A Bride for the Cripple

The paralyzed heir of Deshonte City's elite social circle demanded that my sister marry him as a bride to "ward off bad luck."

But she was already pregnant—with my fiancé's baby.

So the so-called "marriage arrangement" disaster ended up landing on me.

My father was so furious he smashed his teacup right then and there.

"Absolutely not! Even if Catherine is adopted, she does not deserve to be humiliated like this!"

My fiancé, though, grabbed my hand.

"Catherine, how could I ever fall for someone else? It's just that Veronica is carrying my child—I can't let her walk into her doom. You'll just take your sister's place for now. Once things settle down, I'll come get you."

Watching him put on this whole show of devotion, it suddenly hit me that marrying a paralyzed heir might actually be more peaceful than staying here.

I pressed my father's hand down and said calmly, "Dad, Mom… I'll go."

On the day of the wedding, I wore a stunning white gown and sat beside my groom in his wheelchair.

My ex-fiancé sent me a message: [I'm sorry you're going through this. Wait for me.]

I handed the phone to the man next to me and smiled.

"Honey, looks like my brother-in-law is awfully concerned about me."

My mother's eyes instantly welled up.

"Catherine, what the hell are you saying? I won't allow it!"

Her voice cracked with tears.

"That Astor heir has been completely unhinged ever since his accident. No one even knows how many caregivers he's tortured to death.

"And word is he doesn't have much longer to live. If you marry into that family, you'll basically be a widow before your husband's even dead! How could I ever let you suffer like that? Don't be impulsive. Don't throw your life away for us."

Lex Cale stepped forward and gently steadied her, his expression controlled.

"Mrs. Luthor, please don't get so upset. The Astor heir is just paralyzed. Catherine is young and healthy, and I've already made arrangements to keep an eye on her. Nothing will happen."

Then he turned to me and took my hand.

"Catherine, you've really grown up. You've become so selfless." His voice softened. "Don't worry. I swear to God—I will never let you suffer.

"As soon as this blows over, I'll bring you right back and make it up to you a hundred times over."

So this was his idea of not letting me suffer?

Getting my sister pregnant, then having me marry a half-dead paralyzed man in her place?

How absurd. Wasn't every bit of pain I was enduring right now because of him?

My father looked like he wanted to say something more, but just then, Veronica walked in, one hand protectively cradling her stomach.

"Catherine, I'm so sorry. I'm really, really sorry." Tears streamed down her face like a broken dam. "Thank you. Thank you for blessing us.

"Lex and I… we couldn't help ourselves. That's how this baby happened. If it weren't for