[2]

It was Victoria's only day off. She had deliberately requested a concurrent day off between her work at the clinic and the convenience store, so that she could be with her daughter all day at the hospital. After not seeing Abby for two days, Victoria was determined to make up for it by bringing her daughter's favorite chicken soup that she had prepared since morning.

Victoria was busy stirring the pot in the kitchen when a familiar voice interrupted her at the door. “Looks like someone's having fun today,” Lucy Hayes, Victoria's sister, said sarcastically. Lucy stood in the doorway, playing with the ends of her wavy hair as she looked at Victoria with a mocking gaze. Visually, Lucy was beautiful, and it was often a point of comparison for their family.

“I'm going to see Abby,” Victoria replied briefly, her focus back on the vegetables she was chopping.

“Oh, so the poor sickly child is awake?” commented Lucy in a dismissive tone.

Victoria's hands stopped for a moment. She took a deep breath, trying to tamp down the anger. "The girl has a name, Lucy. She's your niece."

“But still useless,” Lucy giggled. “At least, if you decide to have a child, make it useful. Not a nuisance.”

Victoria clenched her fists tightly. Normally, she wouldn't hesitate to reprimand Lucy harshly, but she knew it would only make things worse. Lucy wasn't the type to be easily defeated in an argument, especially since there was no one in the house who would defend Victoria. She settled for quietly going back to stirring her soup, and hoping Lucy would get bored herself.

Another step was heard approaching, accompanied by a soft, artificial voice. “What are you doing here, Lucy?” asked Ella Hayes, their mother.

“Helping my dear sister make food for her daughter,” Lucy replied in a sarcastic tone.

Ella snorted. “Why bother making the food? There's no point.”

Victoria felt her chest tighten at her own mother's words. But she remained silent, her hands busy finishing the soup that was almost done. She just wanted to rush to the hospital and see her daughter.

But Ella didn't seem to be letting her off the hook. “There's an important guest coming to the house this afternoon. You can't go anywhere. We need to entertain them properly,” Ella said firmly.

Victoria turned around with a furrowed brow. “But I have to see Abby.”

“Fuck off!” Ella waved her hand in an angry gesture. “There's no point in you going there. Besides, there are nurses at the hospital who can look after her.”

Ella snatched the ladle from Victoria's hand and looked at her angrily. “Add some meat to this soup and don't even think about taking her to the hospital. The child doesn't need it.”

Victoria felt all her patience being tested. With trembling hands, she took off her apron and said in a low voice, “I have to go. I can't wait any longer.”

“Hey, Damn Child!” Ella suddenly pulled Victoria's hair roughly, making the woman grimace in pain. “If you dare to step out, you better pack up all your things and leave! Don't ever come back to this house!”

Victoria stared at her mother with a look of disbelief. How could a mother say such a thing to her child? If Victoria thought about it, she didn't live in this house for free. She gave some money to her mother. Even still being asked for extra money without thinking if Victoria needed it too.

“My guest is arriving soon. She's coming from Maine,” Ella added in a lower but still sharp tone. “Most of the important people live there. If I'm generous, maybe I can give you some money for Abby's hospital bills. That is, if you don't ruin my day.”

Lucy exclaimed cheerfully. “Are they really coming, Mom? Ugh! I never thought that fairy tale could come true.”

Victoria didn't care. She was still trying to break free from her mother's grasp. Her hair felt like it was about to be pulled out, but her determination to see Abby was much stronger than the physical pain she felt.

“I'm still going,” she said finally, her voice firm but full of emotion. She knew that if she stayed any longer, she would lose the chance to give Abby some happiness on her short vacation.

“Don't try to fight me, you little shit!” Ella leaned closer and whispered threateningly to Victoria. “Do as I say!” The woman pushed Victoria rather roughly. This caused Victoria to stumble a bit.

“Quick, finish your cooking and make another meal. We must treat them well!

There was nothing Victoria could do but nod, holding the words in her throat. Holding back the pain she felt in her head. Who knows how many strands of her hair had fallen out because of her mother's actions earlier. For now, obeying her mother's words was the best option. With a grunt of annoyance, Ella left her alone in the kitchen.

“Aren't you curious about who's coming?” Lucy Hayes' voice broke the silence. She had no intention of leaving the kitchen. Seeing how Victoria was treated was a pleasure for her.

Lucy sat on a chair near the kitchen, playing with the ends of her wavy hair. Her appearance was perfect as always, like a pampered porcelain doll.

Victoria sighed, not stopping her activity. “No,” she said simply.

“They're from the Ashford family! You know, right, that family owns Dallas Corp? I don't think Grandpa ever agreed to match his descendants with us. It must be to repay a past favor. Tori, I'm getting impatient! Just think, a rich and handsome man is going to marry me!” Lucy chuckled, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Victoria remained silent. Lucy's words were just an afterthought to her. She knew very well who would be favored in this family: Lucy, the golden child. Victoria was too used to being ignored and treated unfairly. For her, love and attention from her family was just an empty dream.

Love is the most hypocritical feeling in the whole world. It can only make you hurt so much that you can't get up immediately. It traumatized Victoria so deeply that she could no longer feel happy.

“Don't be jealous, my dear sister. I'm going to marry a rich man soon and I'm sure he's handsome.” Lucy held her flushed cheeks. “Ah, I can't wait. I don't have to help you, do I? I should always look beautiful in front of him. I think I should do my hair.”

Victoria let out a long sigh. Her hands kept moving, finishing the dishes without saying much. Every now and then her eyes glanced at the clock on the wall. Hopefully, in their excitement to welcome guests, they would forget about Victoria. And she could sneak into the hospital without getting caught.

Victoria didn't care if the meeting was about the wedding of the handsome man and her sister. After all, she was just an insignificant extra in the family. It would be better if they ignored Victoria's existence.

Unfortunately... that wish was not granted.

Two weeks after the Ashford family's visit, Victoria found herself sitting in an elegant dark brown room. The room was decorated with classic luxuries. The walls were cream-colored with touches of gold in every corner, while a soft Persian carpet lay on the floor. A sparkling crystal chandelier hung in the center of the ceiling, emitting a soft glow that added to the elegant feel.

It was in this room that Victoria waited. Dressed in an ivory white gown that clung perfectly to her body. Her beautiful face looked stiff, her hair was in a neat bun, and a small diamond-studded crown perched gracefully on top of her head. However, underneath it all, her eyes were full of anxiety.

“Why is this happening to me?” she murmured softly, her eyes staring at her reflection in the large mirror. The dress looked beautiful, the makeup on her face almost flawless, but her heart felt empty.

The door to the room opened slowly. A man in a navy suit entered, sitting in a wheelchair pushed by a middle-aged woman. The woman smiled warmly, the same smile from the first time Victoria met her.

As if... this wedding was a very exciting thing for her.

“Meet, he is my dear nephew. Logan Ashford,” Grace Ashford's soft yet firm voice rang throughout the room. The woman smiled as she looked at the man sitting in the wheelchair beside her. “Your husband,” she added, with emphasis.

God created perfection in Logan Ashford, a man with a charismatic aura despite his physical limitations, lifted his gaze to Victoria. His dark brown hair was neatly styled, his handsome face with a small mole under his left eye exuded charm, though his gaze was icy. But the good looks are overshadowed by a reality that cannot be hidden: his legs are paralyzed, the result of a tragic accident three years ago.

But Victoria's parents are not ones to waste an offer of compensation if one of their daughters accepts this arranged marriage. When she learns that her future husband is disabled and uses a wheelchair to get around, Lucy flatly refuses. Not wanting to embarrass herself, Ella offers a replacement.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard Victoria refuses, she can't argue. Moreover...

Victoria could only look down. Her mother's words suddenly echoed back in her ears. “He's a rich man. You can ask him for money for your daughter's treatment. Think about it. Where else can you get such a valuable source of money? Don't be a hypocrite. You already have a child anyway. Who would accept marriage to a woman of unclear status.”

That statement was painful, but true. Abigail, her six-year-old daughter, was in dire need of money for her treatment. And this was the only way left.

“Soon the photographer will be taking pictures of you. Try to make the best of it. It's your wedding day, right? Cheer up,” Grace said as she patted Victoria's shoulder, then left them both in silence.

Logan looked at Victoria with a flat stare. “So, you're my replacement bride?” he asked, his tone barely showing any emotion.

But to Victoria, returning his gaze felt very strange, as if she was in the depths of his ocean-blue eyes where there was a great void. Victoria tried to control herself and replied, “I-”

But Logan interrupted her, waving a hand as if he didn't care. “Never mind, it doesn't matter who my bride is. As long as she meets the conditions you gave her, I don't care.” He pulled an envelope out of his blazer pocket and handed it to Victoria. “Sign it.”

“This... contract?” Victoria stared at the envelope in confusion.

“I only ask for three things,” Logan said in a firm tone as he held up three fingers. “First, don't file for divorce unless I ask. Second, last at least three years of marriage. Third, take care of each other's business. Because really, we're just strangers.”

Victoria was silent. His words echoed in her mind. She knew that this was no ordinary marriage, but a cold and pragmatic agreement. “What about my job?” she asked finally. “Aunt Grace said I should come to Maine. But I guess you don't know who I am yet.”

Logan smiled slightly, but it was more of a mocking smile. “Victoria Hayes, 28 years old, almost finished her medical degree, has a daughter named Abigail who's in bad shape. You work in clinics, convenience stores, and sometimes odd jobs to make ends meet. You're the first child of the Hayes family who never mattered.”

Victoria was stunned. “You looked into my background?”

“I naturally did,” Logan replied coldly. He turned the wheel of his wheelchair, coming closer to Victoria. “Your compensation will be taken care of by my assistant. Don't worry. Do what you want after today. Remember, we're strangers.”

Victoria stared at Logan for a moment before finally accepting the pen and signing the contract. Her hands were shaking, but she knew this was an inevitable decision.

“There's no need for wedding photos,” Logan suddenly said. His tone left no room for discussion. “Such things are useless. You agree with me, right?”

Victoria just nodded weakly. She knew this wasn't a normal wedding. Everything was just a formality to fulfill Logan's family's demands. When Logan wheeled his wheelchair out of the room, Victoria could only stand still. In her heart, she wondered how the rest of her life would go.

However, one thing was certain. For Abigail's sake, she had to survive.