Chapter 7 - The First Crack
Ethan's engagement party was held at the Sterling mansion.
Exactly as Vanessa wanted.
Hundreds of guests.
Champagne.
Music.
Photographers.
A perfect public image.
Ethan arrived in his wheelchair.
Vanessa smiled beside him.
She looked radiant.
To everyone watching, she was the devoted fiancée standing by her injured future husband.
But Ethan knew better.
He watched her speak quietly to Richard.
Then he saw the same mysterious man from Lily's photograph.
Standing near the bar.
Ethan recognized him now.
Dr. Marcus Hale.
A private rehabilitation specialist.
The man who had supposedly evaluated Ethan after the accident.
Ethan stared at him.
Marcus noticed.
Their eyes met.
Marcus immediately looked away.
That was enough.
Ethan rolled toward him.
“Doctor.”
Marcus forced a smile.
“Ethan.”
“Nice to see you.”
“Likewise.”
Ethan lowered his voice.
“You told my family I'd never walk again.”
Marcus stiffened.
“I gave them the information available at the time.”
“You lied.”
Marcus glanced toward Vanessa.
“I think you should rest.”
Ethan smiled.
“I've been resting for three months.”
He rolled away.
Marcus looked terrified.
Across the ballroom, Vanessa watched.
Her smile had disappeared.
That night, Ethan overheard Marcus and Richard in the hallway.
“He knows.”
Richard sounded furious.
“How much?”
“Enough.”
“Then the wedding must happen immediately.”
Ethan stopped breathing.
Marcus continued.
“If he recovers fully, the contract becomes useless.”
Richard replied:
“Then he doesn't recover.”
Ethan's fingers tightened.
He silently moved away.
For the first time, he understood the real plan.
They weren't simply waiting for him to remain disabled.
They intended to make sure he stayed that way.
Maybe permanently.
Ethan returned to his bedroom.
Lily was waiting.
He told her everything.
She looked frightened.
“What are you going to do?”
Ethan looked toward the ballroom.
“Let them believe they still control the ending.”
Then he removed his engagement ring.
He placed it on the table.
May you like
“I think it's time Vanessa learns how dangerous a promise can become when the person making it knows the truth.”
👉 Ethan had finally identified the man who helped fake his medical condition—but Marcus was about to reveal something even more disturbing.
