Three months later, my injuries were completely healed.Arnold and I had our wedding on a private beach at Tenver Island.We didn't invite a huge crowd—just our closest family and friends.I wore the wedding dress Arnold had designed himself. Barefoot, I stepped onto the soft sand, walking toward him one step at a time.He was standing under an arch covered in flowers, dressed in a white suit, smiling brighter than the sun.The ocean breeze lifted my veil, and my lips curved into a smile I couldn't hide.Right then, I felt like the happiest bride in the world.The priest asked, "Cynthia Palmer, do you take Arnold Greenwood to be your husband?" But someone's voice cut through the moment. "I object to this marriage!"It was rough, hoarse, and broken.Everyone turned to look.It was Bailey.He stumbled toward us in a wrinkled suit, his face unshaven, reeking of alcohol.He looked thinner, older—nothing like the confident man he used to be.Those proud, dismissive eyes I kne
Bailey wasn't giving up.After my parents slammed the door in his face, he jumped in his car and drove to our villa—the one meant to be our future home.When he pushed the door open, the place was empty. Everything of mine was gone.In the walk-in closet, all the clothes, shoes, and bags I'd carefully picked out had vanished.On the wall where our giant wedding photo used to hang, there was nothing but a single bare nail.He searched every corner of the villa, but there wasn't even a trace that I'd ever been there.It was like I'd never stepped foot inside at all.He sank onto the cold floor, the weight in his chest like an invisible hand squeezing his heart until he could barely breathe.And that was when it hit him.I wasn't throwing a tantrum. I was gone for real.I had completely vanished from his life.While he sat there, I was lying back in the sunroom at a wellness retreat, sipping afternoon tea.Arnold sat across from me, tablet in hand, working on something for his
On the wedding day, Anderweld's most expensive seven-star hotel was completely booked out by the Knights.The place looked like something out of a dream—glittering lights, flowers everywhere, dripping with money. Guests filled the hall, and reporters swarmed the entrance so tightly that you couldn't squeeze through.Everyone knew today was the day Bailey, heir to Knight Corporation, and Cynthia, the proud daughter of the Palmers, were tying the knot.It was a power-couple marriage, the kind of business alliance people couldn't stop talking about.But from the moment guests started arriving, the bride couldn't be found.Even when the wedding was about to start, there was still no sign of me.Bailey stood at the end of the red carpet in a custom-tailored suit, looking sharp but with a tightness in his jaw.In his mind, I had to show up.I'd loved him for ten years, and I'd do anything for him. He was confident I wouldn't just walk away from the wedding I'd been dreaming about.H
Once I'd gotten myself together, I called home. My mother picked up."Cynthia? Why'd you take so long to call? How's the wedding prep going?"I took a deep breath, trying to make my voice sound normal. "Mom… I'm not marrying him."I was met with silence on the other end for a few seconds. Then her voice came back, sharp with worry. "What happened? Did Bailey do something to you?"I couldn't hold it in anymore. My throat tightened. "Yeah… That's why I'm not marrying him.""It's okay, sweet girl. If he hurt you, then we're not going through with this marriage! I'm gonna teach him a lesson!" My father's voice boomed through the phone.My eyes stung again. "No, it's fine. I can handle it myself."They had always been like this—always on my side, no matter what, letting me be as stubborn as I wanted."Mom, Dad, I'm sorry for making you worry," I said softly, sniffling.Before I could say more, my mother cut in. "You don't need to apologize to us. As long as you're okay, that's all
I spent the night at Arnold's place, and the next morning, I woke up to my phone buzzing like crazy.There were dozens of missed calls, all from Bailey.His texts had blown up my screen.[Cynthia, when did you start hooking up with another man?[No wonder you've been acting all fragile lately. Guess it was just to get some other guy to fall for you.[Get back here right now! Don't make me come after you!]I scrolled through them without a single change in my expression. My fingers felt cold.Then I saw a message from Lucy. It was a photo.She was lying on Bailey's chest while he slept, his skin covered with marks that told the whole story.She looked straight into the camera, smug, as if she'd just won some kind of twisted game.Below the photo was a line of text. [I know you two haven't done it in a while. He's been with me this whole time, and he can't seem to get enough of me.]I stared at it for a few seconds before letting out a short laugh. My chest ached, but mostly
Arnold walked toward me, the light behind him making him look taller, stronger."Arnold? Wh-what are you talking about? Your fiancée?" Bailey's voice shook.Arnold didn't even look at him. He came straight to me, took off his suit jacket, and carefully wrapped it around me, making sure not to touch my injured arm.Then he pulled me behind him, as if I was his, and nobody was going to get near me.Bailey finally seemed to understand what was happening. His face turned dark as he pointed at Arnold. "Are you out of your mind? She's mine!"Arnold gave a short, cold laugh. His eyes were sharp, icy."Not anymore."Before the words could settle in the air, his fist connected hard with Bailey's jaw.Thud!Bailey stumbled, blood already at the corner of his mouth.Lucy screamed and pressed herself against the wall."How dare you!" Bailey spat, clutching his face like he couldn't believe it."I don't mind doing it again." Arnold rolled his wrist, his eyes deadly.That seemed to snap