Last time around, my family was destroyed during the New Year.
This time, I would never let that tragedy repeat itself.
On New Year's Eve, my parents and I sat in a seaside restaurant, sharing a steaming hot local feast.
I was overwhelmed with gratitude—grateful that they trusted me unconditionally, that they'd gone along with my plan to punish this scumbag.
The new year passed in the blink of an eye, and as promised, I returned to complete the wedding with Brent.
On the day of the ceremony, my parents had booked the most luxurious hotel in the city. Red lanterns and silk banners hung everywhere, the atmosphere festive and grand.
Brent sat in his wheelchair, dressed in a sharp suit, beaming with satisfaction.
Behind him, a million dollars in cash was stacked into a small mountain. The 520 grams of gold had been artfully arranged into a heart shape, impossible to miss.
The Fleming relatives crowded around, green with envy, falling over themselves to congratulate Brent on his good fortune.
Brent basked in their flattery, the smug smile on his face growing wider by the minute.
As if he could already see himself holding my family's wealth, living like a king.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly. Just as we were about to exchange rings, the banquet hall doors burst open.
A woman stormed in—hair wild, face twisted with rage.
She charged straight at Brent and slapped him hard across the face.
She hurled a medical report at him, her whole body shaking as she jabbed a finger in his direction and screamed:
"Brent Fleming! You animal! You lying piece of trash! You knew you had an STD—why did you have to drag me down with you?!"
The moment those words left her mouth, the entire hall plunged into deathly silence.
Only I stood there, a cryptic smile slowly curving my lips.
This woman was none other than the special nurse I'd arranged for Brent.
Every guest was stunned.
The Fleming relatives especially—their faces a mixture of disbelief and barely concealed schadenfreude as whispers rippled through the crowd.
Brent trembled with rage, his face ashen. He glared at the woman with murderous eyes and snarled:
"What the hell are you talking about? Who has a disease? You're insane! Get out! Don't you dare ruin this for me!"
I feigned panic as I snatched the medical report from the floor. One glance, and my face drained of color.
My voice shook with fear and devastation as I cried out: