Chapter 1

Starla Xander was orphaned at a young age. With both her parents gone, it was her uncle, Xavier Lloyd, who rescued her from that hopeless home.

For over a decade, he had cherished her, shielding her from the world, treating her like the most precious gem in his life.

She had always believed that one day, she and Xavier would walk down the aisle together.

She had fallen hopelessly in love with the man who had cared for her like a father.

Back then, one night, a fire broke out in the Xander family home. The house she had grown up in, the parents who had loved her—everything was consumed by the flames.

Little Starla curled up in a corner of the balcony, her face streaked with tears, too terrified to move.

At that moment, she thought she was going to die.

But in the next second, Xavier appeared.

He was like a hero descending from the heavens.

He kicked open the door and rushed inside, shielding her with his body, blocking the scorching embers with his back.

“Starla, don’t be scared! I’m here!”

In that instant, in Starla’s eyes, he was just like Spider-Man in the movies—her hero.

From that day on, she and Xavier relied on each other. They became each other’s whole world.

Back then, he treated her like a princess, spoiling her beyond reason.

Her room was always overflowing with new dresses and Barbie dolls. No matter what she wanted, Xavier never refused.

He was the CEO of a multinational corporation, yet he would postpone important meetings just to watch a meteor shower with her.

On those nights, he would hold little Starla in his arms, pointing at the falling stars, and say,

“Starla, do you know? To me, you’re just like this meteor shower.”

The winter air was freezing, but she nestled in his warm embrace, looking up at him with innocent eyes. “What does that mean?”

“You’re the brightest star in my heart, just like the aurora—you bring me happiness.”

That one sentence was engraved in Starla’s heart for ten whole years.

But now…

She turned to look at the empty villa, a bitter smile appearing on her lips.

Today was Xavier’s birthday—the last birthday she would ever spend with him. She had made a feast, waiting for him to come home.

It wasn’t until 3 AM that Xavier finally walked through the door.

“Why are you still up in the middle of the night?” His voice was ice-cold.

Starla held out a small ring, her eyes full of hope. “Uncle Xavier… happy birthday.

“This is my gift for you.”

“Starla, I have a girlfriend. I already have a wedding ring. Open your eyes and see clearly.” Xavier looked annoyed as he raised his left hand, showing his ring finger. Then, he tossed the ring she had given him aside.

“I was your father’s best friend—your legal guardian. The ‘uncle’ you call me! There will never be anything between us!

“The last time you told me you liked me, I chose to ignore it. But from now on, keep your distance! If you can’t, then leave the country and never come back!”

Every word was a knife to her heart, cutting deep.

Xavier turned and left.

Starla knelt down under the dining table, picking up the ring she had spent three months making. Pain crept through her chest.

Inside the band, she had carefully engraved Xavier’s initials, letter by letter, by hand.

She had only wanted to give him a handmade gift, wishing him peace and happiness in the years to come.

After all, this was the only thing she could leave behind for him. Nothing more.

On the coffee table lay a signed consent form for an experimental cryopreservation. The only thing left was to hand it over to her mentor.

She had already made up her mind. But the thought of never seeing Xavier again made it impossible to let go.

Just then, a notification sound broke the silence.

She picked up her phone, and the moment she saw the screen, her chest tightened.

It was a new social media update from Wendy Scott: “I’m going to be the most beautiful bride!”

The video showed Xavier by her side, helping her try on wedding dresses.

His eyes were filled with tenderness as he looked at her. No matter which dress she wore, he said she looked stunning.

“Oh, come on!” Wendy pouted playfully. “Are you just saying that to make me happy? If you keep giving me those half-hearted compliments, I’m gonna get mad!”

Xavier smiled and gently adjusted her veil. “How could I? You’re beautiful to begin with. No matter what you wear, you’ll always look perfect.”

In the end, they chose a mermaid-style wedding gown with a sweeping train. The white fabric cascaded across the floor like a galaxy, and the veil was adorned with diamonds that sparkled like stars in the winter sky.

Starla tossed her phone aside, unwilling to watch any longer. She tilted her head back, taking a deep breath, forcing herself not to cry.

The theme of that wedding dress was called “Miracle.”

She had designed it with her own hands.

She had always believed that one day, she would be the one walking down the aisle in that dress, with Xavier by her side.

But reality had shattered her dream into pieces.