Chapter 1

Waiting behind the door in a custom gown crafted by Nina Davis, I tightened my grip on the bouquet I had chosen so carefully, a restless anxiety stirring in my chest.

It still felt like a dream - I could hardly believe that Gregory Lopez and I were actually getting married.

Ten years. When I first met him, he was a gloomy teenager, insecure, timid, and quiet.In him, I caught a glimpse of myself, and before I realized it, I had begun drifting closer. Two cold souls, quietly reaching for the warmth the other lacked.

Now, before me stood carved doors surrounded by lilies. I smiled, waiting for them to open so I could walk step by step toward my happiness. From now on, I would finally have a real home.

The wedding march had already started playing. I took a deep breath, counting down in my head, when suddenly the doors burst open. Gregory's anxious face appeared before me, phone in hand, rushing past me.

"Gregory, where are you going?" Without thinking, I grabbed the corner of his jacket.

A sense of unease crept over me. He could abandon me countless times before, but this was our wedding. Not this time. "Emma, Sophia's in really bad shape right now. She's your sister, too. If something happens to her, we'll both regret it forever." Gregory's face showed undisguised anxiety. He frowned and said quietly, "So please, just this last time. I'll make things clear with her."

“Gregory, today you’re meant to marry my sister. Please don’t trouble yourself over me, I wouldn’t want her to resent me. If stepping aside is what it takes for the two of you to be happy, then I’m willing to leave.” Sophia Brown's familiar voice came through the phone.

"Sophia, I'm coming right now. Don't do anything rash." He spoke gently into the phone, looked at me deeply, then turned and left.

I tried to grab his hand, even touched his fingers, but in an instant, the warmth at my fingertips disappeared. He walked away without looking back, leaving me standing there alone, at a complete loss.

My good friend Nina immediately came to my side. "Emma, are you okay?"

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes. I drove my nails into my palm, the crimson polish biting into my skin. The sharp sting anchored me, forcing me to keep my composure.

How could I be okay? Today was supposed to be my wedding day with Gregory, and at the most important moment, he walked away without looking back to find his Sophia, my so-called sister.

“What happened? Why did Gregory suddenly leave?” His parents hurried over, pressing for an explanation.

Keeping my voice steady, I replied, “Something urgent came up, something he considers more important.” Let's cancel the wedding. We'll just treat today as a gathering with friends and family."

My marriage to Gregory wasn't just the result of our relationship - it was proof of the union between the Brown family and the Lopez family.

I once scoffed at the very idea of arranged marriages, convinced that the ten years we had spent together forged a bond no one could rival. In my certainty, I believed what we shared was nothing less than pure love. But the second Gregory turned and left, I finally realized - I'd been weaving myself a dream.

If it were really about love, he wouldn't have left today.

Even if what we had was real love, he's shown me over and over - ten times, a hundred times - that when the chips are down, he'll pick my sister Sophia every single time without hesitation.

He'd left me behind so many times. This time, I didn't want to wait for him to come back.

"This is ridiculous! “The Browns and the Lopezes have spent so long preparing for this wedding. With all our friends and family gathered here, how could you possibly call it off now?” William Lopez frowned, his tone cold. "Gregory's grandfather is still in the hospital. What if he finds out?"

"Exactly - you two have to go through with it. You've come this far standing at the threshold of the vows. The ceremony may be missing its fanfare, but in the end, you’re still getting married.”" Gregory's mother, Grace Smith, quickly put on a smile, trying to coax me.

But what kind of wedding has no groom? A groom who, on our wedding day, once again chose Sophia over me - why should I still marry him?

"If you find this difficult, I'll tell the guests myself."I returned their gaze with a faint smile, heaved the weight of my gown, and stepped deliberately along the red carpet toward the stage I had meticulously prepared.

William shot me a warning look, stepped forward to take the microphone from the MC, and said with a composed smile, "Sorry, folks, Gregory might have to duck out for a moment - something urgent came up. We're going to hold off on the ceremony and do it at the end, but the party's still on! Please eat, drink, and have a good time. Sorry for the hiccup, and thanks for rolling with it."

He smiled at me again. "Emma, you've always been so level-headed. I know you understand Gregory’s predicament. Don’t worry, I’ll see to it that he gives you an even grander wedding someday.”

A wedding? I didn't want one anymore.

"Mr. Lopez, you probably can't make decisions for Gregory." Below sat friends and family invited by the Lopez and Brown families, along with some business partners. Some things weren't appropriate to say right now, but I couldn't just swallow my anger.

“Emma, don’t blame yourself. This is on Gregory, he must have had something urgent to run off like that. We’ll make sure he gets a proper scolding when he returns.”The banquet is starting - you've been tired all morning, sit down and eat something." Seeing my expression darken, Grace quickly came forward and grabbed my arm.

Very well. I would uphold the dignity they clung to, one final time. Not for anyone else, but for Robert Lopez, Gregory's grandfather. That much he deserved.

I nodded with a smile. "I won't eat. Sorry, I need to go."

Lifting my long gown, I pivoted without a second thought and marched toward the exit.

“Emma, wait!” Nina called, rushing after me. “Where do you think you’re going?”

The moment I walked out of the hotel, I looked up at the sky. Dark and gloomy, not a trace of sun visible. It looked like rain - just like my mood right now.

"I... just want to walk alone for a bit."

Nina grabbed my arm, her eyes full of concern. “Don’t shut me out, Emma. If something’s wrong, tell me. And Gregory… that bastard, leaving you alone on your own wedding day.” When he gets back, I won't let him off easy."

I shook my head gently at Nina. "Don't bother."

"What?" Nina seemed confused by what I said.

“I said, don’t. If he refuses to marry, then fine, he can have it his way. Today’s wedding is already over.” Nina, I want to be alone. Please, just give me some space."

A taxi happened to be stopped at the hotel entrance. I waved, and it pulled up. I pushed Nina's hand away and got in alone.

The gown proved cumbersome, its train snagging on the car door. I frowned, yanking at it, and watched as the pearls scattered, rolling away one by one.

Those were small details I'd asked Nina to add after seeing the original design. I loved pearls - understated, not flashy. Maybe I was wrong from the start. What I liked wasn't necessarily what was right. Those fancy decorations were never meant to last.

My mind went completely blank - I couldn't even cry. I thought Gregory and I were childhood sweethearts who'd finally made it to the finish line, but it turns out all that beauty was just a house of cards. It fell apart before we could even touch it, like some cruel joke.

Too lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice that I'd gotten in the car without giving a destination, yet the taxi kept driving farther and farther. The scenery outside the window grew more and more remote.