Chapter 8
Lorian clenched his fist, his eyes locked on the crash report on her phone.
“Auntie, I’ll find her.”
Sylvia’s mother hesitated, then looked up at him with red–rimmed eyes.
“Lorian, don’t you… haven’t you always hated Sylvia?”
“Your wedding is happening right now–don’t throw it away. Sylvia… I can search for her myself.”
She turned to leave, but Lorian caught her arm, his eyes wild.
“Did Sylvia act strange before leaving? When exactly did she go? Did she… say anything about me?”
“Two nights ago, after you left with Jocelyn. She said she needed space–that the house felt suffocating.”
“I didn’t push her. She seemed so down. I thought she was worried your father would blame her for something. I never imagined today…”
Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
Before he could speak, Sylvia’s mother pulled out a gift box from her purse.
“This is from you, right? Sylvia wasn’t home, so I signed for it. Looks expensive. If Sylvia were here, she
would’ve loved it.”
“Take it back. Your wedding is starting. Don’t keep Jocelyn waiting.”
“Honestly, at first I was terrified you’d mistreat Sylvia. She lost her father young and bottles everything up. Seeing how you looked after her all these years was such a relief. She treated you differently from everyone. She trusted you completely, Lorian. You’ve been such a good brother to her.”
“If Sylvia’s watching from heaven right now, she’d want you to be happy today.”
These few sentences crushed what was left of Lorian’s composure.
Her words echoed in his head like a broken record.
A good brother?
Did he deserve that title?
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Falling for a Lie My Stepbrother’s Hidd
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Chapter 8
If he’d been a good brother, would Sylvia still be alive? Would she have run away on his wedding day?
If he’d never created this revenge scheme, would Sylvia be here right now, genuinely wishing him happiness?
So many questions hammered at his brain. But reality doesn’t deal in “what ifs.”
Jocelyn approached again, urging him to start the ceremony.
Lorian brushed past her. He walked onto the stage and addressed the seated guests with ice in his voice.
“I apologize, but today’s wedding is canceled. There’s a family emergency I need to handle.”
“Please, enjoy the food. Consider this an expensive dinner on me.”
At his words, Jocelyn’s face transformed with shock. She rushed forward, clutching his arm.
“Lorian, what the hell are you saying? Everything’s ready for the wedding. Where do you think you’re going?”
“Did that bitch Sylvia poison you against me again? Why can’t you see straight? She’s your ENEMY!
You’re throwing away our wedding for some homewrecker’s daughter?”
Lorian’s face darkened as he shook her off like dirt.
“Jocelyn, final warning–Sylvia is my sister. Watch your damn mouth!”
“Until she’s found, there is no wedding. One day if we find her tomorrow, one month if that’s what it
takes. You better pray she’s okay. Otherwise, you’ll regret ever crossing me.”
He turned and stormed out of the hall.
His father’s calls bombarded his phone. He ignored every one.
Just as he slid into his car, Ewan ran up, out of breath.
“Lorian, what are you doing?”
“You’ve been planning this wedding for six years! Walking out now–how will your father face everyone? What about Jocelyn?”
“They can figure it out themselves! This whole wedding was his idea anyway! I don’t believe Sylvia would just vanish like this. This has to be her getting back at me!”
“Whether she’s alive or dead, I’m bringing her back to the Lancelot family!”
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