Chapter 3

Ashton thought I was giving him the silent treatment and left me alone for two days.

However, when he finally noticed how unusually quiet I had become, he even came home for dinner for once. Acting casual, he said, "By the way, for the wedding, I checked a few hotel options. They look pretty grand."

I kept eating without responding.

Ashton looked awkward and cleared his throat. "I mean, holding it here in Stroana is actually easier, right?"

I put down my cutlery. "What are you trying to say?"

He froze, a little embarrassed. "Nothing. Just chatting."

The air turned stiff. Suddenly, I asked, "Ashton, do you remember the gear list we made for Glaciera? Time really flies. We'll be needing it soon."

His gaze flickered, then he forced a smile. "Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden? Laura, those places are too far. It'll be too much for your body. Why don't we just do it at a top hotel in the city? Easy, and still impressive."

Ashton quickly pulled out his phone. "Look at the plan Mariah made. A star-lit ceiling, walls of fresh flowers—"

I glanced at it. That overly flashy, extravagant style had nothing to do with what I liked.

I cut him off. "Fine. You decide. I'm fine with anything."

Ashton froze. He was clearly not used to me agreeing so easily. Then, he quickly became cheerful. "Finally, you've come around!"

He was visibly happier after that. He even offered to go wedding dress shopping with me.

At the bridal boutique, I had just stepped out in a strapless gown when the curtain was suddenly pulled open.

Mariah rushed in, holding a tablet, excitedly leaning toward Ashton. "Ashton, the redesigned main gown is here! Laura will love it!"

She picked up an overly dramatic jeweled crown. "Look at this, Laura! Ashton and I picked it instantly. It really suits your noble vibe."

Ashton didn't even find it odd. "Mariah has really good taste."

Mariah then pulled out a gemstone necklace and handed it to him. "Ashton, go ahead and put it on Laura. You picked this one yourself!"

He took it and awkwardly tried to fasten it around my neck.

I had actually seen that exact necklace on Mariah's Instagram just last week. She had been wearing it herself.

The consultant hesitated. "That piece is meant for deep V-neck gowns. The strapless one Mrs. Fraser chose might not—"

"Change it," Ashton said flatly. "Just do as Mariah says."

The consultant looked at me, unsure. Only then did he remember to ask, "Do you like it?"

"No need."

All three of them froze.

I looked at Ashton and said calmly, "I'm allergic to that kind of alloy. Don't you remember? Two years ago, on my birthday, you gave me something similar. I wore it for three days, and my neck broke out in a rash. You were the one who noticed and took me to the hospital."

I turned my gaze to Mariah. Her face went pale.

"Looks like you didn't tell her."

Ashton stood there holding the necklace, frozen. His expression darkened.

Mariah's eyes turned red instantly as she grabbed his sleeve. "Ashton, I didn't mean to…"

Ashton immediately pulled her behind him. Then, he snapped at me. "Can you stop being so passive-aggressive? Mariah's been running around, doing everything for you! It's just a necklace. If you don't like it, just forget it. Why say such a mood-killing thing? Can't you be a little more understanding?"

I watched him protect another woman so instinctively and found it almost ridiculous.

"Ashton, you have a lot of demands for me whenever you want me to be understanding."

That hit a nerve. He shoved my hand away. "Yes! I'm sick of this attitude of yours!"

Mariah wrapped her arm around his, leaning in softly. "Ashton, don't…"

He let out a cold laugh, then raised his voice. "Stay out of this! I've had enough! It's because you're always nitpicking, getting paranoid, and making a big deal out of nothing that your heart has become this fragile.

"Now you're struggling for breath every other minute. Who else is there to blame but yourself? You always have an excuse! Isn't it just because I owe you half of your life?"

The boutique fell completely silent. The consultant quickly looked away and pretended to be busy.

My heart sank.

So in Ashton's eyes, the life I had risked everything to give him was just a weapon I used to guilt him.

And I had actually been pathetic enough to still believe he would remember that world-tour wedding-trip promise.

I looked at his face, which was twisted in anger, and suddenly remembered when I first got my heart transplant.

He used to wake up at night, always reaching out to check if I was still breathing.

His hands shook back then. His eyes were full of fear.

It turned out that fear and resentment had always been separated by the thinnest line.

I didn't say another word. I just looked at them quietly, then turned and walked away.