Chapter 1

“Norbert’s surgery was unsuccessful. His body’s already been cremated.”

On the day of our wedding, I told Sherry Jennings the news of her ex’s death and observed her reaction.

Sherry only replied with a level, “Alright,” and continued going through the plans for the wedding. It was as if I had not just informed her of the death of her first love, but rather that of an unimportant stranger.

“Mason, stop thinking about such things. Our wedding’s about to start.”

I looked at Sherry and could not help but ask, “Do you really not care, Sherry?”

Sherry finally looked up. Her clear gaze showed that she was completely unaffected.

She walked to my side and gave me a soft peck on the lips.

“All of that’s in the past, Mason. We’re going to be married soon. You’re the one I love. Go welcome the guests. I’m going to change into my wedding gown.”

As Sherry spoke, she lovingly helped me straighten my tie. She acted like we had already been married for decades.

But I grabbed her by the hand.

There was a familiar cologne about her. It was the same scent that Norbert Graham used to favor.

Sherry must have realized the same thing.

In an instant, we both fell into silence in synchrony.

After a beat, I spoke up, bringing up some records of expenses on my phone. “We’ve known each other for a decade, Sherry. I won’t fall for your tricks.

“You booked two flights for three this afternoon. You’re going to leave me at the altar, aren’t you?”

Sherry did not respond, only looking at me quietly. There was no hint of panic in her eyes. It was as if even this had been within her expectations.

After a moment, she slowly nodded.

“Who is it?”

My voice shook violently. I sounded like I was going to break down in the blink of an eye.

Sherry’s gaze flitted to the window. Her tone was dry, as though she were simply commenting on the weather. “Norbert. Or, more accurately, his clone.

“You yourself should be aware of how young he was. He’s still got a lot of things he wants from life. As his first love, this is something I must do for him.”

Sherry turned back to look at me, something complicated in her gaze.

I laughed self-deprecatingly as I felt my heart twist.

“So you’re planning to ditch me and not even say goodbye? You want me to face everyone alone? You want me to tell them that you’ve dumped me?”

Sherry shook her head. She took the sparkling diamond ring off her ring finger and put it in my palm. I held onto it tightly.

“I’m not dumping you, Mason. I never will. Give me three weeks. In three weeks, I’ll come back and marry you, alright?”

Sherry’s voice held a thread of pleading.

I looked at her, the woman I had loved with great devotion for ten years, and let out a bitter laugh.

Sherry had always thought very highly of herself and had never lost a fight to anyone.

Yet, she was going against her own principles for the clone of a dead man. It was absurd.