Chapter 6

A week before the wedding, our families met.

Quinn reserved the most luxurious hotel in Omandoria, and the entire party hall glittered with gold, looking absolutely lavish.

I wore the dress Quinn had picked out for me, standing by his side as I watched the guests streaming in.

The Cantrell family showed up in full force. Of course, my stepmother and half-brother were there.

Even a few distant relatives I hadn't seen in years decided to show up for the occasion.

As for the Bradley family, Cecilia came, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. His father didn't bother to show up, saying he had business overseas.

"Nervous?" Quinn leaned in and asked quietly.

"I'm okay," I replied.

With all these people staring at me, I had to be nervous.

"Why worry?" He wrapped his arm around my waist. "I'm right here with you."

Cecilia walked over, giving me a once-over. "Miss Cantrell, that dress must have cost a fortune, huh?"

"Mom." Quinn's voice turned cold. "This is what the Bradley family prepared for my wife. Got a problem with that?"

Cecilia was left speechless, shot me a glare, and stormed off.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?" Quinn asked.

"Your mom's actually pretty funny," I said.

"Oh yeah?" He raised an eyebrow. "You'll see she's even more entertaining once you get to know her."

Then, a stir broke out at the entrance.

I turned to look, and my heart skipped a beat.

William had come.

He was dressed in a custom suit, holding a bouquet of white roses, my old favorite.

"Louise," he called out, striding right up to me, "We need to talk."

"Mr. Stokes." Quinn stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "This is a meeting between the Bradley and Cantrell families. Why are you here?"

William didn't even look at him, his gaze fixed on me. "Louise, I know I was wrong. I can forgive you for calling off the wedding. Please, come back to me."

I almost threw up.

"William." I took a deep breath. "How can you be so shameless?"

"I don't care how shameless I look," he said, stepping closer, "As long as you come back."

Quinn grabbed William by the collar. "Mr. Stokes, my wife already asked you to leave. I suggest you listen."

"Quinn, this is between me and Louise," William said.

"Louise is my wife," Quinn replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The tension in the room was so thick I could cut it with a knife.

William's bodyguards stepped forward, and Quinn's crew squared up, ready for a fight.

As the tension was about to explode, I finally spoke up.

I said calmly, William, do you know how I died in my previous life?"

He paused, stunned.

"I remember perfectly well the car accident you and Genevieve orchestrated," I said, locking eyes with him, "You made sure I died a horrible death. That debt is still unpaid."

William's face went ghostly pale.

"What did you say?" he stammered.

"Nothing," I said, slipping my arm through Quinn's, "From now on, we're finished for good. Get lost."

William stood there, looking like he'd been struck by lightning.

He probably never imagined I'd say something like that.

In the end, it was his assistant who had to drag him away.

Before he left, he turned back and gave me one last look.

That look was hard to describe.

All I knew was, it wasn't a good one.

"He..." Quinn began, sounding concerned.

"Don't worry about it," I interrupted him, "Come on, let's head inside."

Inside the party hall, the guests were settling in, finding their seats.

Quinn led me to the main table, and we began the rounds of toasts.

Despite all the drama and unpleasant moments, we still managed to pull off the wedding without any real disasters.

After everything wrapped up, Quinn drove me back to my apartment.

"You did great today," he said.

"So did you," I replied.

After a moment of silence, I asked, "Don't you think William's reaction was kind of weird?"

"Weird," Quinn said.

"I thought so too," I said, frowning, "It's like he knows something."

Quinn glanced at me but didn't say anything.

But I caught the way his hand tightened around the steering wheel.

I wondered what he was worried about.