Chapter 1 The Bride Left Behind

"Babe, Grace is in labor. It's serious. I have to go. Please, just listen." Vincent slipped his phone into his pocket and turned away without hesitation.

I grabbed his arm, my voice trembling. "But this is our wedding. Everyone's watching."

His brows drew together, his face full of disappointment. One by one, he pried my fingers off his sleeve. "Fiona, do you have no empathy at all? Grace needs me right now. We'll cancel the wedding. I'll make it up to you another day."

Tears spilled down my cheeks, smudging the makeup I had spent five hours perfecting that morning. But I still couldn't let go.

The guests sat in stunned silence below the stage. Just a few minutes ago, Vincent had kissed me in front of them all.

Then Grace called, and it was as if he became someone else. He had to leave.

It had always been Grace. For years, her name had been like a needle wedged between us, impossible to pull out.

I had swallowed my resentment over and over again, but today was my wedding day.

"Vincent," I whispered, forcing my shaking voice to steady, "every other time, I stayed quiet when you chose her. But today happens once in a lifetime. Back in college, when you confessed to me, you said you'd treat me well forever. Just for today, please stay. Will you?"

He hesitated, his tone softening a little. "Babe, I'll never forget what the Ashford family did for me all these years, or the vows I made to you. But Grace and I grew up together. She's done so much for me. Without her, I wouldn't be who I am today. She's in danger. I can't just ignore that."

My stomach twisted in knots.

Grace and Vincent had clawed their way out of a poor countryside town together to study in the city.

I knew she held a special place in his heart, but she was married now, and I was his bride.

A sharp ache spread through my chest as I choked out the words, "She has a husband, Vincent. The best doctors, the best care. She doesn't need you, but I do."

He looked at me once, his eyes cold and resolute. Then, he turned, opened the car door, and got in. The roar of the engine tore through me like a blade.

I stumbled outside, shouting at the car as it backed out of the parking space. "Vincent! If you drive away now, we'll never be husband and wife!"

The headlights flared once, but he never looked back.

The cold wind whipped my veil and lifted the edge of my gown, carrying away the last trace of hope.

He was gone. Just like all the times before, whenever Grace needed him, he always left me behind.

I remembered the time he nearly died protecting her during a robbery. After Grace's husband took her home, she never came to see him again.

I gave up a promotion to stay by his side in the hospital. I made him soup, changed his bandages, and checked his temperature through sleepless nights. The burn marks from those days still scarred my hands.

When he finally woke, he pulled me close and cried. He said his life belonged to me now, that he could disappoint anyone but never me. And yet, because of one phone call from Grace, he left me behind on our wedding day.