Chapter 1 Chapter 1

“Dad, didn’t you mention the fiancé you arranged for me as a child has been looking for me? Tell him I’m getting married on the first of next month but need a groom. Ask if he’s interested.” The voice on the other end paused in shock. “Aren’t you set on marrying Nathaniel? You’re already planning the wedding. What happened? Did he do something to upset you?”“Dad, just help me ask.”“Alright, as long as you’re sure about this. All I want is for you to be happy.” Sylvia Garner, eyes red with tears, replied firmly, “I will be.” She had once loved Nathaniel Sinclair with all her heart, convinced he was her destined partner. Their wedding date was set, and she had been overjoyed, counting down the days to becoming his bride. But just now, she received a devastating blow. An hour earlier. Sylvia stood before the mirror in a pristine white wedding gown. Her graceful figure, accentuated by the dress, looked breathtaking. “Miss Garner, this custom-made gown designed by Mr. Sinclair is absolutely stunning. You two are going to be so happy together,” the shop assistant complimented. But Sylvia couldn’t bring herself to smile. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Nathaniel, tucked away in a quiet corner near the window. He was on the phone, his expression soft and full of affection. The shop assistant, holding her phone, stepped into Sylvia’s line of sight. “Miss Garner, there’s a call for you.” It was from the wedding planning company she had hired. “Miss Garner… Mr. Sinclair just informed us there was a mistake with the bride’s name. He’s requested to change it to Vivian Hayes. Were you aware of this?” An indescribable sorrow overwhelmed Sylvia, tears threatening to spill in the next second. Though she already knew Nathaniel had betrayed her, she hadn’t expected him to be so shameless. A month ago, when Nathaniel’s first love, Vivian Hayes, returned from abroad after five years, Sylvia felt a sense of foreboding. Just yesterday, she had gone after Nathaniel to give a tie to him at a private club. But what she witnessed instead was Nathaniel on one knee, proposing to Vivian. Someone asked, "Nathaniel, aren’t you about to marry Sylvia? What are you going to do about Sylvia now that you’re with Vivian?" Nathaniel replied nonchalantly, “Vivian is sick, and this is her final wish. As for Sylvia, as long as you all keep it quiet, she’ll never know. Even if she does, she loves me too much to walk away.” Snuggled in Nathaniel’s arms, Vivian nodded in agreement. "I know this puts you in a tough spot, Nathaniel. But I don’t have long to live, and this is my final wish. Sylvia is so kind, she’ll surely understand." Amid cheers from their friends, the two embraced passionately, while Sylvia, standing outside the door, fled in despair. “Hello? Miss Garner, are you still there? Should we proceed with changing the name?” There was a time when Sylvia had loved Nathaniel so deeply that she had lost herself completely, believing her existence was impossible without him. But that was all in the past. “Yes, change it. Also, book the hall next door for me. I’ll transfer the payment shortly. Just replicate everything exactly as it is. And remember, update the groom’s name too. I’ll send you the details later.” There was a stunned pause on the other end. "Shall we keep the wedding date the same?""Yes, keep it as is." Taking a deep breath, Sylvia hung up the phone. Moments later, Nathaniel walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Sylvia, you look stunning today.""Really?" Sylvia glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She did look beautiful. But why was the man she had loved for years, the fiancé she was about to marry, betraying her to wed another woman? "You’re the most beautiful woman in the world," Nathaniel said, his voice faltering as he added, "There’s something I need to discuss with you. I have something going on next month on the first. Can we postpone the wedding?""Something going on?" Sylvia sneered inwardly. His so-called plans were nothing more than a wedding with someone else. As if that wasn’t enough, he even planned to use the venue she had chosen, on the date she had picked, all while keeping her in the dark! “Alright, let’s postpone it then.” Her unexpected response unsettled Nathaniel. A strange sense of unease crept over him. “I love you, Sylvia. I swear, I will marry you. Just wait for me. I’ll love you for a lifetime.” He hesitated before adding, “Something came up at work. Wait for me at home.” Watching his hurried departure, Sylvia found his promises utterly laughable. In Nathaniel’s mind, her love for him was so deep, so unwavering, that she’d endure anything for his sake. He was convinced that even if she found out he was marrying someone else, she still wouldn’t leave. But this time, he was wrong. Not only was she leaving him, but she would also be getting married on the very same day.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

When Sylvia got home, she started packing her things. Halfway through, Nathaniel walked in. “Sylvia, as soon as I finished up at work, I came straight back. Did you miss me?” He held out a large bouquet of red roses with a bright smile. “I got these just for you. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay with you till the end at the bridal shop earlier. Let me make it up to my sweetheart, alright?” Looking at the slightly wilted roses, clearly suffering from lack of water, Sylvia almost laughed out loud in anger. It was obvious that this was the same bouquet he had used at the proposal. He must have casually grabbed it on his way out. So, in his eyes, she was only worth these discarded props from his grand display for someone else? “What’s so funny?” Nathaniel asked, uneasy at the sight of her faint smile. “Nothing.” Sylvia took the bouquet, but her eyes caught a glimpse of something under the moonlight—bright red lipstick smudged on his collar. It was glaringly obvious. She raised her hand and pointed at his collar. “Your shirt’s dirty.” Nathaniel glanced down and immediately noticed the lipstick stain, left behind when Vivian kissed him. His heart skipped a beat as he tried to explain. “Oh, uh, I must have accidentally brushed up against something.”“Hmm.” Sylvia didn’t call him out on it. “Take it off. I’ll wash it for you.”“There’s no need. We have maids for that. I couldn’t possibly let you do it yourself.”“They’re too careless. Let me take care of it.” Thinking he’d dodged another bullet, Nathaniel leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “You’re the best, Sylvia.” Sylvia took the shirt from him, her eyes lingering on the lipstick stain as she chuckled softly. The best? No, he just thought she was the easiest to fool. Perhaps she scrubbed too hard while washing it, and Nathaniel’s shirt ended up torn. Nathaniel didn’t mind in the slightest. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her and said softly, “It’s fine. If it’s ruined, just toss it. You can buy me a new one.” He changed into another shirt, but the lingering scent of perfume on him was impossible to ignore. Sylvia allowed a faint smile to curl her lips. “Don’t some things get better with age?”“That’s true,” Nathaniel replied with a nod. “This shirt was actually really comfortable. Too bad you ruined it in the wash. I could’ve worn it a few more times. You know, I’m a very loyal man.” A loyal man—loyal enough to hold on to the woman he loved five years ago, even after all that time apart. But what about her? What did the five years she gave him mean? Sylvia had never lacked admirers. From childhood through adulthood, she was always pursued by suitors. After graduating from college, she applied for a job at Nathaniel’s company. The moment she laid eyes on him, he stole her heart. But she was proud and stubborn, unwilling to take the initiative to chase after him. Somehow, Nathaniel ended up falling for her, pursuing her with relentless determination. However, Sylvia played it cool at first, refusing to give him a straight answer. Until one day, a fire broke out at the office. As the alarm blared, everyone scrambled to escape. Sylvia, frozen in fear, couldn’t move an inch. It was Nathaniel who turned back and carried her out of the flames. At that moment, Sylvia made up her mind to stay with Nathaniel forever. For five whole years, she remembered every detail of the day they became a couple. Nathaniel had sworn with absolute conviction, “Sylvia, I promise, you’re the only woman I’ll ever love in this lifetime.” Looking at his solemn expression, Sylvia had wept as she warned him, “Nathaniel Sinclair, you’d better remember what you said today. Because if you ever betray me, I’ll marry another man and make you regret it for the rest of your life!” Those vows still echoed in her ears, yet the man’s heart had already changed. No, perhaps his heart had never belonged to her in the first place. A stinging ache rose in her chest as Sylvia gripped the shirt tightly. She couldn’t hold back her tears any longer, and they spilled over. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Seeing her tears, Nathaniel panicked, hurriedly pulling out a tissue to wipe her face. “I’m fine.” Nathaniel had betrayed her first. Now, she would keep her word and marry another man.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

After finally calming her down, Nathaniel, as he always did, leaned in to kiss the corner of Sylvia’s lips. This time, she pushed him away. He cleared his throat awkwardly and released her. Then, as if nothing had happened, he reached out with a grin. “By the way, where’s my gift? You promised me something.”“Wait here,” Sylvia said, heading upstairs. In her room, she retrieved the wedding invitations they had picked out together and pulled out a pen. She crossed out the original names of the bride and groom and wrote in her own name alongside Bennett Cooper’s. Then, she carefully placed the altered invitations back into the box and sealed it with tape. When she came back downstairs, she handed the box to Nathaniel. “What’s this?” he asked curiously, reaching to open it, but Sylvia stopped him. “Don’t open it until the first of next month.” Hearing that date, Nathaniel’s hands froze for a moment. Wasn’t that the day he was supposed to marry Vivian? “Why?”“Because the first of next month was supposed to be our big day,” she replied with a smile, sealing the box with tape. “Now that the wedding is postponed, I wanted to give you something special. It’ll be a big surprise.”“Great, you know I love surprises,” Nathaniel said, tapping her nose playfully before pulling her into his arms. “Sylvia, you’ve made me so happy today.” Happy? The light in Sylvia’s eyes dimmed, fading like the withering roses on the windowsill. But Nathaniel didn’t notice. What exactly made him so happy? Probably the thought of proposing to another woman while believing Sylvia was blissfully ignorant. Later that night, as Nathaniel headed to the shower, Sylvia sat on the couch scrolling through her phone. By chance, she stumbled upon a post from one of Nathaniel’s friends. The video in the post showed Nathaniel on one knee, proposing to Vivian. The caption on the post read: "A love I once envied has finally found its happy ending. Let’s celebrate tonight at the usual spot." Sylvia froze, her finger hovering over the video, ready to click, when a comment popped up below. "Are you crazy for posting this? Did you block Sylvia from seeing it?" The reply came quickly: "Do you think I’m that stupid? Of course, I blocked her." Sylvia stared at the comments, her lips curling into a cold, mocking smile. She thought back to when she and Nathaniel had first started dating. He had proudly introduced her to his closest friends. Back then, they had called her "the future Mrs. Sinclair" with unwavering enthusiasm. One of them had said, “If Nathaniel ever bullies you, just let me know. I’ll make sure he pays for it!” Another chimed in, “That’s right, Mrs. Sinclair. Don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on him. He won’t dare mess around behind your back. And if he ever does, we’ll be the first to tell you.” And yet now? Every single one of them was helping Nathaniel cover up the fact that he was about to marry someone else. The post disappeared within seconds, quickly deleted. Moments later, Nathaniel came rushing out of the bathroom. His hair was still dripping wet, and he looked flustered. “Sylvia, you—”“What’s wrong?” she asked, her face expressionless as she glanced up at him, pretending not to have seen anything. Seeing her lack of reaction, Nathaniel breathed a sigh of relief. “Nothing, I just wanted to let you know I’m done showering.”“Okay.” Sylvia stood, walked to the doorway, and paused when she heard Nathaniel on the phone with one of his friends. “Are you out of your mind? Delete that post right now! What if Sylvia saw it? I’ve told you, under no circumstances can she find out about this. Are you trying to ruin everything?”“It’s already deleted,” the friend replied. “There’s no way she saw it. By the way, shouldn’t you be here by now? Vivian’s already arrived.”

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Nathaniel was still hesitating when Sylvia suddenly walked in. “Who are you on the phone with?”“Oh, just Charles and the guys. They’re asking me to join them for a few drinks.”“Is that so? It’s been a while since I’ve seen them. I’ll come too. I could use a drink.” She was curious just how well they could keep their secret with her around. Nathaniel tried to talk her out of it the entire way, but nothing worked. Frustrated, he resorted to nervously fiddling with his phone, texting his friends to prepare for her arrival. When they arrived at the private room in the bar, Sylvia immediately spotted Nathaniel’s friends. Four men sat rigidly, sipping their drinks in silence. Not a single waitress was in sight. As soon as they saw Sylvia, they scrambled to their feet in unison. “Good evening, Mrs. Sinclair. Don’t worry, there’s no one else here tonight—just us guys.” Sylvia raised an eyebrow. “So, what you’re saying is, I don’t belong here because I’m not one of the guys?” The group froze awkwardly. Nathaniel quickly gripped her hand and said, “That’s not what they mean. They just thought you might find it boring, that’s all.”“Oh, I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just been a while, so I thought I’d stop by for a drink. Since it’s a guy’s night, I’ll leave after this.” She picked up a glass from the table, downed the drink in one go, and ignored the fleeting smirks that flashed across their faces. Then, without another word, she turned and left. Nathaniel, pretending to be reluctant, wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Alright, I’ll be home early. If you’re tired, don’t wait up for me.” Sylvia walked downstairs and stopped in a hidden corner near the entrance, waiting. Sure enough, she soon spotted Vivian strutting toward the private room, her high heels clicking loudly against the floor. Vivian sauntered in, her hips swaying, and Sylvia positioned herself discreetly to observe the scene inside. Vivian wasted no time. She perched herself on Nathaniel’s lap and pouted. “Why did you even bring her here? I had to hide because of her! You owe me. I want that bag I showed you today as compensation.” Nathaniel slipped an arm around her waist and chuckled. “I’ll get you two.” Vivian laughed, wrapping her arms around his solid frame, and planted a kiss on his lips. "Wow, wow, wow! You’re really making all of us jealous, Mrs. Sinclair. With you around, us poor single guys don’t stand a chance.” "Cut it out! What’s there to be jealous of? Don’t all of you have women around? Call them over. Let’s have some fun!" Before long, a group of women joined them. Some poured drinks, others played drinking games, and the room soon buzzed with lively chatter. They kicked off a round of Truth or Dare, and as luck would have it, Nathaniel was the first to lose. One of his friends grinned mischievously and asked, "Nathaniel, between Vivian and Sylvia, who do you like more?" Hearing the question, Vivian didn’t seem angry. Instead, she looked at him with a playful smile. "You better tell the truth. And don’t use my illness as an excuse." "Sylvia," Nathaniel replied without hesitation. Vivian’s smile stiffened. "I’m sitting right here, you know!" Nathaniel shrugged, utterly unconcerned. "I like you too, but that’s in the past. You were the one who ended things so decisively back then. Marrying you now is just about granting your last wish. The one I’ll grow old with is Sylvia. We’ve already agreed on this." Turning to his friends, he added casually, "And don’t let this kind of situation happen again. Just make sure Sylvia doesn’t find out." Sylvia didn’t tolerate ambiguity. If she found out he was being affectionate with another woman, she’d probably demand a breakup. But he couldn’t ignore Vivian either. She got gravely ill after returning from abroad, and her dying wish was to marry him. He couldn’t turn her away because she was someone he had once loved deeply. As long as he kept Sylvia in the dark, he could wait until Vivian passed away and then marry Sylvia, taking care of her for the rest of his life. This way, no one would get hurt. It was a perfect plan. Vivian buried her head in his chest, biting her lip, and pretended to remain calm. "It doesn’t bother me. I was the one who left you first. Just having this time with you now makes me happy." She looked around the room and added sweetly, "I love Nathaniel, and I’d never want to hurt his girlfriend. So, you all have to help keep this a secret, okay?" Outside the door, Sylvia stood frozen, her face drained of all color. Their words cut through her like knives, each one slicing deeper than the last. The pain was unbearable, leaving her feeling as if her very soul had been gutted, her insides drenched in blood. Hearing Nathaniel’s choice made her stomach churn with disgust. She wanted to vomit. She couldn’t believe that the man she had loved wholeheartedly for five years was rotten to the core. Sylvia leaned against the wall, her entire body trembling uncontrollably as waves of pain wracked her. Her strength drained away, leaving her weak and powerless. She slowly slid down to the floor, her mind a chaotic blur. She didn’t know how long she sat there before finally pulling herself together. With hollow eyes, she pushed herself up and started making her way downstairs. She hadn’t gone far before her legs gave out beneath her. Unable to steady herself, Sylvia collapsed and tumbled down the staircase.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

“Help! Someone fell down the stairs!” Shouts echoed in her ears as a crowd quickly gathered around. Before she lost consciousness, Sylvia caught a glimpse of Nathaniel and his friends. One by one, they slipped away. They noticed the commotion, gave it a casual glance, and walked off. How could they possibly know that the person lying there, surrounded by the crowd, was Sylvia—the woman they thought had already left? When Sylvia woke up, she found herself in a hospital bed. A nurse was tending to her wounds. “You’re awake?”“Why am I here?”“Oh, you fainted from low blood sugar. A stranger brought you in and left after making sure you were safe. What’s your family’s number? I’ll call them for you.”“There’s no need,” Sylvia said, shaking her head. The mere thought of Nathaniel Sinclair’s name was enough to make her stomach churn. Dragging her heavy steps, she left the room and headed to the billing desk. She hadn’t gone far when she overheard two nurses chatting nearby. “Did you hear? Early this morning, they brought in a man and a woman from a bar. Apparently, they fell off the couch during... you know... and landed on broken beer bottles. They were covered in cuts.”“I saw it! It was crazy. Who knew people could get that wild these days?”“And the guy looked really familiar. I think I’ve seen him on TV!”“Yeah, he does look familiar. What’s his name again? I think his last name is Sinclair—” Sylvia froze mid-step, her body stiffening. Before she could ask for details, she caught sight of two familiar figures walking toward her from a distance. The young nurse noticed them too, quickly ducking her head as she whispered, “That’s them! They’re good-looking, but seriously, what a mess.” Sylvia stared at Nathaniel and Vivian as they approached. Her legs felt like they were rooted to the ground, refusing to move. At that moment, Nathaniel spotted her. The instant he saw her, he released his grip on Vivian’s arm. “Sylvia, what are you doing here?” Nathaniel quickly rushed over, scanning Sylvia up and down with concern etched across his face. “You don’t look well. Why didn’t you call me?”“And you?” Sylvia asked calmly, stepping back to avoid his touch. “What are you doing with this woman?” Vivian stepped forward confidently and extended a hand to Sylvia. “Hi, I’m Vivian Hayes. I’m Nathaniel’s—” She deliberately dragged out her words but left the sentence hanging. Nathaniel hastily interjected, “Just a friend.” Vivian’s expression faltered, but she refused to back down. Smiling sweetly, she added, “It’s nice to meet you. I’m getting married on the first of next month. I hope you can make it to the wedding.” At her words, Nathaniel’s face darkened, his sharp gaze cutting toward Vivian. “Vivian, Sylvia doesn’t know you well. Why would you invite her to your wedding?”“Well, she doesn’t know me, but she knows you, and you know me, so doesn’t that make us all connected?” Vivian replied with a provocative smile. Sylvia, catching the blatant challenge, turned to Nathaniel with a small smile. Her voice was light, almost teasing. “Nathaniel, wasn’t our wedding originally scheduled for that day? You said you had something important. Don’t tell me it’s to attend her wedding?” Nathaniel panicked, his composure slipping entirely. He shook his head frantically. “Of course not! I have a business trip that day. I’ll be out of the country. Don’t overthink it.”“Is that so?” Sylvia replied, her voice indifferent as his guilty demeanor spoke louder than his words. She didn’t press further, her patience long worn thin. “Well, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it that day. I’ll be busy.”“Busy? What a coincidence.” Sylvia smiled faintly, her eyes sharp as she replied, “Yes, it’s such a coincidence that I’m getting married on that day too.” Her words hit like a thunderclap. Nathaniel froze, his face filled with shock as he stammered, “What are you talking about, Sylvia? Our wedding was postponed—”

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

Seeing his panicked expression, Sylvia took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. “It’s nothing. I was just talking nonsense. I won’t be free that day.” She turned to leave, and Nathaniel instinctively stepped forward to follow her. Sylvia stopped him in his tracks. “You’re here to accompany your friend for her check-up. Leaving her alone wouldn’t be very considerate, would it? I’ll head back on my own. You don’t need to worry about me.” Nathaniel hesitated but then turned back to watch Sylvia walk away. A pang of pain hit his chest as he watched her retreating figure. Vivian, noticing his concern for Sylvia, crouched down beside him. “Nathaniel, I’m in so much pain. My whole body hurts. Will you take me home?” Irritated by Sylvia’s cold demeanor, Nathaniel’s frustration boiled over. He brushed Vivian off sharply. “Know your place. Stop provoking her.” Back at home, Sylvia resumed packing. She couldn’t stand staying in this place any longer. Thankfully, she didn’t have much to take. Soon, she had filled a single suitcase with her belongings. When she was done, she carried the suitcase downstairs. As she reached the table, her eyes landed on the roses Nathaniel had given her the day before. With a cold smile, she grabbed the bouquet and tossed it straight into the trash. A housekeeper noticed and asked in confusion, “Miss Garner, wasn’t this the bouquet Mr. Sinclair gave you? Don’t you want it anymore?” Sylvia replied with an expressionless face, “I don’t want things that belonged to others.”“But these flowers look perfectly fine. How could they have belonged to someone else?” the housekeeper asked, clearly confused. Sylvia didn’t bother to explain. She went back upstairs and packed all the clothes and bags Nathaniel had gifted her over the years into a large bag. “Throw these out.”“Throw them out?” The housekeeper hesitated. “Miss Garner, you used to treasure these things. You wouldn’t even wear them because they were from Mr. Sinclair.”“Did you not hear me?” Sylvia said coldly, turning to grab her jewelry as well. “Donate them.”“These are all gifts from Mr. Sinclair, and they’re worth a fortune!”“I said donate them.” The housekeeper didn’t dare argue any further and hurried to carry out Sylvia’s instructions. Once everything was sorted, Sylvia took out her phone and booked a plane ticket. She was going home. She’d be gone by tomorrow. After booking her flight, a notification popped up on Sylvia’s phone. It was a message from an unknown number. Curious, she opened it, only to be greeted by an explicit photo of Nathaniel and Vivian locked in an intimate embrace. The message that followed was laced with venom: “Sylvia Garner, if you’re not a fool, you should already realize that Nathaniel and I are more than just friends. Are you wondering why we ended up at the hospital? It’s because things got a little too heated between us at the bar, and we accidentally hurt ourselves. “Oh, and by the way, I’m getting married next month on the first. The groom isn’t just anyone—it’s your boyfriend, Nathaniel Sinclair. I’m his first love, the woman he truly cares about. You’ve been nothing more than a placeholder, a stand-in for the five years I wasn’t around.” Every word was a deliberate provocation. Staring at the photo and message, Sylvia felt her heart twist with pain. How could five years of their relationship mean nothing? Her hands trembled as she gripped the phone, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. At that moment, the front door opened. Nathaniel was back. He slipped his arms around her from behind, his voice low and tender. “Sylvia, why are you crying again? I’m home now. There’s really nothing going on between me and her. I didn’t make it back last night because I drank too much with the guys. “As for Vivian, she’s just a friend. She just got back from overseas, and I ran into her this morning. Don’t overthink it, okay?” Sylvia wiped her tears, quietly shutting off her phone. “I understand.” She pushed him away and studied his face. It was still as clean-cut and bright as it had been five years ago—handsome, charming, and deceptively pure. But his heart? His heart had completely changed.

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

Sylvia couldn’t hold back any longer. Her hand struck Nathaniel’s face with a resounding slap. Caught completely off guard, Nathaniel froze. But instead of anger, his heart seemed to settle, oddly relieved. “If hitting me makes you feel better, go ahead. I don’t mind, as long as you’re not upset.” So loving. So disgusting. Sylvia didn’t hesitate and slapped him again. After all, he’d invited it. “Nathaniel, do you remember what I once told you? I can forgive anything but if you ever betray me, I’ll marry someone else.” Nathaniel’s expression darkened instantly. “Sylvia, what nonsense are you saying? You know I’ve always seen you as the one I’ll grow old with. I love you and only you. My feelings will never change!” He claimed to love her the most, yet he had ended up in the hospital after fooling around with someone else. He claimed she was the only one he loved, yet he postponed their wedding to fulfill another woman’s dying wish, leaving Sylvia with scraps. Sylvia looked up at him, her gaze piercing, as if trying to see into the depths of his heart and understand what he was really thinking. In the end, she just nodded, saying nothing. “I understand.” Nathaniel pulled her into an embrace, but Sylvia pushed him away with a flick of her hand. That was when he noticed the suitcase at her side. The relief he had felt moments ago was gone, replaced by fresh panic. Grabbing her arm, he asked, “Whose suitcase is that? Where are you going?”“Oh, my mom said that since the wedding is coming up, I should go back home for a bit.”“Really?” Nathaniel exhaled in relief. “I get it. Some people say it’s bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding. Even though ours is postponed, it’s fine if you want to spend a few days with your family.”“Mm.” Sylvia smiled faintly but didn’t say anything more. She grabbed her suitcase and started heading for the door. Nathaniel, still reluctant to let her go, picked up her suitcase and offered, “Let me take you home.” She gave him a wry smile. “That’s not necessary. Don’t they say men should let loose a little before the wedding? Nathaniel, maybe you need that too.” There was a time when she had truly believed in him. But now, all she could think was, as soon as she walked out the door, would he bring Vivian into this house the very same night? “Do you think I’m that kind of man?” Nathaniel protested, his voice full of conviction. “Sylvia, I’d never do anything to hurt you. After you leave, I’ll keep to myself until the day we get married.” He was still lying! Even now, as she was about to leave, he couldn’t stop deceiving her. Sylvia felt utterly drained. The last shred of hope she’d clung to had completely dissolved. She lowered her head slowly, letting out a deep, weary sigh. It was the sound of someone giving up entirely. “Fine. Take care of yourself. I’m leaving.” Pushing him away, she walked out without looking back. When she finally arrived at her parents’ home, they were thrilled to see her. They immediately pulled her aside, bombarding her with questions. “You’re finally back! The Cooper family has already agreed to the wedding on the first of next month. But weren’t you supposed to marry Nathaniel that day? Why the sudden change in grooms?”“Yes, sweetheart. Marriage isn’t something to be taken lightly. You should marry the one you love. You know we’re not the kind of parents who would force you into anything.” Sylvia was too exhausted to respond. She didn’t want to explain and revisit the pain. “Mom, Dad, I’m really tired. I just want to go to my room and rest.” Seeing her so worn out, her parents exchanged a worried glance but didn’t press her further. “Alright, then. Get some rest. Before the wedding, we’ll find some time for you to meet Bennett, okay?”“No need. I’ll meet him on the wedding day.” It didn’t matter anymore. She had already made up her mind to go through with the wedding—whether she met him or not was irrelevant.

Chapter 8 Chapter 8

Back in her room, Sylvia lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over, streaming silently down her face. For five years, she had never imagined a day when she and Nathaniel would break up. She had never thought she would marry another man. But in just a matter of days, everything had changed. Her phone buzzed beside her, snapping her from her thoughts. Picking it up, she saw new messages. “Sylvia, guess where I am?” The message was from Vivian, accompanied by several photos. It was pictures of her and Nathaniel’s home. Then came more—intimate photos of Vivian and Nathaniel entwined together on the very bed that was supposed to be for her and Nathaniel. “As soon as you left, Nathaniel couldn’t wait to bring me here. He even told all the staff not to say a word to you! Your bed is really comfortable, by the way. I heard you picked out the sheets yourself, didn’t you? The lovebirds on them look just like me and Nathaniel, don’t they?” The mocking tone of Vivian’s words and the photos that came with them failed to stir any emotion in Sylvia. She quietly scrolled through the messages, then turned off her phone. It didn’t matter anymore. She would never go back there again. In the following days, Sylvia’s parents were busy making arrangements for her upcoming wedding. She was just as occupied, spending her days being dragged around for fittings, shopping trips, and endless preparations. As for Nathaniel? She learned about his every move through Vivian. Every day, Vivian sent her photos and updates, detailing her life with Nathaniel as if to taunt her. Sylvia simply treated it as entertainment. She saved every photo, screenshot every text, cataloging them one by one. Nathaniel also tried to reach out to her daily. He called her repeatedly, but she never answered. He sent gifts and delivered them straight to her house, but she didn’t even open the boxes before throwing them away. Finally, on the eve of her wedding, Nathaniel started to sense that something was wrong. At his bachelor party, he vented his frustrations to his friends. “Lately, Sylvia hasn’t been responding to me or answering my calls. Do you think she’s figured something out?”“Come on, how could she? We’ve kept this under wraps perfectly. There’s no way she knows. Just focus on your wedding to Vivian tomorrow.”“Exactly. Spend some quality time with Vivian while you can. She doesn’t have much time left. Once you get through this month, Sylvia will come right back to you like nothing ever happened.” Nathaniel still felt uneasy, but the day of his wedding with Vivian had arrived. At this point, there was no turning back. … The next morning, Sylvia sat in front of the mirror in her bedroom while her mother combed her hair, tears streaming down her face. “My little girl… you’re getting married today.”“Mom, it’s a happy day—I’m getting married. Why are you crying?”“How could I not cry? I’m going to miss you. But at least we know the Cooper family well. Bennett seems like a great guy. I’ve met him a few times. He just got back from the capital, and I heard he’s a high-ranking officer in the military. Handsome too, and definitely on par with Nathaniel.” Her mother reached for her phone. “Here, let me show you a photo of him—” Sylvia gently stopped her. “There’s no need, Mom. I’ll see him in person soon enough.” She glanced at the clock. It was already 7 a.m., and it was time to head to the hotel. Nathaniel had likely left for his wedding by now. It was time to let everyone know her decision. Taking out her phone, Sylvia posted a simple message to her social media: “Getting married today. Wish me luck.” Comments flooded in almost immediately, all filled with congratulatory messages: “Congratulations! Five years together, and now it’s your happily ever after.”“Finally tying the knot with Nathaniel? So envious of you two!”“Wishing you and Nathaniel a lifetime of happiness together!” Sylvia read through the comments, her lips curling into a faint, bitter smile. Look at that. Everyone assumed she was marrying Nathaniel, but he was about to wed his first love, and she was set to marry a stranger. That morning, Nathaniel couldn’t shake a sense of unease. Something felt wrong, though he couldn’t put his finger on it. His friends brushed it off, telling him he was overthinking things. He reluctantly got into the wedding car, picked up Vivian, and headed to the hotel he had originally booked with Sylvia. As soon as they arrived and stepped out of the car, a few old acquaintances approached them, grinning. “Congratulations, Mr. Sinclair! Finally tying the knot!”“Yeah, but where’s Sylvia? Haven’t seen her yet.”“Sylvia?” Nathaniel’s face stiffened, and he forced a smile. “Actually, she’s not the one I’m marrying today.”“What? You’ve got to be kidding!” one of them exclaimed, stunned. “Sylvia posted on social media this morning, saying she’s getting married. Isn’t it with you?” Another chimed in, equally confused. “That can’t be right. The hotel and date are the same. How could she not be marrying you? Mr. Sinclair, stop joking around!”

Chapter 9 Chapter 9

Nathaniel froze. "What did you just say? She posted on social media, saying she’s getting married today?" Snatching his friend’s phone, he stared at Sylvia’s post. For a moment, his mind went completely blank. Impossible. She was getting married? To whom? Just then, a car pulled up at the curb. Stepping out was none other than Sylvia herself, dressed in a wedding gown. The sight of her hit Nathaniel like a thunderbolt, his face instantly draining of color. Standing frozen in place, he stammered, “Sylvia, what are you doing here?” Sylvia stepped forward, her lips curling into a mocking smile as she faced him. “I could ask you the same thing—what are you doing here?” Her gaze shifted to Vivian, who stood beside him. Vivian was wearing Sylvia’s wedding gown, holding her bouquet, and standing in the place that was supposed to be hers. Vivian’s face turned pale the moment she saw Sylvia. She had never expected her to show up, let alone dressed in a wedding gown. “I—” Nathaniel struggled to form an explanation. “Sylvia!” Vivian suddenly burst out, tears streaming down her face. “You’ve known all along that I’m marrying Nathaniel today, haven’t you? Is that why you showed up in a wedding gown? Are you trying to steal him from me?” Her voice cracked as she cried harder. “Please, I’m begging you. Don’t ruin my wedding. I don’t have much time left. I’m dying! Once I’m gone, Nathaniel will be all yours. Can’t you just let me have this one thing?” Vivian collapsed to her knees, sobbing so pitifully that onlookers began to gather, whispering amongst themselves. Seeing the spectacle unfold, many in the crowd assumed Sylvia was the homewrecker trying to disrupt their wedding. But Sylvia found it all laughable. “I really love Nathaniel. But I have cancer. My only wish before I die is to marry him. Please, I’m begging you. Let me marry him.” Finally, Nathaniel could no longer bear it. He leaned down to help Vivian up. “Vivian, don’t do this. Sylvia is very understanding. She’ll let you marry me,” he said softly, before turning to Sylvia and reaching for her hand. “I’m sorry, Sylvia. I didn’t mean to keep this from you. Vivian’s condition is getting worse. I can’t just stand by and refuse her dying wish. Be good and go home for now. Once this wedding is over, I’ll come back to you.” Sylvia yanked her hand away from his grasp, her expression cold and unyielding. “Nathaniel, what makes you think I’m here for you today?”“Sylvia, stop being unreasonable. Let’s just get through today. I know I owe you an apology. When I get back, you can do whatever you want.”“Exactly,” one of Nathaniel’s friends chimed in, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. “Come on, don’t make this harder than it has to be. Just let Nathaniel and Vivian have their moment.”“Yeah, Sylvia,” another added. “Nathaniel’s still have feelings for you. What he’s doing is just showing he’s a responsible man. You’ve always been understanding. Just let this go and head home.” Sylvia looked at the group of men standing before her, all of them trying to convince her to quietly walk away from this humiliation. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. Understanding? They wanted her to be so “understanding” as to let her boyfriend marry another woman while she stood aside with a smile. Unfortunately for them, Sylvia wasn’t that kind of woman. “I’ll say it one more time. I’m not here for you.” With that, she turned on her heel and started toward the entrance of the chapel. Vivian stepped in front of her, tears streaming down her face as she broke down completely. “Sylvia Garner, are you really going to ruin this for me? Are you just going to stand there and watch me die?” As the words left her lips, Vivian lifted the hem of her wedding gown and, in a fit of desperation, ran straight toward one of the nearby pillars, ready to slam herself against it.

Chapter 10 Chapter 10

Everyone froze in shock, watching as blood trickled down Vivian’s forehead, staining the pristine white of her wedding gown. “Vivian!” Nathaniel cried out, rushing forward to catch her as she stumbled. In that instant, all his hesitation and guilt vanished. Holding Vivian in his arms, he asked softly, “Why would you do this to yourself?”“Nathaniel, you know… my greatest wish has always been to marry you. But since Miss Garner refuses to let me have that, I might as well end it all now. Don’t worry, I don’t blame you or her. I can only blame my own fate.” As if to emphasize her point, she coughed up blood, the sight eliciting gasps from the onlookers. Seeing her like this, Nathaniel’s gaze hardened as he turned to Sylvia, his expression growing cold. “Sylvia, must you drive her to the point of self-harm? When did you become so cruel and heartless?” His accusation felt like a knife to Sylvia’s chest. So, this was how he saw her? But it didn’t matter anymore. She’d had enough of this farce. “Nathaniel, the ceremony is about to start. You’d better get Vivian inside.” Nathaniel didn’t hesitate. He carried Vivian in his arms, gave Sylvia one last look, then turned and walked away without another word. A few people approached Sylvia, offering words of consolation. “Sylvia, there’s no need to keep pushing this. Since Nathaniel says Vivian doesn’t have much time left, you should just let it go. Everyone’s watching.” Sylvia’s lips curled into a faint smile, but her words were calm and steady. “I already told you—I’m not here for Nathaniel. I’m here for my own wedding, which is happening in the hall right next to his. If you have the time, you’re welcome to drop by.” With that, she turned and walked into the hotel lobby, leaving the crowd stunned. “Wow, Nathaniel really knows how to stir things up—two brides in wedding gowns fighting over him!” When Sylvia entered the hall, most of her family and relatives were already there, chatting and waiting. The only one missing was the groom. Sylvia’s mother, growing anxious, turned to her husband. “Where is Bennett? He wouldn’t… not show up, would he?”“Don’t be ridiculous. The Cooper family is already here. Why would Bennett back out now? I heard he started his journey back yesterday. He’s probably just running late.” Though her parents were worried, Sylvia sat quietly, her expression unreadable. She told herself she wasn’t nervous, but the tight knot in her stomach said otherwise. She was about to marry a man she had never met before. She didn’t know if he was handsome or plain, tall or short. Did she regret it? Not at all. She wasn’t getting any younger, and it was time to settle down. If the man standing next to her wasn’t someone she loved, then it didn’t matter who it was. From the hall next door, Sylvia heard the voice of the officiant, prompting her to glance in that direction. Meanwhile, Nathaniel stood before the officiant in his own ceremony, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t stop thinking about Sylvia. Had she gone home? Would she forgive him? “Miss Vivian Hayes, do you take Nathaniel Sinclair as your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?” Vivian didn’t hesitate for a second. “I do!”“And Mr. Nathaniel Sinclair, do you take Vivian Hayes as your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish her, and promise to remain devoted to her for all your days?” But Nathaniel wasn’t listening. Lost in thoughts of Sylvia, he didn’t even hear the officiant. “Mr. Sinclair, do you take Vivian Hayes as your wife?” the officiant repeated, louder this time. Still, Nathaniel didn’t respond. The room grew restless, with guests whispering amongst themselves. Vivian, growing nervous, tugged at his sleeve. “Nathaniel!” she hissed, her voice filled with urgency. “What?” he asked, snapping back to reality. “The officiant is asking you a question,” Vivian said through gritted teeth. “Oh, I’m sorry,” Nathaniel mumbled, turning back to the officiant. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a voice from the audience cut through the tension. “So, Sylvia wasn’t joking—she’s really getting married today! Right next door!”“Seriously? Is that true?”“Why don’t we go take a look? What’s going on with those two? They dated for five years without getting married, and now they’re tying the knot and marrying someone else on the same day? Unbelievable.” With that, murmurs filled the room as guests began rushing toward the doors, eager to see for themselves. Nathaniel’s chest tightened, a wave of unease washing over him. He knew, logically, that Sylvia was just trying to make a scene, but despite himself, he couldn’t stop the panic creeping into his heart.