Lena's Forbidden Love

Chapter 3: The Plan Exposed

Michael’s sudden shift in expression sent a chill down my spine.

My body trembled uncontrollably.

Fear crashed over me like a relentless storm, threatening to swallow me whole.

He was right.

From Michael’s perspective, I had nothing to offer him—no reason for him to help me.

So then…

What could I do to survive?

Despair surged through my mind like a relentless tide, drowning me in endless waves of worst-case scenarios.

A thousand gruesome fates played out in my imagination.

I wanted to break free from these suffocating chains.

But…

As someone raised to obey, what power did I have to fight back?

At that thought, my tears began to fall.

A large hand gently lifted my chin.

The sudden closeness of Michael’s face left me dazed.

The man who had saved me… was now dragging me into an emotional abyss.

Michael’s voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable weight.

"I will help you. If..."

His deep voice carried a mesmerizing allure, drawing me into the trap he had set just for me.

…

At the Wedding Venue of Lena and Alex

Dressed in a crisp white suit, Alex stood outside the ceremony hall, growing increasingly impatient as he glanced at his watch.

Irritation was etched across his face, unmasked and obvious.

At that moment, a middle-aged woman emerged, accompanied by Lily, her face twisted in anger.

"My dear son, where is your little wife?"

Alex ran a hand through his hair in frustration, his gaze fixed beyond the entrance, still waiting for the figure he had been expecting.

"Swear to God! If Lena shows up, I’ll give her a piece of my mind!"

The older woman scoffed, her eyes narrowing as if she could rip Lena apart with her bare hands.

"You would only scold that bastard child?" She gritted her teeth. "She deserves a far worse punishment!"

Alex sighed in exasperation, but his expression softened when his eyes landed on Lily’s frail figure. His voice turned gentle as he said, "Alright, Mother. Don’t be angry."

He casually draped an arm around his mother’s shoulders and added mockingly,

"Maybe Lena has her reasons."

Lily kept her head lowered, as if she didn’t dare interfere in their conversation.

But in truth, she was desperately trying to control her trembling body.

Because behind his mother’s back, Alex was groping her.

Despite being minutes away from marrying another woman, he saw nothing wrong with what he was doing.

In fact, seeing Lily struggle to suppress her reaction only made him more pleased with himself.

What he failed to notice, however, was the sheer hatred burning in her eyes.

Ting!

Alex glanced at his phone.

A new message.

Annoyance flickered across his face, but he quickly masked it with a smile as he turned to his mother.

"Lena says we should go inside. She’s already there."

The older woman scowled, her shrill voice filled with contempt.

"That filthy brat! She couldn't even inform anyone properly?"

With a huff, she turned and strode into the hall, muttering, "Come, Lily!"

"Yes, Mother."

Lily’s face flushed as she cast a fleeting glance at Alex before quickly following her adoptive mother inside.

Alex watched their figures disappear into the cathedral before turning his gaze back to his phone.

A sinister glint flickered in his eyes.

"How troublesome."

Lena’s POV

I stood in a hidden room.

Before me, more than ten screens displayed live footage from various angles inside the ceremony hall.

I could see Alex.

I could see his mother.

I could even see Lily trailing behind them, looking as pitiful as a neglected maid.

This was where Michael had brought me.

A place perfect for unveiling certain secrets.

I stepped closer to the screen showing Alex.

I watched as he tried to suppress his growing frustration, his eyes darting around in search of me.

How amusing.

I glanced at the watch on my wrist.

It was a matching pair with Alex’s—the so-called symbol of our love.

Now that I knew the truth, it only made me feel sick.

But it didn’t matter.

My relationship with him was about to end.

The hands of the clock struck the time of our supposed wedding.

On the screen before me, the priest stood awkwardly, asking Alex a question, only to receive a frustrated shake of his head in response.

Then, I saw him pick up his phone.

Guess who he called?

Oh, of course—it was me. His disobedient bride.

But… I was no longer his bride at all.

At that moment, I picked up the microphone and spoke calmly.

"Hello, everyone. I’m so glad you all could attend my wedding."

On the screen, the guests, along with Alex and his mother, jolted in surprise at the sudden voice booming from the speakers.

Then, as Alex recognized my voice, his face twisted in rage.

"Lena! Are you done with this childish nonsense?!"

Aha.

The audio quality of these surveillance cameras was amazing.

Perhaps this was the power of money?

People were the same way—easily bought and manipulated.

My eyes darkened.

But then, I steadied myself and spoke again.

"No, I’m not joking."

Suddenly, I sensed someone behind me.

Fear shot through me, and I spun around.

It was Michael.

At first, he had stayed outside the surveillance room, saying he wanted to let me have my freedom in dealing with Alex.

But now, for some reason, he was here.

I wanted to ask him why.

But I was afraid that if I spoke, everyone in the wedding hall would hear me.

Instead, I could only shoot him a questioning look.

Unlike my panic, Michael remained completely relaxed.

He sat down at the control panel, casually tilting his head toward the screen—as if to say, Go on.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to remain composed.

"I’m actually here to help you complete your wedding, Alex."

Alex’s eyes darted around, searching for me.

His expression twisted into something terrifying—he looked like he wanted to rip me apart.

"Where are you?! Get back here right now! Stop wasting everyone’s time!"

How ridiculous.

Alex had planned to make me disappear, yet now, he was acting as if I were a dramatic fool seeking attention.

But soon…

He would have far more important things to worry about.

I smiled in satisfaction.

"But… am I really the main character here?"

The moment my words reached Alex’s ears, his once-handsome face contorted in fury.

His jaw clenched so tightly I could hear his teeth grinding.

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

Clack!

I turned toward the sound.

Michael, who had been silently observing, had finally begun moving his fingers over the keyboard.

Within seconds—

The massive LED screen at the altar lit up, displaying a short video.

A recording of Alex and Lily… deeply entangled in each other.

The entire wedding hall erupted into chaos.

Shock. Disgust. Mockery.

Murmurs spread like wildfire as Alex’s friends, business partners, and guests whispered among themselves.

Then—

Alex’s mother let out a shrill scream before fainting on the spot.

Perhaps the shock was too much for her?

Alex stood frozen.

Then, panic overtook him.

He lunged toward the screen, roaring, "Turn it off! Right now!"

But no one paid him any attention.

Some guests had already whipped out their phones, recording the scandal.

Others were live-streaming it in real-time.

The scene had descended into utter mayhem.

I honestly wanted to give Michael a like for his masterful move.

However, the man in question remained perfectly composed.

He leaned back in his chair, his voice calm yet firm.

"You need to disappear for a while."

I blinked in confusion.

What?

Before I could ask, Michael pointed at one of the surveillance feeds.

"They’re looking for you."

I followed his gaze to the screen—

And my blood ran cold.

Dozens of security guards were combing through the venue, searching every corner with deadly precision.

Michael turned back to me, smirking slightly.

"If you want to live, get to the rooftop."

My heart pounded violently.

Without hesitation, I turned and bolted.

Because on the surveillance screen—

Alex’s men were storming through the halls, searching for me.

I couldn’t risk taking the elevator.

I knew that if those doors opened, I’d be walking straight into the hands of death.

So I ran—

Pouring every ounce of my strength into dashing toward the emergency stairwell.

Even if it meant climbing five more floors to reach the rooftop.

Should I consider myself lucky that the surveillance room was already on the tenth floor?

If I had to run up all fifteen stories…

Even if Alex’s men didn’t catch me—

I’d probably collapse from exhaustion first.

Crack!

"Ah!"

I stumbled and fell as I reached the second floor since I started running.

"Over there!"

A deep voice shouted behind me, making my heart jolt.

Shit!

I quickly kicked off my heels and ran barefoot.

I couldn’t afford to be caught!

Third floor!

"Call for reinforcements!"

Oh God, they were multiplying behind me!

Fourth floor!

Suddenly, a strong hand yanked my arm back!

Panic surged through me, and without thinking, I kicked as hard as I could between the legs of the guard restraining me.

"Ah! You little b***h!"

The guard doubled over in pain, but in retaliation, he swung a fist into my stomach.

"...!"

Pain exploded through me, knocking the breath from my lungs. My legs trembled, barely keeping me upright.

As the injured guard recovered, his eyes burned with pure rage, his fists clenched, and his stance screamed murder. He looked like he wanted to beat me to death.

Just as he took a step toward me, another guard grabbed his arm and barked,

"Master’s orders—capture her alive!"

My chest tightened, but the meaning was clear—I still had a chance!

Taking advantage of their brief exchange, I forced myself to stand, even as my stomach throbbed with unbearable pain.

I had to survive!

Fifth floor!

My fingers grasped the rooftop door handle, and I silently prayed.

Please… please don’t be locked!

If it was, everything I had done would be in vain.

Click!

It opened!

A wave of relief washed over me.

Was this a mistake on their part? Or was this Michael’s doing?

After all, he was the one who told me to run up here.

The door swung wide, and for a brief second, I saw freedom.

But…

There was nothing.

Nothing at all.

I froze in place.

Had Michael… betrayed me?

"Le…na!"

The furious roar behind me sent shivers down my spine.

That voice—filled with venom and cruelty—was painfully familiar.

I turned around, trembling.

Alex.

His expression twisted in pure hatred when he saw me.

He violently threw off his suit jacket, revealing his tensed, furious form.

In his hands—

A long metal bat.

My heart pounded wildly.

Every step he took felt like a death sentence.

Was I… about to die?

"You’ll pay for what you’ve done!!!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The thunderous sound of helicopter blades roared above us.

Both Alex and I turned our heads toward the source of the deafening noise.

A sleek black helicopter hovered near the rooftop, sending powerful gusts of wind in all directions.

The force was overwhelming, making it hard to stand.

I stumbled, trying to see through the windstorm.

Then I saw it—Alex moving towards me again, his grip tightening on the bat.

My panic skyrocketed.

"Lena!"

"Grab on!"

A voice—deep and unfamiliar—called out alongside Alex’s shout.

I reacted instantly, reaching for the rope ladder that had been lowered toward me.

The moment my fingers grasped it, the helicopter ascended.

At the same time—

Alex’s hand swiped through the air, just inches from grabbing me.

I stared down at him.

The man who was supposed to be my husband.

Alex’s eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth moving, spewing curses—

But I couldn’t hear him anymore.

I gave a knowing smile and whispered: "This is just the beginning."