Chapter 1681
No.1
Margaret instructed Alexander, “Begin preparations immediately. Select an auspicious time to take Victoria dress shopping.”
Alexander seethed, but under the circumstances, he had no choice.
“Understood.”
He shot a furious glare at Isabella and turned to leave.
Victoria watched Isabella, her brow furrowed. Why would she help her? Why show such kindness?
It made no sense. Isabella was scheming—Victoria felt it in her bones.
The moment Alexander left, Margaret Whitmore finally spoke. “Alright then. Should we begin the wedding preparations immediately? I hope Victoria can get some proper rest now.”
“Of course.” Eleanor Kensington gave her daughter’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’ll stay right here, Victoria. I’ll handle everything. Don’t you worry about a thing.”
“Okay,” Victoria replied with a compliant nod.
No.2
It had all worked out in the end. As long as she married Alexander, her future was secure.
Most of the people in the hospital room filed out to start organizing the wedding. Uninterested, Isabella Montgomery turned to Theodore Montgomery. “If there’s nothing else requiring my presence, Grandfather, I’ll be heading home.”
“Thank you for your assistance today, Isabella. Your sister is in your debt. I’ll put you in charge of the real estate development project next year,” Senior Montgomery stated.
He felt a pang of sympathy for Isabella. She had spent eighteen years with Alexander, only to have her own wedding destroyed. Now she had to watch her sister marry him.
It must be agonizing. No project, no matter how profitable, could truly compensate for that heartache.
Isabella, however, showed no outward emotion. She simply acknowledged his words. “Understood.”
A bitter taste filled Victoria’s mouth. Her hands clenched into tight fists beneath the sterile hospital sheets.
She owed Isabella? Owed her for what? Isabella was the one who had publicly ruined her reputation!
And now Grandfather was just handing the project over to her? That project was supposed to be Victoria’s responsibility! Its success would have brought her significant profit and cemented her standing. Why this sudden change?
No.3
Theodore Montgomery turned his attention to Victoria. “Victoria, you must focus on recuperating. You don’t object to this arrangement, do you?”
Object? Of course she objected!
She felt like she could tear them all apart in that moment. But the wedding was imminent. She had to maintain control, to not risk offending the Montgomery family. She had no choice. “Of course not,” Victoria forced out. “As long as Isabella isn’t overburdened.”
“Don’t concern yourself. I’m not pregnant, and my health is excellent. You should concentrate on your recovery. Focus on becoming a good mother and a dutiful wife. I will manage everything else,” Isabella commented, a faint, cool smile touching her lips.
With that, she turned and exited the room.
Victoria watched her leave, teeth gritted. She was gloating. Isabella was deliberately rubbing her face in it—flaunting the project, her vitality, her victory.
If the original plan had held, Isabella would be the one marrying Alexander, destined for a life as a confined housewife. That was supposed to be Isabella’s fate! Isabella should have been the one rendered useless and irrelevant!
But the tables had turned completely. Now Victoria was the one being forced into that powerless role.
Once married, her standing in the modeling world would vanish. She would never reclaim her former glory. She would be forced to watch from the sidelines as Isabella’s star rose higher and higher.
No.4
What alternative did she have, though? None. If she didn’t hold onto Alexander, she would have nothing left.
A wave of nausea washed over her, despite the cheerful wedding planning happening just outside her door. Isabella’s final words echoed, eerie and threatening. It was impossible that Isabella would help her without some hidden scheme in motion.
Theodore Montgomery soon left to join the wedding discussions. Not long after, Margaret Whitmore re-entered the room. Her tone was gentle. “Victoria, Alexander just called. He said it’s too late to have a custom wedding gown made. We’ll have to purchase a designer one from a boutique. Also, because of the short notice, The Grand Mariner is completely booked. We’ll have to hold the ceremony at a different hotel. I hope you understand.”
A designer gown? The same mass-produced design anyone with enough money could buy?
And The Grand Mariner was the most distinctive venue in all of Westchester. Built out over the ocean, its spire was visible from every corner of the city, a landmark from any angle!
Every prestigious family and public figure hosted their weddings at The Grand Mariner.
Now, suddenly, Victoria had to compromise on everything.
Compromise. The word curdled in her stomach. Victoria was utterly displeased.
Victoria remained silent, her expression unreadable.
No.5
Margaret Whitmore moved closer, her voice dripping with false concern. “Oh, Victoria…”
She let the words hang in the air for a moment.
“You’re carrying a child now. Your little scandal with Alexander is front page news. Everyone knows.”
She patted Victoria’s hand, a gesture that felt more like a warning than comfort.
“This wedding is the only solution. For you. For him. Endure this unpleasantness now. Behave. Do as you’re told. Then, after you’re married, you’ll be treated well. Provided you become a proper wife and mother, of course.”
The message was clear, wrapped in a veneer of maternal advice. ‘You are damaged goods. Be grateful we are allowing this marriage. Your only value now is in protecting our family’s reputation.’
It was a calculated insult.
Victoria’s fists clenched beneath the bedsheets. Her nails bit into her palms, drawing blood. The physical pain was nothing compared to the searing humiliation.
She had to endure it. There was no other choice.
No.6
She forced her voice into a soft, compliant tone. “Aunt Margaret, please don’t worry. I’ve left my modeling career behind. My only focus is being a good wife to Alexander. I will take care of myself and this baby. The family can handle all the arrangements. I trust your judgment completely.”
“Good. That’s very sensible.” Margaret stood, her smile tight and satisfied. “Since our families are so close, we’ll keep the wedding simple. No need for unnecessary fuss.”
She swept out of the room, leaving Victoria trembling with a rage so potent it threatened to choke her.
Simple?
She had dreamed of a spectacular wedding for years. As the world’s top supermodel, from the prestigious Montgomery family, marrying into the Whitmore dynasty… It should have been the event of the season.
Now they wanted it to be simple? Quiet? An embarrassment to be swept under the rug?
They thought she was worthless. They believed Alexander was settling for her.
She was Victoria Kensington! The heiress to the Montgomery fortune! The face that launched a thousand campaigns!
“Sis?”
No.7
The voice pulled her from her furious thoughts. Benjamin stood in the doorway, his young face creased with concern.
She quickly schooled her features into a mask of weary acceptance.
“Benjamin? What is it?”
“I heard what she said.” His hands were balled into fists at his sides. “It’s not right. You deserve better than a ‘simple’ wedding. I’ll go tell them!”
He turned to leave, fueled by righteous anger.
Victoria slid from the bed and grabbed his arm. “No! Benjamin, don’t. Please.”
She infused her voice with a heartbreaking mixture of shame and resignation. “This… this is what I deserve. After what I did… ruining Isabella’s moment… I’m lucky to be alive. I’m lucky they’re still allowing this marriage. I can’t ask for more.”
Benjamin froze. The memory of the live-streamed scandal flooded back. The undeniable proof of her scheming with Alexander against Isabella. His own sister, the architect of such public humiliation.
His anger faltered, replaced by confusion and unease. “You… you never really explained that to me,” he mumbled.