The Crippled Billionaire's Revenge

Chapter 9

Crushing Weight of Betrayal

The moment Lily Montgomery stepped through the door, her parents visibly relaxed. But their words hit her like a tidal wave.

"Lily," her mother began, her voice sickeningly sweet, "since Harrison is... gone, it's time Ethan officially becomes part of our family."

Her father nodded, his expression dismissive. "Honestly, keeping that cripple around was bad luck anyway. Pick a date and get your marriage certificate. The Montgomery family could use some good news. After the wedding, we’ll clear out Harrison’s room for your new bridal suite!"

Lily stood frozen, staring at their gleeful faces. For the first time in her life, she felt true revulsion.

"What marriage certificate?" she snapped. "Ethan is already married abroad!"

Her mother chuckled, waving a hand. "Oh, sweetheart, we had to say that to make you believe it. Otherwise, how else would we have gotten Sophia into the family? Ethan was willing to tarnish his reputation just so his daughter could be recognized. But you—you kept clinging to that useless Harrison. We had no choice."

Her father added, "Now that the cripple’s gone, everything’s perfect. Ethan doesn’t have to pretend anymore. You’re a family now. His trip abroad before? Just a necessity. We’ve forgiven him."

Every word felt like a knife twisting in her chest.

Memories flashed—Ethan’s evasiveness whenever she asked about his "wife," the lack of any trace of her on his social media. How had she been so blind?

And for Sophia… she had let Harrison die.

Harrison, who had no one else in this country. Harrison, who stayed only for her. She had promised to be his strength, to never betray him.

But what had she done?

Guilt and fury coiled inside her.

After a long silence, Lily spoke, her voice icy.

"My husband is Harrison. Alive or dead, I will only ever be his wife."

She turned to leave, but Ethan rushed forward, clutching Sophia in his arms.

"Lily!" he pleaded, desperation in his voice. "Sophia cut her arm on broken glass. She’s bleeding! At least take her to the hospital before you go!"

Blood dripped from Sophia’s small arm.

At the same time, Lily’s phone rang—her assistant.

She didn’t spare Ethan another glance.

"Call a taxi," she said coldly. "From now on, my parents can take care of her. Stay out of my life."

She walked out.

The second she was outside, she answered the call.

"Did you find Harrison?"

Her assistant exhaled heavily. "Ms. Montgomery, I’ve checked everywhere. The last traces we have are his hotel stay and his boarding pass at the airport. There’s nothing else."

A pause. Then, softly, "You should contact the rescue team. At this point… they may have already recovered the body."

Lily hung up before she could hear more.

She refused to believe it.

Harrison wouldn’t leave her. He couldn’t have been on that flight.

She got into her car.

And sped toward the rescue headquarters.