Chapter 1

Right after I sent the message, the person in charge of our wedding venue sent me a message.

"Signora Russo, I am so sorry about the venue... Signor Marino asked us to keep you unaware that we had moved everything to Lake Como. He said it was a bet with Signora Costa to see when you'd notice it."

"It's fine. Just leave it as it is. Let Edoardo make all the arrangements," I replied.

It wasn't my wedding anymore. Why should I care?

Another phone call came in.

It was my photographer, her voice full of apology.

"Signora Russo, I'm very sorry to bother you. Signor Marino asked us to have this photo printed and framed just now. He said he wants to put it in your villa as one of your wedding photos, just to see if you'd notice. But this is out of line."

She sent over a photo.

The moment I saw it, my fingers went cold.

Ambra was wearing the wedding dress I had personally chosen, her arm tightly linked through Edoardo's, the two of them smiling like the happiest couple in the world.

Meanwhile, I was standing behind them in drab, casual clothes, looking just like a maid who didn't belong there.

I remembered that day. I had just landed only to find them taking wedding photos by the beach, and I was furious.

But Edoardo had only pulled me into his arms gently. "You're being too sensitive. Ambra has a similar figure to you. She was just trying on the dress for you."

Ambra winked at him and smiled at me. "Don't worry, Val. Once the test shoot is done, I'll be your most loyal servant."

I was pushed to the back and watched them take photo after photo.

I hadn't known I had been captured on camera too.

"Signor Marino told me to capture you in the shot... now anyone looking at this would assume he is marrying Signora Costa. You really should talk to him and have him change it back right away."

"Change it to what? Print it," I said, looking at the photo. "It is lovely."

"Wait, Signora Russo, are you sure?" She seemed surprised by my reaction.

"Yes," I said.

"All right..." She didn't push further and hung up.

I went to the back of my wardrobe and pulled out the wedding binder I had spent nearly a year putting together.

Every page was filled with my handwriting.

From the guest list and invitations to the menu and hall decorations, I had personally confirmed every single detail, all to gain the acceptance of Edoardo's family and truly become one of them.

A month ago, when I was nervously checking the wedding plan one last time, I asked him, "Are you sure you want to help me wrap things up? Sicily is very important to me, and I don't want anything to go wrong with the wedding venue."

Edoardo had pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead. "Relax, amo. Our wedding's a big deal. I wouldn't make a stupid bet out of it."

My heart had warmed back then. Since I had a business to wrap up, I stopped asking about the details.

Thinking about it now, he had only said that to ease my suspicions so they could keep playing a joke that only I failed to find funny.

I opened the binder to the first page.

Groom. Edoardo Marino.

I picked up a black pen and drew slow, heavy lines through his name until it disappeared beneath the ink.

Then I wrote down a new name.

Just as I finished, the door behind me swung open.

"What are you doing?" Edoardo walked up behind me, leaning down to wrap his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder, like an overly clingy dog.

"Let me see." He reached for the book.

I gripped the portfolio tight, taking the chance to slip out of his embrace.

"The groom's name seems misspelled. I was just fixing it."

His smile faded slightly. "How do you even misspell the groom's name?"

Before I could answer, his phone rang. Ambra's cheerful voice leaked through the speaker.

"Pay up! A bet's a bet, no backing out!"

"Yeah, yeah, got it." Edoardo let out a low chuckle and ended the call.

"I brought you something." He held out a delicate Chanel gift bag and took out the bag inside, the latest limited edition.

I had eyed this bag for a long time, but every time I thought about buying it, I backed out because it felt too expensive. I didn't expect Edoardo to actually notice.

Edoardo helped me sling it over my shoulder and watched me proudly in the mirror. "Like it?"

For a moment, my resolve slipped. "I do. Thank you," I said gratefully.

But in the very next second, the ring finger of my left hand felt empty.

He had slipped off my engagement ring.

I stared at him blankly. Edoardo nonchalantly twirled the ring in his hand.

"I need to borrow this for a while," he explained. "Ambra won the venue bet, remember? This was the prize."