Chapter 2
2:
Linsey’s words made the man’s eyes narrow slightly. His voice, laced with surprise, held a sharp edge. “Ma’am, are you certain about this? I’m disabled. If you marry me, you’ll regret it sooner or later.”
Linsey didn’t answer him directly. Instead, her gaze never wavered as she asked, “Would you ever abandon your wife for another woman?”
“Of course not,” he replied without missing a beat, his tone firm.
“Then I won’t regret it either,” Linsey said, her resolve unshaken. “As long as you agree, I’ll marry you.”
Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, the man had no reason to refuse. With a slow, deliberate nod, he replied, “Alright then, let’s get married.” And just like that, Linsey’s wedding—one that had nearly been called off—continued as planned.
With the priest as their witness, they exchanged vows, their voices steady.
As they exited the church, Linsey felt a strange sense of unreality. She had just married a man who, only hours ago, had been a complete stranger.
Pushing her husband’s wheelchair down the steps, she suddenly realized something. “By the way, I don’t even know your name.”
“Collin Riley,” he responded, his voice calm.
Linsey’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait—you’re Collin Riley? The eldest son of the Riley family?”
Collin saw the shock on her face and smirked, a hint of mockery in his smile.
“What’s the matter? Now that you know you’ve married a man everyone else considers a loser, you’re regretting it?”
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The story of Collin—the eldest son of the powerful Riley family—was well-known throughout the city. His mother had died in childbirth, and his father had remarried. Later, a car accident left Collin paralyzed, transforming him into what many considered a loser.
When his stepmother gave birth to a son, he became even more of an outcast within the Riley family. Without his grandmother, Ivy Riley, who had always defended and protected him, Collin would have likely been discarded long ago, left to struggle far worse than someone living on the streets.
In Collin’s mind, no woman in her right mind would willingly marry a man like him unless she was after money. He wasn’t just disabled—he was the neglected son of the Riley family.
He fully expected Linsey to be disappointed.
He was prepared to see regret or bitterness shadow her face.
To his shock, however, she looked at him not with pity or disdain, but with a deep, unspoken understanding—as if she saw him for what he truly was—another soul abandoned by those who should have loved him.
Reaching out, she took his hand with gentle strength. “I’ve already told you. Once I’ve made my decision, I won’t regret it. Now that we’re married, I’ll make sure you have a real home—one that’s warm and full of care.”
“Is that so?” Collin’s voice was laced with doubt, his skepticism clear. “Let’s see then.”
He didn’t believe her.
Curious, he wondered how long she could maintain this facade once she realized there was nothing to gain from him.
A car pulled up in front of them, interrupting his thoughts.
“Let’s go,” Collin said, his tone commanding.
Linsey paused, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “Where are you taking me?”
“Home, of course,” he replied with quiet certainty. “We’re married now, so naturally, we’ll live together.”
Home?
The word made Linsey’s heart skip a beat.
It reminded her of the home she had lived in with Felix—the one she had worked so hard to build for their future together.
But now that she was married to Collin, she knew she had to sever the ties to her past.
With a deep breath, she turned to him and said, “I have a few things to take care of first. Could you share your contact info and address with me? I’ll move in as soon as I’m finished.”
Collin raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing. “You don’t want me to give you a ride?”
“No, it’s fine,” she replied, her voice firm but gentle. “I can manage on my own. I don’t want to trouble you.”
He didn’t argue. After exchanging their contact details, he got into the car and drove off.
Half an hour later, Linsey stood before the apartment she had once shared with Felix. The key turned in the lock, and the door creaked open to reveal a space filled with memories.
She stepped inside, taking in every familiar detail—the tablecloth, the potted plants—each piece had been carefully selected by her, making it feel like home.
But now, it all felt like a prison. Without a second thought, she moved toward the decorations, ripping them down, discarding the plants, and throwing everything into the trash.
She had chosen to start fresh, and that meant leaving the past behind, no matter how much it hurt.
Once she had cleared out the remnants of her old life, she began packing her belongings. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear the sound of footsteps approaching.
Felix, unable to stay away, stood at the door, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief. He couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Linsey, what the hell are you doing?”
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