When I saw the disdain in Harvey's eyes, I instantly lost the will to explain.

Carrie had planned to drive a wedge between us. Hence, no matter what I said, she would distort it so he wouldn't believe me.

Sure enough, anger filled his face as he snapped, "If anything happens to her, I'll make sure you pay for it!"

With that, he scooped her into his arms and strode away without caring about the people around.

As they walked away, Carrie glanced back over his shoulder and shot me a triumphant smile.

The heiresses saw it as well, and they gaped in disbelief. Their faces were filled with outrage, but they couldn't do anything about it.

However, I remained calm. There was nothing I could do when he no longer loved me.

…

Once I returned home, Harvey dragged me to the hospital and demanded that I apologize to Carrie in front of her.

I thought I had misheard him, so I asked, "You want me to bow and apologize to her?"

He nodded, and his gaze was cold. "You pushed her into the pool and caused her a serious concussion. So, you have to apologize."

I let out a chuckle of disbelief. After taking a deep breath, I explained, "I didn't push her."

Yet, Harvey didn't seem convinced. His expression hardened as he chastised, "Angelina, I saw it with my eyes. Stop denying it!"

I frowned and fell silent.

Then, he pulled out a transfer agreement for the shares in my family's company and threatened me, "If you don't apologize, I'll sell off the shares."

At his words, my entire body trembled. For the first time, he seemed like a complete stranger to me, and my heart turned cold.

I hadn't imagined that he'd bought my family's share to get revenge for Carrie.

Harvey was fully aware that selling them would be a devastating blow to my father's company. Tears burned my eyes as I screamed, "How dare you threaten me!"

He avoided my gaze and stated, "As long as you apologize, I won't sell the shares. I'll even give them back to you as a wedding gift."

Upon hearing his words, a bitter sneer escaped my lips, followed by loud, hollow laughter.

My tears fell, but I immediately brushed them away as crying in front of him would only show weakness.

I took deep breaths and dug my nails deep into my palms, using pain to push down the fury inside me.

"Fine. I'll apologize." Then, I ground my teeth and bowed before Carrie, who had remained silent the entire time, and yelled, "I'm sorry!"

However, she suddenly trembled and turned to Harvey with pitiful eyes, whining, "I got scared at her loud voice."

Harvey scowled and ordered coldly, "Beg and apologize again."

His words left me stunned. I was truly disappointed at how much he had changed.

We had grown up together, and I thought that even if love faded, there would still be some family-like affection between us.

However, I was wrong.

My mother died when I was five, and after that, my father buried himself in work, leaving me completely neglected. I grew up lonely, but Harvey's parents adored me. Since our houses were nearby, they always welcomed me to their home.

At that time, I didn't like Harvey, but he liked me. He followed me around and treated me with care. If I wanted candy, he bought it. If I got into trouble, he would take the blame. And if someone bullied me, he never hesitated to fight for me.

He had been the light in my life.

We grew up, studied, and worked together. We were basically inseparable, but all those years of bonds had crumbled into nothing.

At this moment, I was completely done with him. But even so, I wouldn't give in to his extreme demands.

With a scoff, I lifted my chin and glared at him. "Who is she, and why should I apologize to her? If you want to sell the shares because of this, then do it!"

Without another word, I turned to go. I refused to let him trample me as he liked.

Angry screams echoed from the hospital ward, but I didn't turn back.

Since he was cold-hearted, I would be too.

From that day on, we didn't see each other.

…

On the wedding day, the veil covering my face kept me from seeing the guests in the church, so my bridesmaids had to lead me through the ceremony.

However, halfway through, dizziness overtook me, and my eyesight clouded.

I knew right away it was the water I'd drunk that morning.

Harvey had actually drugged me.

…

When I regained consciousness, I was inside a bedroom.

Shawn was intoxicated. He stumbled in the room and lifted my veil.

When he saw my face, a faint smile touched his lips. "So this is the surprise hiding beneath the veil all day."

I frowned at him and asked with confusion, "Why are you not surprised to see me?"

Shawn Hansen was a well-known entrepreneur in Wigston. He was wealthy, powerful, and known for his endless entanglements with women.

I've met him a few times, and he has always been with a companion. He never smiled at me but only looked at me with a complicated gaze that I couldn't figure out.

He arched his brow and asked, "Should I be surprised?"

I shook my head and stayed silent.

"You don't seem surprised either, so you must know about this," he figured.

His words struck me.

"So, you knew the bride was switched today but didn't expose it?" I asked.

His smile deepened, and his eyes burned with desire that I didn't quite understand. A second later, Shawn leaned in, trapped me beneath him, and captured my lips in a forceful kiss.

…

The next morning, Harvey showed up at Shawn's house, insisting the bride had been switched by mistake and demanding to take me back.

Shawn and I were still in bed when I heard a bodyguard's roar from outside the door. "They've already slept together! What's done is done!"

Then, a commotion broke out. I couldn't make out what they were saying outside before the bedroom door burst open, and Harvey stood there with fury blazing in his eyes.