Audrey is such a wonderful woman, yet she fell in love with someone like Duncan. She deserves so much better.“Isn't it obvious? Audrey is the kind of woman who's fickle and unfaithful. It's a well-known fact,” Duncan said, a mocking look in his eyes.Joss was so furious he wanted to punch Duncan. Audrey, such a good woman, and Duncan talked about her as if she were worthless. He yanked Duncan out of his chair and shouted, “Duncan, do you even know? She's sick—she’s dying! The least you can do is see her once, listen to her before she passes, just out of respect for the time you spent together!”Duncan couldn’t believe it. Good people don’t die young—only the wicked seem to last forever.Audrey, dying? This had to be some elaborate trick between them, another ploy to deceive him."Josh, right? Didn't you run away with her once? Now that I don't want her anymore, doesn't this work out perfectly for you two? You can finally be together openly," Duncan sneered, his pride keeping him
"No choice? Was betraying me also no choice? Fine. Audrey, weren't you supposed to be dying? Do you want to explain? Alright! I'll grant your wish. My engagement to Heather is canceled. Instead, we're getting married next month. You'll prepare the wedding, and then I'll listen to your explanation once."Audrey stared at Duncan in disbelief. He knew she loved him, yet he wanted her to prepare his wedding, to hand over the man she loved to another woman with her own hands.His cruelty and coldness far exceeded her imagination.But she had no choice. She didn't want to leave with his hatred.He could marry another woman, but he couldn't hate her.To be hated by the man she loved with all her heart—that was crueler than anything else.Audrey couldn't accept such an outcome.She wouldn't. Not even in death."Alright, I promise you. I'll help prepare your wedding, and you'll give me a chance to explain." These were probably the most difficult words Audrey had ever spoken in her life.
All women dream of wearing a beautiful wedding dress and marrying the man they love, but for her, this had become an impossible dream.As she hesitated, Heather had already brought the wedding dress before her.Just as she took the dress, Audrey suddenly cried out "Ah!" and dropped it as if she'd been electrocuted.Something had just pricked her. There was something wrong with this dress.Hearing the noise, Heather looked at Audrey with confusion. "What's wrong?""There's something in this dress..." She was about to say there was something hidden in the dress.But the store assistant didn't give her a chance to speak, picking up the dress and thrusting it back into her arms. "Miss Lyons, this dress was designed by a top French designer. There can't be anything wrong with it. Please, just go try it on.""But this..." Before Audrey could say more, she was pushed into the fitting room by the assistant. As the door closed, she caught a glimpse of a sharp glint in Heather's eyes.So
That man’s heartlessness had reached a truly appalling level.Josh desperately wanted to take Audrey to France while she was still unconscious, but he didn’t. He loved Audrey, and because of that, even though it hurt him deeply, he respected her choices.On the third day, Audrey woke up in the hospital. She struggled to get out of bed, but Josh wouldn’t let her. The moment she felt a little better, she sneaked out of the hospital.Heather was too busy cozying up with the Duncan family to come after Audrey. However, she still managed to dig up last year’s scandal and put it before the media again.Audrey became a public disgrace, a target of ridicule wherever she went.Then, on the eve of Duncan and Heather’s wedding, Janet Baker, Duncan’s mother, came to see her.Without a word, Janet slapped her across the face. “You shameless woman! You already have another man, so why are you still clinging to my son?”Even though Janet was in her forties, she took great care of herself and l
"No, I can't leave," Audrey insisted, her voice trembling. "I might go blind or even die before we reach the airport. Josh, I'm so close now. They're getting married tomorrow, and Duncan promised to hear me out. I still have a chance."Josh ran his fingers through his hair, exasperated. "And then what? Will he call off the wedding? Leave Heather at the altar?""That's not the point," Audrey whispered, her voice barely audible. "I just can't bear him hating me. I don't want to die with that burden. He may not love me anymore, but I can't let him hate me."Her devotion was unwavering, a love so deep she'd sacrifice everything for it."Audrey, please," Josh pleaded, his heart breaking. "Can't you think of yourself for once? You're not made of stone. You're flesh and blood, with feelings that matter."Tears rolled down Audrey's cheeks. "Just give me tonight. After I explain, whether he forgives me or not, I'll go with you. Duncan and Heather are perfect for each other. I won't interfe
Duncan took a long drag from his cigarette, his mind in turmoil. Had he really misjudged her? Or was this just another of her elaborate lies?"Let me help you get ready," Audrey's voice was soft, but it did nothing to ease the knot in his stomach. He felt like he was losing something precious, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what.He crushed out his cigarette and stood, his eyes meeting hers. "Is this really what you want?""Yes, Duncan. I love you. Meeting you, loving you—it's been the greatest joy of my life. You're getting married today, and even though I'm not the bride, I want your happiness more than anything. Your joy matters more than my own. From now on, you won't be alone. Life will get harder; you'll be tired sometimes, but that's part of the journey too."Tears streamed down Audrey's face.Watching her cry, Duncan remembered a promise he'd once made: "Audrey, don't ever cry again. You're beautiful when you cry, but each tear is like a falling star. I want yo
"Thallium poisoning doesn't leave the body naturally, and it's undetectable in standard tests. Audrey shouldn't have lasted this long. Are you sure you gave me the right dose?"That voice—it was Heather!Though her words were hushed, Audrey heard every syllable with crystal clarity.Audrey froze, her mind reeling. After countless hospital visits and inconclusive tests, she never imagined Heather was behind her mysterious illness. What had she ever done to deserve this? Was Duncan really worth destroying another person's life?"Look, I'm marrying Duncan today, and Audrey needs to be out of the picture. Permanently. I don't care how you do it—just make it happen!"Heather angrily ended the call, only to turn and find Audrey standing right there."What did you hear?" Heather's face drained of color, panic flashing in her eyes.Though weak, Audrey's voice was filled with fury. "Everything! It was you all along! You wormed your way into Quartet Enterprises just to poison me!""Fine,
Before Audrey could react, Heather rushed to Duncan, her body trembling. "Duncan, I'm terrified! Audrey tried to kill me because she doesn't want us to marry. She almost pushed me out the window!"Audrey stared at Heather, her blood boiling as she watched the lies unfold. "Heather, when will you stop? How long will you keep up this act? You poisoned me with thallium! That's why I've been sick. You deserve to rot in hell, to die in the gutter! You're the one who should die, Heather!"Consumed by rage she had never known before, Audrey lunged forward.Duncan, hearing Heather's cries, hurried over. He saw Audrey's face contorted with fury, looking wild and unhinged. Without hesitation, he grabbed Heather and roughly shoved Audrey away.Audrey crumpled to the floor."Audrey, one minute you're dying, the next it's poisoning. Can you ever tell the truth? All those blessings earlier—just another act, wasn't it? You wanted me to call off the wedding and marry you instead, right?"It was