Chapter 7
Archer’s schedule was planned down to the minute.
As soon as we finished selecting our wedding rings, he whisked me straight to a bridal boutique.
I collapsed onto a velvet sofa with a groan: “Archer, it’s already dark out. Can’t we do this
tomorrow?”
He unfastened his suit button with one hand, raising an eyebrow: “Nope. I’m worried you’ll change your mind.”
I laughed helplessly: “Do I really seem that unreliable? We’re already legally married–isn’t that enough security for you?”
He nodded solemnly“Mm–hmm.”
I grabbed a cushion and threw it at him. He caught it effortlessly, using the momentum to pull me to my feet.
“No escaping. Go try it on.”
When the boutique assistant slowly drew back the curtain, the waiting area suddenly fell silent.
I stepped out wearing a vintage European–style wedding gown and saw Archer standing motionless, his Adam’s apple bobbing noticeably.
His voice was hoarse as he approached and gently embraced me.
“Two years ago at Sotheby’s, when I bought this dress, I kept imagining how gorgeous you’d look in
it.”
The shop assistants covered their mouths, giggling, as I hurriedly buried my burning face against his
chest.
Just then, the glass door burst open with a crash.
“Let go of her!”
Thaddeus stormed in, fury etched across his face, reaching out to grab me.
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Reclaiming My Crown:When His Betrayal Became My Liberation
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Chapter 7
I recoiled from him in disgust.
His hand grasped empty air as pain flashed in his eyes,
“Selena enough! The video leak, blocking me, this fake marriage stunt… I can overlook all of it!”
He pointed at Archer, his voice breaking,
“I defended you in front of everyone, refused to marry Violet despite all the pressure, and you’re here trying on wedding dresses? Have you thought about my feelings at all?”
I stared at him coldly,
“Thaddeus, let me say this one more time: I’m not throwing a tantrum! Archer and I are legally married–on the very day you were supposed to marry me! The moment you abandoned me for
Violet, we were done!”
He shook his head, staggering backward,
“Just because I left you that day, you immediately married another man?”
I suddenly laughed,
“You moved a pregnant Violet into our home and expected me to raise that child. Put yourself in my shoes–if I were pregnant with another man’s baby and asked you to be its father, would you agree?”
His face went ashen as he scrambled to explain,
“Selena that’s different–don’t twist things around! What happened with Violet was an accident, and the baby is innocent. No matter what, I’ve always loved you! Can’t you take one step back for the sake of our years together?”
I answered firmly,
“I won’t give an inch! You always complained about my ‘princess attitude,‘ didn’t you? Well, now you’re getting exactly what you wanted. Please leave and don’t ever show your face to me again.”
My words seemed to cut him deeply.
He used to hate when I referred to my “princess attitude,” but now I was openly embracing it.
Thaddeus’s eyes suddenly welled up.
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Chapter 7
As I turned to leave, he fell to his knees, clutching at the hem of my wedding dress:
“Selena I was wrong! I swear I’ll cut all ties with Violet–I don’t want that child anymore!”
He urged desperately,
“Divorce him right now, and we’ll go get our marriage certificate immediately! Right now!”
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