A Bride for the Cripple

Veronica's perfectly staged performance turned me into the villain of the entire Luthor family.

That night, I got a text message from her with an attached photo.

In the picture, Veronica lay naked in a hotel bed, curled up against Lex's chest. She looked straight at the camera and flashed a triumphant peace sign.

Under the image was a single line:

[Catherine, Lex says you're the only one in his heart, but his body sure seems to be a lot more honest. See? He's right here next to me right now.]

The image burned my eyes.

A cold wind seemed to sweep through my chest.

Without a word, I saved the photo.

The next morning, my mother's impatient voice came from outside my door.

"Catherine, get up! Veronica and Lex are about to go wedding dress shopping. You're coming with us."

"No need. The Astor family will handle everything," I said calmly.

Veronica suddenly pushed the door open, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Catherine, are you still mad at me?

"I know you didn't mean it yesterday. Even if you won't apologize, I've already forgiven you!" she said sweetly. "I invited you dress shopping because I want us to make up and go back to how we used to be. Can't we be close sisters again?"

Go back to how we used to be?

Back to the days when I willingly gave up everything she wanted?

I had stepped aside over and over until, in the end, even my fiancé had ended up in her bed.

How pathetic.

Still unwilling to let it go, Veronica kept up her poor-me act.

"Lex and I have already set our wedding date. I really want your blessing, Sis. Please help me pick out a dress. You have such great taste!"

My mother immediately chimed in.

"Your sister's right. What grudge between sisters lasts overnight? Besides, after what happened yesterday, she didn't even hold it against you. Is helping her pick a wedding dress really that hard?

"Catherine, be reasonable, okay? I know you don't want to marry a paralyzed man, but you agreed to it in the end. What's the point of throwing a tantrum now?

"Besides, what could that cripple possibly have prepared for you? The Luthor family is marrying off a daughter—we can't let people talk. Get up right now. Let your sister help you pick out a beautiful dress too. Both of my daughters should look stunning on their wedding days.

"Enough with the nonsense. Hurry up and get dressed. Lex is already waiting downstairs."

With that, my mother yanked me out of bed.

Once I got in the car, I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.

I didn't open them again until the car pulled into a remote alley on the outskirts of town.

We had arrived at the bridal shop Veronica had chosen.

The moment we walked in, she pointed to a wedding dress and smiled.

"Catherine, this one suits you best. Go try it on."

Numbly, I let the sales assistant lead me into the fitting room.

I had just started changing when the curtain was suddenly ripped open.

Wearing nothing but my underwear, I was instantly exposed to everyone outside.

Lex stormed in, his face twisted with rage.

He hurled shredded pieces of wedding dress fabric right into my face.

"Catherine! You vicious woman! Can you really not stand to see anyone else happy?"

Tears streamed down Veronica's cheeks.

"Catherine, I know you liked that dress. If you wanted it, all you had to do was tell me. I would have given it to you!

"Why… why did you cut it to pieces?" she sobbed. "This fabric was the most comfortable for me in my condition. Did you really want to see me humiliate myself in ruined clothes before you'd be satisfied?"

"I didn't!"

"Oh, you didn't?" Lex sneered, his eyes full of contempt. "Catherine, how much longer are you going to keep pretending? You're obviously jealous that Veronica gets to marry me, so you stooped to something this low.

"I already told you—this arrangement is only temporary. Couldn't you be a little understanding? Instead, you pull stunts like this just to get my attention, and on top of that, you try to hurt Veronica.

"Why can't you act more mature? All you're doing is wearing down my feelings for you. I'm exhausted. Try learning something from Veronica. What's so hard about being gentle and considerate?"

Ten years of love, wasted.

So this was who he really thought I was.

Around me, the boutique employees whispered and pointed.

Their scornful stares felt like a thousand needles stabbing my nearly naked body.

I looked at Lex and laughed softly.

"Lex, so this is how you see me. There's something I forgot to tell you yesterday, but today's not too late.

"Let's break up. Lex, the biggest regret of my life is ever having met you. From now on, your road is yours and mine is mine. The only connection between us is that you're my brother-in-law."

"Oh, and one more thing. I hope you and your shameless mistress have a wonderful life together. May the two of you rot in each other's arms forever."