Rosalyn’s POV

The air was heavy with anticipation as I stood before the altar, the weight of my wedding gown bearing down on me. I tried to smile, but my lips trembled under the strain of keeping up appearances. The soft glow of the chandeliers illuminated the grand hall, adorned with cascading flowers and shimmering drapes. My eyes scanned the entryway, the wide double doors where I had imagined Niklaus McDonald would appear. Each passing second felt like a lifetime, and yet he was nowhere to be seen.

I shifted my gaze to the front row where his mother, Mrs. McDonald, and his sister, Cherry, sat. Their faces betrayed a flicker of surprise, but they looked unbothered, their expressions cool and detached. My heart sank further as I turned to the officiating priest, who leaned closer and whispered, “Rosalyn, have you heard from Niklaus?”

My throat tightened, but I forced a small nod. “He’s on his way,” I lied, the words bitter on my tongue.

The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, each hushed voice a dagger to my chest. I clenched my bouquet tighter, trying to ignore the humiliation creeping over me. This day, this moment, was supposed to be the culmination of seven long years of waiting. I had dreamed of it for three years, every detail etched into my heart. Now, it felt like a cruel joke.

My phone buzzed in my hand, jolting me. Relief flickered in my chest as I quickly glanced at the screen, hoping it was Niklaus explaining his delay. Instead, his message popped up:

[I’m with Melanie. She’s down. The wedding is postponed.]

The words blurred before my eyes. What? My wedding was postponed... for Melanie? My knees wobbled as the realization hit me. He was doing it again—choosing her over me.

Before I could process the betrayal, Hayden, Niklaus’ closest friend, appeared. His hurried steps echoed down the aisle as he approached me, his face pale. “Rosalyn,” he began hesitantly, “I just reached Niklaus. He said…” Hayden paused, glancing at me with pity. “…he said the wedding is canceled.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Mrs. McDonald and Cherry hurried over, their voices low but audible.

“Did Niklaus give any reason?” Mrs. McDonald asked Hayden sharply.

Hayden hesitated before replying, “He said he’s tending to Melanie.”

Cherry shrugged, her indifference stinging. “Well, that’s not a bad reason.”

Mrs. McDonald nodded, giving me a cursory look of pity. “Sorry about this, Rosalyn,” she said flatly, as if she were consoling someone who had misplaced a wallet, not been humiliated in front of a roomful of people.

Cherry patted my shoulder with a breezy smile. “I’m sure you understand. You know how Melanie is.”

My heart shattered at their nonchalance. Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them back. Mrs. McDonald turned to the guests, her voice carrying over the murmurs. “Ladies and gentlemen, the wedding is canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

The guests grumbled as they rose, their disapproval cutting through me. One by one, they filed out, leaving me standing there, alone.

“Just go home and rest, dear,” Mrs. McDonald added, her voice dismissive as she left with Cherry.

The silence in the hall was deafening. My legs gave out, and I sank to my knees before the altar. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks, smearing the makeup I had carefully applied hours ago. My hands trembled as I clutched my bouquet, the petals now a cruel mockery of the love I thought I had.

For six months, I had poured every ounce of myself into planning this day. Every detail had been perfect, every moment envisioned. And now, it was all reduced to ash because of her. Melanie.

She had been a thorn in my side since she returned to California two years ago. Niklaus always ran to her, her every whim and fabricated crisis pulling him further away from me. She manipulated him so effortlessly, leaving just enough holes in her stories for me to see through, though Niklaus never did.

Why couldn’t I be enough for him?

I sat there for what felt like an eternity, my sobs echoing in the empty hall. Finally, I forced myself to stand, my legs shaky as I gathered what little composure I had left. The journey back to his house, where I had been living, felt like a blur.

Once inside his room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, my eyes falling on the photo of Niklaus hanging on the wall. His smiling face stared back at me, the man I had given everything to.

“Why, Niklaus?” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Why did you have to bring me so much shame and pain today?”

Frustration boiled over, and I shrieked, yanking the bed sheets off in a fit of rage. I collapsed onto the bare mattress, tears streaming freely. My phone buzzed again. Wiping my eyes, I checked it—a notification from Instagram.

Melanie had posted something to her story. My hands shook as I opened it.

There she was, smiling smugly from a bed, her hair tousled just enough to appear effortless. Before her was Niklaus, holding a plate of pancakes and wiping a smear of mayonnaise from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.

The caption read: {Again, my darling saved me.}

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, raw and jagged. It sounded foreign, even to me.

The hours dragged by, but Niklaus never called. Not once. Each minute without a word from him was another dagger in my heart. Finally, I grabbed my phone and dialed his number. It rang and rang, but he didn’t answer.

I glanced at the ring on my finger, the one I had worn for five years since he proposed. Back then, I believed in his promises, understood his excuses about work, his responsibilities as the head of his family’s billion-dollar empire.

But since Melanie’s return, everything had changed. He was always available for her, her every whim taking precedence over us. Two years ago, we could have married, but Melanie had manipulated him into postponing it.

I opened Instagram again, staring at her story. The image of them together burned into my mind. This was too much. My tears fell, one landing on my phone screen.

No more.

I wiped my face, took a deep breath, and pulled up Niklaus’ contact. My fingers flew across the screen, typing out the message with shaking hands:

[You’ve really proven it’s always going to be Melanie. Go for her then. Goodbye.]

I hovered over the send button, my heart pounding as I braced for the finality of what I was about to do.

Niklaus’ POV

I practically flew out of Melanie's house and into my car, my mind a whirlwind of frustration and determination. I needed to see Rosalyn. I had to explain everything to her. My foot pressed harder on the gas pedal as I weaved through traffic, ignoring the blaring horns and angry glares. The only thought anchoring me was her face—her understanding smile. She had to understand. She always did.

But the moment I stepped into my family's house, my phone vibrated. My heart sank when I saw her name flash on the screen. Rosalyn. A message. Quickly, I opened it.

[You’ve really proven it’s always going to be Melanie. Go for her then. Goodbye.]

What the heck is she talking about? My hands shook as I read it over and over again. This had to be a mistake. I hit the call button, praying she'd pick up, but the line rang endlessly. No answer.

"Rosalyn, pick up, please," I muttered under my breath, but my pleas went unanswered. My frustration boiled over, and I stormed into the living room.

Hayden stood there, his face taut with controlled anger. My family sat around him, their expressions varying from concern to disappointment.

“Why, Niklaus? Did you have to hurt Rosalyn like this, especially today?” Hayden’s voice was sharp, bordering on a yell.

“It wasn’t my intention!” I snapped back. “It was Melanie—she needed help!”

Cherry stepped forward, her eyes soft with concern. “Is she alright?”

“She almost…” I hesitated, running a hand through my hair. “She almost committed suicide out of depression. Thank God I came quickly after seeing her message.”

“Oh my. Is she doing fine now?” my mother asked, her voice trembling with worry.

“Yes,” I replied, exhaling deeply. “I calmed her down and stayed until her father arrived.”

“That’s good,” she murmured.

“Wow, you did great,” Hayden said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he clapped slowly. “Now, what about Rosalyn? Will you be able to ease her pain like you did Melanie’s?”

“Hayden!”

He ignored my warning tone, cutting me off with more venom. “Tell me, Niklaus. Do you think Rosalyn deserves to be sidelined like this? Do you think she feels any less hurt just because your intentions were good?”

“I’m sure she’ll understand!” I barked, my patience fraying. “Rosalyn’s not inconsiderate—”

“Then why isn’t she answering your calls?” Hayden’s words were like a slap to the face.

My fingers moved instinctively, dialing her number again. The room fell silent as the ringing echoed, unanswered. My jaw clenched. “What’s her problem?” I muttered under my breath.

“Her problem is you,” Hayden shot back. “You always put Melanie first. And now, maybe she’s realized she’s had enough.”

“Hayden, stop it!” My mother’s voice rose, sharp and commanding. “You have no right to lecture my son!”

“I’m just letting him know he’s wrong, Mrs. McDonald,” Hayden replied, his tone defiant.

“You won’t tell my son what to do. You’re just a nobody, Hayden.”

I glanced at my mother in displeasure. Her disdain for Hayden had always been evident. To her, his family status didn’t match ours, and that was unforgivable. But I didn’t have the energy to care about her biases right now. All I could think about was Rosalyn.

I had done the right thing. I had helped Melanie. Rosalyn should be proud of me, not angry. Melanie had saved my father’s life once, and I owed it to her late mother to always be there for her.

Seeing my agitation, Cherry touched my arm. “Don’t mind Rosalyn,” she said gently. “She can be a bit upsetting at times.”

Hayden scoffed. “You’d be more upset if this happened to you.” He turned back to me, his gaze piercing. “I’m disappointed in you, Niklaus. Maybe Rosalyn has decided to leave you. Maybe that’s why you can’t reach her.”

His words were a dagger to my chest. What if he was right? What if she’d left me?

“No!” I yelled, the thought unbearable. “She can’t leave me!”

Ignoring my mother’s calls, I dashed out of the house, jumped into my car, and sped toward mine. The tires screeched as I pulled into the driveway, my heart pounding.

“Rosalyn!” I called as I stepped inside, my voice echoing slightly in the silence. No response.

I checked the living room. Empty. The kitchen. Empty. The guest room. Still no sign of her. My pulse quickened as I bounded up the stairs, taking two at a time, and burst into my bedroom.

“Rosalyn?” I called again, but the silence was deafening.

My eyes scanned the room, and something on the coffee table caught my attention. Slowly, I approached it, my breath hitching when I realized what it was—the engagement ring I had given her five years ago.

I grabbed it, my chest tightening. “No,” I whispered, clutching it tightly.

I rushed to her room, but something felt off the moment I stepped in. Her scent lingered, faint but present. “Rosalyn?” I called, my voice cracking. I checked the bathroom. Empty.

Then my eyes landed on the closet. Dread pooled in my stomach as I walked to it and flung the doors open. Empty. Her clothes were gone.

“No,” I whispered, my voice trembling. Panic set in as I bolted out of the house and ran to the security post.

“Where is she?” I demanded, my tone sharp.

“Sir?” The man looked startled.

“Rosalyn! Where did she go?”

“She left about an hour ago,” he replied hesitantly.

I glared at him, anger boiling over. “And you just let her go? Did she tell you where she was going?”

“No, sir,” he stammered.

His words were a punch to the gut. She was gone. My mind raced as I climbed back into my car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. I tried tracking her phone, but it was turned off.

“Damn it!” I shouted, slamming my fist against the dashboard.

I groaned in frustration, the weight of my actions crashing down on me. She couldn’t leave me. She wouldn’t leave me.

Grabbing my phone, I dialed Jeff, my personal detective. The line barely rang before he answered.

“Hello, sir…”

"I want you to find Rosalyn ASAP. She left and I'm unable to reach her.”

"But…"

“Find her,” I ordered, my voice low and menacing. “I don’t care what it takes. Find her!”

Rosalyn's POV

Sliding the key into the lock, I hesitated for a brief moment before pushing the door open. My apartment, untouched for a year since I moved into Niklaus' house, greeted me with an unsettling familiarity. The furniture stood where I had left it—dusty and lifeless. The faint scent of lavender from the potpourri I once adored lingered, though now dulled by time.

I dropped my box just by the door and flipped the light switch. The soft glow illuminated the space, casting shadows that felt more like ghosts of my former self. Setting my bag on the couch, I began rearranging the disarray. Pillows were fluffed, the coffee table wiped clean with a cloth I found tucked in a drawer, and my box unpacked halfway. I was busying myself with these mundane tasks when the sound of the door creaking open startled me.

“Rosalyn?”

I turned toward the doorway, forcing a weak smile as I saw who it was. “Hi, Abby,” I said, waving at my best friend.

“Rosalyn!” she exclaimed, rushing toward me and pulling me into a tight hug. Her excitement was palpable, her arms wrapping around me like a lifeline.

“When did you return to the city?” I asked, surprised. Abby had been living in the UK for a year, and I hadn’t expected to see her so soon.

“I landed a couple of hours ago,” she explained, pulling back to look at me. “I was unpacking in my apartment when I heard your door opening. I thought it might be an invader.”

“An invader? No, just me.” I forced a chuckle that felt foreign even to myself.

Her smile wavered, guilt flickering in her eyes. “Today was your wedding. I was supposed to attend, but I couldn’t. When I arrived, I heard the wedding was canceled. I tried calling you, but…”

I held up my phone and shook it slightly. “Switched it off.”

Abby frowned, her concern deepening. “What happened? Why did Niklaus cancel the wedding?”

“It’s nothing,” I lied, pausing to steady my voice as emotion threatened to crack it. “Just…things.”

She tilted her head, her gaze unwavering. “Rumors are flying that it’s because of a woman he adores. Is it true?”

I nodded stiffly, unable to meet her eyes. She gasped softly, pulling me into another embrace. “Rosalyn,” she murmured, her voice heavy with empathy. I held back my tears, biting my lip to keep my composure.

“I’m fine, Abby. Don’t worry,” I lied again, my voice barely above a whisper.

She pulled back, her face twisting in anger. “How dare he? After everything?”

I shrugged helplessly. “Please, just let me rest now.”

Reluctantly, Abby nodded. She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “I’ll leave you for now, but we’re not done talking about this. You don’t deserve any of it.” With one last glance, she left the apartment, closing the door softly behind her.

Alone once more, I switched on my phone, hesitating only to turn off my location services. I didn’t want Niklaus to find me. Not now.

A message pinged almost immediately.

“Rosalyn, please, where are you?”

I stared at the text, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. After a moment, I typed back: “I’m somewhere you shouldn’t know.”

Before I could set the phone down, it buzzed in my hand, his name flashing on the screen. The call kept ringing, relentless, until I gave in and answered.

“Rosalyn,” Niklaus breathed, his relief evident. “Thank God. Why did you leave the house?”

“I figured I’ve got no reason to be there,” I replied coldly.

“What do you mean? You’re my soon-to-be wife—”

“Spare me that,” I snapped, cutting him off. “You don’t care about me one bit, Niklaus. That’s why you left me at the altar and ran off to Melanie!”

“No, Rosalyn,” he protested, his voice rising with urgency. “She collapsed. I couldn’t just leave her there. I had to take her to the hospital.”

I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh even to my ears. “When will you realize, Niklaus? She pulls these stunts at the perfect moment to set us apart.”

“Come on,” he groaned. “Don’t start this again. Melanie isn’t a deceiver.”

“Really? Just for one day, you couldn’t prioritize me? She wouldn’t have died if you stayed!”

His tone turned sharp. “Why are you being so inconsiderate? That’s not like you.”

“Is it?” I shot back, anger boiling over.

“Rosalyn,” he began, his voice softening. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to hurt you. I—”

“You always run to her when she needs you,” I interrupted, my voice trembling. “But don’t pretend you love me. Your actions show otherwise.”

“No,” he argued. “I’m indebted to Melanie. She saved my father’s life two years ago. If it weren’t for her—”

“Yes, Niklaus, your father is alive. But this isn’t about her. Stop hiding behind your excuses. The truth is, you love her.”

“That’s not fair,” he said quietly. “What are you implying?”

“Tell me,” I demanded, my voice breaking. “Can you look me in the eye and say there’s nothing romantic between you and Melanie, the woman you used to crush on in high school?”

His silence was deafening.

“I thought you’d understand, Rosalyn,” he said finally, his voice laced with disappointment. “But I was wrong.”

“And I thought you’d never break me like this,” I whispered, my heart shattering. “But I was wrong.”

“Rosalyn…” he began, but I didn’t let him finish.

With trembling fingers, I hung up. I'm done with his excuses.