From Broken Bride to Tycoon's Trophy Wife

Chapter 8

He dragged Wendy into the car, slammed his foot on the accelerator, and sped toward the river.

"Without Lily, let's just die together!"

The car swerved wildly, and Wendy screamed in terror.

When the sports car was finally stopped by the police, Wendy had fainted from the fear, her body limp and unresponsive.

Three days later, on the eve of my wedding, Nolan called. His voice was raspy, barely recognizable. It had been days since we'd last spoken, and hearing "Lily" again felt like a memory from another lifetime.

"Lily," he said softly. "Can I attend your wedding?"

"If I can't marry you, I at least want to see it. I want to see what you look like, marrying someone else."

Before I could even say no, my phone was snatched away.

Lucas, who had silently appeared behind me, answered for me.

"Of course you're welcome. I'll even personally toast you at the wedding."

Nolan, seething with rage, snapped on the other end. "Give the phone back to Lily! I'm talking to her, not you!"

Lucas raised an eyebrow slightly. "We're husband and wife now. What she says is what I say."

Nolan's fury boiled over, and he hung up the phone.

Lucas handed it back to me, his earlier fierceness gone. Instead, he looked at me with soft, gentle eyes.

"Lily, I hope you're not upset with what I just did."

I smiled lightly. "Of course not. You handled it perfectly. Saved me a lot of trouble."

He let out a nervous sigh of relief. "Good. I was worried you might be unhappy."

But honestly, a part of me was worried.

Because I knew Nolan. He wasn't the type to give up easily.

"Lucas, do we really have to let Nolan come to our wedding?" I asked, my concern evident. "I'm worried he might cause a scene."

Lucas seemed completely unbothered. "Don't worry, Lily. With me here, he won't be able to do anything."

Lucas had never been one to be pushed around. I'd seen how decisive and efficient he was in work matters, but now he was being so patient and considerate with me.

I stepped forward and hugged him gently.

His body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Lucas, thank you."

The words felt too small for what I was feeling.

Thank you for being here, supporting me, for all the patience and care when I was hurt and broken by love. And thank you for giving me back my dignity.

His large hand rested softly on my head. "Between us, there's no need for thanks."

On the day of the wedding, the venue was packed with guests, and I was a bundle of nerves in the hotel's dressing room.

Lucas came in multiple times, bringing me milk tea and snacks to keep me going.

Charlotte teased, clearly envious. "Looks like the groom's trying to fatten up the bride."

Lucas smiled, looking at me with nothing but adoration. "Today's going to be tiring. Eat a little more."

The wedding venue was stunning, decorated with flaming orchids glowing under the lights.

I slipped into my custom light tulle gown and made my entrance, the beautiful music flowing around me. There was a burst of cheers as my parents tearfully gave me away.

It only took a minute to walk from the entrance to the center of the venue, but in that minute, I walked the distance of ten years, from the wrong love to the right one.

Ten years felt like a lifetime ago.

Lucas met me in the center, his eyes full of love. He slowly dropped to one knee.

"Lily, will you marry me?"

As the huge diamond ring gleamed before my eyes, emotion surged through me.

I covered my mouth and slowly nodded.

We exchanged rings, embraced, and kissed in one smooth motion.

Lucas had spared no expense renting the most central billboard in New York City. He wanted to play a video of our wedding on loop, for everyone to see my happiness and send their well wishes.

But Nolan, who had promised to come, was nowhere to be seen.