Chapter 2

I lifted the hem of my wedding dress, turned around, and walked away.

The dead silence behind me lasted for only two seconds before Julian shouted, “Haley! What kind of madness is this? Stop right there!”

I didn’t even look back.

The guests on both sides of the aisle had varying expressions. Some were shocked, some were sympathetic, and some were holding up their phones to record the scene.

By the time I reached the main entrance, my parents had followed me out. Mom’s eyes were completely red. Holding my hand, she was shaking with anger.

“Haley, what… what was that?”

Dad’s face was dark with anger, but he looked at me and wrapped an arm around Mom’s shoulders.

“Our daughter did the right thing,” Dad said in a deep, grounded voice. “If this wedding were to continue, our family’s reputation would be dragged through the mud.”

I looked at my parents, feeling a sharp pang in my heart.

“Mom, Dad, you two should head home first.”

For the sake of this wedding, they had spent six months busy with preparations. They pulled strings to book the best venue, hired the best event planner, and rented dozens of charter buses to ferry relatives over from out of town. In the end, all of it turned into such a farce.

Inside the hall, the ceremony was still going on. Julian was holding Wendy’s hand as they continued with the ceremony. His relatives sat awkwardly on edge, unable to decide whether to leave or stay.

Julian probably thought that, just like the countless times in the past, I would sigh and let the whole matter slide. After all, we had been dating for three years, and we had even gotten legally married last month.

Unfortunately for him, he had miscalculated one thing: this time, I would not forgive him anymore.

After seeing my parents to their car, I walked back to the bridal suite in the venue alone. The room was a complete mess.

The suit Julian had taken off hung on the rack—one I had accompanied him to get custom-tailored in the city. On the vanity sat watches, rings, and diamond necklaces, all of which were Mom’s wedding gifts to me. Julian’s family hadn’t spent a single dime.

I walked over to the corner and pulled out the duffel bag I had brought with me this morning. Just as I was packing up, the door to the room was slammed open, and Julian strode in.

Seeing that I had changed out of my wedding dress, he froze for a moment. Then, he flew into a rage.

“Haley! Just when are you going to stop making a scene? The guests are all waiting for you!”

He slammed the door shut behind him and continued, “Do you have any idea the looks people were giving me earlier? My own family was pointing fingers behind my back!”

I zipped up my duffel bag and ignored him.

“I’m talking to you! Did you hear me?” He rushed over and grabbed my arm. “Wendy almost jumped off a building earlier. Did you know that? She suffers from severe depression! If I hadn’t agreed to finish the ceremony with her today, a life would’ve been lost! Is a human life worth less than your pitiful pride?”

I turned my head and looked him in the eye. “Did she jump?”

Julian choked on his words. “W-What kind of nonsense are you saying?”

“I’m asking you, did she jump?” I looked at him, my tone flat.

Julian’s face turned a shade paler, but he remained stubborn. “She simply wanted to experience what it feels like to get married. She’ll never get married in her entire life!”

I chuckled and slung the duffel bag over my shoulder.

“Fine. Well, now she’s experienced it. And you can go to the city hall and get legally married to her so that she can experience that, too.”