#Levy’s Pov

I sat in the living room, my fists clenched on my lap, while Carlos paced back and forth in front of me. His eyes burned with anger, his lips curling into a snarl like a wild beast ready to pounce.

"You’re absolutely shameless, Levy!" he finally snapped. "Why did you have to hurt Renata’s feelings? Can’t you control yourself?"

I remained silent, letting his words slam into my chest like a sledgehammer.

"Renata has done so much for you. Without her, you would have never even experienced what it’s like to be a mother! Do you even realize who stayed by your side when you were paralyzed and pathetic?!"

A bitter laugh almost slipped from my lips. So, that’s what he thought? That without Renata, I was nothing?

Carlos took a deep breath, trying to rein in his anger. "I want you to change your attitude. From now on, you need to treat Renata better. If she ever struggles with a patient, you have to help her."

He crouched down in front of me, staring deep into my eyes as if he were imparting some great wisdom. "There’s no better friend for you in this world than Renata."

Five years. And only now did I realize—I was nothing more than a stepping stone to them. Just a tool, a pawn to be used and discarded.

Carlos stood, straightening his suit. His expression softened, but I knew it was just a mask. "I won’t see you again until our wedding day. I’m busy preparing everything. Please, don’t cause trouble or draw attention to yourself. I want you to take care of yourself."

Without waiting for my response, he turned and left.

---

A few hours after Carlos left, someone knocked on my door. A man in a sharp suit handed me an envelope.

"This is Paul’s adoption cancellation letter, Miss Levy. As of today, you have no rights or responsibilities over him."

My blood ran cold.

With trembling hands, I opened another envelope he had given me. Inside was a bank statement—an account I had entrusted to Carlos, the inheritance from my parents meant to secure our future.

The numbers printed on the paper shattered any lingering doubts I had. A massive amount had been withdrawn without my consent. The recipient account showed transactions for a car, a house, and luxury goods.

Under Renata’s name.

I slammed the paper onto the table. My heart dropped, my hands shaking violently.

Carlos and Renata… They had stolen everything from me.

I immediately called the bank. My voice trembled as I ordered them to freeze the account and transfer all remaining funds into my new one.

I wouldn’t let them take anything more from me.

Then, I retrieved a flash drive from my desk drawer, my eyes locked onto it with determination. This was my insurance.

I plugged it into my laptop, ensuring that all the evidence was intact. Every conversation, every transaction—it was all here.

This wasn’t over.

---

The night before the wedding, I called Carlos.

His voice was relaxed, even slightly bored. "Levy, I’m busy. Let’s just meet at the altar tomorrow."

I paused for a moment before speaking softly, "I have a gift for you tomorrow."

Carlos was silent for a second, then chuckled. "Really? Wow, I can’t wait. Thanks, sweetheart."

I smiled faintly. "Hmm... Alright, I’m hanging up. Goodbye."

No response. But the call was still connected.

Then, faintly, I heard Renata’s voice.

"What does she want now? Ugh, that pathetic woman! I’m so tired of pretending, Carlos!"

My heart stopped.

"Patience. Just a little longer. We’ve come this far—don’t ruin it by being impatient."

"I’ve been patient enough, Carlos. Or… could it be that you actually love Levy?"

Carlos let out a small laugh. "Don’t be ridiculous, Renata. How could I ever love a cripple like her?"

A sledgehammer to my chest.

"I want proof."

"Hmm... I know what you want. I’ve already taken care of it."

There was the sound of papers rustling.

"You… You transferred half of your assets to me and the other half to Paul?! Carlos, you’re amazing! I love you!"

The sound of a heated kiss echoed through the phone.

I went numb.

"And what about you?" Renata asked.

"I still have Levy’s fortune. Once she dies, everything she owns will be mine."

"And what’s yours… is mine," Renata added, laughing victoriously.

Then, the sound of something falling echoed. Ragged breaths. Whispers. Whimpers. They were utterly disgusting.

I pressed a hand over my mouth, stifling the sobs that threatened to spill out. My chest tightened, my whole body trembling. Tears streamed down my face, unstoppable.

---

That morning, I sat in my wheelchair, dressed in a pure white gown. My face was pale, but my eyes were full of determination. In my hands, I clutched a bouquet of white tulips.

An assistant approached. "Are you sure, Miss?"

I nodded slowly. "Absolutely."

They wheeled me out of the room and into the car that had been prepared.

As the car moved, my mind drifted to the past. Carlos’s smile, Renata’s laughter, Paul’s embrace… They had all felt like a beautiful dream—one that had turned into a nightmare.

My phone rang.

"Where are you?" Carlos’s voice came through.

"On my way," I replied flatly.

"Alright, be careful, sweetheart. I’m waiting for you at the altar."

"Okay…"

Suddenly, a loud impact.

Glass shattered. The deafening crash of metal colliding filled my ears.

The world spun. Screams. Screeching brakes. And then—horrifying silence.

From the still-connected phone, Carlos’s voice turned frantic.

"Levy! What’s happening?! Levy!!! Answer me! What’s going on over there?! LEVY!!!"

Only the wailing sirens of an ambulance echoed in the distance.

#Carlos’s POV

The sound of the violin that once accompanied our steps to the altar had now been replaced by echoing sobs that filled the entire hall. The happiness we had just celebrated instantly turned into deep sorrow. Guests who had been smiling, toasting, and dancing now stood in silence, their faces filled with shock and grief.

At the center of our grand wedding stage, a man in a black suit stood with a somber expression. In his hand, there was an envelope, which he now passed to me.

I stood frozen, my fingers clenching tightly. My eyes locked onto the letter, reading the name over and over again.

Levy Florence—died in a traffic accident.

My throat went dry. My breath caught. The paper slipped from my hand, only to be picked up and snatched away by one of the guests. And in an instant, everyone knew the tragic news.

Of course, many people deeply regretted this incident. Especially since they had just heard about Levy’s misfortune—how he had been paralyzed—and now, his death. They expressed their sympathy for his ill-fated life.

Beside me, Renata suddenly tightened her grip on my arm. I turned to her, and though her face showed sadness, I saw something else in her eyes.

A flicker of happiness. A barely visible smile.

A wave of nausea rose in my throat.

"Darling…" Renata whispered softly, her voice laced with pretense. "This is terrible… Was this part of your plan?"

---

AT LEVY'S HOUSE

The journey home felt long and silent. My mind was in chaos the entire way. I knew I had done many terrible things, but I had never wanted Levy’s death to come this soon.

As soon as we arrived at Levy’s house, Renata walked in first. The door shut behind us, and for the first time since the news broke, she took a deep breath—then let out a soft laugh.

"Finally…" she whispered. "Finally, everything that belonged to Levy is now ours!"

I stared at her blankly.

Renata turned to face me, her eyes gleaming with victory. "Carlos, we don’t have to pretend anymore. I no longer have to be your hidden lover. We can be happy together—with Paul!"

I didn’t answer right away. My gaze drifted toward the living room, now eerily quiet. Levy had once sat there. I could still picture his face, the wounded look in his eyes the last time we met.

This house—the home that had once belonged to Levy—was still filled with his presence. As if he had never truly left.

Footsteps echoed from the staircase.

I turned and saw my mother standing at the top of the stairs, her face filled with anger and disappointment.

"What did I just hear, Carlos?" Her voice trembled, her sharp eyes piercing through me.

I swallowed hard.

"You and Renata… have been having an affair all this time? You both betrayed Levy?"

I couldn’t answer. My affair with Renata had been a well-kept secret from my family—especially my mother.

Renata stepped forward confidently. "And why does that matter? Levy is dead. The past doesn’t need to be brought up again. Now, Carlos is with me, and we will raise Paul together."

My mother clicked her tongue. "Paul may be my grandson, but you, Renata… you are nothing."

Renata stiffened. "What do you mean? Didn’t you accept me yesterday?"

My mother slowly descended the stairs, each step firm with authority. "I can accept Paul because he is Carlos’s flesh and blood. But you? You are a woman with no background, no honor. I will never allow my son to marry you."

I watched Renata’s expression shift. The confidence in her eyes was now replaced with suppressed rage.

"I’ve been with Carlos for years!" she shouted. "I gave him a child! I sacrificed so much! Now, all of this belongs to us, and I have the right to be Carlos’s wife!"

My mother narrowed her eyes. "Do you think I will let my son fall into the hands of a woman who cannot even be trusted?"

I saw Renata’s fists clench. Her breathing was heavy, her chest rising and falling with emotion.

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache creeping in.

"Enough," I said in a low but firm voice.

They both turned to look at me.

I took a deep breath. "Mother, Renata… we can’t argue right now. This is not the time."

Renata glared at me. "Carlos, you have to choose! Me or your mother!"

I fell silent.

I loved Renata, but something was gnawing at my mind.

Levy.

I pulled out my phone, my fingers quickly searching for a contact. I couldn’t rest until I confirmed something.

I stepped away from them, pressing the call button and waiting for the connection.

A voice answered on the other end.

"I need you to verify something," I said urgently. "The body… is it really Levy?"

There was silence. My heartbeat pounded in my chest.

"I need confirmation," I repeated, firmer this time. "Is he really dead?"

A breath could be heard on the other end before the person finally replied,

"I’m not sure."

I froze.

Not sure?

"What do you mean?" my voice tensed.

"The body was… unrecognizable due to the accident."

A chill ran down my spine.

If they weren’t sure… then there was a possibility—

I ended the call with trembling hands. My breathing quickened, my chest tightening.

Renata watched me with questioning eyes. "What’s wrong?"

I didn’t answer.

Because if Levy was still alive, then hell had just begun.

---