Chapter 156

Chase's eyes met mine, confusion etched on his face. He seemed to be piecing together a distant memory. Was he remembering me? But oh, Chase, it was too late. Even if I rose from the ashes, there was no return. All I craved was to destroy you, to see you and that deceitful woman reduced to nothing!

Chase muttered, almost inaudibly, "Amelia."

"Yes, that's right," I replied, offering a gentle smile. Turning to Derek, I said, "Let's go."

As the car pulled away, I glanced back. Chase stood like a statue in the snow, disbelief etched on his face. I could almost read his lips: "It's so uncanny."

Before I could look away, Derek's grip tightened painfully on my wrist. His icy glare could have cut through steel. I whimpered, "That hurts. My wound's about to reopen."

This seemed to jolt Derek into action; he remembered the hidden wounds. He quickly rolled up my sleeve to examine it.

I tugged at his sleeve with a teasing smile. "Gotcha! It's the other hand."

Derek's face hardened further, and he almost released me, but I winced. "It really hurts."

His grip softened, his eyes falling on my bandage. His voice was low and serious. "What do you really want?"

I used to consider Derek cold and heartless, unimaginable to be near. But now, I saw a capacity for warmth beneath his frosty exterior. He wasn't as terrifying as I'd believed.

My little act had clearly worked. I had to play the vulnerable card. "What could I possibly want? I'm just scared…"

"Scared of what?"

I lowered my head and whispered, "Scared you won't want me."

It wasn't entirely a lie. I genuinely worried he wouldn't marry me, which would derail my plan to expose Chase and Nicole's affair. As an outsider, I couldn't simply intrude on the Kennedy family. After being photographed, they'd be on high alert.

Derek held the key—the evidence that could bring them down. I couldn't wait for the world to see Chase and Nicole's true faces. Until then, Nicole would pay for everything.

Imagine Chase's reaction if he knew my essence was hidden within the garden sculpture! It would be priceless.

My chances of survival were slim; now, there was a woman who looked just like me. Would Chase take an interest in her? Besides, I was about to marry Derek.

My death wasn't the end. Once things settled, Davin would surely arrange another match for Chase. Would he want Amelia? People complicate their lives, especially men.

The moment he showed me any affection, it would be a devastating blow to Nicole. Her so-called pregnancy was likely a bid to secure her future with Chase. Her solo act was boring. I wanted them to turn on each other, lose everything, and fall from grace. I had a grand revenge plan, and Derek was the key.

This wedding had to happen today!

I kept my gaze lowered, maintaining the illusion of a sensitive young woman.