Chapter 3

The next morning, Quinn came to see me on her own. She carried a thick stack of wedding planning documents, offering a half-hearted apology.

“Eve, about the wedding dress and the ring… I didn’t expect it to cause you so much trouble. I was just being cheeky. To make it up to you, I’ll take over the wedding planning.”

Before I could respond, Lewis chuckled. “Quinn is trained in wedding design overseas and has won multiple awards for it. She’s more capable than most professional planners. Having her handle it will save you a lot of trouble.”

I flipped through the proposal once and then nodded. “Alright.”

Quinn was so excited that she immediately brought in her team that same day to begin adjusting the wedding details. The white roses I had originally chosen were replaced with champagne roses. The piano piece I had selected was swapped out for a violin composition Quinn preferred.

“Eve, don’t you think champagne roses look more elegant? They’re much better than white. And violin music is so much more romantic for a wedding,” she added.

Lewis nodded in agreement. “You sure do have better taste, Quinn. The atmosphere does feel improved.”

I watched as everything I had planned was gradually replaced. Even the dessert table, the wedding favors, and the banquet layout were all rearranged according to Quinn’s preferences.

With every change, Lewis would patiently reassure me. “It’s just small details. On the wedding day, you’ll still be the person standing next to me. There’s no need to get upset over this.”

I stayed silent. Over the past three days, I had quietly moved my belongings out piece by piece. The servants assumed I was simply making space for married life; no one knew I was actually moving out. By the third day, almost everything was gone. Only a single suitcase remained in the east suite, containing my documents and essential items.

Downstairs, the living room was always lively. Quinn and Lewis spent their days going over design drafts together, discussing the guest list, ceremony flow, and venue setup. From a distance, they looked more like the couple preparing to get married.

“Should we adjust the backdrop again?”

“Alright.”

“Shall we change the lighting to warmer tones?”

“Your call.”

“Then maybe we should make the main stage a little bigger?”

“Sure.”

Lewis agreed to everything she suggested, his gaze brimming with affection. Meanwhile, I stood quietly in the corner, watching them interact. I was neither angry nor confrontational.

The day before the wedding, I received a message from Switz that my grandfather had arranged everything. A flight would depart the next morning.

At ten that night, Lewis called me.

“Eve, I need to discuss something with you.” His voice sounded slightly uneasy. “Quinn has spent so much time designing the wedding. Everyone feels she deserves the credit. Tomorrow, before the ceremony starts, I want her to walk with me from the main house to the entrance of the chapel as a form of appreciation.”

I tightened my grip on the phone but said nothing. That path from the main house to the chapel entrance was originally meant for the bride. Now, he wanted Quinn to walk it instead.

When I didn’t respond, Lewis softened his tone. “Don’t overthink it. It’s just a short walk. When the ceremony begins, you’ll still be the bride.”

I stayed silent for a moment longer before I answered quietly. “Alright.”

Lewis let out a sigh of relief. “I knew you’d understand.”

I didn’t respond. I simply ended the call.

At four in the morning, while the entire estate was still asleep, I walked out of the room with my final suitcase.

The hallway was empty. Downstairs, the wedding decorations had been set up. Flowers, lights, and a red carpet—everything was beautiful. It was a shame that it was no longer my wedding. I took one last look at the estate I had lived in for years before walking away.

Outside, the sky had just begun to lighten. No one saw me off or stopped me. As the black car drove out through the gates, the morning mist slowly parted behind it. Inside the estate, everyone was still unaware that the grand wedding they had spent so long preparing for had lost its bride.