Chapter 2

"Please! Whether I read it today or tomorrow, I'm still marrying you. What's with you today? Are you so thrilled about marrying me that you've lost your mind?" Caleb asked.

I was genuinely happy because I finally had the chance to see him alive again.

I smiled and said, "I think you're the best man in the world. Whoever marries you will be very happy."

"Cut it out and get going!" Caleb let out a cold snort and turned away, walking off without giving me another glance.

I got into the car to head home. As we passed a busy street, I heard people chatting on the sidewalk.

"I heard the art museum has a 'Starry Night Wishes' event tonight. Couples can buy a pair of tickets, write their wish, and hang a love lock on the wishing wall. They say if you lock it there, you'll never be separated for the rest of your lives!"

My fingers tightened around the hem of my dress as memories from my previous life flooded back.

Back then, I had waved a flyer in front of Caleb and begged him to go with me.

He had crumpled it into a ball, tossed it into the trash, coldly laughed, and said, "That is incredibly childish! Why not write your wish on a balloon and send it up so aliens can read it too?"

Those cutting words still seemed to echo in my ears. I turned my face toward the window and quietly rolled it up.

"Do you want to go?" Caleb asked suddenly, his fingers idly tapping the steering wheel. "I can take you tonight. I've never really had the time to go with you when you visit your parents' graves. Consider it my way of making it up to you."

I looked up at him, caught off guard. It surprised me, yet somehow it felt exactly like him.

Caleb had always been this way. His tongue was sharp, but his heart was softer than anyone else's. He never loved me, but he still dragged me back from death three times.

The first time he saved my life was on a trip. I had slipped while taking photos at the edge of a cliff and went over the side. He lunged after me and caught my arm, but ended up with a broken arm himself.

The second time, a car lost control and forced me into a dead corner against a wall. Caleb rushed out of nowhere and tackled me to the ground, taking the full hit and spending a day in the ICU.

The third time, a mugger pulled a knife on me by the side of the road. Caleb stepped in front of me and took the knife, and he died right in front of my eyes.

Caleb really was a good man. He just didn't love me.

I knew that after that day, whatever fate we once shared would come to an end. Yet when he asked me that question, I still couldn't stop myself from smiling and nodding. "Sure. Let's go together."

While we waited at a red light, his phone lit up with Layla's name.

He listened for a few seconds, and his brows drew together. "Layla's blood sugar has dropped again. I need to check on her. Grab a cab home first, and I'll meet you at the art museum tonight."

"Okay," I softly replied.

He glanced at me, a little surprised. "You used to hate it when I went to see Layla. Since when are you so calm about it?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but he cut me off with a cold laugh.

"Right. We're about to get married. From your point of view, she's not a threat anymore."

With that, he got out of the car and walked away, never noticing the flicker of disappointment and bitter amusement in my gaze.

The truth was, I had never tried to stop him from caring about Layla.

Once, by accident, I discovered that she was involved with some people in the business world. I looked into it and confirmed that it was true, so I did everything I could to persuade Caleb to keep his distance from her.

He never knew any of that. After Layla passed, he lived in pain for 12 long years.

If I had to choose, I would rather watch him be with Layla than see him wreck himself with grief and die young because of me.

I went to get my passport done, then headed over to the Vale residence.

When I arrived, I saw that Caleb's mother, Helena, had cooked for us. The dining table was covered with all my favorite dishes.

"Mrs. Vale, you should take it easy. You need to look after your health," I said.

Helena looked at me, her smile bright and loving. "You're always so thoughtful. Come on. Show me the wedding invitation. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. I can't believe you're finally about to get married!"