Hearing my mother’s words, I sneered inwardly.}
In my previous life, I had rushed up the stage in panic and grabbed Vivian by the arm. Back then, my mother didn’t even have time to pin the blame for the switched marriage on me.
Only now did I realize–Vivian had dared to go through with it because she had my adoptive parents‘ full support.
No wonder they had insisted on holding a traditional Western–style ceremony, complete with a full–length veil that I was forbidden to lift at any time. They never intended for me to be the bride.}
They loved Vivian more. Because I had only been back in the Moore family for two years. To them, Vivian was still their real daughter. Blood ties meant more than twenty years of raising a stranger.}
Vivian exchanged a glance with our mother, then quickly walked over to Julian Fletcher and knelt beside him.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher,” she said softly, “Julian and I are truly in love. My sister doesn’t care about him, but I’m willing to marry into your family in her place and be his wife-”
Before she could finish, Maddie snatched the microphone and snapped.
“In her place? You don’t carry the rare condition. Marrying you would only put Julian’s life in danger.“>
“And you? You’re just an adopted girl from a small–town background. With your lineage, you think you’re worthy of being Julian’s wife?“} Vivian’s eyes reddened in fake hurt and Julian’s heart broke for her.
Mom, he snapped, “this is the modern world. Why are you still stuck in superstitions?“}
He helped Vivian up and shot a glare at me.}
“Evelyn, that rare condition? It’s a scam. You must’ve bribed that old quack to sell your lie.“}
“Even if you’re trying to crash the wedding now, I still won’t marry you. The only woman I want is Vivian.”
Vivian wiped away her tears and leaned into his arms.
“Sister, you said you wanted me to be with Julian. That’s why I agreed to marry in your place. Why are you making a scene now?“> They were the ones who plotted against me.
And now they were flipping the script–casting me as the villain.}
I gave a small smile and raised my phone.
“Vivian. Mom. Dad. You messaged me yesterday saying the wedding was rescheduled for tonight. So why did the ceremony go ahead this morning?“2
In my past life, I only found out by chance. A stranger had posted a photo of the wedding cars on social media. If I hadn’t seen it, I would’ve missed the entire ceremony.
Now, I had proof.
The photographer zoomed in on my phone screen and projected it on the large display behind the stage.
A murmur swept through the audience.}
“I’ve heard the Moore family favors Vivian… looks like it’s true.“>
“So many women want to marry Julian Fletcher. And Renee is treating Vivian like she’s royalty. She’d probably give her anything.”}
“Poor Evelyn… she was sent away for years and now she’s come back to a family that doesn’t even want her.”
My father, who had been silent, suddenly flushed with embarrassment.}
“That’s nonsense! There’s no favoritism. Evelyn didn’t want to marry Julian, so she asked Vivian to take her place.”>
“It’s lucky Julian had feelings for Vivian. Otherwise, this would’ve been a real tragedy.”
I scoffed.
“When did I ever say I didn’t want to marry him? Why do you think I came here today? I came because I do want to marry Julian Fletcher.“> As soon as the words left/my mouth, my father slapped me hard across the face.
“Evelyn! Stop making a fool of yourself! You ran off from your own wedding and now you fake a text message and cause this chaos–then suddenly say you want to marry him? Do you think the Fletcher–Moore marriage is a joke?“}]
“Julian and Vivian’s wedding is done. There’s no place for you here.”>
I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and calmly replied:
“I don’t mind planning another ceremony–so long as the person Julian Fletcher truly wants to marry is me.”
The moment I said that, Maddie’s eyes lit up with hope.
