Chapter 3
A flicker of panic flashed through Dylan’s eyes.
“Junie, why are you here?”
“Don’t overthink it. Tatum is just a volunteer at this orphanage. She happened to be here today to check
on things and discuss Hope’s adoption with me…”
Tatum stood up, holding Hope in her arms, and waved at me.
“Junie, long time no see.”
Sitting in my wheelchair, I smiled and nodded, suppressing the pain in my chest.
“It’s fine, I was just wandering around. Since you’re busy, I won’t bother you. I’ll wait in the car.”
With that, I turned and left,
Dylan thought I was angry and hurried after me, explaining over and over again.
“Don’t misunderstand. She often volunteers here. The kids in the orphanage all call her Mommy‘ Once the adoption process is complete, I’ll explain everything to Hope.”
Watching him panic, I suddenly wanted to laugh.
To bring this child into his home, he went so far as to stage an accident that left me crippled.
Now that he had what he wanted, who was he putting on this pitiful act for?
“Don’t worry, I’m not someone who makes a fuss over nothing. Go ahead with the paperwork–I’ll wait in
the car.”
He breathed a sigh of relief, watching me return to the car.
Every passing employee looked at me with eyes full of mockery.
I ignored them and pulled out my phone to begin canceling my official documents online.
To celebrate Dylan bringing the child home, the Owen family hosted a banquet.
I used my health as an excuse to stay upstairs and rest.
But through the gap in the door, I could still hear Dylan’s parents sneering.
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I moved my wheelchair to the staircase landing and looked down.
Below, the perfect image of a harmonious family unfolded.
Dylan carefully placed Hope’s favorite dishes onto her personal plate.
Tatum teased him with a smile.
“If you spoil her like this, she’ll be impossible to deal with later.”
Dylan was unconcerned, patting the tiny crown on Hope’s head.
“She’s my daughter–even if she breaks the sky, she’s still my little princess!”
The bitterness in my chest completely exploded..
I returned to my room and tore up every gift Dylan had given me over the past five years, tossing them
into the trash.
Just
the trash can tipped over, Tatum suddenly appeared before me.
With a swift kick, she overturned my wheelchair.
Pain
Through my body, cold sweat breaking out all over. But she only smiled down at me.
“Junie, being a cripple must be painful, huh?”
“So many years have passed, and you’re still just as useless.”
“You watched as your own wedding was given to me, as your husband brought my daughter home. And what did you do? Nothing. I almost feel sorry for you.”
I struggled to get up.
But in the next second, Tatum suddenly fell backward, tumbling straight down the stairs.
Before I could react, Dylan had already caught her in his arms.
He looked at me, eyes burning with rage.
“Junie, are you crazy?”
“Tatum came up to invite you to dinner out of kindness, and you attacked her?”
Dylan’s parents glared at me in disgust.
Potrayed- A Journey of Senarate)
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Hope stood at the side, wailing loudly.
“Bad woman! She bullied Mommy! I don’t want this bad woman in our house!”
“I want Mommy! I want Mommy!”
Tatum wealdy clung to Dylan’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry… I only told Junie that I agreed to take her place at the wedding. I didn’t expect her to
misunderstand…”
“Don’t blame her. She didn’t mean it.”
Lying helplessly on the floor, I let out a cold laugh.
“Dylan, the wedding, the accident, the child–don’t you owe me an explanation?”
Dylan’s brows furrowed, a flicker of panic flashing in his eyes.
“Explain what? You had a car accident on your own–what does that have to do with Tatum?”
“She was kind enough to take your place at the wedding, yet instead of being grateful, you attack her? Junie, when did you become like this?”
“Apologize to Tatum!”
Before I could say a word, Dylan’s parents had already spoken coldly.
“You’re a cripple
wow, yet you still act like the Lawrance family’s precious daughter?”
ld want
“Who else would want a useless woman like you except my son?”
“Enough. Leave her be. She’s disabled–it’s her own karma. Hurry and take Tatum to the hospital. Don’t let her get hurt.”
My nails dug into my palms as blood trickled from my body.
Dylan carried Tatum in one arm and held Hope’s hand with the other.
Without hesitation, he walked out the door.
Five years of love turned to ashes in one moment.
I dragged myself back into my wheelchair.
That night, I booked a flight–for the day of their wedding.
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When the time came, I would disappear completely.
She turned and left for the hotel.
That night, Dylan sent a message to explain.
“Tatum is still attending the wedding on your behalf. If you hurt her, it won’t look good at the ceremony. Asking you to apologize was just a temporary measure, an act for her to see–don’t overthink it. My parents were just saying things casually. After the wedding. I’ll bring them to apologize to you.”
