Chapter 1

"Alright, we'll make the changes right away. Would you like us to notify Mr. Foster ahead of time?" the wedding planner asked after some hesitation.

I calmly looked at the screen. "No."

The call ended, and my computer screen went dark.

I glanced around the house that Julian Foster and I were supposed to move into next month after the wedding.

It was a three-story villa exuding elegance in every detail.

Yet the crystal chandelier in the living room was there because Madison Hart thought it looked more sophisticated.

The silk bedding in the master bedroom was one that Madison insisted felt better against the skin. Even the diffuser in the foyer carried her favorite bluebell scent.

I felt like a guest who had wandered into someone else's home.

I headed to the bathroom to wash my face.

A used Tom Ford lipstick sat prominently on the marble countertop. It was Madison's signature vintage red.

Beside it lay a delicate pearly earring.

I stared at the lipstick. I knew exactly whose it was.

Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Julian.

"Olivia, the wedding planner said you've contacted them several times today."

"It's nothing—just a few minor details. Everything's taken care of," I replied.

Several minutes passed before he responded with a single word. "Okay."

Then, he sent a picture.

Madison was in a champagne-colored couture gown, turning before a mirror.

"Maddie's trying on bridesmaid dresses. The zipper got stuck, so I'm helping her," read the message. "The boutique has some nice options. She's having trouble deciding. Do you want to come by and help her choose?"

I stared at the screen, my hands growing cold.

Just last week, I went wedding dress shopping alone. The dress' tight straps made it hard for me to breathe in the changing room, so I called Julian for help.

"Get one of the employees to help you. Maddie's car broke down, and I need to go pick her up," he replied, his voice drowned in noise.

I stood there alone in a mermaid gown Madison had picked out—one that didn't even fit me properly—while the sales associates looked at me with sympathy.

Yet, Julian was currently adjusting the hem of his childhood friend's bridesmaid dress. He even wanted me there as the audience.

I called him.

"Have you arrived?" he asked.

"No."

My voice was steady. "We should end this. The wedding—"

Before I could finish, Madison's voice floated through the line. "Julian, come look at this one! Isn't it gorgeous? Stop talking on the phone and help me decide."

There was an immediate change in Julian's usually flat tone. "It looks great. Then again, anything you wear always looks good, Maddie."

Then, as if suddenly remembering I was still there, he added, "What were you saying about the wedding? Once something's decided, stop trying to change it."

"It's nothing. Enjoy your time with Madison."

The corner of my mouth twitched. I didn't even have the energy to be disappointed anymore.

"Sure. Maddie's the bridesmaid. Her dress will reflect on the Foster family. I need to make sure it looks right. Don't overthink it.

"Oh, right," he quipped, seeming to realize his tone had been a little harsh. "I ordered a ruby necklace for Maddie earlier. The store included a diamond pendant as a complimentary gift. I wasn't going to take it, but Maddie said it would suit you. I'll bring it home later."

"Olivia!" Madison's voice cut in clearly once again. "Julian's just not very good at this sort of thing. Don't mind him. The pendant was just a gift, and it isn't anything special. You usually dress pretty simply, though, so I thought it'd suit you.

"We can wear them together on the wedding day. Consider it a small gift from me to both of you."

She wanted everyone at the wedding to know who the Foster family's true favorite was by having me wear a pendant that made it clear.

Ever since Madison came back from Vandalia, things had been like this.

Whenever Julian went on business trips, he'd bring her limited-edition handbags worth thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, he'd casually pick up a discounted bottle of perfume for me from the airport duty-free store.

He eventually started repeatedly postponing our wedding just to get the limited-edition items she wanted.

Whenever I confronted him about it, he always sounded completely justified. "Maddie's used to the best things since she was little. You don't usually dress up anyway. It's fine if you make do. Besides, the wedding delays were unexpected. I definitely won't postpone it next time."

"Don't treat Olivia like that. I still have some of the things you gave me years ago. Maybe I should pass them on to Olivia," Madison would always say with a grin.

"How generous of you two, Ms. Hart and Mr. Foster."

My voice was light as I ended the call.

Once disappointment reached a certain point, there was simply nothing left to say.

Back in the bedroom, I opened the closet.

More than half of it was filled with designer clothes that Julian had bought so that I would look presentable at social events. I hadn't even taken the tags off.

I pulled out my old suitcase and started packing a few changes of clothes and my laptop.

My phone lit up again. It was a message from the magazine's editor-in-chief.

"Olivia, your transfer to our Luten office has been approved. Are you sure you're leaving tomorrow? Isn't it your wedding tomorrow?"

With the scent of bluebells filling the house and the memory of Madison's lipstick on the bathroom counter fresh in my mind, I replied, "Yes, I am.

"The bride has changed."