Chapter 1

Today marked the union of the Cartier and Royce families in the city of Lumina City. It was a grand event with a venue that sprawled over thousands of square meters, adorned in luxurious and fantastical decorations.

The emcee on stage was introducing the groom to the distinguished guests. "Let's welcome the handsome and charming Mr. Jameson Royce to the stage!" As the emcee's voice fell, the applause from the audience echoed like thunder.

However, moments passed, and the groom, who was supposed to make his entrance from one side of the stage, remained conspicuously absent. Murmurs began to ripple through the audience. The emcee, with a composed smile, attempted to salvage the situation, but as seconds went by, it became apparent that something was amiss. The emcee remained silent, and the hall quieted down considerably.

Suddenly, from backstage, the sharp sound of a slap reverberated. Those close to the stage witnessed a scene unfold. Mrs. Bernadette Royce had just slapped her son, Jameson. Without hesitation glared at her and strode from the stage.

Simultaneously, backstage, Marion was standing arm in arm with her father, Richard Cartier. The father-daughter duo awaited the opening of the doors, ready to step into the night that belonged solely to Marion and her soon-to-be husband.

"Are you nervous, sweetheart?" Richard asked as he affectionately petted his daughter's arm. Marion looked shyly at her father.

Just as she was about to reply, she suddenly heard Mrs. Royce’s voice from behind them. "Jameson, come back here!" Marion instinctively turned around to the commotion. Just as she did, Jameson had whizzed past her.

Upon catching sight of her, his expression subtly shifted. "I-I'm sorry, Sally is in trouble. The wedding will have to be postponed for a few days," he said without slowing down.

Marion felt the joy in her heart go out. Earlier, when her father asked her if she was nervous, she was indeed nervous. However, it was not because she was about to marry Jameson; her anxiety stemmed from the uncertainty surrounding tonight's wedding. Would it go smoothly, or would it encounter unforeseen complications, much like the message from Sally Reagan last night suggested?

Richard, who still stood beside her, wore an even graver expression. With the wedding approaching and the banquet hall filled with guests, Jameson chose this critical moment to leave.

Marion watched as Jameson’s figure receded into the distance. She could not let him leave! She snapped back to reality, lifted the train of her wedding gown, and chased after him, "Jameson!"

She had forgotten that she was wearing heels. Each step felt like a knife slicing into her ankles. Despite the pain, Marion persisted, gritting her teeth as she ran to catch up with Jameson.

The wedding banquet was on the second floor and as Jameson reached the entrance on the first floor, he heard Marion calling for him. It only took a moment’s hesitation before he walked out of the hotel.

As Marion rushed out, she saw that Jameson had already crossed the street. She did not hesitate.

Jameson was about to get into a car when the sound of screeching tires pierced the air. “Marion!” he heard his mother scream.

Clad in her pristine wedding gown, Marion was hit by a black sedan. A sharp pain shot through her lower legs instantly. She tumbled to the ground, and the once immaculate wedding gown was now stained with blood. Her arms were scraped, and the elegant Ms. Cartier was now disheveled and miserable.

Marion bit her lip as she struggled to sit up. She caught Jameson staring intensely at her as he stood by his getaway car. She did not speak, but her eyes pleased with him.

‘Could you stay? Could there be a moment when you choose me before anything else?’

Chapter 2

The pain was overwhelming, and her heart ached profoundly. Despite that, Jameson did not move to her. He lowered his gaze and got into the waiting car.

The black sedan swiftly merged into traffic. In just a few seconds, Marion could not see Jameson’s car anymore. Under the dim yellow streetlights, the blood-stained white wedding gown appeared excessively vivid in its crimson hue.

Bernadette stood on the side, her face drained of color, too frightened to move Marion, afraid of causing her further harm.

"Marion, don't be afraid. I'll call an ambulance right away!"

Her attention was focused solely on Marion despite just having watched her son leave the wedding venue.

Richard hurried over, his face pale. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Marion, how are you?"

He did not dare touch his daughter. The urgency had reddened his eyes.

Marion reached up and grasped her father's arm. The piercing pain in her lower legs had turned her face to paper. She looked at him, her eyes could not hold back the tears. "Dad, it hurts so much—"

So much pain, in her legs and her heart!

Richard had never seen his daughter cry this way. He would have taken this pain for himself if he could.

"Marion, don't be afraid. Dad is here!"

He cautiously approached and embraced her, but she could no longer keep her eyes open. "Dad," she cried softly just as she fainted.

Marion had been seriously injured. It took the doctors over eight hours in the operating theater and a few more in the intensive care unit before she was transferred to the regular ward.

Despite this, her life was still at risk. If she did not wake up within the next forty-eight hours, her chances of waking up in the future were slim.

Upon learning this news, Richard nearly fainted. His wife had passed away, leaving him to raise his precious daughter on his own. Today was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but Jameson had destroyed that.

As he looked at the Royce, he decided that he could no longer stand their presence. "Get out! All of you, get out!" he yelled at them.

Not trusting them to leave, he followed them to the hospital doors, leaving only Marion's close friend, Cassie Greaves, in the hospital room with her.

Cassie, like the other bridesmaids, had been in the inner hall during the wedding. By the time she realized something was wrong, Marion had already been taken away in the ambulance.

She could not comprehend how a well-planned wedding had turned into this. What had happened to her friend?

Did Jameson not have a conscience?

Richard Cartier drove Bernadette and Joseph Royce out of the hospital building. As they watched his retreating figure, Joseph could not hold back any longer. "Where is Jameson?"

Bernadette’s face became grim. If it were not for Jameson's behavior tonight, Marion would not have been in trouble.

She had no idea what kind of hold Sally had on her son. Jameson seemed to have left his wedding without a second thought.

The scandal made both the Royce and Cartier family the butt of the joke in Lumina City.

However, the one that truly suffered in this was Marion.

Jameson's deed had undoubtedly pushed Marion into such a humiliating situation.

When Marion woke up, it was already the next morning. She opened her eyes and saw Cassie beside the bed. Trying to move, she realized her whole body was wrapped in bandages.

She found that she could only move her hands.

Marion saw her phone nearby. Enduring the pain, she picked up the phone and tapped the screen. There were no messages.

Suddenly, the phone vibrated, and a local news notification appeared, "Cartier and Royce family in matrimonial alliance. Jameson, the eldest son, chooses to elope for love, flying to Elysian Bay to find his beloved."

Chapter 3

Marion's hand trembled, and her phone slipped from her grasp, hitting the bed rail with a loud crack before landing on the floor.

Cassie woke abruptly, instinctively turning towards Marion. Cassie’s heart surged with a mix of excitement and heartache. "Marion, are you awake?"

"Cassie—"

Marion tried to address her friend but her voice trembled and made it difficult to talk. Cassie, having just woken up herself, did not think much of the sound of Marion’s phone falling.

As she bent down, Cassie picked up the phone, and as she did, she caught sight of the illuminated screen. There was a photo of Jameson embracing Sally.

Cassie seethed with anger, her entire body trembling. Unsure if Marion had seen the picture yet, she suppressed her rage, pretending everything was fine. "Marion, you're awake. I'll get the doctor to check on you."

Marion’s gaze swept over the phone Cassie placed on the bedside table. She did not say anything. She closed her eyes and softly replied, "Okay."

Cassie was still wearing yesterday's bridesmaid dress; she had not changed since last night, standing guard in the hospital room all night.

Marion did not want her friend to worry anymore. Besides, it was time for her to face the harsh reality.

What did twelve years of childhood friendship matter? In Sally's eyes, she would always be Jameson's second choice. She once reassured herself that it did not matter, that he loved her, but the excruciating pain coursing through her body now screamed otherwise.

If Jameson truly loved her, how could he repeatedly abandon her without a second thought? She’s had enough! Marion clenched the bedsheets tightly, gritting her teeth. The tension intensified the pain from her wounds, but it was the only way she could stay awake. She had had enough!

Cassie returned with Richard bringing breakfast. The tension he held throughout the night finally eased. After the doctor's examination, as Richard stepped out of the room, he suddenly collapsed.

Hearing the commotion outside, Marion called out, "Dad," a hint of panic crossing her pale face. Cassie hurried outside to check.

Marion lay on the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, never hating herself more. Lucas Craig and Daniel Florrick emerged from the elevator and saw Richard being assisted by nurses toward the family waiting area.

Daniel hesitated and then spoke, "Mr. Craig?"

The man's eyebrows twitched, and he raised his hand, signaling for Daniel to assess the situation. Daniel nodded and went over to Richard.

Lucas shifted his gaze and continued walking deeper into the ward. Soon, he arrived at Marion's room.

His dark eyes flickered, and he stepped inside. Hearing footsteps, Marion slowly opened her eyes. As her eyes met the man's deep, ocean-like gaze, she uttered, "Mr. Craig?"

"Miss Cartier, I was the one who hit you yesterday. What compensation can I offer you?" The man's voice was low, his words carrying a hint of indifference. It was a casual remark, delivered calmly and with little feeling.

Marion was momentarily stunned. The incident last night was an accident, and in her pursuit of Jameson, she had not paid any attention to the vehicles around her. In a way, she also bore some responsibility.

She lowered her gaze, looking at the bandages on her body, and remained silent.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated, and the screen lit up. She turned her head, attempting to reach for the phone, but accidentally pulled at her wounds. The pain instantly drained the color from her face.

Lucas observed her and then reached for the phone, placing it within her reach. Before Marioni could pick up the phone, a message from Sally illuminated the screen.

Without picking up the phone, she looked at the message, and an excessively absurd thought sprouted in her mind.

Instead of grabbing the phone, she lifted her head slightly and gazed directly at Lucas. "Marriage."

She knew she was asking for the impossible, but everyone was mocking her. She wanted to slap those who ridiculed her!

Biting her lip, she emphasized once more, "Marry me."

Chapter 4

When Daniel and Cassie arrived at Marion's hospital room, Lucas was just leaving. Seeing this, Daniel followed Lucas out.

Many people were visiting the hospital at this time, and the elevator was crowded. It was not until they returned to the car that Daniel had the chance to speak to Lucas. "Mr. Craig, did you manage to talk to Miss Cartier?"

Lucas, who had just closed his eyes, opened them again. He lightly tapped the surface of the seat with his index finger and said, "Yes."

"What do I need to prepare then?"

Daniel sighed inwardly, thinking that Marion was indeed straightforward. Just as he finished his thought, he heard Lucas's voice from the backseat, "A wedding house."

Daniel felt like he had probably misheard. He instinctively turned to look at Lucas. "Mr. Craig, did you just say 'wedding house'?"

He was only thirty years old; his hearing and vision should not be failing him.

"Yes." Lucas replied, closed his eyes again, and raised his left hand slightly, signaling the driver to start the car.

The car moved slowly, and Daniel retracted his gaze, pinching himself.

It hurt.

It was real!

What exactly did Marion say to Mr. Craig that would require him to prepare a marriage home? Daniel had been working with Lucas for so many years, so he knew that when Lucas mentioned a "wedding house," it was not for Marion and Jameson. If it were for them, Lucas would have directly asked him to transfer a house to Marion.

Daniel was utterly confused.

Meanwhile, in the hospital, Cassie was surprised by Lucas's appearance. Who exactly was Lucas? He was the heir to the Radiant Group, officially taking over as chairman five years ago. Even Richard, Marion's father, might not be able to arrange a meeting with him. Today, he unexpectedly appeared in Marioni's hospital room, making it hard for people not to speculate.

Cassie looked at Marion lying on the hospital bed and felt that her thoughts were uncalled for.

She had met Lucas fewer than three times. What could Lucas think of her?

Cassie collected her thoughts and then turned to look at Marion. "Marion, what was Mr. Craig doing here?"

"He is the one who hit me last night. He came to discuss compensation with me."

Cassie nodded. "How did you respond?"

Marion shook her head as if just coming back to her senses. Before she could speak, a figure appeared at the door.

It was Jameson!

Before Marion could say anything, Cassie stood up to block his way. "Get out! We don't need your pity!"

Jameson remained silent as he looked at Marion. He knew that Marion would ask him to stay.

Cassie did not budge and pushed him inch by inch out the door. Marion still had not uttered a word.

Richard, now clear-headed, saw Jameson and angrily approached him. He raised his hand and slapped Jameson across his face. "You have the nerve to come here? Get out! The Cartier family won't lower ourselves to cling to your Royce family! Get lost!"

Jameson stood at the door of the hospital room, peering through the window. He could see Marion on the hospital bed, looking directly at him.

Marion stared at him, but her eyes, once full of affection, suddenly turned cold, devoid of any emotion.

Jameson furrowed his brow. He understood that Marion was genuinely angry this time.

Chapter 5

At the wedding, Jameson abruptly fled the scene, and later, intimate photos of him and Sally were captured by onlookers. Overnight, Marion went from being the envy of everyone to becoming the laughingstock of all.

"Oh, I thought their relationship was so great. Twelve years of being childhood sweethearts! Turns out it was all one-sided wishful thinking by Marion"

"Maybe the most tragic bride in history? The groom ran away, and she chased after him only to get into a car accident. Now she's lying in the hospital! Truly a double blow to body and soul!"

"This is what a marriage alliance is like. How much real emotion is there? They've known each other for so many years. If Jameson had even a fraction of feelings for Marion, he wouldn't have run away at this crucial moment! I even suspect Jameson deliberately sought revenge on Marion!"

...

Whether online or in real life, Cassie could see people discussing Marion’s tragedy so openly. Fearing that Marion might take it badly, Cassie hid the phones and tablets that day.

Marion was aware of her friend's actions but did not ask for the phone. Instead, she asked Cassie to read aloud the malicious comments and posts in her friends' circles.

Upon hearing Marion’s request, Cassie thought her friend had lost her mind. "Marion, are you crazy? Those women have nothing nice to say about any of this!"

Marion remained remarkably composed. "If I don't listen carefully, how can I move forward?"

After twelve years, she was now awakening. It was not like she was deliberately adding salt to her wounds but she was determined not to forget this pain.

Cassie felt a pang in her chest, finding it hard to bear. "Marion, actually..."

Marion dismissed her friend’s protest. "What does it matter? Whose life sails smoothly from start to finish anyway?"

The words were undeniably true, and Cassie could not argue with Marion, so she reluctantly handed over the phone.

Having Cassie read those comments was something she truly could not bring herself to do. Marion took the phone and opened Twitter first. Yes, news of the groom fleeing the wedding had already made it to Twitter, and the comments were exceptionally harsh. Initially, Marion felt upset reading them, but the more she read, the more it felt like she was observing someone else's life. The more she delved into it, the more she found herself awakening.

Marion had suffered five broken ribs, a fractured shinbone in her left leg, and various degrees of abrasions on her arms and back in the accident. She had spent over a month in the hospital before she could be discharged. On the day of her release, Lucas personally came to pick her up. Since that day, however, Marion had not seen him again.

As she recovered, she also realized just how nonsensical her words were on that day. Seeing Lucas now made Marion feel awkward. Despite being the perpetrator of the accident that night, Lucas visiting Marion did not surprise Richard Cartier.

Cassie did not dwell on it either. Lucas seemed to be a decent person, and the accident that night was not entirely his fault. Richard exchanged greetings with Lucas and then went to handle Marion’s discharge procedures. Cassie took Marion’s medical card to print out the results of her various examinations. Soon, only Lucas and Marion were left in the hospital room.

Marioni's shinbone was still not completely healed, so she sat in a wheelchair. Given the height difference, she had to tilt her head to look into the man's eyes. "Mr. Craig, about the compensation I mentioned last time—"

"I've thought it through."

Interrupting her, Lucas suddenly crouched down and picked up the fallen blanket. "I agree to your compensation request."

Marion looked at him in disbelief. "Mr. Craig, that day—"

At that moment, Lucas’s phone rang. "I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow. We'll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau."

"The company has urgent matters I’ve got to deal with," he said and disappeared through the hospital room door.

Chapter 6

Cassie quickly returned after printing the documents. Seeing Marion sitting there in silence and Lucas no longer in the hospital room, Cassie became curious. "Did Mr. Craig leave?"

Marion snapped out of her thoughts, glanced at her friend, and replied, "He had urgent matters at his company."

"Oh, I see."

Richard had not finished handling the paperwork yet. Cassie sat on the chair behind Marion and then leaned on her shoulder. "Marion, what compensation did you ask for?"

Marion turned her head to look at Cassie. She took a deep breath, and said, "That day, my mind wasn't very clear, and I brought up..."

"Brought up what?"

Knowing Marion for many years, Cassie understood that she was not the kind of person to take advantage of a situation. If she were, how could she end up in a situation with Jameson escaping from the wedding?

"It's nothing. You don't have to feel any psychological pressure. Lucas isn't short of money. Any problem that can be solved with money is not a problem for him. How much money did you ask for? Just tell me."

"I didn't ask for money; I made a request."

"What request?"

Marion did not want to hide it from Cassie; it's just that she knew her request was quite unconventional.

"The paperwork is done."

Richard had returned.

Marion glanced at Cassie. "I'll talk to you later."

Such an absurd matter required her to organize her words carefully.

Sitting in a wheelchair made it difficult to navigate the staircases.

Marion had no choice but to stand up. While she had recovered quite a bit, a broken leg would not fully heal in just one month. Thus, she requested a wheelchair to make it easier for outings.

Richard carried her wheelchair down the steps, unaware of the presence of Jameson and Sally waiting for them.

“Marion," said a voice from behind Marion and Cassie.

That voice was familiar to both women. Hearing Sally's voice, the smile on Marioni's face instantly disappeared. "What are you doing here?"

Looking up, she realized it was not only Sally; Jameson was there too.

During her time in the hospital, Jameson had visited only once. Every time he came, Cassie and Richard would escort him out.

Hearing Marion’s words, Sally trembled slightly, and her face immediately turned pale. "Marion, I'm sorry."

Sally’s expression was of one who had been wronged. Someone unfamiliar with the situation might have thought that Marion had mistreated her.

Marion coldly watched Sally's performance. Every time it was the same trick. Did Sally not tire of it?

In the past, she might have felt angry, but now, after lying in the hospital for over a month, encountering Sally was amusing. "Perform your drama in front of him; maybe you'll get a better response. What are you trying to achieve here?"

"I—I didn't mean that Marion, don't misunderstand. I just—"

Sally shook her head in panic, and tears that had just gathered in her eyes now streamed down.

Beside her, Jameson furrowed his brow. "Marion, can't you be a bit more considerate toward Sally?"

"How much more considerate should I be?"

Marion glanced at Jameson, then raised her hand and slapped Sally. "Is this considerate enough?"

"Marion!"

Jameson's face immediately darkened. "Why did you hit her? She’s in a bad space at the moment. Don’t you understand?”

Pretending to be fragile, Sally clung to Jameson. "It’s alright. Don’t blame Marion. I deserve this. It's all because of me that your wedding with her didn't succeed. It's my fault!"

Marion, uninterested in Sally's theatrics, left without looking back.

Cassie stood facing the couple now. "Sure, you're not at fault at all. Just because you’re depressed, the whole world should bow down to you, right!"

Chapter 7

Marion walked over to Richard. When Richard noticed Jameson and Sally, his smile instantly faded.

Marion tugged at his sleeve, "Dad, I want to go home."

Richard lowered his head to look at his daughter, his eyes slightly moist, "Alright, alright, let's go home. Dad will take you home!"

Jameson, who originally wanted to catch up to them, looked at Sally, who was still apologizing and could only stop in his tracks.

"Jameson, I'm sorry, I know I'm a burden!"

Hearing her words, Jameson felt some resentment towards Marion, "It's not your fault. She's the one who went too far!"

Depression is not what Sally wished for! Moreover, if it were not for Marion back then, Sally would not have become like this!

As memories flooded back, Jameson's expression gradually darkened. Worried that Sally might have another breakdown, he decided not to mention Marion anymore, "You took an early morning flight. You must be tired. Let me take you back to the hotel for some rest."

Sally looked at Jameson cautiously and nodded obediently, "Okay."

However, in the unseen corners of her face, a smug smile appeared. There was no hint of weakness or obedience.

Marion's release from the hospital should have been a joyous occasion, but encountering Sally and Jameson at the entrance made even Cassie feel ominous.

In recent days, due to concerns for Marion, Richard has already postponed quite a few matters in the company. After escorting Marion back home, he hurriedly returned to the company for a meeting.

Upon returning home, Marion asked Cassie for help in preparing a bath for her. During her month-long stay at the hospital, she had not had the chance to take a proper shower. And now, especially after the encounter with Sally, Marion felt the need to freshen up.

When Sally called, Marion had just fallen asleep. Even though she was out of the hospital, her body had not fully recovered, and the attending physician advised her to rest when possible. The intense vibrations of her phone made her think it was probably her assistant calling, and with a furrowed brow, she sat up and answered the phone.

Seeing the unfamiliar number, she could not help but scoff. She had a hunch that after being slapped by her, Sally would not just let it slide. Marion answered, "Sally, what do you want this time?"

On the other end, Sally feigned surprise, "Marion, how did you know it was me? I don't have any ulterior motives; I just wanted to remind you. Tomorrow is the third anniversary of you and Jameson being together, right?"

"Aren't you planning to register your marriage with him tomorrow?" Sally asked then burst into laughter, that smugness audible even through the phone. It irritated Marion to no end.

It is impossible to say that Marion was not angry. During her stay in the hospital, especially at the beginning, the pain from the fractured ribs and leg kept her awake at night. Afraid that Cassie and Richard would worry, she could only bite her pillow and endure the pain night after night.

Those long and lonely nights were enough for her to see the reality. Sally's words only brought anger to the forefront and no other emotions. In the past, Marion would have been hysterical, but now, she was incredibly calm. She even chuckled at Sally on the other end of the phone, "Honestly, Sally what kind of woman do you think I am? Do you think I’m so pathetic that I’d take anything you throw at me? Like Jameson is the only guy out there?"

"You can keep him. A man like that is not worth my time."

Marion hung up the phone. Sally was left breathless. She felt the left side of her face, slapped by Marion in the morning, becoming even more painful.

With a scream, Sally picked up her phone again and called Jameson. She wanted to see how long Marion could endure!