Chapter 1

“Adrian, are you really going to leave?” Deviana’s voice trembled in the grand, silent room.

Her hand was still holding Adrian’s, but it had turned cold and tense. Around them, dozens of eyes watched, cameras flashing relentlessly. The wedding music that had once flowed beautifully had stopped—replaced by a thick silence brimming with tension.

Adrian turned his head, his gaze distant. His face was pale with unease after answering a call. A name slipped past his lips, barely audible. “Leviana…”

He pulled his hand away from Deviana’s grasp, causing her to flinch.

“I have to go. Leviana’s sick. I can’t leave her alone.” His voice was firm, unwavering.

Deviana held her breath, her face draining of color. “Adrian… this is our wedding day. Are you seriously thinking of walking away from me at the altar—for another woman?”

“She’s not ‘another woman.’ She’s someone I once loved.” Adrian turned his back, ready to walk away.

Deviana clutched his arm desperately. “Adrian! You can send someone else to check on her. Didn’t you say I’m your future? Don’t destroy everything just for the past!”

Adrian froze in his tracks. He turned to her, his eyes burning like fire—sharp and filled with fury.

“Don’t tell me who I should care about. This isn’t just the past! This is about someone who once saved me, and now she’s in pain.”

Guests began whispering. Some lifted their phones to record the rare spectacle—a groom about to abandon his bride at the altar for someone else.

Deviana gritted her teeth, her voice rising as she tried to salvage the shreds of her pride. “If you leave now, Adrian, we’re done. I refuse to be humiliated like this!”

Adrian looked at her for a long moment. There was pain in his eyes—but not because of Deviana. It was the pain of the choice he was making.

“Fine. We’re done. Don’t ever come looking for me again,” he said softly, but his words cut deep.

He yanked his arm free and descended the altar with steady steps, leaving behind a stunned Deviana, staring at the back of the man who was supposed to be her husband.

Chaos erupted.

A laugh broke from one of the male guests near the front row. Whispers turned to harsh murmurs and mocking giggles.

“There she is, Deviana—the so-called perfect bride! Left at the altar!”

“She chased Adrian everywhere! And he still dumped her!”

“She should’ve known Adrian still loved Leviana. But she was too blind to see it.”

Deviana clenched the fabric of her gown tightly, struggling to breathe through the crushing weight on her chest. Her face flushed with rage and humiliation.

Tears fell, but she quickly wiped them away. No—she would not appear weak. Not in front of the people laughing at her downfall.

Her mother, seated in the VIP section, stood and started to approach, but Deviana raised her hand to stop her.

She had to face this alone.

Meanwhile, outside the church, Adrian climbed into his car, his breath uneven. Before the driver could say a word, Adrian snapped, “To the hospital. Now.”

His mind was a storm of thoughts, but his resolve was clear. He wouldn’t let Leviana face this alone—especially not now.

Back in the church, Deviana remained frozen. A few of her bridesmaids cautiously approached, but another woman’s voice sliced through the air before they could speak:

“Deviana, are you sure you want to break up with Adrian? Weren’t you the one chasing him all this time?” The tone was sharp, dripping with ridicule.

Laughter followed, unchecked and merciless.

“You were too ambitious! Trying to marry a man whose heart you never had. Now look what happened!”

Their mockery echoed louder than any crashing thunder in Deviana’s ears. She raised her chin and met their gazes one by one. Their eyes were filled with pity—but also with satisfaction.

The satisfaction of watching her fall.

But Deviana wasn’t the kind to crumble without rising.

She lifted the hem of her gown and walked with her head held high down the aisle that was supposed to lead to her happiness. As she passed the guests, her gaze was defiant.

“Laugh all you want today. But one day, you’ll see me rise again—higher, stronger, and more powerful than ever,” she muttered to herself, like an oath etched into her soul.

She paused at the church doors, casting one last glance at the now-empty altar.

Then she said in a cold, clear voice:

“Adrian, I loved you too much. But I swear, that love ends today.”