บททั้งหมดของ After I Fled Our Wedding, the Don Begged for One Look: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Early the next morning, Adrian showed up at our house with his bodyguards and several bags of breakfast.My father couldn't stop telling Adrian how thoughtful he was.My mother immediately knocked on my door."Adrian was up dealing with Vitale family business in the middle of the night, and he still managed to get here early. And you're still in bed?"I got dressed and glanced at the closed door across the hall. "Vivian isn't up either."My mother scoffed. "You think you can compare yourself to her? Vivian shoots late at night and works out during the day. Of course she needs her sleep."When I was a teenager, what I dreaded most was hearing people compare me to my sister.Later, I realized that in my parents' eyes, I wasn't even worth comparing to her.Once the food was laid out, Vivian finally came out in her nightgown and sat down next to Adrian like it was the most natural thing in the world.I pulled out the chair across from them, same as always.Adrian handed my sister a glass o

Adrian barely hesitated before he went to her.He nodded at Sophie. "Would you take a few pictures of us? It's her first time in a wedding dress. I'm sure she'll want something to remember it by."My sister tipped her head back and smiled at him. "You always get me."The photo slowly developed. The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder, smiling easily at the camera.Like they were the ones getting married.My sister waved me over."Ivy, come get in it too. It's not every day we both look this pretty."We?But it had always been the two of them together, with me on the outside.Tears welled up, and I blinked hard. "I still have to try on the other dresses. You two go ahead."In the fitting room, Sophie went to get the other three dresses for me to try."Don't bother."There's not going to be a wedding. What's the point?She asked in a panic,"Is something wrong? Mr. Vitale made it very clear the bride had to be happy with everything."So to Adrian, I was only ever "the bride." Neve

He stood in the emptied-out room, and his phone slipped from his hand and hit the floor."How dare she actually leave?" My mother had followed him in, and her face soured at the sight of the empty closet. "All the major families in New York are there. How are we supposed to show our faces after this?"My father's face was cold. "Cancel her credit card. Don't bother looking for her. She's timid and she's got no real skills. That little bit of money from her drawings won't last her more than a few days. Once it runs out, she'll come crawling back to apologize."Adrian didn't say anything.He'd been hearing them talk like this since he was a kid. He'd even thought it was normal.My sister always deserved the best of everything. I was sensible, ordinary, and never fought for anything, so it was fine to overlook me.Vivian stood in the doorway, watching him for a long time. Then she spoke up. "I've wanted to tell you something for a while. I have regrets too."Adrian, that day when I st

I'd been living in Costa Rica for over a month.During the day, I went into the forest with the conservation center's field survey team to sketch the animals and document rainforest life. At night, I went back to the guesthouse to sort through my material. Slowly, my new picture book began to take shape. The bougainvillea in the courtyard was in full bloom, and for the first time, I realized how full a life that didn't revolve around anyone else could be.Julian Walker was a field program specialist at the nonprofit conservation center.He'd come from the States to work there, handling wildlife monitoring, habitat patrols, and public education. He was my guide during my stay.He knew I didn't like sweets, so whenever he passed the bakery in town, he'd pick up a sea salt bagel for me. He'd remind me to bring bug spray before we went into the forest, but he never made decisions for me.His care was never too much or too little. It put me at ease.The night the conservation center's

Adrian still wouldn't give up.He rented the place next door to the guesthouse and tried to learn how to court me.He stopped using our engagement to make demands, and he stopped saying I was just throwing a fit.He left things in New York to Lucas and the Vitale family's advisor for now. Every few weeks he flew back to deal with business, and as soon as it was handled, he flew right back down.He learned my habits.He came along on my sketching trips and lined up sponsors for the conservation center's charity projects. When we cleared trails or hauled supplies, he took off his suit jacket and worked alongside the volunteers.But the more he did, the more clearly he saw that I favored Julian.When the three of us ate together, I'd naturally pass Julian the dishes he liked.When there was only one window seat left in the car, I'd ask Julian first if he wanted it.When I brought back souvenirs from a sketching trip, everyone else got an ordinary postcard. Julian got a wooden bookmark I