My body ached everywhere, but when I tried to move—nothing. Panic set in. I blinked, my vision hazy. The last thing I remembered was driving to my wedding. The excitement, the dress waiting for me, the vows I was supposed to say. Then—the accident.

My chest tightened. How long have I been here? I swallowed, gathering what little strength I had, and reached for the call button. But before I could press it, I heard voices just outside my hospital room.

“Just follow the plan,” a voice said smoothly.

Harold. My fiancé. The man I was supposed to marry. I was about to call him when he spoke again.

“Make sure the hysterectomy is clean,” he continued, his tone unnervingly calm. “She can’t find out.”

Hysterectomy? My breath caught. Is that for me?

The doctor hesitated. “She’s already paralyzed on one side. Recovery will take time. What do I tell her?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Harold said, his voice cold. “She can’t have a child with me. That would hurt Lily.”

A sharp, twisting pain shot through my chest. Lily. His first love, his ex-girlfriend. The woman who left her years ago, while I remained by his side since we were in high school. I thought he was going to marry me because he had finally realized that, but then… now? My stomach churned.

“She doesn’t want my child with Charlotte competing with hers,” Harold continued. “Even if she never married me because she chose someone else, she’s still the woman I love. I only want to marry Charlotte because I could still use her, and her family’s influence. Plus, she’s convenient.”

I am just convenient. How dare he! I didn’t know what to say. My vision blurred.

The doctor’s voice dropped. “The child is three now. He looks just like you. What if Charlotte finds out that you’ve been having an affair for three years? And what about Lily’s husband?”

I felt like the air had been sucked from the room. Three years. And he had a child with Lily. And all this time, he had lied to me. How could I not see through it? Why do they have to hurt me… when all this time they were going to be together?

“She won’t,” Harold said smoothly. “Not if you keep your mouth shut. Just do what I said—make it look like the accident damaged her uterus beyond repair. She’s stupid. She won’t question it. And this is also a revenge for what her brother had done to me.”

My brother? What was all of this? My head was spinning. I couldn’t process everything. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay still. If I made a sound, if I reacted, he would know I was awake. No, this can’t be happening to me. I need to move. I need to run, but my whole body just won’t allow me.

I cursed under my breath thinking of what I was going to do. But I felt helpless.

Another voice joined them. Harold’s secretary.

“Pay off the driver,” Harold ordered. “Move him somewhere far, make sure he keeps his mouth shut. When Charlotte wakes up, I want her to believe this was just a tragic accident.”

My body trembled. He planned this. The accident. Everything. For what? Just for Lily? I don’t understand.

Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. He was going to steal everything from me. My body. My future. My chance at motherhood.

No. No. I wouldn’t let him. I forced my breathing to slow, my body to go limp. Pretend to be asleep. Don’t react. Don’t let them know you heard.

Footsteps. The door creaked open. I kept my eyes shut, my breathing even. Soft steps moved closer. Someone adjusted the IV beside me. A nurse.

This was my only chance. With every ounce of strength I had left, I parted my lips and whispered, “Help me.”

The nurse was startled, her gasp barely audible. I forced my eyes open, vision swimming. My throat was dry, and raw, but I pushed through.

“Call my brother,” I rasped. “My bag. My phone. My brother. Don’t tell Harold. Please. Help me. They will do something to me.” I said, trying hard, giving all my strength.

Her brows knit together. “Your brother? Why?”

I nodded weakly. “Tell him… stop the surgery. I’ll come home. I’ll do whatever they want. Just stop the surgery.”

I had left home years ago. Cut all ties. My family had warned me about Harold. Told me he was wrong for me. That I would regret choosing him. They were right. If I had to beg them to save me, I would. I hope they won’t fail me even after I failed them

The nurse’s lips parted like she wanted to ask more, but then she nodded. “I’ll try.”

I didn’t know if she’d make it in time.

Darkness tugged at the edges of my vision. And the last thing I saw was the bright lights of the operating room.

I woke up to a dull ache spreading through my body. For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. The beeping of the machines, the sterile scent of antiseptic—it all felt too familiar now.

I took a slow, deep breath. I survived. But… what happened? I moved my hand to my stomach, fingers pressing against the fabric of my hospital gown. Pain.

I inhaled sharply, pulling the blanket down. There was a bandage. A fresh incision. My stomach twisted. Did they do it?

Did they really take away my uterus? A shaky breath left my lips. What about my brother? Had he abandoned me? Had my desperate whisper to the nurse gone unheard?

The door creaked open. I snapped my eyes shut, forcing my face into a calm, blank expression.

Footsteps. A familiar scent—Harold. I didn’t move as he came closer, his presence looming over me.

Then, in the softest, most affectionate tone, he murmured, “Charlotte, my love. You’re awake.”

I forced my eyes open, blinking as if groggy. “Harold…?”

His lips stretched into a smile. “You’re okay now. The surgery went well. You just need to rest, and after some therapy, you’ll be back on your feet.”

I swallowed, nodding. Pretend. Act like you know nothing. Then his expression shifted, adopting a look of deep sorrow.

“There’s… something I need to tell you,” he said, sighing as he sat beside me. He reached for my hand, squeezing it gently.

I let him.

“The accident…” he trailed off, his jaw tightening. “It was serious. The damage was… extensive.”

I stayed silent. Waiting.

Then, in a voice thick with regret, he said, “Your uterus had to be removed.”

I gasped, widening my eyes in pretend shock. “W-What?”

Harold nodded solemnly. “I know this is hard. I know we talked about starting a family, but—” He exhaled, eyes filled with what could almost be mistaken as genuine grief. “We’ll figure it out. Even if we can’t have children of our own, I’ll never leave you.”

He cupped my cheek, looking at me as if I was the most fragile thing in the world.

“We can adopt,” he continued. “I know a good orphanage. We’ll raise a child together. It doesn’t change my love for you.”

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. He was a liar. A manipulator.

Harold played the role of the perfect fiancé all day. He adjusted my pillows, brought me food, held my hand, and whispered sweet reassurances.

I endured it. I smiled, I nodded, I pretended.

But inside? I was counting the seconds until he left. And when he finally did, when the door clicked shut behind him, I exhaled shakily.

The nurse entered moments later. I didn’t waste time.

“Did you call my brother?” I whispered urgently.

She nodded, quickly glancing at the door before sliding a phone into my hands.

It was already ringing.

Then—

“Charlotte?”

A familiar voice. A voice I hadn’t heard in years.

My throat tightened. “Brother…”

He exhaled sharply. “He hurt you, didn’t he?”

Tears welled in my eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I didn’t believe you.” My voice broke. “Please. Take me home.”

A heavy silence. Then—his voice, low and laced with anger.

“It’s also my fault. I should’ve done more. Harold’s hated me ever since that deal. He thought I stole it from him, so maybe… this is part of his revenge.” He paused. “But you don’t deserve this, Charlotte.”

I bit my lip, tears slipping down my cheeks.

He continued, voice firm. “I managed to stop the operation. They didn’t remove anything.”

I sucked in a sharp breath.

“You’ll recover,” he said. “Just do what Harold wants for now. Pretend. Once you’re strong enough, I’ll send a private plane to get you.”

I nodded, gripping the phone. “Okay.”

The call ended.

I wiped my tears quickly. “No one can know about this,” I whispered to the nurse.

She nodded. “Understood. Your brother already made sure I’m on your side.”

That evening, Harold returned, eyes narrowing slightly. “You seem… different.”

I forced a small smile. “I feel a little better.”

His gaze searched mine, then he chuckled. “That’s my girl. You always bounce back fast.”

I tilted my head. “I was just thinking… I kind of want pizza.”

He looked surprised. “Pizza?”

I nodded. “But never mind. It’s late.”

Harold smirked. “You should’ve told me earlier. I’ll get you one tomorrow.”

I smiled, playing along. Then, as if to seal the act, he brought food and fed me like a doting husband.

And I let him. Because I knew this wouldn’t last.

Later that night, when Harold thought I was asleep, I heard him talking on the phone. I stayed still.

“So, you already divorced him, Lily?” he said, voice smug. “Great. That means we can finally get married.”

My blood ran cold. Married? To Lily?

“Oh, about the wedding—Charlotte agreed to a stand-in,” he continued. “But she doesn’t know that the stand-in is you.”

My breath caught. That was it, why he had asked me earlier about continuing the wedding even though I was paralyzed instead of waiting for me to recover. He said it was important for the company, but I know better. This is for Lily. It has always been Lily.

Harold laughed quietly. “She’ll think she’s still marrying me… and by the time she realizes, it’ll be too late. I’ll destroy her. If her brother thought I was done with him, then he was wrong because I am going to use Charlotte.”

“Charlotte, love, don’t you think it’s time we consider adopting?”

I looked up from my wheelchair, meeting Harold’s expectant gaze. I knew this was coming. For the past few days, he had played the part of the perfect fiancé—caring, attentive, devoted. The type of man any woman would dream of marrying.

But I knew the truth. I knew what he was doing behind my back. He was meeting with Lily and preparing their wedding that was supposed to be their wedding. But none of it matter as she was also preparing to leave. She was recovering, and could barely walk. But she didn’t tell Harold about her progress. It was not his business anymore.

And I simply didn’t care of his opinion. So, if he wanted to rush an adoption, then fine. I would play along.

I forced a small smile. “That sounds like a great idea.”

His face lit up. “Really? That easily?”

I nodded. “You’re right. We should move forward. If we can’t have children of our own, adoption is the next best thing. Plus, I think a baby would help me with my current situation. I was feeling depressed since I couldn’t move, so it would be a great distraction.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Good. There’s an orphanage I’ve donated to for years. We can visit today.”

Today? That fast? He really planned everything.

I didn’t react. Just nodded. “Sure.”

The orphanage was warm, bright—cheerful, even. Children ran around, laughing, playing. The staff greeted us politely, their eyes filled with curiosity. Then, from across the room, a small girl with big brown eyes came running. Straight to Harold.

“Daddy!”

She threw her arms around him. My stomach dropped.

Harold stiffened. “Ah, Charlotte, don’t think much of it,” he said quickly. “The kids here call me Daddy since I donate often.”

I smiled. Pretended to believe him. “That’s sweet.”

The girl—Sam—pulled back, beaming up at him. She looked familiar. Too familiar. Her curls, her soft features… she looked like Lily.

Harold cleared his throat. “She’s adorable, isn’t she?”

I tilted my head. “She looks like you.”

Harold laughed. “Then that’s even better, isn’t it?”

He didn’t deny it. I felt nothing.

Just nodded. “Maybe we should adopt her, then.”

Harold looked at me carefully, as if trying to figure out if I was serious. But I knew better, he thought I was stupid enough not to know. But he was also stupid enough not to know that I take back everything he had stolen from me. I would make him beg soon.

I held my pleasant smile.

“Perfect,” he finally said. “Let’s do it.”

Harold stayed behind, filling out paperwork. I pushed my wheelchair toward the hallways, needing a moment away from him. Then I heard voices.

“I can’t believe Mr. Brown is letting his own daughter pretend to be an orphan.”

A laugh. “And worse—he’s going to adopt her himself?”

“I feel bad for his fiancée. She has no idea.”

My fingers clenched against the armrests of my wheelchair. So it was true. Sam was his daughter. I should have felt rage, betrayal. But I only felt a dull ache. Resignation.

I already knew. This was just confirmation. I took a breath, prepared to return—then I heard another voice.

A familiar one. Lily, and beside her was Sam. Sam was calling her mother. When they felt my presence, Harold immediately spoke.

“Oh, Sam was calling her mother because she volunteered her a lot. No need to worry,” he said.

I laughed at myself. No need to worry? He was making it obvious. He was the idiot!

“Hey, Charlotte. Great to see you again,” Lily smiled.

I faked a smile. “Yeah, you too.”

“I hope you recover soon. Harold told me about the wedding. But don’t worry, I can ask as the stand-in. That would be okay, right? I mean, unless of course you want to walk the aisle with your estate…” She continued while mocking me. “People would think that Harold’s wife is useless… and his parents would surely not want that for the media. But no worries, people will just think I was the stand-in but you’re really the real wife.”

I forced a nod, keeping my expression neutral. “Thanks for being kind.

“Sure.”

“Anyway, I’ll wait outside.”

His eyes flickered with something unreadable. “Wait, why? You’re not upset? You look like…”

I tilted my head. “Why would I be? Did you lie to me? Did you do something that would upset me?”

Harold’s jaw tensed. “Of course not.”

I smiled. “Then there’s nothing to be mad about.”

I pushed my wheelchair toward the exit, not waiting for his reply.

I barely made it to the car before I heard the footsteps. Lily. I didn’t react as she came up beside me.

“You’re really going to play dumb, huh?” she scoffed.

I finally looked at her. “Excuse me?”

She crossed her arms. “When are you going to leave Harold?”