Their Betrayal Made Me His Bride

Chapter 3

Sterling pushed me down onto the sofa. "So, what's your plan for them?"

I swallowed the sharp ache in my chest and looked up. "I want them completely ruined. I want them to cough up every last thing they've taken."

"Oh?" A flicker of interest sparked in Sterling's eyes. He tossed his phone onto the table. The screen lit up — real-time surveillance footage from the hospital ward. "Take a look. They're still scheming behind your back."

On the monitor, Wren leaned against the headboard, holding the latest-model tablet in her hands. Shayne sat beside the bed, peeling an apple for her.

"Babe, what if my sister finds out we've been together this whole time..."

"Shh." Shayne pressed the apple into her mouth, his face soft and completely smitten. "Don't bring her up. She kills the vibe. When she gets here, we'll tell her the surgery funds aren't enough, that we need more for follow-up treatment. She's latched onto the Holts now. No way she's only got three hundred thousand. Once we get that cash, we'll run off together. Live the dream life. Just the two of us."

Wren chewed her apple, her eyes gleaming with calculation. "You're so smart, babe. But what if my sister won't let you go?"

Shayne let out a cold snort. "Her? She's crazy about me. All I have to do is sweet-talk her a little, and she'll buy every word."

I stared frozen at the screen, my nails digging so deep into my palm they broke skin.

Sterling's large hand brushed lazily along my waist, his tone edged with amusement. "Is a man like that still worth holding onto? I am nothing like him."

I drew a deep breath and turned to face him. "Mr. Holt, I need to borrow a few of your men."

A satisfied smirk tugged at the corner of Sterling's lips. "Done. Now go. Show me whether my fiancée has what it takes to run in high society."

At the hospital, inside the VIP ward.

I pushed the door open to find Wren lying weakly in bed, her face pale, her brows furrowed. Shayne sat clutching her hand, looking deeply worried.

The moment they spotted me, their expressions flipped on a dime.

"Winnie, you're finally here." Wren's voice was frail, her eyes glistening with tears. "It hurts so much... am I gonna die?"

Shayne stood up, staring at me with clear reproach. "Winnie, what took you so long? Wren's been waiting for you. And the money? The doctor says we have to pay immediately or the surgery's a no-go."

"The fees have already been taken care of," I said flatly. "Wren, the doctor said all your vitals are stable, and the surgery has a high success rate. Still, you'll need long-term anti-rejection meds after the operation, and that's not gonna be cheap."

Wren's eyes flickered with unease. "You'll take care of me, right, Winnie? Our parents died so young. You're the only family I have left. If you give up on me... I really will just be waiting to die."

Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.

There was a time when her tears would've melted my heart in a second. Now, they just looked ridiculous.

"Don't worry. Of course I'll take care of you. And I'm going to see this through — all the way. Shayne, let's talk. Outside."