Chapter 12 

When I woke up, I was in the Anderson family’s old residence, surrounded by nearly everyone from the family. Old Mrs. Anderson’s face was lit up with joy. 

“This is wonderful! I knew you were a lucky one, and now you’re already expecting a child.” 

We can’t wait another day for the wedding. Quick, transfer my two gold mines into my granddaughter–in–law’s name to help her have a smooth pregnancy!” 

I looked up, confused, meeting Philip’s gentle, loving gaze. Slowly, I touched my stomach, realizing a new life was growing within me. My life was now complete, and our wedding was held amidst joy and laughter. The Anderson family invited influential guests from all over and spared no expense to throw me a wedding for the ages. 

In the dressing room, my mother looked at me, sometimes smiling with pride, sometimes tearing up with emotion. 

“Mrs. Miller asked me to apologize to you on her behalf. She realized certain things far too late…” 

“It’s alright. It’s all in the past.” 

Those painful memories were now behind me, and we’d finally reached a happy ending, My mother nodded, placing the veil on me, holding my hand, and walking me toward the wedding venue. 

On the way, I saw the Miller brothers being held back by security guards. They fought against the guards, faces bruised and swollen, refusing to leave. When they saw me, their dull eyes suddenly brightened. 

“Anna!” 

“Anna, you can’t marry him! We know we were wrong. Maya was the one who was really after the Miller family’s wealth.” 

Twenty years as childhood friends, and only after I left did they finally recognize my worth. How absurd and ridiculous. I didn’t respond. Jensen, always so prideful, broke down crying in front of me. 

“Anna, have you forgotten all our memories?” 

“Yes, I suppose you have. You left so decisively, without taking a single piece of clothing or photo.” 

“The lilies in the villa are gone, and everything of yours is too. Twenty years, and you left nothing behind but memories.” 

had tended those lilies for years, and they had been close to blooming. But in the end, they fell short. 

The wedding music started, drowning out Jensen’s sobs. My mother gestured for the guards to remove them. Suddenly, Benjamin found a surge of strength, breaking free and rushing toward me. He fell to his knees, holding a stone, and smashed it against his own leg with brutal force. The sight made me gasp, but he only looked up at me with a painful smile. 

“Annalise, please, don’t be angry anymore. I’ll do anything if you forgive me…” 

I looked down at his bloodied leg and sighed softly. 

“Jensen, Benjamin, you’re the ones who taught me that no amount of effort matters when it’s for someone who doesn’t love you.” 

“I’m pregnant now, and from this day forward, my family of three will live happily together.” 

“So I hope you’ll never appear before me again. Even if you choose to die, spare me the sight.” 

I waved, signaling the guards to drag them away. Then, with steady steps, I walked forward, smiling, toward Philip, who had been waiting for me. 

Before the priest, we exchanged rings and spoke our vows of love. The hardships of the past were over. From this day forward, I would live in happiness, with no regrets.