. "I was fine with you seducing my fiancé and stealing him, but you have no right to say a single bad thing about my husband now. Rachel! You are my little sister. Behave properly." Charlotte spoke calmly, but her hostile voice was akin to thin ice cracking on the surface. She could barely forget how much her family had hurt her. Now, she hated being manipulated any longer. "What's going on here? Charlotte! Did you forget that it's your wedding? Everyone is still here!" Her mother discreetly rushes toward them. Rachel fakely wails and hugs their mother. "Mom! Sister hates me and refused to come back to *our* wedding. I know Brian loves me, not her, so she hates that!" The guests start gossiping about Charlotte, thinking she may have someone else but still married the Young Master of Rodriguez. As the situation escalates, falsely accusing and looking down on Charlotte, someone’s eyes sharpen. Edward, who has been listening, signals his assistant to take him to the stage. As he reaches the stage, he greets everyone with a sharp falsetto voice. "Good evening, everyone!" All attention, including Charlotte's, shifts to Edward, whose face remains unreadable. Surprisingly, she finds that his cold and treacherous voice captivates her heart. "Since the wedding is done, the girl in front of me is my wife. I respect her, and I want everyone to respect her. I think you don’t want to offend the Mistress of Rodriguez on her most important day. If you spread nonsense against my wife and create rumors, I will see you in court. She is mine. I don’t want anyone, even her family, to offend her. Remember—she is MINE!" Everyone’s face turns pale. No matter what, this man is harder to deal with than anyone in the Rodriguez family. It would be sheer stupidity to mess with him. The guests immediately excuse themselves at that precise moment. Charlotte's parents look a little scared. They immediately urge Rachel to apologize, but— "Ugh! My stomach hurts. Mom, I am dying!" She groans, clutching her tummy. Her parents can't let anyone know about her pregnancy before marriage. "Please excuse us. She is sick. We need to take her home. Charlotte, forgive your sister. She is naive and still a child. Don’t mind her words. Honey, let’s go!" Her mother leaves immediately, seeing that the situation could take a different turn. Edward sighs, straightening his back. He is sure he hated seeing Charlotte’s pale expression earlier. Now, he feels someone staring at him. His wavering gaze sweeps over the person. It’s Charlotte, staring at him profoundly. She looks dazzling and beautiful, her eyes filled with tears, beaming with happiness. He slowly wheels his chair toward her. Charlotte snaps out of her thoughts upon seeing him approaching. She lifts her dress slightly and walks toward him. "Are you okay?" he whispers. Charlotte nods slightly, blushing. This man in front of her shakes her entire world from their first meeting. She wants to move on to her new life with him. In the meantime, Edward smiles proudly, knowing that she is blushing. She doesn’t despise him for being crippled. She respects him and has accepted him as he is. To him, she is like an admirably enthusiastic star shining independently. "We should leave now, Boss. The Elder Master has arrived home," Jay, Edward’s assistant, informs. Edward nods. When the wedding was done, his mother had excused herself to go to the airport to receive his father, who had surgery. So, they need to go back as soon as possible. "Shall we go, wifey?"Boom! Charlotte flushes as he kisses the back of her palm. She nods while touching her face shyly. Edward smiles, seeing how adorably and cutely she reacts to every touch of his. Meanwhile… Rachel throws a vase on the floor angrily. She shouts at her parents, who are looking at her in confusion. "Dad! You did this for *your* daughter, didn’t you? Why did you let her marry into such a rich family? She is higher than me now. She looked down on me right after getting married! I deserve that family! Why did you tell me to go with Brian instead of them?" She bursts out in rage. She can’t accept that she doesn’t have any power like Charlotte does now. She saw how Charlotte was being doted on by that crippled man. "Daughter! It was for your own good. That guy is crippled. He has nothing. How could we let you marry someone like him? Also, you love Brian, right?" Mrs. Milestones sweetly tries to calm her down. But Rachel growls at her. "So what? It’s okay to marry him! He has money, and most importantly, I could have divorced him as soon as I got what I wanted! But now I have to spend my life in disgrace, watching her spend millions on her dress! Did you see her wedding dress? We had ordered it for *our* wedding! Now I have to cancel the order. How can I wear the same dress she wore today?" She shouts, breaking everything in the room. Her parents look worried about her health. "We are sorry. We thought you loved Brian. Now, sweetheart, let’s calm down, okay? You are pregnant. You should take care of yourself…" They try to convince her, but she refuses to listen. However, the three of them fall silent when a servant informs them that Brian is here to meet Rachel. Rachel immediately wipes her face and applies some lipstick before elegantly opening the door. "Hi, love!" Brian holds a bouquet of tulips in front of her with a bright smile. "Brian!! I missed you! Why didn’t you call me before coming?" Her expression drastically changes into a shy and cute one. Brian kisses her lips and says, "I missed you too. That’s why I’m here. Also, I think I need to meet Charlotte." Rachel’s face turns red with fury. Her expression twists with anger, but she keeps her composure. "Why? Why do you need to meet Sister?""Rachel! Let our son-in-law come inside first, silly girl!" Mrs. Milestones says, holding a tray of coffee and snacks. "Oh yes! Please, come inside." Rachel ushers him in. Brian sits on the couch, accompanied by Rachel, who slowly takes her seat. "I can’t wait to marry you, Rachel. Our baby needs a family soon!" Brian says, gently stroking her tummy. "I know. We should get married." Rachel smiles half-heartedly. She hates the fact that Brian is less wealthy than her sister’s in-laws. "Anyway! Auntie, can I meet Charlotte? I think I owe her an apology. No matter what, we were supposed to get married. She might be mad at me.""NO. YOU CAN’T!!!" Rachel suddenly shouts. Her face drastically pales. "What’s wrong? Why can’t I?" Brian raises an eyebrow. Rachel gulps nervously. "I mean… Sister knows about us. She forgave us, and she got married." She can’t let Brian meet Charlotte. The Charlotte he knows is completely different from her actual self. If he finds out, he might hate Rachel and break up with her. "She got married? Why didn’t you tell me? At least I could have sent her a gift as an apology.""No need. Charlotte is a sweet girl. She doesn’t hold grudges," Mrs. Milestones adds. Brian frowns. That’s not what Rachel told him about Charlotte. Sweet girl? According to his knowledge, Rachel had clearly explained how disgusting-minded Charlotte was. "Let's stop talking about my sister. Are you going to stay over tonight, Brian?" Rachel hugs his arm, showing her seductive charm. Brian smiles, flicking her forehead. "How can I stay over when we aren't married yet?""It's okay. We don't mind. We have accepted you for a long time. Make yourself at home!" Mrs. Milestones stands up, leaving the couple alone. Brian shyly smiles, touching her thighs lightly. "It's gonna be my first night in your house. I want to make it more thrilling..." Rachel smirks, kissing him. But she feels even prouder knowing that her sister won't be able to have a wedding night like she is going to have.

Chapter 4 My Wife

The car is heading toward the Rodriguez family mansion. Edward has his own private villa on the outskirts of the city, but today, he needs to bring his wife to his parents' house to visit his father, who has returned after critical surgery. Right now, Edward's eyes are on Charlotte. He finds the girl admirable. The beautiful white gown he designed for his company looks utterly dashing on her. He canceled all the orders from customers who had requested this wedding dress today. He even went the extra mile to make it more special and beautiful by redesigning its upper part. However, he doesn’t know much about the girl in front of him who has accepted him as her husband. He only knows her name. Even though his secretary, Jay, told him that he could gather all the information about her, he wants to learn everything personally. He wants to discover the person who never complains about her suffering. "Is there something you want to say?" Edward looks a little surprised when Charlotte asks him. She is still resting her head on her shoulder, which is being supported by the tinted glass window. Her eyes reflect the light from outside. Her beautiful long, curled hair reaches her shoulders. The dress hugs her slim waist. Overall, Edward finds his wife exquisitely gorgeous. Her distinct, youthful, smooth, fair skin and long neck, adorned with the diamond necklace he gifted her to wear with the dress, give her an outstanding look. "You are beautiful. That’s what I was trying to say!" he says straightforwardly, sounding sincere. Charlotte feels a sudden shiver in her chest but chuckles softly, tucking her hair behind her ear. Even the driver and his assistant, Jay, find his straightforwardness awkward. "Mr. Rodriguez is a really sweet talker. Thank you! You are also handsome." She smiles, but Edward finds it amusing to see her earlobes turning red and the subtle blush on her beautiful face. However, one thing makes him a little uncomfortable—her calling him "Mr. Rodriguez." Suddenly, it builds an invisible wall between them. He realizes Charlotte needs time to accept him. In the meantime, as she stares outside, Charlotte thinks about how her parents didn’t even come back to say goodbye. She got married, and instead of feeling sad, they only expect her to give them money or help their company. But she feels awkward and a little shy when she notices Edward staring at her intently. He rests his head on his fist and keeps watching her. She is unable to look at him because of his admiring gaze. Anyone would feel embarrassed and shy under such eyes. That’s why she gathers the courage to ask him, and she successfully does. But she never imagined he would answer something like this in front of everyone. She purses her lips in shyness now. She wants to know this man slowly since her heart is still not healed. She is afraid of falling in love again. Both of them have their insecurities and fears, lost in thought. In the meantime, the car arrives in front of the entrance gate of the mansion. "Boss! We have arrived!" Edward nods, and Charlotte watches as Jay discreetly escorts him out of the car. Arranging her gorgeous dress, which has taken up half of the back seat, she turns to open the door. But to her surprise, Edward, in his wheelchair, opens the door for her and extends his arm. "If my lady allows me the honor to escort her out!" To be honest, Charlotte feels like she is experiencing a dream. Not because she has married into such a prestigious family, but because of the way her husband is treating her. If she imagines Brian in Edward’s position, she can’t picture him giving her the same attention and care that Edward does. She doesn’t hesitate to place her soft and delicate hand in his. She feels honored to be treated this way. "I am honored to be escorted out by His Highness!" Edward looks a little surprised, his earlobes turning red. He gently squeezes her hand and helps her out. Then, he signals the servants who are waiting outside. "Help your madam walk." Giving her the sweetest smile, Edward grabs her hand and slowly approaches the door. Charlotte feels respected by the servants, something she never experienced in her own house. "Welcome! I was waiting for you!" A beautiful and appealing voice comes from the door. Charlotte carefully steps forward, ensuring she doesn’t trip over her gorgeous gown that touches the ground. Hearing that beautiful voice, she looks up. The voice is full of sweetness and warmth. But to her astonishment, a gorgeous woman, around 50, stands at the main door of the house. She looks elegant, her eyes full of love and warmth. Her presence alone is enough to make someone feel at ease. Most importantly, Charlotte’s eyes remain fixed on her, as if she is frozen in place. Edward frowns, trying to understand what has happened to his wife, but he can’t figure it out. "Mom! Why are you here? It’s cold outside!" Edward breaks the silence. But to his further shock, Charlotte suddenly hugs Mrs. Rodriguez, who is holding a beautiful bouquet of hydrangeas—Edward’s favorite flower. Mrs. Rodriguez is taken aback. She didn’t expect her daughter-in-law to be so emotional that she would hug her upon their first meeting. Although she had attended the wedding, she hadn’t had time to meet Charlotte properly. "How are you, sweetheart? Are you already missing your parents?" Mrs. Rodriguez assumes Charlotte might be feeling homesick. Marriage is an emotional experience, after all. "I can’t believe I am standing here in front of my idol! Mrs. Amber, I am your biggest fan! I studied fashion design because I fell in love with your designs!" Charlotte almost screams in excitement, locking Mrs. Rodriguez’s hands in hers. She looks so overwhelmed that her eyes glisten with tears. "That was surprising!" Jay remarks while watching them. Edward chuckles softly, witnessing how joyfully Charlotte expresses her admiration for his mother’s famous designs. "You are also a fashion designer? That’s great! Which of my works do you like the most? I have some in my closet. Shall we try them? I want to see how they look on you!" Edward facepalms, seeing how his wife and mother are getting carried away with their shared passion for fashion. They seem to have completely forgotten they are still outside and need to meet his father first. Clearing his throat, he steps forward. "Can’t we meet Dad first? He is waiting to see Charlotte!""Oh! Crap! I’m sorry, sweetheart. I wanted to act like a typical bad mother-in-law. You caught me!" Mrs. Rodriguez pouts, handing Charlotte the flower bouquet. Charlotte giggles happily, wrapping her arm around Mrs. Rodriguez’s. "Okay, my bad mother-in-law, let’s go meet my good father-in-law first. Later, I will enjoy your bad mother-in-law act!""Yes! Let’s go!" Charlotte nods happily, walking beside her mother-in-law. Edward sighs, asking Jay to enter the house. The corner of his lips curves up slightly—he feels a little jealous that his wife has left him alone. It would have been nice if they had entered the house together, hand in hand. "I was worried she would feel pressured after coming here since it's a new place for her. Seems like I was overthinking. She’s good at adapting.""I think Auntie will help her feel comfortable here. People who share the same interests can make any place feel like home together." As they enter the hall, Jay helps Edward sit on the couch. Edward smiles, thinking about their shared passion. If Charlotte is a fashion designer, and he has loved designing since childhood, they may create great chemistry together. As Edward settles in, someone comes downstairs with a little girl. She notices Edward sitting alone on the couch and smiles at him. "It’s been a while, Edward!" Edward looks up at the familiar voice and responds with a professional smile. "It’s been a while, Dr. Shayne. What brings you here today?""I came with your father. Where were you? I was looking for you!" Shayne Will, 25, is the Rodriguez family's new doctor, Edward’s consultant, and a medical genius. She has been working for him for two years. "Hey, Suzy! Did you meet Grandpa?" Without answering Shayne’s question, Edward turns his attention to his little niece, his younger brother’s three-year-old daughter. "Big Dadda! I met Grandpa! He told me that when he gets better, he will buy me chocolate every day!" Edward chuckles, pinching the tip of her nose playfully. Shayne watches them happily but soon notices something shocking upstairs. "Who is that?" she asks nervously. "My wife!" Edward says proudly.

Chapter 5 Needs to talk out everything

She feels nothing. Nothing but a new, exquisite sensation in her heart. Watching her beloved gaze at another woman with such gentle eyes—eyes that had always been cold and distant toward others—stings more than she expected. The man she has cared for over the years, the one who never let his emotions show, now looks as if he would melt at the slightest touch from another woman. The pain isn’t unbearable, but the hatred toward the woman who stole her long-time crush burns fiercely. She has done everything to keep him by her side, yet now this woman is here to take him away. Shayne clenches her fists, her nails digging into her palms. Her disappointment, anger, and frustration swirl together. Her glossy eyes betray the emotions she’s trying to suppress, while her lips are crushed between her teeth in frustration. I need to do something to get rid of this girl. She doesn’t deserve my Eddie. With that thought, Shayne strides toward Mrs. Rodriguez, who is helping Charlotte down the stairs. The hem of Charlotte’s gown is adorned with countless gemstones, making it incredibly heavy to carry. Shayne grits her teeth in envy. She had witnessed Edward spending hours designing this dress. The sight of it only fuels the fire in her heart. “Auntie! I missed you! Where have you been?” she exclaims, hugging Mrs. Rodriguez and whining cutely. Mrs. Rodriguez chuckles, patting her head affectionately. “Didn’t I tell you I had a surprise for you? Look who’s here! Meet Charlotte—Edward’s wife!” Shayne’s eyes darken for a fleeting moment as she takes in the sight of Charlotte. However, she quickly replaces her glare with a sweet smile, reaching out to take Charlotte’s hand. “You’re really beautiful, Charlotte,” she says with practiced warmth. “I’m Shayne—Edward’s doctor and best friend. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Charlotte frowns slightly, feeling as though she had caught an unfriendly gaze from Shayne just moments ago. But she brushes the thought away, convincing herself that she must have imagined it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too. I’m glad to finally meet you. Thank you for taking care of my husband,” she replies politely, her gaze shifting to Edward, who is playing with Suzy. “Please, don’t say that! Edward is more important to me than anything. It’s great that he found someone as beautiful as you, but I hope you won’t hurt him. He doesn’t need pity. And if you’re after his money and power, I warn you to stay away from him,” Shayne says in a calm but firm voice. Charlotte’s expression remains neutral, but something about Shayne’s tone and behavior unsettles her. A moment ago, she seemed warm and welcoming, but now she speaks with an air of superiority. Still, Charlotte chooses to remain silent. She refuses to engage with someone who has no right to meddle in their personal life. Since Shayne claims to be Edward’s best friend and doctor, Charlotte decides to be respectful. “What are you saying, Shayne? This is disrespectful! You shouldn’t speak like that to someone,” Mrs. Rodriguez interjects, her forehead creasing with disappointment. “Auntie, don’t misunderstand me. I only want what’s best for Edward. We don’t know who might try to use him for power. What if—”“So you mean to say you doubt my mother’s judgment?” Edward’s voice cuts through the tension, his patience wearing thin. He hates when people overstep their boundaries. “Charlotte is my mother’s number one choice. She knows exactly who is worthy of being her daughter-in-law,” he states firmly. “I… I didn’t mean it that way. I was just—”“I know exactly what you meant,” Edward interrupts, his sharp gaze locking onto her. Charlotte, who had been quiet until now, finally speaks, her tone even but unwavering. “Don’t worry, Sister Shayne. I have no interest in Edward’s money. I accepted him as my husband, not for what he owns.” Her words are simple and direct, as if she doesn’t want to waste her energy on baseless accusations. She knows this won’t be the last time she faces jealousy or doubt from others, but she refuses to let their words leave a mark on her heart. “Enough! Let’s stop this conversation,” Mrs. Rodriguez sighs, sensing the discomfort Charlotte must be feeling. “You two must be exhausted. Go to your room and get some rest. Charlotte, Edward’s room is on the right side of the stairs. He moved there for convenience. Can you help him to his room?” Mrs. Rodriguez turns to Charlotte, her voice filled with warmth. “Don’t let anyone’s words get to you. You should live happily with my son. This is your home now.” Shayne’s face twitches in anger. Mrs. Rodriguez had always told her that she would love to have a daughter-in-law like her. Yet now, she refers to Shayne as an outsider and proudly welcomes another woman. Biting her bottom lip, Shayne seethes internally. The position of Edward’s wife should belong to her. She has done everything to become the mistress of the Rodriguez family. She can’t let this happen. “I’m sorry, Auntie. I crossed the line,” Shayne says, her voice trembling with faux remorse. “I was just worried about Edward. Please forgive me. You two are my family. My parents are abroad—they don’t even care about me. All I do is think about your well-being. I promise I won’t overstep again.” She sobs softly, her hiccups growing louder. Mrs. Rodriguez exhales, feeling exasperated. “It’s okay. Don’t cry. Let’s just wish them a happy marriage.” Shayne nods, but her eyes remain fixed on Charlotte as she leaves with Edward. Her teeth clench in frustration. It seems she will have to resort to the same methods she used two years ago. On the other side of the house, Charlotte enters Edward’s room, carefully maneuvering through the space as her heavy dress drags behind her. She places the bouquet on a small glass table beside the closet and takes in her surroundings. The room is spacious and elegant. The walls are painted in shades of gray and black, adorned with authentic paintings from renowned artists. An analog clock hangs proudly on the wall, and the heavy black drapes frame the sliding glass doors that lead to the garden outside. “Do you like my room?” Edward asks, wheeling his chair closer to her. Charlotte nods as she opens the sliding door, inhaling the fresh scent of flowers carried by the breeze. “It’s beautiful. Did you design it? It suits you—comfortable but luxurious.” Edward smirks, plucking a gardenia from the garden and tucking it into her hair. “So, you mean you feel comfortable around me?” Charlotte blinks, caught off guard. She blushes slightly but doesn’t deny it. She does feel safe around him. Still, she isn’t sure if that means she has feelings for him. Love is not something she is ready to embrace. “Well…” Edward chuckles, reading her hesitation. He appreciates her honesty. If she had lied and said she was already completely comfortable with him, he wouldn’t have believed her. She needs time. “You should change your dress,” he says. “Mom put some clothes in the closet for you. The gray one is yours. Afterward, we need to talk. We are lifetime partners now, after all.” Charlotte nods, understanding that honesty will be essential for their future together. After she leaves to change, Edward turns his gaze toward the moon, its silver light illuminating his face. He exhales heavily. The future is uncertain, and a part of him is afraid. Afraid of being abandoned. Afraid of failing to protect those who matter to him. Charlotte has already shaken his world in ways he doesn’t fully understand, but deep down, he knows—there is something stopping him from fully embracing her. “Won’t you change, Mr. Rodriguez?” Charlotte’s voice pulls him from his thoughts. Edward turns to see her standing there, fresh-faced and free of makeup, dressed in something casual. His heart skips a beat. “Y-Yeah. I should.”“Where are your pajamas? Let me help you,” she offers. Edward’s eyes widen as she moves toward his closet. “Wait, don’t—” Bang. Charlotte slams the door shut, her face bright red with embarrassment. “I—I’m sorry! I should have asked first!” Edward laughs softly, rolling his wheelchair into another room. “That’s my changing room. Everything I need is in there. Come help me pick something out.” Charlotte exhales sharply, relieved that he’s trying to make her feel at ease. She gathers his pajamas in her hands. “How can I help you with washing and changing? Or does someone else assist you?”“Usually, Jay helps me, but he’s on leave today.” Charlotte hesitates, then swallows her nerves. “Then… let me help you.”

Chapter 6 Let's be friends..

With the steam rising from the coffee, two cups are lazily placed on the wooden table on the porch. Charlotte drags a chair out and helps Edward. She sometimes thinks about him being able to stand up. He may look like a superstar who would be admired enthusiastically by many women. "Have the coffee. Auntie Zara's coffee is the best!" Holding the cup of coffee, he watches Charlotte sitting on the chair. Her brown hair plays with the wind, and she occasionally stops to tuck it behind her ear. She looks so beautiful in this cold nightfall. "Shall we start talking?" With an affectionate smile, she looks at Edward, who is silently sipping his coffee. He nods, placing the cup back in its previous place. "Yes. Let's hear from you first—about the matter with your sister, about that… your fiancé. Who is he?" Charlotte wasn't ready for this question. She wanted a little more time to be honest with the person who was now her husband. She was insecure, afraid she might still love that man, which could make her neglect her husband's love. "Do I have to answer?" she asked guiltily. Charlotte's facial expressions gave him notable disappointment. Maybe he wanted her to be honest. "We don’t like each other. But we have to love, we have to move on from our past, and we need time to get along with each other. This marriage isn’t the way either of us envisioned it, I think. So… can we skip this topic?" Charlotte tried to explain, but she failed. She was making excuses to escape from questioning her feelings toward the man who was now her sister’s husband. "I’m not asking you to accept me or love me. Since we are husband and wife, like you said, I just don’t want my wife to be sad or missing someone else. But I respect you and your decisions." Edward looked directly into her eyes. She looked down, stirring her coffee with a frown. "I have a little problem. I can’t accept someone easily. I need to trust and believe in them first, slowly." Charlotte spoke in a soft tone, but a little sadness arose in her throat. Edward straightened his back. He knew that feeling. He also didn’t trust people easily—he needed to know them first. "Shall we start fresh?""Pardon?" She finally looked at him with a glimpse of hope. "Let’s be friends first. Let’s get to know each other!" Edward offered. Charlotte's eyes sparkled; she had wanted to say the same thing. She immediately held his hand and nodded joyfully. "I would love to!" Edward's attention went to her hand on his. Despite knowing that she might never be happy with someone like him, she had accepted him and even defended him when her sister humiliated him. He didn’t want to force her to talk about her past. Now, he just wanted to hold onto her and keep her forever. He would respect her and wait until the day she willingly told him she was going to stay with him until her last breath. Even though he knew he sounded selfish, everyone wanted a proper relationship with their lover—both physically and emotionally. Holding her back might bring her pain, and she might be dissatisfied with his emotional restraint. He was insecure. Edward didn’t know if he was in love with her or not. But he didn’t want to lose a girl like her. He respected relationships and would remain loyal to his wife. He would see what the future held. "Let’s introduce ourselves first." Edward’s attention returned to her again. She looked dazzling under the moonlight. "Sure!""I’ll go first. I’m Charlotte Milestones, 24, an employee of Sunshine Company. My mom is British, and my dad is American. I have a younger sister, Rachel Milestones." She happily introduced herself like a small child introducing themselves in front of their teacher. "Hobby?" Edward rested his chin on his hand, his elbow propped up on the table, listening to her patiently. "Hobby? I love fishing. Sometimes I enjoy watching a movie with popcorn. That’s all I can think of!""Nice hobby. Shall we go fishing sometime?" he asked, looking at her gracefully. "If you take me there, I would love to.""You know I can’t take you there. I don’t have that ability…" His voice was plain, tinged with sadness. "Is that a problem, you say? If needed, I’ll carry you there. Just give me the location!" She smiled brightly. "It will be bothersome for you!""Silly!" She ruffled his soft hair, but soon both of them blushed when they realized how close they were. Edward's eyes locked onto hers. She flinched as the soft breeze sent a shiver down her face, along with his dark brown eyes' intense gaze. It was dangerously attractive. If she moved just two inches closer, their noses would touch. Edward's eyes flickered between her eyes and lips, and a strong attraction pulled between them. They might end up sharing their second kiss at any moment— But both were startled when her wedding ring tapped against the coffee cup. "T-There are no words like 'bothering,' 'thank you,' or 'sorry' between friends. Don’t say that!" Drawing her hand back, she looked away. Under the moonlight, the two newlyweds blushed like fresh-bloomed flowers, uncertain of their future. They held onto that unpredictable future carefully. Who knew? Maybe it would bring them closer together in a significant relationship. "Hi. I am Edward Rodriguez, 25, CEO of the Rodriguez family. Now married. I love designing when I get time!" Charlotte’s stunning eyes shifted to him as he introduced himself in a soft voice. Edward was helping her feel at ease again. That awkward moment could have embarrassed her, but he knew how to help her out. "You design too?" She asked, surprised. "The wedding gown you wore was my latest design!""WHAT? IT WAS YOU? I THOUGHT IT WAS MOM!" She stood up, slamming the table. Edward nodded. When it came to fashion design, she was someone who couldn't keep her composure. "Wait a minute! I’ll be back!" She stormed inside. "Tell me where I’m lacking! My boss is dissatisfied with my designs. I’m depressed!" She wailed dramatically, hugging his arm. Edward was stunned. Her behavior was confusing. Sometimes she was like a child; other times, she seemed like a fading dream. "Cute," he mumbled before opening her notebook. Her designs were too exclusive for a normal company. No wonder her boss had rejected them! As he recalled, Sunshine Company was a D-listed company. Her designs could cost thousands of dollars. Edward looked closely, caressing some sketches. "Who is your teacher?" Edward asked seriously. Charlotte tilted her head. "No one! I just graduated from City University. Oh, it’s Professor Franc.""Professor Franc? His design style isn’t like this. Yours is unique!""Well, the professor said we should try to develop our own techniques, so I tried to combine two different designers’ styles—your mom’s and another one I saw in a magazine. It was a purple gown." Edward frowned. It was true—there was a hint of his mother’s style. But her necktie dress… It resembled his own style. Her designs weren’t just good—they were an upgraded fusion of two remarkable designers. "They're for a high standard. Why not apply to bigger companies?" Charlotte pouted. "No one likes my designs. They say they won’t be accepted by their customers. I even wanted to work at your company, but my parents didn’t let me.""Then… want to join my company?""No!" Edward was shocked. "Why?!""I have to work for Sunshine for three years. Also, I don’t want to work there because of our relationship. I didn’t even work for my parents’ company.""Fine. I won’t say anything. But if you ever need help, you can rely on me." Charlotte smiled. "I’ll be in your care. Now let’s go inside—you’ll catch a cold." She wrapped a thin blanket around his shoulders and helped him to bed. "Charlotte, sleep here. The couch is cold.""Y-You sleep first! I need to brush my teeth!" She ran inside. "My heart is pounding. Am I crazy? But… he smells nice."