Marrying the Chairman in the Wheelchair

Wearing an elegant white gown, holding a bouquet, walking down the aisle, and exchanging vows until death do us part were every woman's dream. Hannah never expected that this would be the day she would end her single life.

It all started six months ago when Jeffrey proposed to her on her 25th birthday.

Jeffrey was perfect in every way, showering Hannah with attention and love. He was enough, although he did not come from an incredibly wealthy family. A happy and simple married life was what Hannah wanted, as she had never felt true happiness in half her life.

"Hannah!" A voice interrupted her thoughts as the door to her room swung open without permission.

Francesca Comb—who took the last name Sears ten years ago, Hannah's stepmother—a woman in her mid-forties, heavily made up and oozing glamour, stepped in.

"Yes, Mom?" Hannah replied.

Francesca looked cynically at the young woman, a twenty-five-year-old with natural beauty. Hannah had a slim face, a symmetrical nose, and full red lips. Her light brown wavy hair was pulled back into a bun, revealing her graceful neck.

"You haven't put on your wedding dress yet, have you?" Francesca asked bluntly.

Hannah shook her head. "Not yet, I was just about to."

"Don't bother, and it's not for you."

Hannah's face showed confusion. "What do you mean, Mom?"

Before Hannah could figure it out, Aspen entered the room with Jeffrey. The atmosphere became strange, especially since Jeffrey had unexpectedly shown up at the house instead of meeting at the church.

"Jeffrey, speak up!" Francesca urged.

Jeffrey's face turned pale, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Sensing Jeffrey's strange behavior, Hannah tried to comfort him by reaching for his arm, but he pulled away stiffly.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Hannah asked.

But Jeffrey shrugged off Hannah's hand with a stiff movement, leaving her in shock.

"Jeffrey?" Hannah tried to make eye contact, but he avoided her gaze.

"I can't marry you," Jeffrey said, shaking slightly.

"But why?" Hannah's eyes widened.

"Because I'm pregnant with Jeffrey's child!" came a firm voice from Aspen.

Aspen's eyes were as sharp as Francesca's. The twenty-four-year-old young woman with shoulder-length black hair wrapped her arms around Jeffrey's waist.

Hannah knew Aspen had always resented her, hurling insults and sarcastic remarks at her for years. But this time, the joke was not funny at all.

"Okay, I think your joke went too far this time," Hannah said.

"Jeff, tell her. Are you going to keep quiet?" This time, it was Aspen who pushed.

Hannah looked for answers in Jeffrey, who remained motionless. Instead of laughter and reassurance, she hoped Jeffrey would let out a chuckle and explain that it was just a prank. But there was no denial from Jeffrey; he continued to avoid eye contact.

"Aspen is indeed carrying my child, Hannah. And I must marry her," Jeffrey said.

The words were flat, without remorse.

Hannah's heart immediately ached, and her body shook from the blow of bitter reality.

Why on the day she had so eagerly anticipated? Why did Jeffrey and Aspen have to ruin it all?

Hannah sat on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face, trying to hold back her sobs.

"Why?" she whispered.

"At least you didn't marry the man who slept with your sister," Francesca replied calmly. "You should be grateful for that, Hannah. There is no need to mourn what has happened."

Francesca left the room, entirely indifferent to Hannah's shattered feelings.

Even Aspen showed no remorse but a satisfied smile as she looked at the crying Hannah.

Hannah clenched her fists and pressed them to her chest. "Why?" she said, still in disbelief.

"We love each other, Hannah. And if you insist on marrying Jeffrey, then go ahead. But remember, there is a child neglected because of your selfishness," Aspen explained.

Selfish? Hannah thought. Who was selfish and heartless? Hannah or Aspen?

She couldn't think anymore.

"How long has it been?" This time, Hannah raised her head and stared directly at Jeffrey. "How long have you been cheating with my sister?"

"For the last three months," Jeffrey replied.

Hannah tried to remember what had happened three months ago. Nothing had changed, and there were no suspicious signs. Jeffrey was the same, and his love felt so real. Hannah and Jeffrey still shared sweet, romantic moments and exchanged tender words.

Could Jeffrey be two-timing her?

Meanwhile, Aspen already had a future husband of her own. Yes, Hannah had overheard it in conversations between Francesca and her father, John. What made Aspen so blinded by greed that she wanted to take everything Hannah had? Ironically, Hannah had nothing but the happiness she shared with Jeffrey.

Busy working hard to maintain the family's finances and on the verge of bankruptcy due to Francesca and Aspen's extravagant lifestyle, was it selfish for Hannah to marry and pursue her happiness? Especially now that it seemed impossible.

Then Hannah stood up and let out a long sigh. Her swollen eyes looked sadly at Jeffrey and Aspen.

"Fine, marry Aspen, Jeff," Hannah said quietly.

She left the room, leaving behind her unworn wedding dress. When she decided to leave Jeffrey's life, all her hopes went with her.

*

Hannah's body was still shaking as she was forced to witness Jeffrey and Aspen's wedding in the church. All eyes were on her, filled with wonder.

How could her sister replace the bride? But no one said anything; Hannah felt the curiosity in their eyes.

Everything crumbled as Jeffrey and Aspen exchanged vows, their lips touching warmly.

Were there no more of those sweet kisses for Hannah?

After Jeffrey and Aspen exited the church, Hannah trailed behind them, her steps listless. Suddenly, Francesca seized Hannah's arm, gripping it with a half-forced urgency.

"Oh my, gather yourself. Don't let your gloomy face ruin today's event," Francesca hissed in irritation.

Hannah merely glanced at Francesca, who seemed devoid of compassion. What harm would a slightly disrupted wedding day do compared to Hannah's forever-shattered life?

Once Jeffrey and Aspen entered the car, Francesca forcibly led Hannah to the other side of the sidewalk. She approached a man in a light brown suit standing next to a luxurious car parked at the curb.

Upon seeing Francesca and Hannah approaching, the man in his early 40s nodded politely.

"Mrs. Sears," he greeted in a deep, cultured voice.

"Hello, Edward." Francesca smiled broadly, somewhat exaggeratedly.

"Congratulations on your daughter's wedding. I hope you remember the promise you made three months ago," Edward, the man, said coldly, staring at Francesca. "You wouldn't dare to break that promise, would you?"

What promise? Hannah wondered. What had Francesca done to make a promise implied in such a subtle warning? Hannah pondered.

Francesca let out a forced laugh. "Oh, of course not. You see, I have two daughters, and this is my daughter Hannah."

Hannah nodded politely to the figure named Edward, who responded with a subtle diplomatic nod.

"Miss," Edward greeted.

"She's my stepdaughter, actually. She's the one who's going to marry Mr. Alden." Suddenly, Francesca said.

Hannah reflexively turned to her stepmother; her eyes wide with shock. Her voice almost screamed, "Married?!"

"I don't want to marry him!" Hannah declared in front of Francesca and John.

It was the first time Hannah had expressed her refusal after years of acquiescing and silently following her parents' wishes or, more accurately, Francesca's whims.

"Are you stupid? Alden is richer than Jeffrey! You should be grateful that you get to marry him!" Francesca retorted even more strongly.

Alden Harrison, the 28-year-old son of a bankrupt billionaire, had recently used a wheelchair due to an accident.

Alden had kept a low profile, not appearing in the media before or after the incident. So, Hannah was unaware of Alden's condition and the struggles of Maxim Harrison's older son, who was depressed and ailing. But it wasn't about who Alden was or his status.

Hannah felt she had lost her dignity. Francesca casually offered Hannah to marry Alden as a substitute for Aspen. To make matters worse, Alden's right-hand man, Edward, would discuss it with his boss.

It felt like a covert trade in women! Hannah wasn't someone to be treated so ruthlessly anymore.

"Why didn't Aspen marry Alden in the first place?" Hannah challenged.

Suddenly, a brutal slap landed on Hannah's cheek. The stinging pain hit her as she sat frozen. She tried to hold back her tears, but they couldn't be held back.

"I raised you; I took care of you! How dare you defy me?!" Francesca erupted in anger.

"No, Frances, wait!" John tried to mediate the uneven argument.

"Look at your daughter, John! I've always tried to be patient, and now she's bold. But you always protect her!" Francesca exclaimed.

John looked at Hannah with a melancholy look and gently held his daughter's hand. "Hannah, listen to me for a moment."

Hannah shook her head. Wasn't the suffering enough for her? After letting go of Jeffrey for Aspen, did she have to replace her stepsister? Aspen ruthlessly took Jeffrey away just because she didn't want to marry a billionaire's son in a wheelchair.

Instead of hopeful dreams, Hannah's thoughts drifted to Jeffrey and Aspen, who were currently on the honeymoon Hannah had planned months ago.

It hurt; Hannah's heart ached terribly.

"Maxim is my childhood friend, and Alden is a good young man. You just need to get to know Alden," John said, looking deeply into Hannah's eyes.

"I don't want to marry a stranger, Dad," Hannah sobbed.

Francesca laughed discordantly, her hands on her hips. "Then who am I going to marry to Alden?!"

Hannah ignored Francesca and gripped John's hand tighter. "Why do I have to marry this man, Dad?"

"It's an old promise I must keep, Hannah," John replied quietly.

"Oh, your father is bankrupt! You're lucky to still live in this house thanks to Mr. Maxim's help! He asked for nothing but to marry his son to either you or Aspen!" Francesca ranted. She glanced at John briefly, then shifted her gaze back to Hannah. "But your father never rose from his fall either. Are you still willing to let your family suffer, Hannah?"

"Frances, please. Let me talk to Hannah alone," John pleaded.

"Can't you be firm with her? You're always weak, John!" Francesca glared in frustration.

"Stop! I need..."

John's words were cut off as he suddenly clutched his chest. He groaned and collapsed to the floor.

John lost consciousness.

"Dad! Dad!" Hannah screamed in fear.

*

Hannah looked through the glass window where John lay on the bed with various medical instruments attached to his body.

She hugged herself, feeling the deep silence and intense fear. Half of Hannah's soul had felt like it was floating away when her mother was pronounced dead.

"Oh, Dad," Hannah whispered sadly.

John had had a heart attack. The doctors recommended surgery to stabilize his condition. The decision to have surgery didn't guarantee that it would save John's life, but it seemed like the best option. Without it, John's life wouldn't last more than a few days.

But the cost was exorbitant. John had no health insurance because Francesca never thought about emergencies. The middle-aged woman only thought about living comfortably and having fun.

Now, it was unlikely that Francesca would risk anything to save John.

A cold feeling filled Hannah. What if she lost John forever? No, Hannah didn't want to lose her father.

"Will you just stand still?" Francesca suddenly asked Hannah from behind.

Hannah turned to see Francesca's troubled face. But when their eyes met, Francesca showed a sour expression.

"Where will I get the money for Dad's operation?" Hannah muttered in confusion.

"I don't have a job; I don't know how to get money!" Francesca replied in frustration.

Hannah sighed quietly. "Can't Mom contact Aspen and Jeffrey? Maybe Jeffrey's company can lend us some money."

"What about your company?" Francesca retorted.

Hannah shook her head. "I can't. There are still loans from the last time Dad was in the hospital."

"Aspen is stupid. Why did she marry that poor ex-boyfriend of yours!" Francesca cursed.

Hannah's heart felt torn.

"And because you wouldn't marry Maxim's son, your father ended up like this!" her stepmother accused.

Then Francesca walked away, hurrying down the corridor. Hannah felt deeply guilty. If only this marriage question didn't shake John, Hannah wouldn't mind. As long as John was healthy and lived peacefully in his old age.

At the end of the corridor, Francesca's sobs could be heard as she spoke on the phone.

There was no chance that Francesca was calling Aspen because Hannah's stepsister never cared about John. When John was struggling, his business was failing, and he was in pain, all Hannah heard from Aspen was complaints. How unfortunate Francesca was to marry Hannah's father and suffer such a fate.

Once again, Hannah's heart ached.

Hannah shook off her momentary reverie and approached Francesca. Regardless, John had to be saved, no matter the risk.

"I beg you, perhaps Mr. Maxim can help us again?" Francesca pleaded. Whether she was really crying or deepening her role as a desperate wife was uncertain. "If only I could speak to him, Edward."

Hannah held her hand to Francesca, causing her stepmother to react surprisedly. Francesca's lips moved silently, "What do you want?"

"I want to talk to Edward," Hannah said clearly.

"Edward, wait a moment. My daughter wants to talk," Francesca said, handing over the phone. Again, she whispered something, but Hannah paid no attention.

Hannah pressed her ear to the screen.

"Hello, Edward? This is Hannah."

"Yes, Miss Hannah."

"I need to discuss something with Mr. Maxim or perhaps his son, Mr. Alden. It concerns my father's safety."

"Neither is available at this time. However, if you have something to say, I'm listening."

Hannah's heart was pounding. She kept telling herself that what she was about to say was an attempt to save John.

"Please tell them, I may sound rude and disrespectful... but I beg you, help my father. I'll do whatever Mr. Maxim or Mr. Alden offer. I will consent to the marriage if that's what your master wants, Edward."

There was silence. There was yet to be an answer from Edward.

"Hello? Edward?" Hannah called.

"Yes?"

Edward's voice changed, becoming heavier and slightly hoarse.

"Sorry, I was talking to Edward. There's something I want to tell Mr. Maxim or Mr. Alden," Hannah said impatiently.

"Just send the hospital's account number and the patient's name. Then come to our residence tomorrow."

The call ended immediately, leaving Hannah in stunned silence.

Who had just been talking to Hannah?