Chapter 1

Belgrave, Novastra.

"Ms. Medici, you've officially purchased the island. It's completely off the grid—once you're in, no one can find you. Also, the custom-made family you requested is ready. They're professionally trained to give you nothing but unconditional love."

The staff member's voice came through the phone, smooth and respectful. Yara Medici hummed in response.

"I'll move in after I wrap things up here. Thirty days."

She hung up and glanced at her reflection. Wrapped in a pristine white wedding gown, she looked almost unreal. The fabric sparkled with embedded diamonds—each one an obvious fortune.

"Ms. Medici, have you finished trying on your gown? Mr. Lopez has been waiting outside to see you."

The sales associate's soft voice pulled her back to reality. She hesitated, then said, "I'm ready."

The associate swept back the curtain. Yara turned just in time to catch Mateo Lopez's expression. For a split second, his eyes flickered with something—maybe awe.

"Yara, you look stunning."

He froze, then stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her. His voice wavered, thick with emotion. "Seven years... and I'm finally marrying you."

How much must someone love another to sound like that?

Still dazed, she barely registered the sales associate chirping beside her. "Ms. Medici, Mr. Lopez personally designed this gown. He hand-picked every diamond—each one worth a fortune. And there are ninety-nine of them!

“Most grooms grow impatient waiting, but Mr. Lopez has been involved in every step without a single complaint. He truly loves you."

Yara glanced at Mateo, taking it all in.

His eyes held nothing but love—so different from the cold, untouchable heir of Belgrave's elite the media made him out to be.

Not just the world, but even she had been fooled.

After leaving the boutique, they walked outside together. Ever the gentleman, Mateo held the car door open, shielding the top so she wouldn't hit her head. Once she was settled, he shut it gently before slipping in beside her.

As the car rolled forward, his assistant, Kevin, started his report.

"Mr. Lopez, the woman who tried sneaking into your bed has been dealt with. She won't be coming back to Belgrave."

Mateo's voice turned sharp. "Handle these things privately. Don't upset Yara."

Then, just as quickly, his tone softened. He reached for her hand. "Yara, don't be mad. She never touched me. Her perfume got on me, but I washed it off ten times before coming home. I swear, you're the only one in my heart—you know that."

She did. Women had been throwing themselves at him for years, yet he never crossed the line. He always kept his distance.

But knowing that didn't bring her any comfort.

She forced a small smile. "I know."

Mateo didn't notice anything off. Still holding her hand, he pulled out his phone to check his messages. Then, suddenly—

"Stop the car!"

The tires screeched. Before Yara could ask what was wrong, Mateo had already thrown the door open.

"Something urgent. Kevin will take you home, okay?"

It wasn't a question.

Without hesitation, he left her behind.

Yara watched Mateo disappear, then pulled out her phone and opened Helen's social media page.

A new post.

A picture of a swollen ankle. The caption?

[Twisted my ankle. It hurts so much.]

Her vision blurred with heat. Mateo's sudden urgency made sense now.

Why was it always Helen?

Yara had been engaged twice.

First, to Steven Varga, heir to Varga Corp. Their families had arranged it when they were kids, and she'd fallen for him at first sight. For years, she followed him, loved him, but his heart had never been hers. It belonged to her younger sister, Helen. She was just an obstacle.

For seven years, she endured his indifference—until she couldn't anymore. And when she finally let go, she saw the one who had always been there. Mateo.

While she chased Steven, while she broke over and over, Mateo was the one who picked up the pieces.

He seemed devoted, never asking for anything in return. Just waiting. Always waiting.

So she chose him. Cleared out her heart and let him in.

She thought, 'This time, I got it right.'

Then, one day, she overheard him talking to a friend.

"You don't even love Yara. Are you really going to marry her?"

Mateo's voice, thick with alcohol, was quiet. "Yeah. It's the only way Helen can be happy."

His friend sighed. "You're unbelievable. You loved Helen in secret for years, but when she fell for Steven and was set to marry him, you went after his fiancée instead. Congrats, you got Yara to step aside for your precious Helen. But do you even realize what you've done? You just threw away your own future."

Mateo's voice softened, but his words cut deep. "As long as Helen is happy, I'll do anything."

Standing outside the door, Yara felt like she'd been struck by lightning.

Mateo's seven years of devotion—his tenderness, his unwavering love—it was all a lie.

His heart had always belonged to Helen.

How noble. He was willing to sacrifice his entire life just to make Helen happy.

He played his role so well she never once doubted him. Never imagined his love was just another illusion, that he only pursued her to clear the way for Helen.

That night, she stood in the rain until dawn, crying until there was nothing left.

From as far back as she could remember, her parents had adored Helen, leaving no love for her.

As she grew up, the fiancé she gave her heart to loved Helen too, never once seeing her.

And now, even the man she thought truly loved her—Mateo—had only ever cared about Helen.

Everyone loved Helen.

No one loved Yara.

That night, she made a choice.

If there was no one in Belgrave who wanted her, she'd leave. She'd disappear to some remote, uninhabited island, cut off from the world. She'd pay for a family, a boyfriend—people made just for her—and live out the rest of her life in peace.

Even if they were only there because she paid them, at least they'd stay.

From this day on—her parents, Steven, Mateo—they meant nothing to her.