**Chapter 2: The Wedding** A few days later, the sun hovered in the sky, casting a gentle glow over a quaint church nestled in the suburbs, where Janet stood at the entrance, her heart beating like a drum. Clad in a simple white slip dress, she was poised on the threshold of a life-altering moment—she was getting married today. To a man she had never laid eyes on. A wedding dress was an extravagant thought she had dismissed immediately, not wanting to stretch her already tight budget further. Every penny mattered now; she had to save every ounce of her resources for Hannah’s surgery. Just outside the church, she had picked up a delicate bouquet of baby’s-breath from a small flower shop, asking the florist for an extra white silk ribbon to braid into her hair. As she stood there, she radiated purity and innocence, embodying the image of an unsuspecting bride. But as time ticked relentlessly on, a cold knot of anxiety tightened in her stomach. The groom had yet to arrive, and the church felt eerily empty, a handful of faces milling about, some lost in quiet conversation, others casting glances toward the door in anticipation. “Don’t stress, Janet. He’s probably stuck in traffic or something. Let’s just wait a little longer,” Bernie reassured her, but his voice was a thin veil over her rising panic. Janet’s breath quickened. She had heard whispers about the man she was about to marry—Ethan Lester. The tales painted him not as a prince charming but an irresponsible layabout, a man who preferred to squander his time with street delinquents rather than seeking gainful employment. The thought of tying her life to someone like him churned her insides, yet she felt shackled by the weight of necessity. “Where in the world is the groom and his family?” Fiona's voice pierced through her thoughts as she cast a disapproving glance at the meager gathering. Draped in a stunning soft purple dress, her features accentuated by expertly applied makeup, Fiona looked like she had stepped from the pages of a magazine—a stark contrast to Janet’s simple appearance. The absence of the Lester family made it painfully clear to Janet that they didn’t seem to value this union. Nonetheless, their apathy barely registered; her mind was anchored on one singular priority—Hannah’s medical expenses. Leaning closer to Fiona, her voice was almost a whisper, tinged with urgency, “Will you make sure to give me the money right after the ceremony?” In a pact made with her adoptive parents, Janet had sworn to trade her marriage for the funds needed to save Hannah’s life. “Why do you keep bringing up money?” Fiona replied, her tone gentle yet strained. “We’re family! I’ll give you what you need after the wedding; just stop worrying about it.” As the seconds dragged by, the atmosphere began to grow heavy with anticipation. Then, in walked Jocelyn, dressed to the nines in a dazzling outfit, her jewelry sparkling as she sauntered in on her boyfriend's arm. The glee on her face was unmistakable as she approached Bernie and Fiona, a malicious glint in her eye. She had effortlessly snatched Janet’s wealthy boyfriend from under her, leaving Janet to marry the illegitimate child of the Lester family. Steve’s brow knitted in discomfort the moment his gaze landed on Janet in her wedding attire. Guilt washed over him like a tide. He had ruined everything—an impulsive moment had severed his relationship with Janet, the one woman who held his heart. Now, here she was, set to marry another, while he was stuck beside Jocelyn, who had all but dragged him here, her pregnancy making it impossible for him to refuse. Janet’s presence was magnetic, and he couldn’t help but stare. Jocelyn noticed his gaze and flared with jealousy, her voice slicing through the delicate tension. “What’s so enthralling about that girl? Why do you keep staring at her?” The venom in her tone was palpable, and it threatened to spill over into outright chaos. “Why is the groom late for his own wedding? I can’t believe they don’t care enough to show up,” she sneered, referring to Ethan’s apparent tardiness. “What a joke!” In her world, Jocelyn was a princess, her bratty behavior always excused, but here, among the murmurs of the gathered guests, her rudeness fell flat, and Janet could no longer endure the insults. Stepping forward, she lifted the hem of her dress with a newfound assertiveness. “Jocelyn, that’s enough. You can’t just call people names like that! This is a church, for heaven’s sake. Have a little decency!” The boldness in Janet’s voice shocked even herself; she had always been the quiet one, allowing Jocelyn to have her way. The church fell silent, the tension building as every eye turned toward them. Just then, the heavy doors creaked open, and a tall figure entered, illuminated by the sunlight streaming behind him. His silhouette demanded attention, every gaze drawn toward him as he stepped inside. With a glance that swept over the assembled crowd, his intense eyes and perfectly groomed features seemed to captivate everyone present. He adjusted his suit with a swift motion, the sunlight casting a halo around him as if the universe conspired to create such a striking figure. At that moment, Janet knew life as she understood it was about to change irrevocably. The tension crackled in the air, and a new chapter was just beginning to unfold.