Chapter 1

“Dad, didn’t you mention the fiancé you arranged for me as a child has been looking for me? Tell him I’m getting married on the first of next month but need a groom. Ask if he’s interested.”

The voice on the other end paused in shock. “Aren’t you set on marrying Nathaniel? You’re already planning the wedding. What happened? Did he do something to upset you?”

“Dad, just help me ask.”

“Alright, as long as you’re sure about this. All I want is for you to be happy.”

Sylvia Garner, eyes red with tears, replied firmly, “I will be.”

She had once loved Nathaniel Sinclair with all her heart, convinced he was her destined partner. Their wedding date was set, and she had been overjoyed, counting down the days to becoming his bride.

But just now, she received a devastating blow.

An hour earlier.

Sylvia stood before the mirror in a pristine white wedding gown. Her graceful figure, accentuated by the dress, looked breathtaking.

“Miss Garner, this custom-made gown designed by Mr. Sinclair is absolutely stunning. You two are going to be so happy together,” the shop assistant complimented.

But Sylvia couldn’t bring herself to smile.

Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Nathaniel, tucked away in a quiet corner near the window. He was on the phone, his expression soft and full of affection.

The shop assistant, holding her phone, stepped into Sylvia’s line of sight. “Miss Garner, there’s a call for you.”

It was from the wedding planning company she had hired.

“Miss Garner… Mr. Sinclair just informed us there was a mistake with the bride’s name. He’s requested to change it to Vivian Hayes. Were you aware of this?”

An indescribable sorrow overwhelmed Sylvia, tears threatening to spill in the next second.

Though she already knew Nathaniel had betrayed her, she hadn’t expected him to be so shameless.

A month ago, when Nathaniel’s first love, Vivian Hayes, returned from abroad after five years, Sylvia felt a sense of foreboding.

Just yesterday, she had gone after Nathaniel to give a tie to him at a private club.

But what she witnessed instead was Nathaniel on one knee, proposing to Vivian.

Someone asked, "Nathaniel, aren’t you about to marry Sylvia? What are you going to do about Sylvia now that you’re with Vivian?"

Nathaniel replied nonchalantly, “Vivian is sick, and this is her final wish. As for Sylvia, as long as you all keep it quiet, she’ll never know. Even if she does, she loves me too much to walk away.”

Snuggled in Nathaniel’s arms, Vivian nodded in agreement. "I know this puts you in a tough spot, Nathaniel. But I don’t have long to live, and this is my final wish. Sylvia is so kind, she’ll surely understand."

Amid cheers from their friends, the two embraced passionately, while Sylvia, standing outside the door, fled in despair.

“Hello? Miss Garner, are you still there? Should we proceed with changing the name?”

There was a time when Sylvia had loved Nathaniel so deeply that she had lost herself completely, believing her existence was impossible without him. But that was all in the past.

“Yes, change it. Also, book the hall next door for me. I’ll transfer the payment shortly. Just replicate everything exactly as it is. And remember, update the groom’s name too. I’ll send you the details later.”

There was a stunned pause on the other end. "Shall we keep the wedding date the same?"

"Yes, keep it as is."

Taking a deep breath, Sylvia hung up the phone.

Moments later, Nathaniel walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

"Sylvia, you look stunning today."

"Really?"

Sylvia glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She did look beautiful.

But why was the man she had loved for years, the fiancé she was about to marry, betraying her to wed another woman?

"You’re the most beautiful woman in the world," Nathaniel said, his voice faltering as he added, "There’s something I need to discuss with you. I have something going on next month on the first. Can we postpone the wedding?"

"Something going on?"

Sylvia sneered inwardly. His so-called plans were nothing more than a wedding with someone else.

As if that wasn’t enough, he even planned to use the venue she had chosen, on the date she had picked, all while keeping her in the dark!

“Alright, let’s postpone it then.”

Her unexpected response unsettled Nathaniel. A strange sense of unease crept over him.

“I love you, Sylvia. I swear, I will marry you. Just wait for me. I’ll love you for a lifetime.”

He hesitated before adding, “Something came up at work. Wait for me at home.”

Watching his hurried departure, Sylvia found his promises utterly laughable.

In Nathaniel’s mind, her love for him was so deep, so unwavering, that she’d endure anything for his sake. He was convinced that even if she found out he was marrying someone else, she still wouldn’t leave.

But this time, he was wrong.

Not only was she leaving him, but she would also be getting married on the very same day.