CHAPTER 39: STUNNED THE ENTIRE CROWD!

Sleepless nights were never meant to be endured alone.

Sophia lay sprawled on her bed, her fingers tightening around the jade bracelet on her wrist.

Nancy had been nothing like she imagined. A first meeting, and she’d been gifted the Hilton family’s heirloom bracelet...

Sophia exhaled softly, her hand falling limp across the sheets.

There was no sleep for her tonight. Even knowing tomorrow’s wedding was nothing more than a charade for the world to see, she couldn’t shake the gnawing fear inside.

What if Lucas’s true target wasn’t her at all, but her six children?

Still, retreat wasn’t an option.

Those six little lives had been life’s greatest surprise—and its greatest blessing.

She wasn’t carrying the weight of solitude alone anymore.

Drawing in a deep breath, she was startled by the sudden blare of a car horn outside.

Downstairs, William leaned casually against his car.

Sophia hurried down. "William... what are you doing here?"

"I had to tell you something," his voice was tight, pained. "I can’t stand the thought of you with Lucas. Even if it’s only a sham marriage—I can’t accept it."

From his car, he pulled out a bouquet of roses threaded with tiny glow-lights.

"William..."

"Sophia, listen to me. I like you. No... I love you. Ever since Harper introduced us, I couldn’t deny it—you’re an extraordinary woman. Everything about you draws me in. I was lucky just to know you."

"When you left the country and I found out you were pregnant, I sent Harper to take care of you immediately. And when you had six children, all I wanted was to protect you. Harper told me it was about revenge—I didn’t understand it all, but I stayed. Six years, Sophia. Six years, and I never let another woman into my life."

"I love you. And I don’t know if you feel anything for me... but if I don’t tell you now, I may never get another chance."

He stepped back, then dropped to one knee.

A ring gleamed in his hand.

"Sophia, will you give me a chance?"

His eyes burned with emotion.

Sophia stumbled a step back, her pulse stuttering.

She had never—never—expected him to choose the dead of night to bare his heart.

"William, I..."

"I swear, I’ll take care of you. And of the children."

Her brows knit tight. William was Harper’s brother. Whether she refused or accepted, the answer risked breaking something that could never be mended.

"William, I never had an older brother... but I’ve always seen you as mine. Every kindness you’ve shown me, I’ll never forget. But feelings aren’t something you can force. Love doesn’t grow from obligation. Being loved by you... it’s an honor. But I’m sorry, William. That woman you want—it isn’t me."

Her gaze darted away; she couldn’t bear to meet his eyes.

In that moment, she finally understood why, at the Carter home, William and his parents had been at odds.

"Auntie and Uncle won’t let you throw away the Carter family’s reputation..."

"Sophia, if it’s you and me, no one—not even my parents—can stand in the way!"

"This isn’t about your parents," she whispered. "If I loved you, William, I’d never let go. But the truth is... my feelings for you are the same as a sister’s for her brother."

She took another step back, forcing a small smile. "William... I don’t deserve happiness. Do you understand what I mean?"

Her voice trembled, but her resolve was sharp as glass. Until she avenged her mother’s death, until the ones responsible were brought to justice—she didn’t allow herself the right to happiness.

"Sophia... the living matter most!"

"William, I’m sorry. Truly sorry."

She pulled him to his feet, pressing the flowers back into his hands.

"William, thank you. For everything. But I have my own path. I can’t abandon it."

Then, before he could speak again, she wrapped her arms around him in a gentle embrace. Her starry eyes shimmered with a bittersweet smile.

"Thank you, William."

His expression clouded, hidden behind a mist she couldn’t see through.

And from the shadowed trees not far away, a faint glimmer of light flickered—then vanished into the dark.

The next morning arrived.

The Hilton Group’s powerful CEO and the world-renowned designer, Luna, were about to wed at the opulent DZ Hotel.

A hundred-meter red carpet stretched before the doors, lined with ninety-nine Ferraris gleaming in the sunlight. The sheer extravagance left onlookers stunned with envy.

Outside, Sophia stood quietly at the hotel entrance, waiting for the signal to go inside.

Behind her, six little ones stood neatly dressed—tiny tuxedos for the boys, shimmering princess gowns for the girls.

Inside, Lucas drew every woman’s gaze the moment he appeared.

And yet, Andrew had the audacity to sit in the very front row.

"Dad, do we really have to do this? If someone finds out, won’t it blow back on us?"

"What do you know?" Andrew sneered. "Lucas stole the money that was supposed to be ours with his dirty tricks. You think I’ll just let him get away with it? I want him humiliated in front of the entire country."

Olivia arrived in full glamour, Ethan at her side. But the distance between them was chilling—they might as well have been strangers. Ethan’s gaze kept drifting backward, restless.

The wedding was being broadcast live across the nation.

Andrew’s smirk deepened. If he wasn’t seated front and center, how else could he watch them disgrace themselves?

Sophia’s chest tightened. An uneasy chill prickled her skin.

"Mommy, what’s wrong?" Billy tugged at her hand, worry etched on his small face.

"Nothing," she said softly, forcing a smile. "Just a strange feeling."

"Don’t worry, Mommy. No one can ruin this. And if anyone tries, they’ll regret it."

For a child, Billy’s eyes carried a startling depth, a calm conviction that silenced her doubts.

At last, the moment came.

When the announcer called for the bride, the towering doors swung open.

Sophia stepped into the hall—and every spotlight, every camera, every pair of eyes locked on her instantly.

The room fell breathless.

She moved with the grace of a queen descending to meet her king.

Lucas’s gaze burned with admiration for only a fleeting second before he forced it back under control.

Sophia’s nerves spiked when her eyes fell on him—sitting there in his wheelchair, every bit the untouchable man she was about to marry.

Around them, hushed whispers rippled through the guests. Their attention flicked to the six children, curiosity gnawing at them—whose children were they?

Then Lucas’s cold glance swept over the crowd, and silence slammed down like a curtain.

The officiant cleared his throat, forcing the ceremony onward.

"Now, please exchange the rings."

Angela stepped forward, presenting the velvet box.

Gasps erupted throughout the hall.

The rings—an iconic masterpiece by a legendary jeweler. The only pair in the world.

Sold at auction for a record-breaking price: one hundred and thirty-one million dollars.

Sophia froze, stunned. A pair of rings meant to bind two people for life.

Had Lucas really paid such a price? And how... how did he know her exact ring size?

But Lucas didn’t slip the ring onto her finger. Instead, his lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile.

"What’s happening? Why isn’t he putting it on her?"

Confusion spread through the crowd.

Aiden’s frown deepened. "What the hell is he trying to do?"

Then, in full view of the entire world, Lucas placed his hands firmly on the arms of his wheelchair—

And stood.

The man who had been crippled for years.

Lucas Hilton... was walking again.

Gasps tore through the hall.

Aiden’s pupils contracted sharply. Impossible. Absolutely impossible.