My voice was flat, almost like I was talking about someone else’s pain when I replied, “Because the woman he loves… isn’t me.”
Maggie looked confused. “That can’t be. Mr. Stanley spent a fortune on your wedding. Everyone said he was head over heels in love with you.”
My grip tightened on the phone as a bitter smile tugged at my lips.
Nobody knew that that wedding was meant for Janice.
The dress I wore had been tailored to her measurements. Even the invitations had originally listed her name, only to be hastily changed to mine.
And I’d lied to myself, thinking he just didn’t have time to prepare properly. But we still had three full months before the wedding.
Looking back now, I only regret one thing — that I let greed get the best of me. That I thought I could warm a man’s heart when I was just a stand-in.
I knew the truth all along… and still said yes to his proposal.
That’s when Alexis’s secretary, Roy George, showed up with a group of men and surrounded us.
“Madam,” he said, “Mr. Stanley has instructed that you're not to go to Arlington. Miss Brewer has already hired a spiritualist to perform a ritual for the remains tomorrow.”
I slowly looked up and, with my shaky voice due to restrained fury, I snapped, “A ritual? Are you sure it’s for a proper burial? She’s only doing this because she’s scared — scared their spirits won’t rest. That’s why she wants to suppress them!”
“Mr. George,” I said, my voice low but firm, “tell Alexis I’m going to Arlington. No matter what.”
He saw that I was not going to back down. Still, he didn’t flinch and simply replied, “We’re just doing our jobs, Madam. Don’t make this hard for us.”
“Also… I heard your mother’s still in critical condition at the hospital. If you keep defying Mr. Stanley and he decides to cut off her medication—well, that would be unfortunate, wouldn’t it?”
I froze and my throat tightened.
“Are you threatening me?”
Five years ago, when I left with Alexis for the capital, my mother took over my role as the family’s grave keeper.
When Alexis sent people to desecrate the graves, she stood up to them, and a fight occurred. Because of this, her old illness flared up, and she was rushed to the hospital.
Halle's POV
Roy looked me straight in the eye and said, “Mr. Stanley said your mother’s surgery is scheduled in five hours. They need your signature to proceed.”