Chapter 1: The Perfect Ring

Oliva’s POV

“If you move that armchair one more millimeter to the left, Olivia, I’m going to lose my mind.”

I didn’t look up from the floor. “It’s not just an armchair, Theo. It’s the entire vibe of the room. Look at how the sun hits the rug. If the chair is crooked, everything looks wrong.”

Theo leaned against the door frame of the shiny new penthouse, holding his coffee cup like it was a lifeline. “You are crazy. You know that, right? The rich couple who bought this place already love it. The walls are smooth, the curtains cost a fortune, and here you are fighting with a chair.”

“Small things matter,” I said, standing up and brushing off my jeans. I took a step back and smiled. Everything in the big living room was in its place. Perfect. Clean. Beautiful.

Just like my life was supposed to be.

“Speaking of small things,” Theo said, pointing out the big glass window. “Isn’t your perfect fiancé waiting for you downstairs?”

I checked my phone and gasped. “Oh no. Is it six already?”

“Go!” Theo laughed, waving me away. “Go be the perfect bride. I’ll close up the shop.”

---

Ten minutes later, I slid into a soft booth across from Ethan at our favorite fancy restaurant. The room was quiet, smelling like good food and expensive wine.

“You look amazing, Liv,” Ethan said right away. He reached across the table and took my hand. His smile was warm and easy. “How did the penthouse look?”

“It came out great,” I said, leaning back with a sigh. “Theo thinks I’m crazy because I spent twenty minutes moving a chair, but it was worth it.”

Ethan laughed and took a sip of his wine. “That’s why you’re the best at what you do, babe. Oh, by the way, my mom called today. She wants to add more people to the wedding guest list.”

I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth. “More people? Ethan, we already have two hundred and fifty guests. We said we wanted a small wedding.”

“I know, I know,” he said softly, squeezing my fingers. “But it’s important to her. Some of these people are big business partners for my company. It’s good for us, Liv. Just smile for a few photos and it’s over. We can do that, right?”

I looked at his handsome, kind face. He was safe. He was reliable.

“Yeah,” I whispered, giving him a small smile. “Of course we can.”

---

An hour later, we were sitting in the big, formal dining room at Ethan’s parents' house.

“We have to put the mayor at the front table, Olivia,” Grace Cole said, fixing her silk napkin. She didn't really ask—she just stated it as a fact. “It looks good for Ethan’s job. This wedding is a big deal for our family name.”

“I was hoping my parents could sit at the front table too,” I said softly, looking at Ethan for help. “My dad doesn't like big crowds.”

“Oh, your parents will be right next to us!” Grace smiled, but her eyes didn't warm up. “Don't worry about a thing, sweetie. Everything is taken care of.”

I swallowed hard. My chest felt a little tight. *Taken care of.* That was the word. Everything in my life was planned out so neatly that I barely had to make a choice.

---

The next morning, I stood on a small box in front of a giant mirror at the wedding dress shop. The white silk gown fit me perfectly, falling all the way to the floor.

“Oh, Livie…”

I turned around. My mom, Rosie, was sitting on a couch, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Mom, don't cry,” I said, my voice soft.

“I can’t help it,” she sniffed, walking over to fix a lace piece on my shoulder. “Look at you. You look like a dream. I just feel so happy, Liv. Ethan is such a good, safe man. He’s going to take care of you forever.”

I looked back at the mirror. The girl looking back at me looked like a bride from a book. She looked happy. She had everything.

So why did I feel so heavy inside?

“He’s a good man, Mom,” I whispered. My engagement ring caught the bright light, shining so hard it almost hurt to look at.

“He’s a wonderful man,” my mom said softly, kissing my cheek. “You’re a lucky girl.”

I smiled back, pushing down that strange, empty feeling in my stomach. *You’re just nervous,* I told myself. *Everyone gets nervous before a wedding.*

---

“You’re going to walk a hole into the floor if you keep moving around,” Ethan joked, handing me a glass of juice.

We were standing in a dark, cozy hotel lounge in the middle of the city. Soft music was playing, and warm lights filled the room. Ethan had set up a small party to welcome his best friend back to town.

“I’m fine,” I lied, taking a small sip. “Just tired from all the dress fittings.”

“Well, cheer up,” Ethan whispered, putting his arm around my waist and pulling me close. “Because he just walked in.”

I turned toward the glass front doors.

A tall man stepped inside, shaking rain off his dark jacket. He had broad shoulders, messy dark hair, and something about him just caught everyone's eye. He didn't look like the clean-cut business guys Ethan worked with. He looked rough, sharp, and totally confident.

“Hey! Over here!” Ethan called out, waving his arm.

The man turned his head. His sharp dark eyes scanned the room and locked onto us.

“Olivia, babe,” Ethan whispered proudly in my ear. “There he is. My best man—Noah Bennett.”

Noah walked over with long steps. As he got closer, my heart thumped hard against my ribs for no reason.

He stopped right in front of us. Up close, he had a bit of scruff on his jaw, and his dark eyes stared into mine so hard I forgot to breathe.

“Noah, man! It’s been forever!” Ethan laughed, clapping him on the back. “Liv, this is Noah. Noah, meet my fiancée, Olivia.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Olivia,” Noah said. His voice was deep, rough, and low. A strange shiver ran right down my back.

He held out his hand.

I reached out and touched his warm, strong hand. The second our skin touched, a shock ran straight through my body.

I stared up at him, my eyes wide. My brain started racing backward through every memory I had.

Those dark eyes. That sharp jawline. That small, crooked smile.

I had never heard the name Noah Bennett in my life. Ethan had never shown me a picture of him.

So why was I looking at a man whose face I knew so well?