Several more days passed, but Loretta remained unconscious. Although it was said her condition had stabilized, there was still no sign that she would wake up.
As the wedding drew closer, rumors about the Goodman family's curse spread even faster, by the night before the wedding, the story had become the hottest topic on the internet.
News outlets, bloggers, and social media influencers were all talking about the same thing, "Kevin Goodman is still going ahead with the wedding tomorrow."
The internet exploded with different opinion, some people admired Kevin's decision "A wealthy heir is willing to marry the woman he loves even when she is unconscious, that must be real love."
"Money can't buy this kind of loyalty."
Others completely disagreed.
"Love? Don't be naïve."
"This has nothing to do with love. It's because of the curse."
"After losing so many brides, perhaps he thinks having a wife in a vegetative state is better than watching another innocent woman die."
"At least an unconscious bride can't run away."
"True, beside have you all forgotten it is an arranged marriage?"
Those who believed it was some kind of love story did not back down. "What arranged marriage? The Gladstone family and the Goodman family are not in the same circle. Even if they managed to arrange a wedding, it should have been called off or postponed now that the bride is unconscious."
"True, who can force Kevin Goodman to marry a woman he is not interested in?"
The debates became more heated with every passing hour.
Some believed Kevin was deeply in love, others believed he was simply desperate to break the curse. A third group even claimed that perhaps he was weird enough to like those kinds of things.
Those close to the Goodman family tried to find out what was going on, but even his family were clueless.
"Is he doing it because of the will?" Kevin's stepbrother Eric asked his mother.
Mrs. Goodman shook her head. "If it is because of the will, it does not make sense. After all, he can only inherit after having a child."
"Then why?" Eric asked. He had always been afraid of Kevin, but that did not stop him from eyeing the Goodman family's wealth.
Mrs. Goodman shook her head and looked at her husband. "Ever since that boy's mother died, has he ever treated me like his father?" Stanley Goodman asked.
The Goodman family were at a loss, The Gladstone family were even more clueless. Since Kevin announced the wedding, they had received many more guests, some just wanted to gossip.
"How is your daughter's health?" Mrs. Moreno asked in a gentle voice.
"Still unconscious," Mrs. Gladstone replied.
The truth was that since Loretta's condition became worse about a week ago, they had no idea where she was. They visited the hospital for show and whenever they dared to ask Kevin, he simply said she was receiving the help she needed.
But how could she say that to anyone?
"Then, what about the wedding tomorrow? Is it going to be like the engagement?" Mrs. Moreno asked.
"Mr. Goodman is organizing everything. Given my daughter's current situation, I am relieved he is still willing," Mrs. Gladstone said.
Mrs. Moreno frowned. "Don't tell me you believe in some folk nonsense about marriage bringing luck or a woman having a companion after death?"
Mrs. Gladstone forced a smile. How could she explain that Kevin had almost taken her younger daughter to replace Loretta? Now that he was willing to marry the unconscious Loretta instead, it was a great weight off her shoulders.
"You do?" Mrs. Moreno asked in shock.
Mrs. Gladstone shook her head.
"The engagement was already arranged. I never used to believe in something like a curse, but look at my daughter," Mrs. Gladstone said.
She knew that everyone still remembered the news about Loretta not being loved at home, so she avoided the truth. "True," Mrs. Moreno nodded.
"Indeed, if Kevin could curse any woman who wanted to marry him to die, then what else was impossible?" Mrs. Gladstone gave a forced smile.
She hated having to entertain all these guests all day long, but this marriage had not only brought busybodies to their family, it had also brought investments. After all, anyone connected to the Goodman family would prosper in business.
"Then, I will see you tomorrow at the wedding," Mrs. Moreno said, she chatted a bit longer before leaving.
"Mum, can I wear the dress he sent for the wedding?" Isabella asked as soon as Mrs. Moreno left.
Although they had gone shopping to get an outfit to attend the wedding, Isabella did not think her choice was elegant enough. When the dress first arrived, she did not dare to check it, but after days of it just sitting in the storeroom, she grew curious and went to look at it.
The dress and the jewelry were one of a kind, her family could not afford them. Even if they could, her dad would not waste that amount of money on a single outfit. "Why did you touch it?" Mrs. Gladstone asked in shock.
That dress had come from Kevin, who knew if wearing it would bring the curse upon her? "Mum, the dress is a unique piece, the wedding tomorrow will have the finest elite. This is a chance for me to get matched with a good family," Isabella reasoned.
Today, while her mum was busy attending to guests, she had taken the dress and tried it on. Even without makeup, she already looked elegant and beautiful, she imagined herself looking like a goddess with makeup.
"Where is this coming from? You rejected the engagement but want to wear the dress? Have you forgotten that girl's life and death are still unknown? Do you want to join her?" Mrs. Gladstone asked.
Hearing those words Isabella frowned, she was scared, but she really loved the dress. "Mum, it cannot be that serious, right? I am just wearing the dress as the bride's sister... or her maid of honor," Isabella tried to reason with her mother.
"Have you not learned your lesson? What if Mr. Goodman sees you wearing that dress tomorrow at the wedding and uses it as the reason to marry you?" Mrs. Gladstone asked.
She knew that reasoning with this daughter would not make sense, so she decided to scare her instead.
Hearing those words, Isabella immediately gave up the idea, no matter how beautiful the dress was, it could not compare to her life.