I Set You Free

Chapter 6

I turned on my heel and headed straight to a hotel, my mind a whirlpool of anger and betrayal.

That night, Lily sent a message. The tone was as cool and controlled as always.

"Ryan still has to go to the wedding in your place. Hurting him won't look good, especially with all the eyes on us. Apologizing was just for his sake, don't read too much into it. My parents were just talking nonsense, I'll make them apologize after the wedding."

"Get some rest. I've prepared a surprise for you. You'll love it when it's ready."

But I knew better. I wasn't some naive fool anymore. The whole thing wasn't for Ryan's benefit; it was a show for me. She'd spent five years pulling the wool over my eyes. Well, the curtain was about to fall.

For the next two days, I kept my distance. Lily was too busy prepping for the wedding to even care.

On the morning of the wedding, I called her. She was too preoccupied with details to give me much attention.

"Ms. Parker," her assistant interrupted, "Are you really sure about transferring half of the company shares to Mr. Carter? He's not technically part of the family, isn't that a risk?"

"Do it," Lily snapped. "That's the compensation I promised him. The other half is for the child. And make sure you personally greet the guests. Keep an eye out for trouble from the Carter family."

Once the assistant left, Lily remembered my call.

"Jack?" she said, her voice distracted. "Sorry, the wedding's starting soon. I'll be with you afterward. Please, don't be upset."

I glanced at the plane ticket in my hand, my expression flat.

"Go ahead. I won't bother you."

"Lily," I said, cold as ice, "congratulations on your wedding."

There was a brief pause, then she laughed softly.

"It's our wedding. Be a good boy and wait for me at home."

I ended the call and boarded the plane.

Once I got the confirmation that my identification documents were successfully canceled, I wiped all traces of her contact info from my phone.

The wedding went on without me.

But Lily couldn't shake the unease creeping in. She replayed our phone call over and over in her head, a gnawing feeling growing inside her.

She turned to her assistant.

"Go find Jack. He's bound to make a scene since I'm marrying someone else."

The ceremony continued, and Ryan stood beside her, holding her hand as they made their way through the toasts, all smiles for the guests.

Then the assistant hurried back, his face ashen.

"Ms. Parker, there's bad news! Mr. Carter was on that flight this morning… and it just crashed into the sea!"