The Lie That Bought a Wedding
Chapter 02 - The Lie That Bought a Wedding
Ethan canceled the flight.
Vanessa called it humiliation. His father, Richard Cole, called it betrayal. Within minutes, the private terminal filled with security officers, assistants, and lawyers who seemed far too prepared for a family surprise.
Ethan led Nora and Noah into an empty airline lounge. Vanessa followed, insisting she had every right to hear the truth. Nora kept the baby close and placed a folder on the table.
Eighteen months earlier, Nora had discovered she was pregnant. Before she could tell Ethan, Richard invited her to his office. He claimed Ethan had agreed to marry Vanessa to secure a merger between Cole Aviation and Hart Global, then offered Nora money to disappear.
She refused.
The next morning, someone broke into her apartment. Nothing valuable was taken, but her medical records were spread across the floor. Then Nora received a message from Ethan’s number: I never loved you. Take the money and stay away.
“I believed it for three days,” Nora said. “Then I tried to call you. Every number was blocked.”
Ethan looked at Vanessa. She did not look surprised.
“You knew,” he said.
Vanessa folded her arms. “I knew your father wanted stability. You were grieving and reckless. I helped protect the company.”
“By stealing my phone?”
“By preventing one woman from destroying thousands of jobs.”
Nora opened the folder. It contained bank transfers, emails, and a private agreement signed by Richard and Vanessa. The merger would be completed only after the wedding. Vanessa’s family would gain controlling voting rights, while Ethan remained the public face of a company he no longer controlled.
Ethan’s anger turned cold. “You weren’t marrying me. You were acquiring me.”
Vanessa’s eyes hardened. “You think love runs an airline?”
Noah began to cry. Ethan reached toward him, then stopped, uncertain whether he had the right. Nora watched his hesitation before placing the baby in his arms.
The crying stopped almost immediately.
Ethan looked down at his son. Noah touched the white rose, crushing one soft petal between his fingers.
A security officer entered and whispered to Vanessa. She smiled.
“There’s a problem with Nora’s passport,” she said. “Airport police believe she entered the country using a false identity.”
Nora went pale as two officers approached.
May you like
Vanessa leaned close to Ethan. “Board the plane, marry me, and this disappears.”
Ethan handed Noah back to Nora, stepped between her and the officers, and said, “Then arrest me too.”
