Chapter 2
The next day, Alex made time to go wedding dress shopping with me.
His voice held anticipation over the phone. “Emma, I wouldn’t miss seeing you in that dress for the world.”
Though the custom gown was one of a kind, I froze when I walked into the boutique and saw Sophia standing before the mirror in my wedding dress as Alex filmed her with his phone, his face glowing with joy.
“Miss Carter?” Sophia spotted me in the mirror’s reflection, then spun around suddenly flustered.
Only then did Alex look away from her.
He hurried over to explain, “Sophia had never seen such a beautiful dress. She just wanted to try it on.”
His tone was casual. “Emma, don’t mind her. I’ll have her take it off right now. You’ll look much more stunning in it.”
I looked between them both, and a cold smile touched my lips as I said calmly, “I don’t mind.”
Sophia’s face brightened. She gathered the skirt and approached me. “Miss Carter, thank you for not pressing charges.”
品
She bit her lip, looking wistfully at Alex. “Could I be your bridesmaid? I want to be there for the most important moment of
his life.”
My fists clenched. My original bridesmaid should have been Lily.
Alex nodded tenderly.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off coldly, “I’ll only ever have one bridesmaid.”
I turned and walked out, not bothering to see their stricken faces.
“Emma!” Alex caught my wrist outside, agitated. “Why are you doing this? You made Sophia cry. She’s just a little girl who wanted to try on a pretty dress. She meant no harm. Stop targeting her, okay?”
I looked at his anxious expression, bitterness flooding my mouth. “Congratulations on finding the dress’s true owner.”
Before he could respond, Sophia stumbled out in the wedding gown.
The white train dragged through muddy puddles, instantly stained.
She threw herself forward, eyes red. “Miss Carter, I’m sorry! I’m sick, I can’t control myself. Don’t blame Alex. He’s been so
worried about you lately, it’s wearing him down.”
Alex frowned, steadying her with concern. “Sophia, stop.”
I laughed coldly and shook off Alex’s grip since I had no interest in watching their romantic drama.
Suddenly, reporters swarmed from nowhere, surrounding Sophia.
“Miss Wells, is it true you committed murder?”
“Your art exhibition opens next week. How do you feel about this scandal?”
“Miss Wells, do you really have split personality disorder?”
Sophia went pale, trembling violently.
I was pushed aside, shocked by the scene.
Chapter 2
22.22%
Alex should have buried all news about Lily.
How did these reporters know?
Alex’s face darkened as he threw his jacket over Sophia and called security to escort her to the car.
I stood there watching the door close, and in the final second, Alex gave me a long, disappointed look.
That night, the sound of Sophia destroying things echoed through two floors of the house until at 3 AM, Alex kicked down my bedroom door.
“Are you satisfied now?” His eyes were bloodshot as he slammed a tablet in front of me.
The screen showed news of sponsors pulling out of Sophia’s exhibition.
He shouted, “Sophia’s condition was finally improving, and you had to push her to the breaking point? Emma, this isn’t who you are.”
I slowly looked up, not bothering to explain.
Pointless words were something I’d stopped wasting.
After several phone calls, Alex’s gaze grew dark. “Emma, you’re the only one who can save Sophia now.”
