My Wedding Was My Death Sentence

Three days before the wedding, I was hit by a car, and my spine was fractured. Lucas, my fianc, put the driver behind bars. I lay in the hospital bed, refusing to wake, devastated by the news of my paralysis. In a haze, I overheard Lucass conversation with the doctor.

Mr. Stone, its still not too late for the surgery. A few more days, and Ms. Hayes will truly be paralyzed for life! You just want Lily to be your bride; why take on half a lifes burden?

Disabled is disabled. I will take care of her for the rest of her life. If she recovers, shell definitely cause trouble at the wedding. I promised Lily Id bring our child into the Stone family with all due pomp. Only when Clara is completely incapacitated will she treat my child as her own. Being disabled is fine; at least she wont bully the child.

In an unnoticed corner, a single tear traced a path down my temple. So, the wedding I had so eagerly anticipated was nothing but a lie. The love I yearned for was also my death warrant. If that was the case, I would grant his wish.

Dont say anything extra. Follow my plan. The hysterectomy must be thorough, leaving no trace for her to discover. Once she wakes, Ill take her to the orphanage to pick up the child. Without the chance to have her own children, shell surely dote on Rose.

The doctor wiped sweat from his brow, his conscience pricked. Mr. Stone, perhaps you should reconsider? Ms. Hayes is already paralyzed. Removing her uterus would be like taking her life! How will she face the elders of the Stone family afterward?

Besides, your child with Ms. Evans is three years old now, and the girl looks remarkably like you. If Ms. Hayes ever found out, everything would be ruined!

Lucas reached out, skillfully wiping my cracked lips with a wet tissue again and again. His voice was filled with the regret of a love unfulfilled. She wont find out. As long as shes disabled, shell be confined to the Stone family estate for life, unable to take a single step outside. I promised Lily Id give her a grand wedding and watch our child grow up with my own eyes. Even if shes married to someone else now, I will never let her have any worries.

The doctor beside him sighed, looking at my pale face on the hospital bed. Clara is a good girl. You two grew up together, and you insist on clinging to that never mind. I wont say anything more. If you think its okay, then proceed.

Go prepare for the surgery. Remember, make it clean, leave no traces. While Clara is still unconscious, I dont want her to feel too much pain. The doctor quickly left the room.

Lucas took out his phone and sent a voice message to his assistant. That driver didnt spill the beans, did he? As agreed, pay his family two million and help them move out of this city. Dont let Clara find out.

Tears fell uncontrollably, soaking into the pillow. Lucas meticulously wiped my body with warm water again and again. A chill, however, still ran through me. It turned out the wedding I had anticipated for five years was merely preparation for Lily. The car accident was no accident at all. It was just his way of clearing me, a stumbling block, for Lily. My imagined happiness and perfection were nothing but illusions. Lies and betrayal were the true nature of our relationship.

I struggled to open my eyes. But soon, an anesthetic was injected into my body. Before being wheeled into the operating room, Lucas kissed my forehead with feigned tenderness. Be good, itll be over soon, Clara. Ill be waiting for you.

Cold instruments continuously churned inside me. My shattered heart grew even colder.

When I opened my eyes again, I was already in the recovery room. I still had no sensation below my waist. Lucas sat by my bedside, his face etched with worry when he saw me awaken. He took my hand in his, gently pressing it against his cheek. Clara? Youre awake? Is anything still bothering you?

Tell me if youre in pain, and Ill have them change your medication. His expression was as doting as ever, but I could no longer detect any warmth in his eyes. For someone to go to such lengths for another

I gently shook my head, my fingers tracing the stubble on his chin. You havent slept all night, have you? Im fine; you should rest a bit. Lucas, unsuspecting, relaxed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

I picked up his phone from the bedside table and unlocked it. The wallpaper was still our wedding photo, taken in advance. His social media app was open. The pinned contact was saved as Lily.

Tapping into the chat, beyond cute cat emojis, were only photos of Lily holding a child.

Rose kept asking for Daddy again today. Shes so young and already knows Daddy is handsome. Shes definitely going to be obsessed with good looks later.

Rose had a good appetite today; she ate the entire cake you sent all by herself.

Rose is begging to go to the amusement park with Daddy. I cant convince her otherwise. Come over if you have time.

Lucas hadnt replied, but beneath each photo were video logs lasting up to two hours. Remembering he once said he didnt like children, I now understood. He didnt dislike children; he just disliked children born from my womb.

He had created a separate album for Lily, the password being the childs birthday. Five thousand photos documented the childs three years of growth. Every important holiday, Lucas had been by their side.

The second chat box in the app was a conversation with the wedding planner. From the moment he started planning the wedding a month ago, Lucas had given Lilys name. The wedding dress was her size. The invitations were handwritten by both of them. From the very beginning, he had never intended for me to be at this wedding.

I laughed at myself, a bitter sound, and stopped scrolling. I contacted my best friend, asking her to find another hospital for me abroad for surgery. I also applied to cancel all my identification documents in the country. My best friend, not thinking much of it, just assumed I had finally seen Lucass true colors. Her messages were filled with joy for me.

Putting down my phone, I fell into a deep sleep. I woke again, startled by Lucass sobs. He clutched a hospital report in his hand, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably. Clara the doctor said they found during the examination that you were born without a uterus, youre infertile.

Dont worry, I wont look down on you. No matter what you become, you are my wife. How about we adopt a child after youre discharged? With a child by your side, youll slowly get better.

I was the one who had lost the ability to conceive, yet he seemed more heartbroken than I was. His acting was convincing, and I couldnt be bothered to expose him. After a long silence, looking at the report in his hand, I nodded slowly.

Lucas, moved, shed tears and pulled me into his embrace. I will take good care of you. Dont be afraid. No matter what anyone says, I will stand by you.

After we get married, Ill transfer all my assets to your name, as your security.

Our chests pressed tightly together. Yet our heartbeats were on different rhythms.

After a while, Lucas struggled to speak. The wedding is already prepared, but now your body hasnt recovered, so it might have to

Find someone to go in my place. Dont let the Stone family lose face. I knew what he wanted to say. Rather than being passive, it was better to be proactive. At least I could maintain some dignity.

Lucas was surprised by my change in attitude. But with his wish fulfilled, he didnt want to pry.

His phone rang. He glanced at it, surprised. Clara, what documents did you cancel?

I quickly swiped away the message, calmly explaining, Nothing, my documents expired. Ill just replace them online. He didnt think much of it, hugging me tighter, his voice full of tenderness. Now that youre not well, just tell me anything you need, and Ill handle it for you.

Lucas, I want to leave the hospital.

His emotions suddenly tensed. No, your body hasnt recovered. I dont agree.

I tugged on his arm, shaking it, a smile playing on my lips. Didnt you say you wanted to take me to adopt a child? We have nannies at home; nothing will happen. I want to visit the orphanage, okay?

In our five years together, this was the first time Id ever acted so sweetly with him. Lucas couldnt refuse me and softly agreed.

On the way, he took out the cakes he had prepared in the car and arranged them in front of me, saying he had specially bought them for me. But the suitable for toddlers label on the packaging still stung my eyes. I closed the bag, tossing the cakes to the back, and feigned discomfort, closing my eyes. This five-year-long deception, it was time for it to end.

As soon as we entered the orphanage, I was in my wheelchair. A little girl familiarly rushed up and hugged Lucass leg, incessantly calling him Daddy. Lucass face changed, and fearing my suspicion, he quickly explained, Dont misunderstand, I sponsor this orphanage. Ive visited a few times before. This child is an orphan, and shes always called me that.

I nodded, smiling as I stroked the childs face. She looks a lot like you. If you hadnt said anything, I would have thought she was your child.

Whats her name?

Rose, shes the one Im planning to adopt.

Before he could explain further, Rose cried, calling for Mommy. Lucass face instantly went pale. He frowned deeply, looking at me.

Im fine. Go comfort her. This child is beautiful; I like her too. My words visibly eased his tension. Lucas didnt think further, picking up the child and heading into the office. I excused myself to the restroom to escape.

But from the doorway, I kept hearing the staff discussing. Why is Mr. Stone making his own child pretend to be an orphan? Those clothes are high-end; they cost more than my life. Who would believe shes an orphan?

What do you know? Mr. Stone has it all planned. This is the only way for the child to legitimately enter the Stone family. Be smart when you go out later; dont let anything slip in front of Ms. Hayes.

Indeed, the one closest to Mr. Stones heart is still Ms. Evans. They both loved volunteering here during college. I noticed it back then, and now its come true! A man and a woman alone in the same room; now they might even be

Amused laughter reached my ears, pressing down on my chest until I could barely breathe. I moved my wheelchair to the door. Inside, I heard a familiar voice.

Is he still good to you?

Hes quite good. Its just that hes often abroad, so there are some things he cant manage. This is good too; he wont discover Roses secret, and hes even nagging me to have another child with him.

Lucas smiled, but his eyes were filled with bitterness. Once Rose is settled in the Stone family, you wont have to worry anymore. If you need anything, just message me.

Oh, and this is a bracelet I just bought. Consider it my wedding gift to you.

Lily took the gift box, winking playfully. Why are you giving me gifts again? How many wedding gifts have you given me in our year of marriage? My closet is overflowing. Clara would definitely be unhappy if she knew. Though she said this, she didnt stop accepting the gift.

Beside them, Rose smiled, clinging to her, continuously calling her Mommy.

The director, eager to process the paperwork, rushed to me and pushed open the door. A flicker of panic crossed Lucass eyes. Clara, what are you doing here?

Dont misunderstand. Lily is a volunteer here at the orphanage. She just happened to be visiting today to discuss my adoption of Rose

Lily stood up, holding Rose in her arms, and waved to me. Clara, long time no see.

I sat in my wheelchair, smiling and nodding, swallowing my hurt. Its fine; Im just looking around. Since youre busy, I wont bother you. Ill wait in the car. With that, I turned to leave.

Lucas thought I was angry and followed me, explaining for a long time. Dont misunderstand. She often comes here to volunteer. All the children in the orphanage call her Mommy. Ill explain everything to Rose once the adoption paperwork is done.

Watching him fret over me, I suddenly felt like laughing. To legitimately bring his child into the family, he didnt hesitate to stage a car accident to paralyze me. Now that he had gotten his wish, who was he playing the victim for?