What did you just say?

Sabrina stood frozen, her body trembling uncontrollably as if gripped by an unseen force.

A sudden chill swept over her. It began at her feet, creeping inexorably upward until it consumed every fiber of her being. She shivered, her teeth almost chattering from the cold.

She remembered the question her grandfather had asked her years ago: Xixi, if Joseph wanted to be with you, to marry you, would you say yes?

Shed taken a sharp breath back then. Grandpa, would he be doing it willingly?

Even then, she had known that the one Joseph truly cared for was Layla. That knowledge had shaped her answer.

Shed promised herself that if Joseph were coerced, if her grandfathers wishes forced his hand, she would never agree. She couldnt let their marriage be a shackle binding him. She wouldnt soil love with a chain of obligation.

Her grandfather had chuckled at her earnestness. Silly girl, Josephs as stubborn as they come. If he didnt want to, could I really make him do anything?

And later, she had asked Joseph herself.

She had been nervous but firm. Are you marrying me of your own will? I know how much my grandfather dotes on me, but I dont want you to do this just because he ordered you to. I dont want to put you in an impossible position.

What had Joseph said in response?

Im doing this willingly, he told her. Layla and I broke up. Lets make an agreement. Three years. Ill try to fall in love with you within that time. If I cant, well divorce amicably at the end of it. Does that sound fair?

Her heart had swelled with hope, a radiant smile lighting her face. Yes, I agree! she said, almost too eagerly.

He had tilted his head, studying her. Why would you agree to marry me? Do you not have someone you love? Are you really okay being tied down like this? Dont you want to chase your own happiness?

Her answer had been simple. I do have someone. Then, with a rueful shake of her head, she added, But Im done chasing.

Because marrying him meant the chase was over. A leap from longing into reality. Love had transformedslipped its skin to become a marriage. An ending, and perhaps, a beginning, wrapped in one.

But now, Layla stood before her, demolishing that fragile belief.

Every word that fell from her lips was like a stone hurled at a fragile glass structure, shattering it shard by shard.

If you cant believe me, Sabrina, let me spell it out for you, Layla declared, voice sharp and cutting. Joseph doesnt love you. He loves me. How could you ever think he married you of his own free will? Do you know why he proposed that three-year plan? Because that way, three years later, youyes, youwould have no choice but to gracefully step aside and ask for a divorce yourself. That way, hed be free. Free to come back to me and marry me.

Sabrinas breath hitched, her stomach twisting into impossible knots.

Layla smirked, satisfied with the devastation spreading across Sabrinas face. He knew it had to come from you. Only if you asked for the divorce would your grandfather accept it. If he asked, your grandfather wouldnt even entertain the idea. Layla leaned in, her words venom-laced. You really have no clue just how far hes gone for me. This whole three-year agreement? Its a beautiful trap. One meant to trick you from the very beginning.

The walls around Sabrina seemed to close in, frost seeping into her bones. She felt suffocated, drowning in layers of lies so masterfully woven that she had lived inside them, blissfully unaware.

If it was all fake

If every word, every touch had been part of an elaborate act

Then what was real? Those nights when he held her so tightly, whispered her name with a tenderness that melted her defenses? Was all of it really justpretend?

Her eyes stung, the weight of bitterness pressing into her chest until breathing became laborious. Sabrina felt like a puppet, her strings pulled in directions she never consented to, her emotions exploited until she had been turned into a caricature of herself. A clown, foolish enough to believe in some semblance of magic where there was none.

She forced herself to speak, her voice brittle but daring. I dont believe you. Unless you can tell me what hold my grandfather had over himwhat could possibly make Joseph go against who he isI wont believe you.

Laylas lips curled into a mocking smile. Oh, Sabrina, your stubbornness is almost endearing. Fine, Ill tell you.

She tilted her head slightly, as if delivering the final blow with theatrical relish. Your grandfather threatened him. Said that if Joseph refused the marriage, hed send me overseas. Somewhere far enough that wed never see each other again for the rest of our lives. Being unable to stay by my side was painful enough for him; the thought of never seeing me again? That was unbearable. So he caved.

Sabrina bit her lower lip hard enough to draw blood. A raw ache filled her chest, a pain that silenced her completely, as if her voice had been stolen.

Layla refused to let up, pressing her advantage like a seasoned predator. Oh, and about my legsyou remember your wedding day, dont you? How Joseph took a phone call in the middle of it and nearly walked out?

Yes, Sabrina murmured. Of course she remembered. It was her wedding day. Every detail was etched into memory.

Well, that was because I got into a car accident on my way to your wedding. I almost died. They spent an entire day trying to save me, and while they managed to keep me alive, these legs of mine? Theyll never be the same again.

Sabrinas heart sank. So that was why

That was why Joseph had left so suddenly after the ceremony. Why his excuses had been so vague. When shed asked him what was wrong, hed claimed it had been an accident involving a friend, someone he needed to care for but who her grandfather had refused to let him see, leaving her to act as his shield.

She even remembered the phone call shed had with her grandfather later, his tone almost suspicious. Xixi, is that rascal Joseph still behaving himself? Staying home with you?

She had smiled, foolishly blind to the undercurrents swirling around her. Yes, Grandpa. Hes right here with me.

And just like that, shed helped him lie. Played her part. Blindly assisted in covering up what she hadnt fully understood.

On her wedding night, the night meant for them to begin anew, Joseph had left her bed cold and empty, going instead to be by Laylas side.

The truth was suffocating.

And the truth was merciless.

The days that followed were marked by his relentless scheduleearly departures, late returns, and an exhaustion that shadowed his every movement.

But he had never once told her the truth. The 'friend' he so often mentioned was Layla.

What if she had known?

Sabrina let out a bitter laugh. Even if she had known, she would have still kept his secret.

Because she loved him that much, because she couldn't bear the thought of him being reprimanded by his grandfather.

"So? What's the point of telling me all this now?"

Sabrina's gaze sharpened on her, her stance like that of a hedgehog, all bristled quills and defensive posture, guarding the fragile core beneath.

"Tell meare you saying your legs, your injury, were all my fault? Was it me who crippled you?"

"Sabrina, search your heart," Layla's voice quivered, vibrating with sudden intensity. "Isn't it true?"

"If it hadn't been for you, grandfather wouldn't have pressured Joseph. Joseph wouldn't have begrudgingly married you. And I wouldn't have been distracted on the way to your weddingso distracted I got into that car crash. My legs... my whole life wouldn't have been ruined."

"If it weren't for you, I'd be married to Joseph by now. We'd probably have a house full of children, joyfully attending to grandfather in his old age."

Sabrina fought to contain herself, her hands trembling with the effort.

When she finally raised her head, her voice was as cool and composed as steel.

"It's not because of me. You're just looking for an excuse, Layla. A way to justify your bitterness and blame someone else."

"I trust grandfather. He loves me dearly, but if he didn't approve of you and Joseph, there must've been a reason. If you truly met his standards for what a granddaughter-in-law should be, then not me, not a thousand Sabrinas, not ten thousand Sabrinas, could have ever displaced you."

"As you said, Layla, grandfather went to great lengths to keep you and Joseph apart. That means only one thing: the problem isn't anyone elseit's you."

"I may not be some privileged debutante, but I'm not someone you can just walk all over. Don't think for a second that you can pin whatever guilt you carry onto me."

"No one invited you to that wedding. No one handed you a drink and told you to get behind the wheel."

Sabrina's words rang out, each one landing with unassailable precision, each sentence building upon the last into an irrefutable argument.

Layla stared at Sabrina in disbelief.

Two years. After two years apart, she could hardly reconcile this sharp, fearless woman with the timid little girl she'd known. Back then, Sabrina had trailed behind Joseph like a shadow, shyly hesitant, her cheeks flushing crimson at the slightest provocation, her voice perpetually soft and unsure.

"The love of my life was getting married, and you think I wouldn't be there?"

"The love of your life?" Sabrina let out a cold laugh. "Layla, just because Joseph doesnt know certain things doesnt mean I dont. Dont push medont make me drag all your dirty secrets out into the light."

"Youre lying," Layla snapped, her voice breaking as she flailed against the accusation. "Ive done nothing wrong. You have no right to slander me like this!"

Her voice spiked in outrage, and in her vehemence, she lost her balance. With an abrupt, graceless tumble, she fell from the wheelchair.

At that moment, Joseph walked in.

He set down the insulated thermos he was carrying, his normally gentle face darkened by a shadow of cold displeasure. He moved quickly to lift Layla from the floor, his hands steady but his jaw tight. Sliding one arm under her back, he helped her back into the wheelchair, then straightened, pinching the bridge of his nose before his gaze locked on them both.

"Can someone," he said, his voice clipped, cold, "tell me what the hell is going on?"