Chapter 2: The Truth Behind the Perfect Bride
Inside a private room, Ethan carefully cleaned his mother’s injury.
Diane sat quietly.
“Mom, tell me.”
She sighed.
“I didn’t want to ruin your day.”
Ethan looked hurt.
“My day?”
He shook his head.
“You are my family.”
Diane lowered her eyes.
“It started this morning.”
She explained.
Victoria had asked her to come early.
She said she needed help fixing the flower arrangements.
Diane believed her.
But when she arrived, Victoria wasn’t alone.
Her mother and two friends were there.
They were laughing.
About Diane.
About her simple dress.
About her old car.
About how she “didn’t belong” at a Sterling wedding.
“I told them I didn’t care about money,” Diane whispered.
“Then Victoria became angry.”
Ethan’s hands tightened.
“What happened?”
Diane hesitated.
“She said you were marrying above your level because of her.”
Silence.
“She said after today, you would forget where you came from.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
Then Diane said the part that hurt most.
“She told me to leave before I embarrassed her.”
“And when you refused?”
Diane touched her cheek.
“She pushed me.”
Ethan stood up.
He was furious.
But Diane grabbed his arm.
“Ethan. Don’t destroy your life because of me.”
He looked at her.
“She already tried to destroy yours.”
At that moment, Ethan’s phone rang.
His best friend, Michael, was calling.
“Ethan, you need to see this.”
A video was sent.
It showed Victoria talking before the ceremony.
Her words were clear.
“I don’t care about Ethan’s mother. Once I marry him, I’ll control everything.”
Ethan watched in silence.
Then came the final sentence.
“She is just a poor woman who should be grateful I allow her to stand near us.”
Ethan’s face hardened.
Victoria had not made one mistake.
She had revealed who she truly was.
Minutes later, Ethan returned to the ballroom.
Victoria was still there.
Waiting.
Expecting him to apologize.
Instead, Ethan walked toward her.
“Did you really think I would choose money over the woman who sacrificed everything for me?”
Victoria’s confidence disappeared.
“I love you.”
Ethan shook his head.
“No.”
He held up his phone.
“You loved my name.”
The room watched as Victoria’s perfect image collapsed.
But she still had one final move.
“You think you won?”
May you like
She smiled.
“Your family has another secret.”
