Chapter 1

Just before heading out, I had just dragged my luggage over and was preparing to get in the car when I was blocked by Harrison Tucker.

"Lola, get a cab. I need to take Mandy to pick up her parents."

"Mandy has never been abroad, and it's her parents' first time going to Meridianna. We can't just let them try to figure it out on their own."

Harrison's expression was completely natural, as if he were speaking of a matter that couldn't be more ordinary. Yet, I felt it was absolutely absurd.

Mandy Shaw was a customs clerk working in the same office as Harrison.

For the past month, I had frequently heard her name from Harrison's mouth. But because I was busy every day arranging the wedding matters, I knew nothing about their relationship.

With things having reached this point, I forced myself to stay patient and said, "Our flight is almost due. There isn't time to pick others up..."

Harrison's eyes flickered, and he suddenly said to me, "There's something I forgot to tell you. I've refunded your and your parents' first-class flight tickets and swapped them over to Mandy's family."

"What did you say?"

I couldn't believe my own ears.

"There were only three seats left in first class," Harrison explained patiently.

"Mandy's parents are old, and it's their first time taking an international flight, so I wanted them to sit a bit more comfortably. As for you guys..."

He fished three ship tickets out of his pocket and handed them to me.

"I've already booked a ship. Although it's a bit slower, you can appreciate the ocean view all along the way. Haven't you always said that the most beautiful thing about Meridianna is the sea? This way you can experience it up close."

I lowered my head to look at the ship tickets, my heart sinking.

Taking a ship from domestic waters to Meridianna took several days with multiple transfers, and our wedding was the day after tomorrow.

I lifted my head to look at him.

"Harrison, my parents are also old. You have the heart to let them suffer through the rough seas? Furthermore, all the wedding guests are arriving tomorrow. The hotel, venue, and schedule are all set. If we take a ship over, what happens to the wedding?"

The smile on Harrison's face faded.

"What I booked is the most luxurious cruise ship. So how could it be bumping around? It's just a bit later. What's wrong with changing the wedding time?

"Besides, it's rare for Mandy's family to go out on a trip. Can't you be considerate?"

Mandy, who had been by the side the entire time, had eyes rimmed with red and opened her mouth with extreme caution.

"Lola, I'm sorry...

"Mr. Tucker insisted that we deserve to enjoy ourselves, since I haven't been abroad and need to see the world, and that my mom and dad have worked hard their whole lives... If it affects you guys, I won't go."

Harrison furrowed his brows and protected her behind his back.

"Mandy, what are you apologizing for? This was my decision in the first place."

My mind went blank.

I was the one who had to choose the island, book hotels, contact the photography team, and invite guests. Even arranging private yachts, wedding planning, and scheduling for both sets of parents was arranged entirely by me.

From beginning to end, he had only said a single sentence.

"It's fine as long as you decide."

His salary wasn't high, being a customs declaration clerk making only a few thousand dollars a month. In order to look after his pride, I had never brought up money.

Meanwhile, I was a capo of the Narshe mafia family, independently responsible for a pier, with a monthly income of over one hundred thousand dollars.

I frequently used my connections to help introduce him to import-export enterprises, making his work much smoother.

Gradually, he convinced himself that his professional competence led to the validation of so many companies.

However, to look after his pitiful pride, I had never told him the truth.

I thought that with his elevated status, our relationship would be better, but looking at it now, it had only fueled thoughts he shouldn't have.

Heidi, Harrison's mom, walked over and scolded me with a face full of displeasure.

"Lola, isn't it just swapping a seat? Is it worth being this calculating?"

Harrison's father, Daniel, also kept a stern face.

"Exactly. Mandy's parents haven't seen the world. What's wrong with letting them sit in first class to experience it?

"Besides, Harrison's work is so good now, he will certainly have boundless prospects in the future. As his fiancée, you should support his decisions even more."

A trace of pride flashed across Daniel's face. In their minds, Harrison was highly capable, but they didn't know that his achievements were entirely because of me.

Harrison looked at the time and said impatiently to me, "Lola, the ship tickets have already been bought. Let's not waste them. If you truly care about our wedding, don't throw a temper over this bit of small matter."

He took over Mandy's suitcase and personally opened the car door for her. The family talked and laughed as they got into the car.

It was only right before driving off that his face softened.

"Honey, stop making a scene. When we arrive at Meridianna, I will arrange for people to go to the port to pick you guys up."

Finishing his words, he stepped on the gas pedal, and the car disappeared from my line of sight.

The last shred of expectation in my heart was extinguished thoroughly as well.

I silently pulled out my phone and dialed the wedding planning team's number.

"The wedding is canceled. I'm not getting married."