Chapter 4
Walking away without saying a word? That was never going to happen.
After everything they had taken from me, they really believed I would disappear quietly-like I’d willingly fade into the background while Helena paraded around in the life that was supposed to be mine. The very idea was laughable.
I wasn’t going to be their forgotten mistake.
I balled my hands into fists, fingernails pressing painfully into my palms as I glared down at the paper in front of me. A marriage certificate. The one meant to legally bind me to Victor. But the truth was darker. This document wasn’t real-it was a deception.
Legally, I had never been Victor’s wife. A slow, wicked smile formed on my lips.
If that bond had never existed, then I was free-completely untethered. And that freedom gave me every tool I needed to tear down everything they’d built.
Helena had taken my life.
Now I was going to dismantle hers.
To hurt her, I needed to strike where it would crush her most-her wedding. I grabbed my phone,
calm and deliberate as I dialed Mira’s number.
She picked up almost immediately.
“I need a favor,” I said, cutting straight to the point.
“What kind?” she asked.
“I need a husband.”
There was a pause-then laughter erupted through the speaker. “Oh, this should be good. You really know how to stir things up.”
“I’m not joking.”
Mira hummed thoughtfully. “Well, lucky you. The country’s most wanted bachelor is currently in
search of a bride.”
I froze. “Who?”
“Brent Blackwood.”
My heart skipped. Even hearing his name gave me chills. Brent Blackwood-ruthless, influential, and, most importantly, Victor’s fiercest competitor. Diego’s too.
He was the perfect choice.
“Where can I find him?” I asked.
“Whiskey Bar. Downtown, Mira said without missing a beat.
The bar was dimly lit, shadows dancing along the walls as I made my way toward the VIP section. My heels clicked across the floor, the sound sharp and deliberate with each step.
Seated in the center, a drink in hand, was Brent Blackwood. His piercing blue eyes locked on mine, faint amusement flickering across his face as I approached.
He didn’t say a word as I took the seat opposite him.
I stared directly into his eyes. “Would you marry me?”
His brows lifted slightly, but the corners of his lips curled-not in surprise, but interest. “Aren’t you already married to the man I hate?”
I leaned back, expression cool and unreadable. “Turns out, we were never married. Not legally.” Something shifted in his expression. He tilted his head, resting his arm on the table. “So… you got your memory back?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Interesting that you knew I’d lost it.”
He let out a quiet laugh and took a sip from his glass. “I like to keep tabs on my enemies.”
Enemies. The word hung between us, sharp and heavy. But it made things clearer.
“What exactly are you hoping to do?” he asked.
I trailed a finger along the rim of my glass, then looked him in the eye. “A partnership. You get a bride to silence your family’s nagging. I get revenge.”
Brent didn’t respond right away. He studied me for a moment.
Then, with a smirk tugging at his lips, he said, “I’m in.”
The wedding day came. I didn’t receive a call. Not a single message. No one checked to see where I was or what I might do.
To them, I no longer existed.
But they were about to regret underestimating me.
I arrived in a limousine, stepping out in a gown of pristine white silk, the train flowing behind me like royalty. Elegant. Imposing. Beautiful.
Gasps rippled through the room as I entered the grand hall, all eyes turning toward me with confusion and apprehension.
Helena’s face contorted in rage the moment she spotted me.
‘What the hell are you doing here?” she snapped, voice shaking with fury.
My mother spun around next, her expression stricken. “Why are you here? After everything you’ve done, we made it clear-you are no longer part of this family!”
Victor stepped in, his expression stormy. “Why are you dressed like that?”
Unbothered, I met his gaze and raised my chin. “Because I’m getting married.”
Stunned silence swept through the hall.
Victor scoffed, his face twisting into mockery. “You’re out of your mind. Do you hear yourself right now?” His eyes scanned my figure. “Who would possibly marry you? You’re still my wife. I warned you not to ruin Helena’s big day.”
Helena gave a bitter laugh, arms folded across her chest. “Exactly. No one’s stupid enough to want you. And don’t you dare claim this is revenge after trying to seduce my fiancé and getting caught.”
I gave a soft chuckle and shook my head. “Still living in that lie?” My tone was composed, but the meaning behind my words struck like thunder. I met their eyes one after the other.
“There’s no point pretending anymore. My memory’s back.”
Victor stiffened at that.
Helena’s smug expression cracked. “You’re bluffing-”
I stepped closer, eyes locked on hers. “Am I? You lied about Diego. Lied about Victor. Lied to m every time you pretended to care. But it’s all over now-I see the truth.”
Helena’s face drained of color. She stumbled backward, visibly shaken. “You’re delusional! You’r just doing this to ruin the happiest day of my life!” She turned to the staff. “Get her out of here! Now!”
They hesitated, exchanging nervous looks.
One of the staff members stepped forward cautiously. “Actually… she’s listed for a wedding her today.”
Helena looked as if she’d been slapped. “No-what? No, this is my wedding!”
The staff glanced between themselves, then one spoke again. “There was a change. She’s the scheduled bride today.”
The room erupted into chaos.
My mother charged toward me, face red with rage. “Who did you trick into marrying you?” she demanded.
Helena looked like she was unraveling. “No. No, no-this isn’t real!”
She suddenly snapped, screaming, lunging at me. Her nails sank into my scalp as she tried to rip at my hair. “You witch! You’re destroying everything!”
Before I could react, a firm grip caught her wrist mid-swing.
A cold, steady voice filled the room.
“And who exactly do you think you are, laying hands on my wife?”
