Chapter 4

Cecilia’s senior, Randy Henderson, suddenly appeared.

“Cecilia, if you lose this baby, you probably won’t be able to have children in the future. Have you thought about that?” he asked gently.

She blinked away her tears and nodded. “I’ve made my decision, Randy.”

This baby had been the most precious gift she had prepared for Marcus for their seventh wedding anniversary.

But he didn’t want it. From the very beginning, he had been trying to stop it.

She wasn’t going to give him what he didn't want.

Cold medical instruments pierced her body, sending sharp pain shooting through her abdomen.

And just like that, the last connection between her and Marcus was cut.

She never expected that when she woke up after the surgery, the first message she would see would be from an unfamiliar number—forwarding the location of a bridal boutique.

Still weak and aching, she forced herself into a car and headed there.

As soon as she arrived, she saw Marcus and Lucy standing outside.

Marcus was holding Lucy in his arms, looking helpless.

“Lucy, you’re my wife. I can’t give you a proper wedding, but at least I want you to wear a wedding dress once.”

“Marcus, I’m worried I’ll just be a burden. This must cost a lot too.”

Marcus gently tapped Lucy’s nose, smiling at her with obvious affection.

“You silly girl. I may not be able to give you an official title, but I’ll do my best to make sure you’re happy.”

Sitting in the car, Cecilia listened to Marcus sweet-talk Lucy, her chest tightening with pain.

Wife?

Lucy was his wife.

Then what was she?

He wanted Lucy to be happy.

But what about her?

Watching him whisper tender words to Lucy felt like reliving her own past with him over and over again.

At that moment, Cecilia finally realized something.

She didn’t regret losing the baby.

Because Marcus didn’t deserve to be the father of her child.

When they got married, they had chosen their wedding dress right here at this shop.

Luxury cars had lined both sides of the street.

Their friends stepped out of the cars.

She overheard their conversation.

“Marcus is planning a surprise for his wife tonight. There’s going to be a small ceremony at the shop.”

“Isn’t he worried Cecilia might find out?”

“They say she’s infertile. Marcus even told everyone their marriage license isn’t real.”

“Keep your voice down. Cecilia is still precious to him. This whole thing is just to make Lucy feel special. Besides, she’s the one carrying his child.”

Cecilia’s blood ran cold.

So everyone she had grown up with already knew Marcus had betrayed her.

She had opened this bridal boutique herself back in college, simply out of boredom. Every gown in the store had been designed by her.

Only the shop manager knew she was the owner.

After everyone went inside, she quietly slipped in through the back door.

She hid in a dark corner on the third floor and watched Marcus, dressed in a white suit, and Lucy, wearing a pure white wedding gown.

That gown had been inspired by their very first fight.

Back then, Marcus had been furious when Lucas Paterson brought her a birthday gift.

In the university classroom, he had pinned her against the blackboard and kissed her fiercely.

That had been their first kiss.

Later that night, with the bittersweet memory of that first kiss still lingering, she designed a wedding dress.

She named it ‘First Love’.

Now Marcus and Lucy stood together on the stage.

All the friends she had grown up with were gathered below, clapping, cheering, and offering their congratulations.

“Marcus, your bride looks beautiful.”

“Congratulations, Marcus. Time to exchange rings.”

She watched as Marcus took out a ring box.

He opened it.

From where she stood, Cecilia could see clearly.

The rings inside were identical to the wedding bands she and Marcus wore.

Marcus’s ring was still the same classic men’s band.

And Lucy’s matched Cecilia’s exactly.

Even the rings had become a set of three.

Suddenly, the lights snapped on with a loud click.

Every stage light went dark—

Except for a single spotlight shining directly down on her from above.