Chapter 1: Mr Stefan Is Waiting Inside

A sleek Mercedes-Benz pulled into the Florence household's parking lot. Watching the car through the window, Clarissa couldn't help but sneer in jealousy. She was a slender beauty with smooth skin and long, flowing hair, appearing to be in her early twenties.

"Mom, that crippled man is here to pick Dorothy up, but he's driving an expensive car. Dorothy doesn't deserve to ride in something like that," Clarissa scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Don't worry, baby. It's just a car. Once she marries that crippled man, you'll have anything you want," her mother, Agnes, reassured her.

"I’d better," Clarissa pouted, her juicy pink lips curling as she flipped a lock of her hair behind her ear. Men lined up for a chance to date her as her beauty was enchanting. But her personality was a stark contrast to her looks, nothing good to write about.

A knock sounded at the door.

"It's them," Clarissa muttered, waving at one of the housemaids to open it. A sharply dressed man in a well-ironed suit stood at the entrance.

"Good morning, ma'am. We're here for Mr. Everest's fiancée," the man said politely.

Clarissa ignored him, peering behind him as if searching for someone.

"And where is her useless soon-to-be husband? Is he in the car? Oh, wait—I forgot he can't walk. How would he ever come here?" Clarissa mocked, laughing along with Agnes.

The man frowned but remained composed. "I’ll ask again: where is his fiancée?"

"We’ll send her out—but first, go back and switch that car for something cheaper. Something more suited to her," Agnes replied, her tone curt.

Clarissa nodded in agreement.

Sighing, the man pulled out his phone, clearly done with their antics. "Please bring the Toyota Yaris," he instructed. Clarissa smirked triumphantly.

A few minutes later, the Toyota Yaris arrived, and the Mercedes-Benz was driven away.

"Can we have her now?" the man asked calmly.

Agnes rolled her eyes and left the room. She returned moments later with a young woman who appeared to be Clarissa's age. Dorothy was simply dressed in a plain gown, her hair tied back, her skin pale with no makeup.

The man’s face lit up as he addressed her. "You must be Miss Dorothy. I’m Kai, sent by Mr. Stefan to pick you up."

"Good morning, Kai," Dorothy responded softly, her voice calm and gentle. Clarissa and Agnes exchanged scoffs.

"Since there’s nothing else, let’s go," Kai said, nodding politely at Clarissa and Agnes before escorting Dorothy out.

"She's so pathetic," Clarissa muttered. "Imagine marrying at twenty-two—to a crippled, mute loser!"

"She deserves nothing better," Agnes replied dismissively.

Despite the fact they believed Dorothy life would be miserable after getting married to Stefan, Clarissa can't help but get a little worried. He sent his assistant to pick her up in a Mercedes Benz, what if she starts living a good life? She bit her lips with this thought.

"Stop worrying too much, his family won't like her, she's ugly" Agnes reassured Clarissa once more.

"You're right, no one can love an ugly girl like her! What was I even thinking" Clarissa nodded, convincing herself as they watched Dorothy leave.

OUTSIDE

Kai opened the car door for Dorothy. "Your mother and sister are quite something. They wouldn’t let me bring the better car."

Dorothy offered a polite smile. "Thank you," she murmured before stepping into the car and settling in the back seat as Kai drove.

He glanced at her through the rearview mirror as he started the engine. "Don’t believe everything you hear about Stefan. He may be crippled, but he’s a calm, collected man, and minds his business. You’re in safe hands even though he's a little grumpy."

Dorothy stared out the window, feeling indifferent. Safe hands or not, she had nothing left to lose. Her family had forced her to turn down a medical school admission to marry Stefan. Dorothy knew Agnes wouldn’t allow her to marry a rich man unless there was something to gain.

Stefan Everest was wealthy—the CEO of Everest Stock Exchange and the son Arthur Everest, a powerful business magnate. Stefan was also a crippled mute man rendered so by an accident and this made him a laughing stock amongst others.

The car stopped moving as Kai had just arrived at the county clerk office. He got down and offered to help Dorothy get the car door but she already exited herself.

He cleared his throat and led the way "Mr. Stefan is waiting inside," 

Dorothy followed him, ignoring the judgmental stares from people they passed. Everyone else was elegantly dressed, their faces polished with makeup, while she looked plain in comparison.

At the registration office, Kai opened the door for her.

He was present, Stefan was there. He sat in his wheelchair, a commanding presence despite his disability. His physique was surprisingly toned for someone who had spend years in a wheelchair, his broad shoulders complementing his chiseled face and piercing blue eyes.

Dorothy’s heart skipped a beat when their eyes met, but Stefan looked away, focusing instead on a sharply dressed young man in a white suit standing behind him.

The man spoke. "Mr. Stefan has instructed us to proceed with the marriage registration," he said to the deputy county clerk, a stern-looking woman with a stocky build.

"Miss Dorothy, please take a seat," the clerk instructed, motioning to the chair beside Stefan.

Dorothy hesitated but obeyed, keeping her distance. Even though the man was mute and on a wheelchair, Dorothy was still weary of him. Stefan’s rugged appearance made her uneasy, despite his striking looks.

"Please provide the necessary documents," the clerk requested. Kai handed them over.

The clerk began asking questions. Dorothy answered softly, while the man in the white suit responded on Stefan’s behalf.

"Move closer for the photograph, please," the photographer instructed.

Dorothy swallowed nervously and shifted closer, careful not to touch Stefan. The photo was taken quickly, and she immediately moved back, releasing a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

"Sign here for the final step," the clerk said.

Both signed the documents.

"Congratulations, Mr. Stefan Everest and Mrs. Dorothy Everest. You are now husband and wife."

Husband and wife. The words echoed in Dorothy’s mind. She was married. Her life, as she knew it, was over.