Chapter 3

As soon as I arrived at the lounge on the top floor, Julian's mother, Carolyn Hewitt, came looking for me. With a forced smile, she pushed open the door.

"Amber, what are you doing up here? Everyone's waiting for you downstairs. You still have to do the family toast, so we can't keep them waiting."

Sitting in front of the vanity, I said without even turning around, "Then let the woman who shared the ceremonial drink with Julian and cut the cake in my place continue with the rest of the wedding rituals."

Julian's expression darkened little by little. "Must you talk like that?"

Just then, the door swung open again.

Nicola walked in with my bridesmaids. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and her voice trembled as she spoke.

"Amber, I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I've already gone through so many parts of the wedding rituals with Julian—if I suddenly back out now, people will surely say I was only after his family name."

She paused, then turned to look at Julian. "How about we draw straws? Whoever gets picked will go downstairs to do the family toast. That way, no one can complain."

I stood there, motionless.

Julian, on the other hand, had already said with a nod, "Fine."

Heather immediately brought over two slips of paper. After folding them up and placing them on a tray, Nicola held them out to Julian. He picked one at random and unfolded it.

Nicola's name was written on the slip.

She immediately waved her hands and stepped back. "How could this be? This isn't inappropriate. I'll bow out."

However, Julian said, "What's inappropriate about it? You won the draw, so you have to follow through."

I stared at the slip of paper, finding the whole thing utterly ridiculous.

Julian turned and walked out.

After the door closed, the lounge fell eerily silent.

Ten minutes later, I went downstairs by myself.

The door to the family's private room was open.

From the entrance, I immediately spotted Nicola presenting a gift box to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett.

"Mom, Dad, thank you for welcoming me into the family," she said softly, bowing her head.

One of the elders frowned and said this wasn't quite appropriate, but Mrs. Bennett just smiled.

"It's just a formality. There's no need to take it so seriously."

With that, she slipped the wedding cash gift meant for me into Nicola's hands.

Laughter filled the private room.

Some of Julian's relatives and friends had already started calling Nicola "Mrs. Bennett".

Standing at the doorway, I felt a sudden sting behind my eyes.

Just then, Julian pulled Nicola into a hug. When he looked up and saw me, his expression shifted slightly.

Nicola immediately put on a panicked expression and held out the cash gift.

"Amber, please don't misunderstand. I was just filling in for you to keep things going. I never intended to take your place."

She claimed she was returning it, but her movements were painfully slow.

As expected, Julian spoke before anyone else could. "The moment you arrive, you start sulking. Do you have to make things so awkward for Nicola?"

I looked at him, my throat tightening. "As if my sulking would make any difference. From the bridal pickup ritual until now, when have you ever cared about how I feel?"

His brows knitted together. "Can't you read the room? There are so many elders here today, so don't bring your emotions into this."

I walked into the room without taking the money. Instead, I removed the last bridal brooch pinned to my chest and gently placed it on the table.

The sound was faint, yet the entire room fell silent.

Julian stared at what I had done, his voice turning cold. "Amber, what is the meaning of this?"

I looked at him. "It doesn't mean anything. If someone else can take my place, then it doesn't really matter whether I'm here or not."

He pushed me toward the door. "Go wait outside for now. Once Nicola finishes the ceremony, I'll take you—the real bride—home."

I looked at him and suddenly found myself with nothing left to say. Thus, I simply turned and walked away.