Chapter 1

The person on the other end of the line was taken aback for a moment.

“Miss Spencer, are you sure? Do you need us to inform Mr. Reed?”

“No need, I’m sure,” I replied calmly, then hung up.

As I turned around, I texted Tyler, using a sudden business trip as an excuse. Only three days later did I return to our so-called home.

When I pushed the door open, my eyes immediately landed on the entryway. My gray slippers had been kicked into a dark corner, replaced by a pair of pink rabbit slippers set side by side with Tyler’s black ones in close proximity.

In just three short days, the minimalist living room had been overhauled. The dark hardwood floors were replaced with light natural wood, and the cool-toned sofa was piled high with lace floral throw pillows. Even the balcony’s greenery had been swapped out for sunflowers—Summer’s favorite.

Everything in sight had been modified according to Summer’s tastes.

As I walked toward the master bedroom, a sharp scent of cheap fragrance hit my nose. On the vanity, a rare, out-of-production perfume I had specifically asked someone to bid on overseas had been swept into the bin, and glass was shattered all over the floor.

Taking its place across the counter were Summer’s various bottles and jars. There was even a sheer silk nightgown belonging to Summer draped right over the nightstand.

“Lea, what are you standing there for?”

Tyler walked in carrying a plate of cherries, his brow slightly furrowed.

“Summer thought that perfume smelled way too strong and made her dizzy, so I tossed it out,” he said matter-of-factly, showing zero remorse. “Everyone’s going to hang out here often in the future, so we have to be mindful of her sensitivities.”

Looking at the shattered perfume bottle in the bin, I took a deep breath. “Tyler, this is our home–”

“Oh, right,” Tyler interrupted, looking a little impatient. “The wedding planning agency called me this morning, but I was in a meeting and missed it. Is there some issue with the wedding schedule on your end?”

I looked at him and was just about to tell him that the wedding was canceled when Summer cut in, “Oh, Tyler, did my necklace arrive?”

She came running in barefoot and naturally linked her arm through Tyler’s.

Tyler immediately set down the fruit plate and retrieved a velvet box from behind his back.

“Of course. It’s a million-dollar antique piece I had someone bid on from overseas. Take a look and see if you like it.”

Summer wrapped her arms around Tyler’s neck excitedly. “You’re the best, Tyler!”

Tyler patted her back and then turned to look at me. “Summer said she wants to be your bridesmaid, and she needs a proper piece of jewelry to look the part. So I bought it for her. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Summer touched the antique necklace around her neck, her eyes brimming with pride. “Lea, please don’t take this the wrong way. This is all to make your wedding look spectacular.”

At that, Tyler chimed in softly, “You don’t like flashy things anyway, so giving this necklace to you would be a waste!”

I looked down at the discounted plain band ring on my wrist that Tyler had bought me. Back then, he had said that we were practical people, and fancy, useless things were unnecessary.

As it turned out, he was practical and stubborn because I wasn’t worth his effort. He was a germaphobe, yet he allowed Summer’s silk nightgown to lie on his bedside and permitted her to walk barefoot in our bedroom.

Watching the two of them laughing together, I suddenly found it absurd, and I didn’t want to say a word.

Tyler stared blankly at my overly calm face. In the past, whenever Summer overstepped her boundary even just a little, I would’ve given him the silent treatment for days.

He frowned and casually comforted me, “Alright, drop the long face. I heard the mall just put out a discounted necklace line. I’ll have someone pick one up and bring it to you later.”

“It’s fine.” I smirked and said flatly, “I don’t need it anymore.”

With that, I walked out of the master bedroom. As I approached the living room, my phone vibrated with a confirmation text from the wedding planning agency.

[Miss Spencer, as requested, the bride’s name on all wedding materials has been changed to Summer Cooper. Please remember to settle the final balance.]

I replied and immediately transferred the remaining payment over. After that, I walked into the guest bedroom, opened my laptop, and clicked submit on the application for a transfer to the headquarters in Suisse—a request I had spent half a month preparing.

In less than a minute, my boss called.

He sounded surprised. “Lea, I’ve approved your transfer to the headquarters in Suisse. But you’ll be gone for three years. Have you discussed this with your fiancé? Aren’t you getting married next month?”

I spoke calmly into the phone, “There’s nothing to discuss. The wedding is canceled.”