Chapter 4

"I'll be there."

I gave a cold laugh and hung up the phone.

Of course I'd go.

But not to bless them.

Robbie, usually so stingy, had suddenly turned generous for Lucy. That very night, he transferred eight thousand into my account.

Every time I looked at the dress, it reminded me of him. I could never wear it again. Selling it to him felt less like betrayal of my effort, and more like cleansing.

On the day of the wedding, I dressed up and arrived at their ceremony.

The venue, the cars, the banquet—all of it had once been our shared plans, carefully debated and pieced together. The only difference was the invitation: the bride's name had been changed.

My efforts, my devotion, and my dreams had been handed over to another bride.

The moment he saw me, Robbie's face lit up in delighted surprise.

"Ruby, I knew you'd come! I'll remember your kindness for the rest of my life."

He reached for my hand, eyes shining with emotion.

I yanked mine free in an instant.

"Holding another woman's hand on your wedding day is really improper. Aren't you afraid your wife might notice? Go on. Don't let me keep you."

With a mocking laugh, I turned and found an empty seat in a corner.

Every gaze in the hall was fixed on the newlyweds. Not a soul spared me a glance.

The ceremony began quickly.

I had spent days fortifying myself, convincing my heart I was unshakable. Yet when I saw the man I'd loved for eight years smiling radiantly at another woman as they walked down the aisle together, basking in blessings meant for us, the sting in my chest was unbearable. My nose burned, and tears threatened.

The emcee handed the microphone to Lucy. "Our beautiful bride, would you like to say a few words?"

Blushing, radiant, unrecognizable from the frail, despairing woman I'd once known, she accepted it.

"Everyone can see this ring, right?"

Her eyes flickered—deliberately, unmistakably—in my direction.

"I've always dreamed of becoming Robbie's wife. This ring was something I designed and perfected over the years. Now, I finally get to wear it as I stand beside him."

My body jolted, my eyes locked on her.

What? How dare she?

That ring was mine. I had spent years sketching, redrafting, choosing the stone, and overseeing the jeweler through every painstaking step. And now, she claimed it was her "design"?

"Magnificent! I noticed the ring right away. It's unlike anything I've seen."

"Lucy is so talented! I'll have her design my daughter's wedding ring someday."

Their praise buzzed in my ears like needles.

The emcee, smiling, handed the microphone to Robbie.

"And what about our groom. Did you know?"

His gaze flickered nervously toward me.

The moment his eyes met mine, burning with fury, he looked away. He nodded with a forced smile.

"Of course I knew. It's all a testament to Lucy's love for me."

Applause thundered through the hall. Cheers rose up.

"What a perfect match!"

"Come on, kiss! Kiss!"

Blushing, Lucy gazed up at him with wide eyes. Robbie returned the look.

And under the weight of every gaze in that room, I stood. My eight-centimeter heels struck the floor like a drumbeat as I walked to the stage, head held high.

The emcee froze, baffled, as if to ask—was this planned?

I didn't give him the chance. I snatched the microphone from his hand.

Anger ignited every last ember of grief inside me.

I drew in a sharp breath and spoke, my voice ringing clear, "I'm Robbie's ex-girlfriend. And today, I've come to offer the bride and groom my most heartfelt blessing. So please, everyone, listen up."