Forced To Marry My Cousin's Fiancé

Chapter 133: Chapter 133

Lane frowned when she picked up her cell phone and saw multiple missed calls from Noah.

She stared at the screen for a moment before dialing him back. After several rings, he still didn’t answer, and she eventually hit the automated operator.

When she couldn’t reach him, she decided to send a quick text instead.

Sorry, Noah. I just saw your call. Call me back when you get this.

Just as the text went through, she heard a soft knock at her bedroom door.

She pushed herself up from the edge of the bed and walked over to pull it open.

Lily stood in the doorway. "Good morning, Ma’am," she greeted with a warm smile.

"Good morning," Lane replied. "Do you need something?"

"Ms. Lane, Sir Ethan is asking for you. Ms. Ivy is downstairs," Lily reported.

"Okay," Lane answered, her stomach fluttering slightly. She knew Miss Ivy was coming by to finalize the wedding details.

There were only three days left until her wedding to Ethan, and a whirlwind of excitement, joy, and nerves pulled at her chest.

Lane followed Lily down the stairs.

The moment Ethan caught sight of her descending, he excused himself from Miss Ivy, stood up from the sofa, and hurried over to meet her.

Lane couldn’t help a small, fond smile as he closed the distance, taking her hand gently to guide her the rest of the way down.

Ever since Ethan had learned about her pregnancy, he treated her like delicate glass. He practically banned her from the kitchen to keep her from getting tired, and he refused to let her lift anything heavier than a book for fear of straining herself or the baby.

Lane let him have his way, knowing arguing was pointless. He just wanted to shower her with the love and devotion he felt he owed her.

When they reached the living room, Miss Ivy stood up from her chair.

"Good morning, Ma’am Lane," Miss Ivy greeted.

"Good morning," Lane replied. "Please, have a seat, Ivy."

Miss Ivy smiled and sat back down. Ethan settled her beside him on the couch before taking his own seat.

"I came to let you know that everything is completely set. The church, the venue," Miss Ivy informed them.

"And Chelsea called me earlier to confirm that your wedding gown, the groom’s suit, and the entire bridal party’s attire are ready. Tomorrow is your final fitting, Ma’am Lane. Sir Ethan mentioned you shouldn’t be leaving the mansion, so Chelsea’s staff and I will bring everything here instead."

Lane looked at Ethan in surprise.

"I can easily go to Miss Chelsea’s boutique myself so nobody is inconvenienced," she told Ivy.

"It’s no trouble at all, Ma’am. Sir Ethan arranged to send his driver to pick us up," Ivy replied smoothly.

Lane opened her mouth to protest, but Ethan smoothly wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"They’ll come here so you don’t wear yourself out, love," he murmured.

Lane blushed when she noticed Ivy hiding a smile at Ethan’s open affection.

"Sorry, Ivy. My husband is just a little clingy," Lane teased, though she leaned into the embrace as Ethan tightened his hold.

"It’s fine, Ma’am Lane. Sir is very attentive," Ivy said with a grin.

Before anyone else could speak, a housemaid hurried over to the sitting area.

"Excuse me, Sir Ethan, Ma’am Lane," the maid said respectfully.

"What is it?" Ethan asked.

"There’s a visitor outside for Ma’am Lane. It’s Sir Noah."

Lane’s forehead furrowed in confusion, and she felt Ethan’s grip tighten protectively around her waist once more.

"Let him in," Lane instructed.

"Right away," the maid replied, turning on her heel.

Shortly after, Miss Ivy excused herself, promising to call the next morning when she set out for the mansion.

Ethan and Lane escorted Ivy to the front doors, arriving just as Noah stepped out of his car.

Lane frowned instantly, noticing his furrowed brows and the obvious panic etched across his features.

A deep sense of dread pooled in her stomach.

"Noah," she called out as he jogged toward them. "Are you okay?"

"Lane, has Ava contacted you?" he blurted out, breathless and frantic.

She shook her head, her heart skipping a beat.

"No, we haven’t spoken since the other day. Why?"

Lane’s breath caught in her throat at Noah’s next words.

"Ava is missing, Lane!"

"Answer my phone, Ava," Lane whispered desperately as she dialed her friend’s number yet again. She had lost count of how many times she had called since Noah had arrived at the mansion frantic for news.

The last time she and Ava had talked, Noah had rushed over to confess everything after finding out about the pregnancy.

Ava had admitted that Noah wanted to step up and take responsibility, but surprisingly, Ava hadn’t seemed happy about it. She had promised to explain everything once they met up, telling Lane not to stress and to focus on her upcoming wedding instead.

How was she supposed to focus when her best friend had vanished into thin air? Ava had stood by her through thick and thin, and Lane wanted nothing more than to return the favor. But how could she help when Ava’s phone went straight to voicemail, likely turned off to avoid the world?

Lane bit her lower lip hard, fighting back the sting of hot tears. She was terrified for Ava, knowing how vulnerable and alone her friend felt.

"Lane..."

Hearing Ethan’s soft voice, she looked up. The moment their eyes met and she saw the deep worry reflected in his expression, her composure shattered, and a tear slipped down her cheek.

Ethan closed the distance instantly, pulling her into a fierce, grounding embrace.

"Don’t cry, love. It’s not good for the baby," he coaxed gently, rubbing soothing circles into her back.

"I-I can’t help it, Ethan. I’m so worried about Ava," she sobbed softly against his chest.

"She’s pregnant and all alone out there. What if something bad happened?"

"Noah is tearing the city apart looking for her, and I’ve already dispatched my own men to help with the search," Ethan assured her.

"W-what if Noah can’t find her?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Noah will just have to wait five years to find her and his child, exactly like I had to do," Ethan muttered dryly. "He can learn what it feels like to be kept away."

Lane let out a wet laugh, playfully swatting his side.

"I was only joking to cheer you up," Ethan murmured defensively with a small smirk.

A sudden, sharp ringtone cut through the quiet room. Lane pulled back instantly, her eyes widening as she spotted the caller ID.

Relief washed over her in a tidal wave.

"Ava! Where are you?" she cried out, swiping to answer.

"I’m sorry, Lane. I can’t tell you where I am right now. But I’m fine, please don’t worry about me," Ava pleaded on the other end.

"How can I not worry? You’re pregnant and hiding out by yourself!"

"I promise I’m okay," Ava insisted.

"Are you even coming home?" Lane pressed, holding her breath during a long, agonizing silence.

"M-my wedding is tomorrow, Ava. You’re my maid of honor. Are you really going to make me postpone the—"

"No," Ethan interrupted sharply, leaning in close.

Lane glanced at him and saw pure panic in his eyes. He grabbed her phone, bringing it closer to his mouth. "Please, Ava, just come back. We are not postponing this wedding," he practically begged.

They heard Ava let out a soft, amused sigh on the other end. "Relax, Ethan. Your wedding is still happening."

"It won’t happen without my wife’s best friend standing right beside her."

Ava paused for a second before softening. "I’ll be there, Lane. I wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world. I’ll be there to watch you and Ethan tie the knot."

"Promise?" Lane asked, her voice thick with emotion.

"I promise." With that, Ava warned her not to breathe a word of the call to Noah.

"Okay."

Before Lane could say anything else, the line went dead.

As she lowered the phone, Ethan pulled her back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"Don’t ever scare me with talk of postponing our wedding again," Ethan whispered into her hair.

....

Today was the big day for Ethan and Lane, the day they would finally tie the knot. Ethan was already waiting at the hotel while Lane remained at the mansion, surrounded by a team of makeup artists putting the final touches on her look.

The glam squad had just packed up when the door swung open. Eleanor entered the room, pushing her husband in his wheelchair.

Both of her parents were already dressed in their formal best, ready for the ceremony.

A soft, tearful smile broke across her mother’s face the moment she saw her daughter. "Lane, my child," Eleanor whispered.

"Mom," Lane breathed.

Her gaze dropped to her father. She could clearly see the quiet pride and joy shining in his eyes. He looked genuinely happy for her.

Sensing the family moment, the makeup artist quietly excused herself to give them some privacy.

Lane hurried over, stepping between them. She leaned down to press a tender kiss to her mother’s cheek before throwing her arms around her father, planting a soft kiss on his temple as well.

"Dad, how are you feeling?" she asked softly.

Ethan had arranged for private medical transport to bring her parents home.

Her father had been receiving advanced treatment abroad, and while he had left the country frail and barely able to move, he was now strong enough to sit upright.

"L-lane..."

Lane let out a sob, unable to hold back her tears upon hearing his voice again. Though his speech was still a bit slurred, the fact that he could speak at all felt like a miracle. She knew that with time, his strength would only continue to return.

She had longed to hear him speak for so long. She choked back a cry when she felt his trembling hand rise to gently caress her cheek.

"D-don’t cry, my child," he murmured.

She pressed her lips together tightly, trying to stem the flood of tears.

"I’m just so happy because you’re getting better," she managed.

"Your father pushed himself so hard to recover, Lane," her mother added, wiping away her own tears.

"When Ethan told him you were getting married again, he swore he would walk you down the aisle. He couldn’t do it the first time because everything happened so fast, but now that you’re having a proper church wedding, he refused to miss walking his only child to the altar."

Lane’s throat tightened. She blinked rapidly, terrified of ruining her bridal makeup. "Thank you, Dad. T-thank you for fighting to get better for me."

Instead of speaking, her father raised both of his arms. Lane understood instantly, leaning down into his open embrace.

"I love you, my child."

"I love you too, Dad. I love you and Mommy so much."

Even though she was starting a family of her own today, her love for them would never waver. They were her very first home.

Lane was completely ready. Draped in her breathtaking wedding gown, she sat waiting for the final signal to leave for the church.

Ethan had gone ahead with Calvin and his parents. Eager as ever, he had arrived at the venue an hour early, even though the ceremony wasn’t scheduled until four o’clock.

A gentle knock at the door broke her train of thought. Lily peeked into the room with a hesitant expression.

"Miss Lane, there’s a visitor here to see you," Lily announced.

Lane furrowed her brow. "Who is it?"

"Your cousin, Miss Olivia."

Lane’s jaw went slack. She stood frozen for a moment, entirely speechless. What was Olivia doing here? And why would she want to talk today of all days?

Surely there was nothing left to discuss. Lane had made her stance crystal clear during their last encounter.

Taking a steadying breath, Lane composed herself. "Let her in, Lily."

Lily nodded and stepped aside to let the uninvited guest enter.

Lane kept her expression completely neutral as Olivia stepped into the room.

"What are you doing here, Olivia?" Lane asked, her voice ice-cold. "If you’re here to cause trouble, I’m warning you right now, it won’t work."

Olivia swallowed hard, her shoulders sagging. "I’m not here to cause trouble, Lane. I’m here to apologize."

Lane didn’t flinch, maintaining her stony stare.

"I’m sorry for everything I did to you and Ethan. I’m sorry for trying to tear you apart."

Lane remained silent, listening without a hint of warmth.

"I was so consumed by jealousy, Lane. I couldn’t bear to see you happy, so I sabotaged your relationship at every turn. I did everything in my power to keep you and Ethan apart because your happiness made me miserable."

Olivia took a shaky breath, her voice cracking.

"I realized how toxic and wrong I was, but it took almost losing my own child to my greed to finally wake me up."

Tears shimmered in Olivia’s eyes as she fought to keep her composure.

"I know a simple apology doesn’t erase the damage I’ve caused. You have every right never to forgive me. But I needed to take this step before trying to rebuild my life, not just for myself, but for my son, Tyler. I also came to congratulate you and Ethan. You’ve both been through hell, and you truly deserve this happiness."

Without waiting for a reply, Olivia turned on her heel and hurried out of the room.

Lane exhaled slowly. She wasn’t ready to offer forgiveness just yet, but she knew time had a way of healing old wounds.

They had all fought too hard for this day to let the past ruin it.

A moment later, a genuine smile lit up Lane’s face as Ava slipped into the room. True to her word, her best friend had made it.

"Have you seen Noah?" Lane asked gently.

Ava’s smile faltered.

"Not yet. But let’s not get into that right now. Today is about your wedding," Ava deflected, checking her watch.

"They’re calling for you. We need to get you to the church."

Lane nodded. Ava helped her maneuver the heavy layers of her gown, holding the delicate hem as they walked out of the mansion and toward the waiting bridal car.

Ava helped her settle into the plush backseat.

"Aren’t you riding with me?" Lane asked, noticing Ava lingering outside the door.

"I’ll take the next car, Lane. See you at the altar," Ava said with a reassuring wink.

Lane smiled. "Okay."

Ava closed the door softly. The driver waited for the trailing cars to pull out before putting the vehicle in drive. Glancing ahead, Lane figured Ethan must have given special instructions because the driver was moving at an unusually slow, deliberate pace.

She shrugged it off, leaning back to watch the scenery pass by outside the window.

After a few minutes, however, a knot of unease tightened in her stomach. She frowned as the car took a sharp, unfamiliar turn.

"Excuse me, this isn’t the way to the—"

Lane never got to finish her sentence. The car pulled abruptly to the shoulder and locked its doors. Her breath hitched as a dark figure lunged from the front seat.

Before she could scream, a heavy chemical-soaked cloth was clamped over her mouth and nose.

She thrashed wildly, fighting with every ounce of strength she had left, but the darkness crept in too fast. Within seconds, her limbs went slack, and the world faded into absolute black.

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