Chapter 4

"Anthony! You've gone too far!"

Christiana's voice on the phone carried a hint of anger.

"Lying about my mother being seriously ill already crossed my line. How could you actually hold a funeral for my mother!"

"Her health is already poor. Are you trying to curse her to death? Stop the funeral right now and clear the road!"

Village chief Berman stood nearby, suppressing his anger. "Christiana, open your eyes and look carefully. Don't you even recognize your own mother anymore?"

"Your mother is crossing the bridge right now. The dead cannot go backward. If we make way for your wedding, your mother won't rest in peace!"

"Berman?!"

Christiana's voice suddenly rose, sharp and piercing.

"Are you joining Anthony in this nonsense too?"

Christiana's voice dropped, and she turned to warn me.

"Anthony! I'm asking you one last time. Are you absolutely refusing to let us pass?"

I said, "My mother-in-law saved my father. If we move aside, she won't have peace after death!"

"Besides, you owe me an explanation for this substitute bride business. You owe your mother-in-law an apology!"

On the phone, Christiana's reply was chillingly cold.

"Fine! Very well! I'll come over right now and give you an explanation!"

The call ended. Less than ten minutes later.

At the end of the street, a black SUV roared toward us, drifted to a stop, and parked behind the crowd.

The car door opened. Christiana stepped out, wearing pristine white bridal heels.

Her face was made up with beautiful bridal makeup. Spotting me in the crowd, she pushed people aside and walked darkly toward me.

Under everyone's gaze, Christiana raised her hand without warning and slapped my face!

"Smack!" The sound rang out. Instantly, everything fell silent.

I stood there covering my burning cheek. She stood beside the groom, glaring at me furiously.

"This is my explanation. Listen carefully!"

"Paul is my good friend. All these years, he's been helping me look after my mother back home!"

"My mother's condition is much more serious than you know. He's been tirelessly going abroad to buy expensive medicines to extend my mother's life. His fiancée even died abroad because of this, and he contracted an illness himself. He could die at any moment."

"He told me his dying wish was simply to complete the wedding he and his fiancée never had. And I just happen to look a lot like his fiancée."

"Paul sacrificed so much for me. Shouldn't I help him with this?"

I stood frozen. Christiana looked at me with utter disappointment and continued.

"I was afraid you wouldn't understand. I was afraid you'd make a scene like you are today. That's why I kept avoiding telling you."

"But it turns out I was right not to tell you. You got jealous enough to joke about my mother's life and death!"

But I don't understand!

All these years, the only person taking care of my mother-in-law was me!

When did a friend of hers appear?

Years ago, my father traveled alone to this small mountain village for inspiration but accidentally fell off a cliff.

My father was trapped at the bottom of the cliff for a day and a night without food or water. In his despair, my young mother-in-law risked her life to save him.

To repay this debt of gratitude, knowing that the medicine to treat my mother-in-law could only be purchased from abroad under research permits, I chose to become a wildlife expert right after graduation. Using scientific research as cover, I'd been secretly buying medicine from abroad to treat her illness.

My mother-in-law wouldn't let me tell Christiana about her true condition. For all these years, I'd been carrying this out quietly, never mentioning it.

Was I being petty?

Clearly, Paul exploited my secrecy and took credit for my work!

I looked toward Paul. His eyes flickered slightly, and he turned his head away, refusing to meet my gaze.