On the day I was supposed to try on wedding dresses with my boyfriend of seven years, I rushed to the bridal shop filled with excitement.

But I accidentally overheard a conversation between my boyfriend and his friend.

"You got married to Melody at the courthouse yesterday, and today you're bringing Summer to try on wedding dresses. Aren't you afraid Summer will find out and make a scene?"

He looked helpless and said in a hoarse voice, "My brother died in a car accident. Melody is pregnant with his child. If I don't step up and marry her, how will they survive as a widow and orphan?"

"I'll spend my whole life making it up to Summer. Keep your mouth shut. She can never find out about this."

I turned around and made an appointment for an abortion at the hospital.

If he couldn't give me and the baby a complete family, then we might as well not have one at all.

——————

Their conversation was like piercing ice in winter, instantly extinguishing all the joy I felt after receiving my pregnancy test results.

This morning, I went to the hospital early to get the test report. I had planned to come to the bridal shop to tell him the good news in person, but I never expected him to hit me with such a bombshell first.

If he had already gotten a marriage certificate with someone else, why was he still planning to have a wedding with me?

Before I could find an answer to this question, the bridal designer in the store approached me, "Miss Shaw, the wedding dress Mr. Langdon specially customized for you has arrived. You can try it on now."

Hearing this, I was momentarily stunned.

Dashiell cared about this wedding more than anyone. The wedding ring and dress were all personally designed and supervised by him based on my preferences.

On the inside of the ring, there were even words engraved: "Two hearts as one, love without doubt."

I felt bad that he had to deal with wedding preparations on top of his work, so I suggested hiring a designer to take care of everything. But he shook his head and refused, saying, "Designing it myself better represents my feelings. I want you to think of me whenever you see these things in the future."

When people around us learned about this, they all praised him, saying he would surely become an excellent husband in the future, and that I was lucky to have met him.Little did I know, his love for me would become so ironic.

I composed myself and walked towards the dressing room where the wedding gown was, only to see a familiar figure.

Melody heard the attendant giving me directions and turned to me with a smile, "Summer, you're finally here. Come quick, your wedding dress is so beautiful."

She spoke with an exceptionally natural demeanor, every bit the caring big sister.

When Dashiell's brother was still alive, we had gone out to eat together a few times, and I had interacted with Melody quite a bit.

Back then, thinking she'd be my future sister-in-law, I would share all the good things with her, just to maintain a good relationship between future in-laws.

If I hadn't overheard Dashiell's conversation with his friend earlier, I never would have imagined she'd become an insurmountable obstacle between Dashiell and me.

Recalling what they had just said, I instinctively glanced at her still-flat belly, a wave of bitterness washing over me.

No matter what happens, she has a safe harbor to rely on.

While my child and I have no one.

My expression darkened as I looked at the exquisite wedding gown, "It is indeed beautiful. Would you like to try it on?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, an incredulous voice rang out."Summer, what are you saying? This is your wedding dress, how can you let someone else try it on?"

Dashiell approached with a hint of anger, his eyes full of disapproval as he looked at me.

My expression remained unchanged, incredibly calm, "What's the big deal? I heard that when Melody and your brother got married, she never even wore a wedding dress. Let her try it on now to make up for that past regret."

Their wedding had been hasty, just getting the marriage certificate without holding a ceremony.

Now, Dashiell had given her the title of wife.

So I'll help her fulfill the regret of not having had a wedding ceremony.

Melody was visibly moved by my words.

After all, what girl hasn't fantasized about being a beautiful bride?

Perhaps Dashiell also felt that what I said was right, as his expression changed slightly, and he didn't say anything more.

Seeing his softened demeanor, Melody's eyes flashed with hesitation as she tentatively asked, "Can I really try it on?"

I nodded, asking someone to help her change into the wedding dress.

Dashiell had already put on the groom's tuxedo.

Seeing Melody go to change into the wedding dress, he thought about taking off his tuxedo.

But I reached out and stopped him, "Melody's pregnant, everything's difficult for her. What if something happens while you're gone?"

Hearing this, he abandoned the idea and quietly stood beside me, waiting.

Yet, a hint of worry appeared in his eyes.

Catching his change in emotion, I felt a mocking smile tug at my lips.

Shortly after, Melody emerged, guided by the staff.

She wasn't showing yet, and her figure was similar to mine, the wedding dress fitting her perfectly.

Melody's face couldn't hide her joy as she asked with feigned modesty, "Dashiell, do I look good in this?"Dashiell snapped back to attention, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her as he heard her words. He softly responded with a "Mm-hmm."

In the next moment, another staff member approached.

Seeing this, they couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "The wedding dress looks absolutely stunning on you. You two are truly the most perfectly matched bride and groom I've ever seen!"

As these words fell, the expressions of everyone present changed slightly.

Melody glanced uneasily at Dashiell, then put on a smile and began to explain, "No, you've misunderstood..."

Before she could finish, I started applauding, sincerely marveling, "They really do look great together! Melody, sis, that wedding dress is an absolute match made in heaven for you!"

How could we not let everyone appreciate something so beautiful?

As I finished speaking, Dashiell looked at me with disbelief in his eyes.

After all, I had always been wary of others touching my things in the past.

Especially something as meaningful as this wedding dress.

But now, not only had I given her permission to try it on, I was also praising her without reserve.

"Summer, you..."

I blinked and looked at him, "Okay, I was just saying. I suddenly remembered I have some unfinished work to take care of, so I need to rush back to the office now. I won't disturb you any longer."I'm walking towards the entrance of the bridal shop as I speak.

Dashiell sees this and tries to follow.

But Melody holds him back.

When I reach the doorway and look inside, I catch a glimpse of Dashiell's back as he helps her walk to the fitting room.

His support is gentle and careful, his gaze never leaving her.

It's as if with her there, no one else exists in his eyes.

At this moment, I feel a bit dazed.

Is he really marrying her out of a sense of duty like he claims?

Or does he truly have feelings for her?

I can't find the answer, nor do I want to set myself up for humiliation.

The next day, I arrive at the hospital as scheduled for my pre-surgery check-up.

When the doctor asks about the baby's father, I say, "He's busy with work and doesn't have time to accompany me."

When I woke up this morning, I thought about telling him about this.

But I called him several times and not once did he pick up.

After the surgery, the color drained from my face as I weakly lean against the wall, making my way out of the hospital.

As I reach the hospital lobby, I see Dashiell accompanying Melody for her prenatal check-up.

They both look startled when they see me.

Surprise flashes in Dashiell's eyes as he asks with concern, "Are you feeling unwell? Why did you come to the hospital alone?"

Without waiting for me to speak, Melody jumped in first, "Summer, don't take your health for granted just because you're young. No matter how busy work gets, you need to take care of yourself. Don't make Dashiell worry about you."

Her tone was laden with significance, yet there was a subtle hint of detachment in her words.

I pressed my lips together and murmured, "I've been checked out. Once I get my meds, I can leave. You two should go for your prenatal checkup."

Dashiell's eyes were filled with concern. He was about to walk towards me when Melody pulled him back.

"Dashiell, it's almost our turn. Let's go over there." As she spoke, she rubbed her belly, feigning discomfort. "I don't know if it's because I've been worrying too much lately, but my stomach's been feeling off. I hope it won't affect our sweetheart."

She emphasized the word 'sweetheart'. The worry in Dashiell's eyes dissipated, replaced by a look of guilt as he said, "Summer, you head home first. I'll come find you after I accompany Melody for her checkup."

In the past, when his brother was still around, he always referred to Melody respectfully as 'sister'.

Now, he addresses her with such intimacy.Looking at the three of them together as a family, I became acutely aware that I had truly become an outsider in their lives.

The man who once promised to love me forever no longer held a place for me in his heart.

I thought back to how he used to always put me first, no matter what happened.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I choked out, "Alright, you all go ahead."

On the drive home, I gazed out the car window at the familiar scenery flashing by, memories of our time together playing through my mind.

Dashiell and I had known each other since high school.

Back then, he was my desk mate.

He was the quiet, bookish type, while I was lively and outgoing.

My parents were always busy with work, so they had me stay in the dorms, worried I couldn't take care of myself.

I complained about the cafeteria's lousy breakfast, always pestering him to bring me food from outside.

He'd sigh, exasperated, but always gave in.

And this went on for three whole years.

After graduation, we instinctively chose the same college.

As old classmates of three years, I couldn't help but cling to him for comfort in our new, unfamiliar surroundings.

I got used to going to him for everything, and he tirelessly helped me solve my problems.

My mom often said I shouldn't bother others so much.

I shrugged it off and relayed her words to Dashiell.At that moment, he put down his pen and said nonchalantly, "Do you really think I'm some kind of pushover? Summer, if I didn't like you, I wouldn't bother with you at all."

His affection for me was superficial, and I had known that for a long time.

So I shamelessly enjoyed all the nice things he did for me.

Later, when we got together, he didn't even try to hide his love for me anymore.

As long as he was around, I could always live without a care in the world.

My mom, knowing how much he did for me, would often tease me, saying that the hardest thing I'd ever faced in my life was just going to work.

But now I think she was wrong.

The hardest thing I've ever faced isn't work.

It's that the person I love married someone else.

And I was the last one to know.

Remembering the past, my eyes welled up with tears.

The taxi driver, seeing this, handed me a tissue and said, "Young lady, there's no obstacle in this world you can't overcome. Always look forward, good luck is waiting for you ahead."

I took the tissue, thanking him through my sobs.

After getting out and paying for the ride, I was about to chat with a friend when I accidentally clicked on my social media feed.

That's when I saw that Melody had posted a new update just five minutes ago.She posted an ultrasound image and a photo of Dashiell looking down at the test results, captioning it: "Sweetheart, come out soon! Daddy and Mommy can't wait to see you."

Scrolling down, the first comment was from Dashiell's mom.

She wrote: "Grandma's excited too! I can't wait to see my grandson!"