Chapter 3

When Hugo turned to look at me, his expression changed drastically. "What are you doing here? I don't think Mom invited you today!"

Before I could respond, he grabbed my arm and started pulling me outside.

I was still on crutches from my fracture, and his force nearly made me fall. Struggling to shake him off, I said, "Let go of me—I can walk on my own."

His voice turned cold. "Katherine, I don't know why you decided to show up today, but no one invited you to Mom's birthday celebration.

"If you came here just to assert your claim or steal Sophia's spotlight, you're not welcome here."

I was caught off guard by his words, stunned. "What are you talking about? You were the one who told me to come."

Hugo froze, and a flicker of guilt flashed across his face.

"I don't remember that. Who knows if you're just making that up?"

Victoria followed us out and spoke to me gently. "Kath, Sophia hasn't been in a great mood lately, so I asked Hugo to bring her over for a meal. Would you mind leaving first? I don't want her to get upset seeing you here."

One after another, they all seemed to have completely forgotten the things they'd once said to me.

But that was fine. Since I wasn't welcome, there was no reason for me to stay.

I nodded and was about to leave when Sophia suddenly stepped out.

To my surprise, she actually tried to keep me there.

"Mrs. Laurent, Hugo, you're overthinking it. I'm not that petty.

"Katherine's injured—it must have been hard for her to come all this way on crutches. She should just stay and have a meal with us."

I pretended not to notice the triumph in her eyes and responded indifferently, "There's no need, but I appreciate the gesture."

However, Hugo stepped in front of me, blocking my way with a displeased expression.

"You stay right here," he ordered.

"Sophia didn't even mind you showing up uninvited—she's already giving you an easy way out. And yet, you're still being ungrateful and disrespecting her?

"If you dare walk away today, then consider our wedding canceled. Don't forget—you already quit your job abroad to come back for me. If you leave now, you'll have nothing left."

I froze.

Hugo had spent ten years relentlessly pursuing me, but in the beginning, I had never planned to accept him.

Until one fateful day—when a truck came barreling toward me, and without hesitation, he pushed me out of the way and shielded me with his own body.

As the ambulance took him away, he clutched my hand tightly, whispering, "As long as I can save you, I'd give up my life without regret. I just hope that in my next life, you'll give me a chance."

It was then that I finally let my guard down, resigning from my research position abroad and coming back to marry him.

Yet now, the love that once moved me had become nothing more than a bargaining chip in his hands.

I took a deep breath and said, "Do whatever you want. Cancel the wedding if you'd like."

Then, without hesitation, I turned and walked out.

I didn't notice the flicker of bewilderment in Hugo's eyes as I left.

That night, I packed up all my belongings, preparing to leave for the airport first thing in the morning.

But I didn't expect Hugo to show up in the middle of the night.

He stood in the doorway, momentarily stunned by the empty spaces in the house. "Where's our photo wall? And the travel pictures I took of you—where are they?"

I answered casually, "They fell and shattered. I threw them away."

Hugo stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Why won't you even look at me? Are you angry?"

He sighed. "You're always so stubborn. Do you know how awkward it was today? All those relatives were there, and I had already introduced Sophia to them. Then you suddenly appeared—do you know how embarrassing that was?

"If you had just dropped off the gift and left, none of this would've happened."

Suddenly, I felt him grab my hand and slip something onto my ring finger.

It was a woman's ring—but not the one I'd originally had.

"Stop being mad. I'll keep my promise to you. Tomorrow, we'll have our wedding, and Sophia won't interfere with our relationship ever again. Promise me that you'll be there on time, alright?"

As he spoke, he leaned it to kiss me. I turned away, avoiding him.

Hugo's expression darkened for a moment, as if he was about to say something—but then Sophia's special ringtone suddenly rang.

Without a second thought, he hurriedly pulled away and rushed out of the room to answer the call.

A few moments later, he called out to me, "I have to step out for a bit. Don't forget—be at the wedding venue on time tomorrow!"

The door slammed shut. Another sleepless night.

I had no intention of attending the wedding.

But after some thought, I still went—just to return the ring to Hugo.

However, when I arrived at the venue, I froze.

Because the bride wasn't me—it was Sophia.

A massive banner displayed her name, and she stood at the entrance in a flowing white wedding gown, holding a bouquet, greeting guests with a radiant smile.

When she spotted me, her smile widened.

"Katherine, you didn't actually think today's wedding was for you, did you?

"Hugo promised to marry me today a long time ago. He only invited you because I wanted you to personally witness our wedding.

"You should be grateful to me—otherwise, you wouldn't even have the right to be here."

As she spoke, a strange smile flickered across her face.

A warning bell rang in my mind, but it was too late.

She suddenly hurled the thorned roses in her hands straight at my face.

The sharp thorns cut deep, leaving long gashes on my skin.

Blood trickled down, staining my vision crimson.

Before I could react, Hugo rushed over—only to shove me aside forcefully.

His eyes brimmed with disappointment and fury as he snapped, "Katherine Blake! I invited you to our wedding out of kindness, and this is how you repay me? Why did you attack Sophia?

"Didn't I already give you a ring? What more do you want? I even considered registering our marriage, but you just had to ruin everything!"

With a cold expression, he grabbed Sophia's hand and walked away.

Through the blood-tinted haze, I saw the smug smile on Sophia's lips.

I pressed my hand against my face, struggling to stand.

With trembling fingers, I placed a letter and the ring at the entrance.

Then, without looking back, I turned and left for the airport.

Meanwhile, Hugo and Sophia had reached the wedding stage.

Hugo slowly slid the ring onto Sophia's finger, his voice steady as he asked, "Do you take me as your husband?"

Sophia smiled brightly, about to answer—when suddenly, someone burst into the wedding hall in a panic.

A bodyguard rushed forward, holding up a letter and a ring.

"Mr. Laurent, bad news—Ms. Blake is gone! She's already bought a ticket for an international flight, and the plane is about to take off! Forget the wedding—you have to go after her now!"