On the eve of my wedding, the drug effects of the sleeping pills have faded away. That's how I find myself waking up amid the rambunctious laughter in the master suite of the estate.

As soon as I open my eyes, I see my luxurious custom-fitted wedding gown being shredded into pieces by Trevor Gibson's female best friend, Sophia Lynch.

She toys with the scissors as she jokes around in front of her phone, where a livestream is ongoing.

"Helena is no lady of the house! At the end of the day, I can still manipulate her as though she were a maggot!"

Trevor's friends agree with her loudly.

"Trevor was the one who laced her milk with sleeping pills, to begin with. Anyone else would've slept like a log!"

The comment section is filled with mocking comments directed at me. Meanwhile, Trevor just pats Sophia on the head dotingly.

"You must be done venting your anger by now, right? Be a good girl and turn off the livestream. If Helena wakes up and kicks up a fuss, it'll be difficult for tomorrow's wedding to proceed."

Once everyone leaves the master suite, Trevor sits by the bed and tucks me in.

"Sophia mustn't get triggered at all due to her depression. I'll only deal with you later. Anyway, I've already arranged for a plane to fly in a new wedding gown for you as we speak. Honestly speaking, that gown fits you even more."

I can only grip the covers quietly. Then, I fire a text at Jordan Scott.

"I'm not going to get married now. Are you still sticking to that promise you gave me back then?"

"Stop sulking. I promise no one will ever take your place as Mrs. Gibson."

Trevor Gibson's deep voice echoed throughout the bedroom. He gently patted my shoulder through the blanket to calm me down.

I kept my eyes closed and steadied my breathing. I didn't let even the slightest tremor slip through.

His footsteps gradually faded.

Then, the bedroom door clicked shut, and the room fell into dead silence.

I opened my eyes. My gaze drifted past the edge of the bed and landed on the shredded fabric scattered across the floor.

That had been the couture gown for which I had flown to Seine to finalize every detail over the course of two years. It embodied every fantasy I'd ever had about our ten-year relationship.

Now, it lay in pieces across the carpet.

I threw back the covers and got out of bed. My bare feet hit the cold floor.

On the nightstand sat a glass. A thin layer of milk still clung to the bottom.

Two hours ago, Trevor had handed me that glass and watched me drink.

"You've been exhausting yourself with the wedding planning lately, Helena. Drink some warm milk and get some sleep. You'll be a beautiful bride tomorrow."

His voice had been tender then, but now, the bitter aftertaste left in the glass felt painfully ironic.

I didn't cry. My eyes didn't even redden. I just felt sick to my stomach.

The pills were from a doctor he personally found to help with my insomnia before the wedding.

Instead, he used my defenseless, drugged sleep as an excuse to indulge his childhood friend's latest breakdown.

Despite knowing that Sophia Lynch hated me, he still let her walk into our bedroom and destroy my wedding gown.

I crouched down and gathered the torn strips of fabric together.

Without a moment's hesitation, I shoved them into the trash can in the corner.

After that, I picked up my phone from the nightstand and opened my contacts.

I scrolled all the way down before stopping on a black avatar I had blocked three years ago.

I left just one word as a note: Scott.

Three years ago, Trevor worked himself into the ICU with a stomach hemorrhage after pulling endless all-nighters to prepare for our engagement party.

I'd cried outside his hospital room for hours.

That was also the day I blocked Jordan Scott, the man who had always loved me and was willing to leave his status for me.

Back then, I thought that if Trevor could risk his life for me, how could I ever betray him?

Now it all felt like a ridiculous joke.

I stared at the black profile picture for a long time.

Suddenly, laughter drifted in from outside the door.

"Trevor, you were so mean just now. You actually yelled at me over her." Sophia's teasing voice slipped through the crack in the door.

"That's enough, Sophia," Trevor replied. "I'll let you get away with acting out over a dress, but don't push Helena too far. She's the only one who'll be my wife."

"And what if I caused more trouble tomorrow?"

"I told you that she's the woman I'm marrying. Pull something like this again, and even you won't get a pass."

"Hmph. I just hate how perfect and proper she acts. Besides, she stole you from me," Sophia huffed.

A cold smile curled at my lips. Trevor's greed had been laid bare.

He was so certain I would marry him that he felt free to trample all over my dignity just to satisfy Sophia's selfish demands.

I opened the blocklist and removed that black profile picture from it.

His last message from three years ago was still in the chat. "Helena Steele, if you ever change your mind, I'll be here."

I flipped my phone face down on the table.

Then I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the water pour over my head.

I washed away the lingering scent of Trevor's cologne from my skin.

Tomorrow was the wedding. Since Trevor wanted to have it both ways so badly, I'd make sure he got exactly what he wanted.

After my shower, I changed into clean pajamas.

I sat down at the vanity and calmly applied skincare products to my face.

My reflection in the mirror looked pale, but my eyes were clear.

The bedroom door opened again. Trevor walked in carrying a glass of warm water.

When he saw me sitting at the vanity, he visibly froze. His eyes instinctively flicked toward the corner where the wedding dress had been.

It was empty. Only a scrap of lace peeked out from the trash can.

Trevor quickly walked over and set the glass down beside me. "Helena, you're awake."

"Yeah. I was thirsty," I said, lifting the glass before taking a small sip.

Trevor wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind and rested his chin against the hollow of my neck.

"Why aren't you sleeping more? Did I wake you when I came in?"

The concern in his voice sounded so natural. It was as if the sleeping pills and last night's absurd livestream had never happened.

"No, I slept great." I looked at his reflection in the mirror. My voice was completely flat.

Trevor seemed to relax. He brushed a kiss against my cheek.

"I've already had another dress flown in from Seine on a private jet. It's the gown you kept looking at before.

"Just be my bride tomorrow, okay? Don't stay mad at me because of her."

"Alright," I said calmly as I set the glass down.

Relief flashed across Trevor's face. He gently ruffled my hair.

"I knew you'd understand. The doctor said Sophia's mental state has been really unstable lately. She could hurt herself at any time. As her future sister-in-law, just be patient with her."

He praised me for being understanding, as if it were only natural.

It was as if the wedding dress I'd poured my heart into meant nothing at all.

"Let's go rehearse at the venue," I said, standing up and stepping away from his touch.

Trevor assumed I was just cranky from waking up and didn't think much of it.

He walked to the closet and pulled out a backup dress before handing it to me. "You'll look beautiful in this, too, Mrs. Gibson."

I took the dress and changed right in front of him.

There was no real design to it. It was plain, almost dull. But none of that mattered anymore.

The moment we stepped out of the room, the sunlight from the island hit my eyes hard.

Outside the reception hall was a massive swimming pool. Trevor's friends had already arrived and were standing together, smoking.

When they saw the backup dress, several of them exchanged looks.

"That's a classy look, Helena. It's much better than that lacey dress."

The mockery in their voices was obvious. Trevor frowned slightly and shot them a look. "Shut up. One more word and I'll send you all back home."

They fell silent, but the amusement in their eyes remained.

Just then, the sound of heels clicked across the ground. Sophia walked over in a red dress.

With a glass of champagne in hand, she smiled brightly at Trevor.

"Trevor, don't I look pretty today?"

"You look fine," he answered casually.

Then, Sophia turned toward me.

That was when I noticed the antique tiara resting in her curled hair.

It was an heirloom passed down from my grandmother.

I'd imagined wearing it at my wedding countless times. It was the closest thing I had to having my mom there to watch me get married.

For safety reasons, I'd locked it in the bedroom's safe. Only Trevor and I knew the password.

I clenched my fists.

I stared at the tiara and snapped, "Who told you you could touch that?"

Sophia adjusted the crooked tiara on her head.

"Calm down. I just wanted to try it on for a bit."

"Take it off," I commanded, stepping forward.

Sophia immediately backed up. "Trevor, look how scary she is. I was only borrowing it. It's not like I was going to break it."

Trevor frowned and moved in front of her protectively before looking at me.

"Helena, enough," he said. "It's just a tiara. She'll return it tomorrow exactly as it was. You know she can't handle emotional stress."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"I'll say it one more time. Take it off and give it back."

I wasn't hysterical. I stated it calmly.

Sophia hid behind him. A smirk played on her lips.

She suddenly let go of Trevor and stepped backward until she stood right at the edge of the pool.

"Fine, I'll give it back. Just stop pressuring me. Life's pointless anyway."

As she spoke, she started tugging wildly at the tiara on her head. Her movements were rough and careless.

"Sophia, stop!" Trevor's expression changed instantly as he reached for her.

Sophia's foot slipped. "Ah!"

With a scream, she fell backward into the deep end of the pool. The tiara went down with her as water splashed upward.

"Sophia!"

Trevor's face darkened. Without even taking off his suit jacket, he dove straight into the water.

His friends immediately started shouting.

"Helena, what's wrong with you? If something happens to Sophia, that's on you!"

I stood at the edge of the pool and watched Trevor struggle to hold Sophia above the water.

I watched as my mom's heirloom flashed faintly beneath the surface before disappearing into the drain below.

A sharp pain twisted through my chest. I could barely breathe.

Trevor carried Sophia back onto the deck. Someone immediately handed him a towel.

He took the towel, left the shaking Sophia behind, and walked over to me.

His face was dark as he wrapped the towel around my shoulders to shield them from the ocean breeze.

Disappointment filled his eyes as he stared at my pale expression.

"Have you always been this ruthless?" he began. "Did someone have to die for a piece of jewelry?"

I looked into his eyes and laughed incredulously as I felt the warmth of the towel around my shoulders.

"If you keep acting like this, I may have to reconsider tomorrow's wedding," he said coldly.

Trevor turned and picked up the still-sniffling Sophia, then strode back toward the hotel.

They left everyone behind to stare and whisper about me.

I ignored every single look and pulled the towel tighter around my shoulders.

Then, right in front of everyone, I took off the towel, still warm with his touch, and tossed it into the trash just like I did to the shredded wedding dress last night.

I turned and walked back to my room, locking the door behind me.

I picked up my phone and opened the black profile picture labeled Jordan. "Jordan, does what you said three years ago still stand?"

Less than three seconds after I sent the message, the typing indicator appeared at the top of the screen.

"It does. Anytime."

I sighed and sent him the hotel's location. "Come pick me up tomorrow at 10:00 am."

I set my phone down.

Since Trevor loved using my boundaries to indulge his precious childhood friend, I'd like to see how he managed when those limits vanished entirely.

I skipped the bachelorette party that night.

A little later, my phone screen lit up.

Someone had sent me a screenshot of Sophia's social media post.

The photo showed her lying on a hotel suite bed wearing a man's dress shirt. She was playing with a dark navy tie.

It was one of Trevor's favorites. I'd picked it out for his birthday last year.

The caption read: "Some people are just phases in his life. I'm the one he'll end up with in the end."

Trevor's expensive Patek Philippe watch was clearly visible in the corner of the photo.

I saved the screenshot and blocked the sender.

At 11:00 pm. that night, someone knocked on my door.

I opened it to find Trevor standing at the threshold, reeking of alcohol. His collar hung open slightly, and the navy tie was indeed gone.

"Helena, you're still awake?"

He walked into the room and shut the door behind him before dropping onto the couch. He rubbed his temples. "We need to make a small change to tomorrow's ceremony."

"How small?" I asked coldly.

Trevor looked up. His eyes flickered for a second before turning firm again.

"Let Sophia walk down the aisle tomorrow."

The room went silent for several seconds.

I stared at him. It felt like looking at a stranger. "What did you just say?"

He took a deep breath and walked over to me.

His hand settled against the back of my neck, and he slowly stroked it.

"Her depression is getting worse. She's holding broken glass and refusing to let anyone near her, Helena. This is serious," he explained. "It's only a few minutes on the aisle. She won't be part of the vow. You'll still be Mrs. Gibson."

He wanted to strip me of my place as the bride walking down the aisle and let his mistress take it instead.

He even wanted me to sit below the stage in a bridesmaid dress while they exchanged vows.

The audacity.

The affectionate expression on his face made my stomach churn. I slapped his hand away. "You really think I'd agree to that?"

Trevor's expression darkened. His grip on the back of my neck tightened.

"I said it's just part of the ceremony. We spent six months planning this wedding. What exactly are you making such a fuss about?

"Do you seriously need to compete with a sick person over something this meaningless? Are you really going to ignore someone's life over a title?"

I stared at him. All the rage building in my chest suddenly disappeared.

Then, I smiled. Brightly.

"Okay. I'll do it."

Trevor froze.

He stepped forward and pulled me into his arms, resting his chin against the top of my head.

"You've been so understanding," he murmured. "After tomorrow, I promise everything will go back to normal."

I took a step back and avoided his embrace.

"As long as you stay below downstage and watch quietly, I'll take you on our honeymoon the second the ceremony's over."