I Canceled My Wedding and Married Someone Else Chapter 03

I Canceled My Wedding and Married Someone Else Chapter 03

Carl didn’t answer. Instead, he asked calmly, “Do you value our… friendship, Josh?”

Josh fell silent. His throat moved, but no sound came out.

He didn’t want to answer, because no matter whether he said yes or no, he sensed he would lose something important the moment the word left his lips.

Mrs. Lopez tugged frantically on his sleeve and forced a flattering smile toward Carl.

“Of course he is! Josh and Mr. Howard were classmates! And the Lopez family is honored to receive Mr. Howard’s support in business!”

Yes. How could Josh dare offend Carl? The Howard family’s influence ran deep in this city, the kind of power that didn’t need to raise its voice to be heard.

Years ago, no one knew why Carl took a liking to the Lopez family, but the collaborations grew, and the Lopez empire expanded with it.

Carl simply waited for Josh’s answer.

“Yes.” Josh swallowed his pride, forcing the word out. “It’s an honor that Mr. Howard considers me a friend.”

Carl nodded, then turned to me. In the depths of his blue eyes, a soft warmth flickered before he curved his lips into a quiet smile.

“Miss Sierra Robinson,” he said, “I’ve encountered a personal dilemma. Would you be willing to help me?”

My heart stuttered. For a moment, the image of a tall figure in a rain-soaked night flashed across my mind. I pressed my lips together. “What dilemma?”

Carl stepped past Josh, removed the diamond ring, and leaned in slightly. A strand of hair fell over his forehead, dimming the light. His ocean-blue eyes were calm, unreadable.

“I need an investor for the Howard family,” he said evenly. “And I need a wife for a political alliance. The Robinson family fits perfectly. And so do you. So, will you marry me?”

The entire room fell into stunned silence. Josh’s face darkened instantly. Fury shot through his eyes. “Carl! She’s my wife!”

Carl glanced at him lazily. “And? I thought you were the generous type.”

Josh choked, rage hitching in his throat. He stared at me with absolute certainty. “Sierra won’t agree. She loves me. We’re not breaking up.”

I lifted my hand, and only then noticed Carl holding the ring in one hand and my uninjured hand in the other, carefully avoiding the one smeared with blood.

Then I raised my finger. “Yes. I’ll take that deal.”

Josh’s expression shattered. His voice trembled. “No… impossible… Sierra, how could you throw us away for a man you barely know?”

Carl slid the ring onto my index finger with deliberate gentleness. Then, still holding my hand, he turned to my stunned parents.

“I am Sierra’s new husband,” he said calmly. “Carl Howard.”

The words detonated in Josh’s ears like a landmine. He staggered forward, reaching out to drag me back, but a piercing scream broke through the hall.

“Josh! Help me!”

Josh spun around. The man before had regained consciousness and was choking Tiffany by the throat.

Josh’s lunged toward them, the murderous fury in his expression freezing everyone in place.

I cast them a single indifferent glance before slipping my arms through my parents’ and turning away.

Josh saw us leaving from the corner of his eye, but Tiffany’s trembling desperation made him hesitate. Then he redirected all his rage onto the man, beating him senseless.

After my parents and Carl reached an agreement, they began discussing the wedding arrangements. I didn’t bother to get involved.

Until one day, I suddenly remembered the jewelry I’d left at my apartment. I unlocked the door, and found Tiffany standing there in my silk pajamas, frozen mid-movement.

When she saw me, embarrassment flickered across her face. She lowered her head and murmured softly:

“Sierra… why are you here? You should’ve told me before coming.”