In the interview, Aliana spoke with a sweetness that could melt hearts as she reminisced about her fiancé.

"We were each other’s first love. Time and distance came between us because we were so young and reckless back then. Still, I never imagined he’d show up in Canada, holding a bouquet of flowers, just to wish me a happy Valentine’s Day."

Her voice softened, brimming with emotion. "Maybe he’s watching this now, and if he is, I want him to know: no matter the years we’ve lost or the ones we still have, I love you, and I always will."

Aliana’s gaze lingered on the camera, her eyes shimmering with affection, as if she could see the man she adored through the lens, closing the gap between them.

The interview ended abruptly, and before Athena could fully process it, Emmett had already grabbed the remote and switched the channel with practiced ease.

"Hmm, it’s probably staged. People in showbiz love spinning fairy tales," he remarked, rubbing his nose in that familiar way. Tossing the remote onto the couch, he added with a smirk, "Who cares about their love story anyway? Ours is better, childhood sweethearts, a bond like no other, and destined to be together!"

Emmett probably didn’t even realize it, but Athena had long noticed his tell, a subtle nose rub he couldn’t seem to resist whenever a lie slipped past his lips.

She didn’t call him out on it. Instead, she sat in silence, her heart growing colder with each passing second.

A month ago, Emmett went on a business trip. What was his destination? Canada. The coincidence left a bitter taste she couldn’t shake.

And Aliana’s so-called first love, the man she hadn’t seen in five years, turned out to be none other than Athena’s fiancé, Emmett.

Emmett lingered by Athena’s side, enthusiastically discussing wedding plans. His words spilled out in an endless stream as if he couldn’t contain his excitement. To anyone watching, he seemed completely genuine.

It wasn’t until his phone buzzed with a call from work that he finally rose to leave. Leaning down, he pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek and said, "Athena, we’re going to be so happy."

Athena’s lips curved into a faint smile, a practiced gesture she’d perfected over the years.

She had once believed those words with all her heart.

For five years, they had shared a life that felt like a dream, traveling across mountains and oceans, weaving unforgettable memories in every corner of the world.

On every anniversary, Emmett had showered her with thoughtful gifts, each one more unique than the last. He had even gone as far as designing a villa for their future, every detail tailored to her desires.

Two years ago, after a devastating car accident left her unconscious, Emmett stayed by Athena’s side through every agonizing second. Even when he risked severe blood loss himself, he insisted on donating blood to save her life.

Because he had said that his life belonged to her.

When Athena finally opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Emmett’s swollen, tear-filled gaze, a mixture of relief and exhaustion etched into his face.

From that moment on, Athena had vowed never to let down the man who had given her his heart so completely.

But time had a cruel way of shifting promises, and the Emmett who had once declared his undying love now seemed like a shadow of that man, fading farther from where he once stood.

Watching his figure retreat down the hallway, Athena felt a hollow ache settle in her chest. Shaking off the lingering haze, she pulled out the IV needle with quiet determination and made her way to finalize her discharge papers.

The doctor handed her a prescription and reminded her to avoid intercourse in the near future. She needed to recover her body before thinking about having a child.

Athena nodded absentmindedly, her attention fixed on scrolling through flight options on her phone. Her finger hovered over the purchase button when a breaking news alert lit up her screen.

The headline redirected her to Aliana’s latest Instagram update, where a new post quickly caught her eye. It featured a photo of Aliana with a man, his face obscured, but his chiseled chest and the faint kiss marks on his neck were unmistakable.

[Here’s a little puppy who got so excited seeing my confession on TV that he came running over. Too bad someone’s camera-shy. Don’t worry, though, when our grand wedding arrives, you’ll all be amazed!]

Pinned beneath the post was a reply from an anonymous account. The image showed Aliana and the same man holding hands, her million-dollar engagement ring gleaming under the light.

The caption read, [Can’t wait to marry you.]

Athena felt a sharp ache pierce her chest, but she willed herself to stay composed. Suppressing the storm brewing within, she confirmed the flight details and clicked the purchase button without hesitation.

With that task completed, one final matter of importance remained.

Hailing a cab, Athena made her way to the Davidson family cemetery.

Her parents had once been devoted servants of the Davidson household. Over a decade ago, in a tragic turn of events, they had sacrificed their lives to save Emmett from drowning. Their loyalty had moved Azrael Davidson deeply, leading him to honor them with a place in the family cemetery and ensure that their orphaned daughter was raised with the utmost care.

Athena placed a bouquet of chrysanthemums gently before the tombstone, her trembling fingers brushing the petals as if seeking comfort.

“Mom, Dad, you always said Emmett was a good boy, the only one in the Davidson family who would protect me,” she murmured, her voice cracking. “But why… why was it him who hurt me the most?”

“He said he loved me more than anyone else. Then why did he betray me?”

“Mom, Dad, I have nothing left now.”

The floodgates of her sorrow opened, and Athena broke down, her sobs echoing in the stillness of the cemetery.

Her mind drifted to the days after her parents' death, a time when despair had consumed her. Night after night, she had cried herself to sleep, her small body ravaged by relentless fevers that no one could ease.

Emmett, torn by guilt and anguish, stayed by Athena’s bedside every night, his words heavy with remorse.

“I’m sorry, Athena… It’s all my fault,” he whispered, his voice thick with sorrow.

“Athena, please get better. You’re all the family they left behind.”

“I’ll protect you from now on, okay? You’re my family now.”

“My life belongs to you.”

From that moment, Emmett took on the role of her protector, her older brother, and she let herself believe him.

Then, in the warmth of early summer after graduation, he held her hand, making a promise to give her a beautiful future.

At first, Athena believed him completely. She trusted him with all her heart.

But as time passed, something in Emmett began to change.

The first hint of doubt crept into her mind the day she tried on her wedding dress.

In the car, Emmett refused countless phone calls before eventually powering off his phone completely.

Embarrassed, he tried to brush it off. “It’s just my assistant, Athena. She’s been pestering me about the smallest things. I’ll give her a piece of my mind when we get back!”

Ever gentle, Athena reassured him with a soft smile before heading off to try on the wedding dress.

A year ago, Emmett spared no expense in custom-making the dress abroad. When Athena slipped it on, she looked every bit the image of purity and grace. But when she stepped out of the fitting room, Emmett wasn’t there.

The room had been reserved just for them, leaving the space eerily empty. When she couldn’t reach him, Athena wandered the building, confusion building with every step, until she rounded a corner and froze.

Not far off, Emmett was holding another woman’s hand, his voice pleading, his tone submissive. The woman seemed emotional, brushing off his attempts to hold her.

But Emmett didn’t relent; he pulled her into his arms and leaned in for a kiss. In the dim corner of the bridal shop, the two were consumed by their passion, oblivious to the world around them.

Athena watched in stunned silence as though the very earth had been ripped from beneath her. It felt as though she had been thrown into the flames, her heart burning with a pain so fierce it was unbearable.

The man who had once promised to love her more than life itself was the one who had torn her apart.

Athena pressed a hand to her chest, her breath coming in gasps as tears blurred her vision, flooding down her cheeks.

By the time Emmett returned, Athena had collected herself. He didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. Seeing her standing there, so stunning, he was moved, walking over to wrap her tightly in his arms.

“Athena, you look breathtaking.”

Emmett buried his face in her shoulder, his lips grazing her earlobe, his voice a soft, seductive whisper. “My Athena is the most beautiful bride. I just want to make you mine, right here, right now.”

As Athena gazed at their reflection in the mirror, her heart sank. The sorrow in her eyes mirrored the emptiness she felt inside.

Was she really beautiful? If she was, why had Emmett still betrayed her?

Why had he deceived her like this?

Athena didn’t understand how things had spiraled so out of control. She had no idea how long Emmett had been hiding his lies from her or who that woman was.

She wanted to speak, but words failed her, and tears fell freely, staining her cheeks.

Emmett’s eyes widened in panic. He reached for her face, gently cupping her cheeks as he frantically wiped away the tears. “What’s wrong, Athena? Please, don’t cry. Talk to me. Tell your husband what’s going on.”

His gaze was filled with genuine concern, no trace of deceit in his eyes.

His act was so convincing it was impossible to imagine that just moments ago, he had been holding another woman in his arms.

Athena fought to steady herself, her voice trembling. “It’s nothing… I’m just so happy.”

Emmett let out a breath of relief, his hands tender as he wiped away the last of her tears, coaxing her with soothing words until she calmed.

Before leaving, Athena decided to use the excuse of forgetting something to return to the fitting room.

She approached a staff member and showed them the photo she had secretly taken earlier.

"Is this Miss Aliana She’s also preparing for her wedding," the staff member remarked, her eyes lighting up as she recalled something. She pointed to a high-end custom gown nearby. "What a coincidence. Miss Aliana’s wedding dress is from the same brand as yours and has a similar style. And even her fiancé shares your surname!"

The words hit Athena like a thunderclap. Her face drained of color, her mind struggling to make sense of it all.

On the way home, Emmett glanced at her, his expression filled with concern. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke, gathering his courage.

"Athena, why do you look so upset?"

Athena slowly turned her face to him, locking eyes with him, her voice barely a whisper.

"Because today, I saw something I shouldn’t have."

At her words, a flicker of unease passed through Emmett’s eyes, and his demeanor shifted his face, which was growing tense.

"Really? What did you see?"

Athena held his gaze for a long moment before speaking, her voice calm but steady. "I saw someone who looked a lot like you, holding another woman’s hand while trying on a wedding dress."

"Impossible!" Emmett’s reaction was instant and forceful. He shook his head vehemently. "You must have mistaken someone else for me. While you were trying on your dress, I was waiting outside the whole time. I only went to the restroom for ten minutes, and the staff saw me. There’s no way it was me!"

Athena stared at him as he raised his hand, swearing, "If I ever betray you, may lightning strike me down!"

His conviction was so unwavering that Athena almost found herself doubting her own instincts. But after loving Emmett for so long, she could picture him in her mind’s eye, even with her eyes closed. How could she possibly mistake him for someone else?

A sharp pain pierced her heart.

So it was true; there were people who could break their hearts in two, juggling multiple lives, weaving a web of lies so intricate that even they began to believe their own deceit.

"I trust you," Athena whispered, her voice trembling. "I trust that you would never betray me."

After the fitting, Emmett’s friends had arranged a gathering.

When they arrived, the group had already begun a round of games. Upon seeing Athena and Emmett walk hand in hand, the others eagerly gathered around, excited to greet them.

Athena wasn’t particularly familiar with them. She smiled politely and exchanged a few words before quietly heading upstairs, seeking a corner away from the noise.

But soon, voices drifted up from the stairwell.

“Emmett, are you really planning to throw Aliana aside and marry that orphan from your family?”

Athena recognized the voice of one of Emmett’s old high school classmates.

She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but something about the conversation pulled her in, and before she knew it, her feet had stopped moving, her body frozen in place.

“What are you talking about? Of course, Aliana is the most important!”

Aliana? Athena’s mind raced. She remembered overhearing the servants talking about a famous actress who had recently returned to the country. That actress, it seemed, was none other than Aliana Forbes.