“Mom and Dad are just too worried. I already spoke with them. You just rest and don’t overthink.”

I lowered my eyes, saying nothing.

Tatum went out to settle the remaining hospital fees. At that moment, the ward door creaked open.

Zara walked in with a bouquet of flowers, her lips curved in a delicate smile.

“Adeline, congratulations, you’re about to marry Tatum.”

Her words of blessing sounded hollow, sharp as a blade.

I couldn’t stand to watch her performance, so I closed my eyes, refusing to respond.

Suddenly, Zara let out a sharp “ah” and fell backward heavily, the bouquet scattering across the floor.

“Adeline, I only came to give you blessings. Why did you push me?”

Almost at once, Tatum rushed in from outside.

Zara’s eyes brimmed with tears, her voice trembling as she wept.

“Tatum, don’t blame Adeline. She must resent me… for implicating her and the child, so she only pushed me lightly…”

At her words, Tatum’s head snapped up, his glare searing me with reproach.

“Adeline! How could you push her? Don’t you know her condition? How could you become so petty, so vicious? Apologize to Zara at once!”

Watching such a clumsy act, I only felt a wave of ridicule rise within me.

I raised my hand, pointing at the surveillance camera in the corner.

“I never touched her. Do you want to head to the security office and check the footage right now?”

Then I shifted my gaze to Zara, my tone sharp as glass.

“Zara, if you want to act, at least choose a place without cameras. I’m busy, I don’t have time for these childish games.”

Her face changed instantly. She lifted her head toward the camera, panic flashing in her eyes, teeth sinking into her lip, words stuck in her throat.

But Tatum ignored it all, his fury only deepening as he jabbed his finger at me.

“Whether you pushed her or not, your attitude is unacceptable! Apologize! Otherwise, I’ll cancel….”

I sneered coldly, cutting him off without the slightest hesitation. “Cancel the wedding? Fine.”

I looked at him calmly, my gaze steady.

“I can tell Zara doesn’t want us to marry. Since you’re so torn, and she’s suffering so much, why don’t we just forget it…”

Tatum froze, a flicker of panic flashing across his face as he shook his head without thinking.

“Y-you… what nonsense are you saying? Our wedding is already set, and the invitations have gone out. How can you be so self-centered, saying cancel as if it’s nothing?”

I cast a glance at Zara. Her face had turned ashen; she stomped her foot in anger before storming out.

Tatum instinctively moved to chase her, but just as he reached the door, he forced himself to stop. He turned back to me, his eyes filled with confusion.

“You… what’s wrong with you today? How could you even mention canceling the wedding? Haven’t you always wanted to marry me?”

I smiled faintly.

“I can see that Zara’s ‘illness’ has only been worsening. At a time like this, if we still insist on marrying, wouldn’t that be far too inconsiderate of her feelings?”

At my words, Tatum exhaled in visible relief, as though he had finally found a reasonable excuse for my so-called ‘abnormality.’ His tone softened, touched with tenderness.

“You’re just too kind, always thinking of others. Silly girl, you’ll be my wife sooner or later. Isn’t it better to settle things sooner rather than later?”

The smile on my lips didn’t waver, and my voice remained light. “Of course I want that. But… what about Zara? She leans on you so much.”

I paused before continuing, my tone almost casual. “How about I help her find someone and introduce her to Conrad? That way she’ll have someone to care for her, and you can be at ease too, right?”

Tatum’s expression darkened in an instant, his face clouded with displeasure. He cut me off stiffly.

“My business doesn’t need you meddling! And Zara’s matters are none of your concern! All you need to do is be the bride!”

I curved my lips in a faint smile, nodding as though slipping back into that compliant self I once was.

“Alright.”

Finally, the day came.

The wedding scene unfolded with unmatched grandeur, countless media cameras aimed at the stage, recording every detail of this so-called wedding of the century.

In the audience, Zara sat in a flowing white dress, her makeup impeccable, without a veil; she resembled the bride herself.

At the front of the stage, Tatum stood with a confident, victorious smile tugging at his lips.

“Adeline, are you happy? Everything I prepared is for you. I believe this day will stay with you forever.”

I looked straight at him, my tone light yet sharp. “What a coincidence, Tatum. I, too, have prepared… a surprise for you.”

Tatum froze for a brief moment before sneering, his dismissal sharp. “Oh? Then I’ll look forward to your surprise. But of course, nothing you could prepare would ever match the ‘grandeur’ of mine.”

His tone dripped with arrogance, superiority practically spilling from every word.

I said nothing more, only kept the faint curve lingering at the corner of my lips.

The solemn melody of the wedding march filled the hall. Leaning on my father’s arm, I stepped forward, each stride calm and steady, carrying me closer to the stage.

Finally, we reached the priest.

He opened the Bible with solemn care, his voice deep and formal as he asked, “Mr. Bernard, do you take Miss Buckley as your wife? Whether in joy or sorrow, wealth or poverty, health or sickness, will you love her faithfully, with no reservation, for all your days?”

With pride in his voice, Tatum declared, “I do!”

His impatient gaze swept toward the audience, locking briefly with Zara’s eyes, as if waiting for the next act in his carefully staged play.

The priest nodded and turned to me, his voice solemn and deliberate. “Miss Buckley, do you…”

I cut in calmly, my voice firm and ringing through the hall.

“I do not.”