Get Their Just Deserts

The day before my wedding, my daughter and I got into a car accident.

My daughter died instantly, and I was left with broken legs, condemned to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

When Spencer Ford found out, he rushed us to the hospital, his actions frantic, almost out of control.

In the midst of my pain, I overheard a conversation between Spencer and his assistant.

"The car's been disposed of. Lorelei will never find out that we tampered with it. But I'm compelled to ask… Rowena was your own daughter. Was it really worth it, losing her for Melanie?

"When Rowena was dying, she was calling for you to save her… I could hardly bring myself to do it."

Spencer remained silent for a long time, the tension in the air thick. Then he slowly exhaled a plume of smoke.

"Melanie's pregnant. I won't let anyone compete with her child for the inheritance. And all of this is Lorelei's fault. She brought it on herself."

The assistant was confused. "Lorelei is so gentle and kind. What could she have done that's so awful?"

"Gentle? Kind? That's all just a facade." Spencer scoffed, as if mocking the very idea. Then, he began to tell a story he had kept buried for years.

"Melanie and I grew up together. In high school, she was bullied so badly that she got depressed. She even tried to take her own life. And the one who bullied her was Lorelei!"

Spencer's voice trembled as he spoke the last words, unable to control the emotions that surfaced.

"I promised Melanie I'd help her get back at Lorelei. That was why I purposely got close to her…"

His eyes closed, a shadow of pain crossing his face.

"But then, I fell for her… I actually fell for the bully who tormented Melanie. I couldn't bring myself to hurt her. But I had no choice. Melanie's suffering needed to be avenged.

"Rowena is gone, and it hurts, but I've already betrayed Melanie. I can't let Rowena take away her baby's inheritance. Have Rowena's body cremated as soon as possible. Don't let Lorelei notice anything wrong."

By now, tears were streaming down my face as I hid behind the door.

The pain hit me like a truck, and I shakily wheeled myself back to the hospital room, my heart heavy.

Not long later, Spencer burst through the door and rushed to my bedside. The sight of my legs, plastered and broken, made his eyes redden with guilt.

"Lorelei, I'm so sorry. I didn't take care of you and Rowena. If I hadn't insisted you bring her with you, none of this would've happened, and she would still be here…"

He pulled me into an embrace, his hot tears soaking into my neck.

If I hadn't overheard his conversation with his assistant, I would have never believed that this man, who looked so heartbroken in front of me, was the one responsible for my daughter's death.

All those promises, all the vows, now seemed like a cruel joke. From the very beginning, this had been Spencer's plan.

A sharp pain tore through my heart as I looked at him, tears clouding my vision.

"Rowena is gone, and my legs are ruined… Spencer, I've lost everything."

I had once been the most accomplished ballerina, winning countless international awards.

But now…

My tears flowed like a broken dam, unstoppable.

My child, my dreams, and my dignity, all gone, shattered by the calculations of the one I trusted most.

"Spencer, I want to see Rowena one last time."

I pleaded through my tears, but when I looked at Spencer, his expression changed immediately.

"You can't! Her body has already been cremated. You're in no condition to see her. It will only cause more heartbreak."

I didn't understand why he wouldn't allow it, but that was my daughter. I had to see her one last time!

I tried to get out of the wheelchair, the pain in my legs nearly unbearable. In that instant, my eyes caught the corner of a dress as Melanie Chapman passed by me, feigning surprise.

"Lorelei, what happened? Oh, you poor thing!"