The Substitute Bride's Revenge

Chapter 8: The Crossroads of Fate

I stared blankly at the man who had been my constant companion, my fingertips trembling slightly.

Who would have thought that this fellow traveler of mine was none other than the once-renowned third young master of the Harrison family?

"What's on your mind?"

Lucas Harrison handed me a cup of steaming tea, his features softened by the rising vapor.

I took the cup, recalling the way he had casually mentioned his family's past.

The bloody struggles for power, the deceitful feuds of the wealthy elite—he spoke of them as if they were someone else's story.

"Mr. Carter," Lucas suddenly turned to the window, "what Sophia wants is freedom, not a gilded cage."

His voice was quiet, yet sharp as a blade, slicing through the silence in the car.

My fingers instinctively tightened around the hem of my dress.

Ten years.

For ten years, I had played my role dutifully, the perfect supporting actress in the Carter family's drama.

Women came and went in Ethan Carter's life, but I remained constant.

"She never loved you."

Lucas's words struck like a hammer.

Ethan's face paled instantly.

"That's impossible!"

"It's true."

I met his gaze calmly.

"The contract has expired. We're even now."

Ethan staggered back as if all strength had left him.

He abruptly rolled down the window and barked at the driver, "Drive!"

Just then, a small figure suddenly darted out of the car.

Oliver Carter clung to my leg, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Aunt Sophia, don't go! I know I was wrong!"

I looked down at the child who had once hurled cruel words at me.

His tear-streaked face was tilted upward.

"I'll be good from now on... Your desserts are the best..."

"Let go."

I gently pried his fingers away.

"I'm not your mother."

Oliver's cries ceased abruptly.

Trembling, he pulled a photograph from his pocket.

"Dad looks at this... every day..."

It was a picture of my back as I held Snowball—the little dog who had passed away, our warmest memory together.

Ethan's ears turned red.

He turned away hastily, but the pain in his eyes was unmistakable.

"It's too late," I said softly.

"Snowball won't come back. And neither will I."

Lucas opened the car door at just the right moment.

As the engine roared to life, Oliver's wail pierced through the glass.

"Mom—!"

The car sped away.

The setting sun dyed the clouds blood-red, and Lucas suddenly pulled over.

"That gala ten years ago," he turned to me, his eyes reflecting the twilight, "you were wearing ill-fitting heels and nearly fell."

I froze.

It was my first social event after arriving at the Carter household—a night of utter humiliation.

"Back then, I thought, 'This girl is special.'"

He smiled and took my hand.

"Now I want to tell you—I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

The wind rushed through the open window, carrying the scent of fresh grass.

Gazing into his bright eyes, I suddenly laughed.

"Alright. Let's see the world together."

Lucas's laughter echoed across the open fields.

On the distant horizon, the last rays of sunlight slowly sank into the earth.