Chapter 4

The next day at the wedding, the ceremony and banquet were countless times grander than what I'd originally planned.

Ivy wore the wedding dress Pearson and I had designed together. I held up her train under the strange looks of the guests.

Ivy was pregnant, so Pearson had me down glass after glass of champagne in her place.

Behind me, people gossiped. "Wasn't Zoe Harper supposed to be the bride? How did she become the one holding the train?"

"Getting cheated on and still being this pathetic—was Zoe Harper a turtle in her past life?"

"If I had a friend like this, I'd die of shame. I should've said I was Ivy's friend instead."

Pearson pulled me aside and handed me a box of stomach medicine. "Why didn't you tell me your stomach problem flared up? Ivy's being naughty, but you don't need to indulge her tantrums. Take the medicine. I don't have time to make you soup today."

I ignored him.

Pearson laughed coldly and threw the pills in the trash.

Ivy glanced at me and pulled Pearson onto the stage.

Just as they were about to exchange vows, Ivy suddenly said while holding the bouquet, "That lady down there is my best friend, Zoe Harper."

"Zoe is very pitiful. Her father died when she was young. Her stepfather sexually abused and beat her for years, forcing her to marry at 18. She even developed depression because of it..."

My past wounds were ripped open bloodily. My body went numb with cold.

Everyone's gaze made me feel like I was being stripped naked and mounted on an operating table with nowhere to hide.

Ivy's voice lifted. "On this happy day, I hope my best friend can get married with me."

"All of Zoe's friends and family are here anyway. So whoever catches my bouquet, I'll marry Zoe to him right now!"

Hearing this, quite a few lewd men in the crowd whistled and jeered.

Before I could refuse, Ivy had already thrown the bouquet to a middle-aged man in his forties.

The man grinned, showing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "Well, I was just worrying about finding a woman to give me children. Marry me and I'll definitely spoil you rotten!"

Ivy's bridesmaids forcibly dragged me onto the stage. The man groped my waist with a lecherous smile.

I looked pleadingly at Pearson.

Pearson frowned, about to help me, but Ivy cut in. "Pearson, I just want to get married at the same time as my best friend. If she doesn't get married, then I won't either! It's fake anyway. Just satisfy this one little wish of mine."

Pearson said helplessly, "A wedding is once in a lifetime. Since Ivy likes it, Zoe, just cooperate."

My heart died. I took vows, exchanged rings, and was forced to kiss a strange man in front of everyone.

Ivy waved her phone. "Zoe, marriage is a big deal that needs parental consent. I already sent this video to your mom!"

I lunged to grab her phone, but it was too late.

The phone rang like a death knell. "Ms. Harper, your mother had a sudden cardiac episode and died despite resuscitation efforts."

Hearing this, my internal organs felt like they were being crushed by an invisible hand. The pain nearly suffocated me.

I tried to rush at them like a madwoman for revenge, but Pearson grabbed me and said in a low voice, "This is my and Ivy's wedding. Stop making a scene. Whatever it is, I'll compensate you after the banquet ends."

Then, like throwing out trash, he tossed me to a man. "Take her away and watch her!"

The man chuckled and dragged me outside.

I laughed through my tears. "I'd rather have never been saved by you. This life—I'm giving it back to you now."

With that, I broke free from the man and, under everyone's shocked gaze, climbed out the window and jumped.