A week before the wedding, my fiancé, Luke Graham, announced that he needed to marry his first love, Mandy Lynch, before marrying me.

“It’s because her mother passed away,” he explained, “and her dying wish was to see Mandy married to a good man. I’m just fulfilling an elder’s final request. Don’t overthink it.”

But the company had already planned to launch the “True Love” jewelry line on the day of our grand wedding.

Impatiently, he dismissed my concerns: “It’s just a few million. Does that compare to Mandy’s love for her mother? If you’re so eager to make those millions, go find someone else to marry.”

Hearing his cold and heartless words, I understood everything. Without another word, I turned and dialled my family.

“Brother, help me find a new groom.”

My brother asked in disbelief, "You're calling off the engagement?"

I smiled bitterly and replied, "No, he's marrying someone else."

I fought tooth and nail to win my parents' approval to be with Luke Graham, even scheduling the launch of the 'True Love' jewelry line on the wedding day.

However, it was all for nothing.

My brother froze for a long time before saying, "Then, it has to be Ethan Shaw. His family has been urging him to get married, and he's been looking for a partner."

I frowned.

Ethan was my nemesis. On my engagement day, he cursed that my marriage dreams would shatter.

His words came true.

With time pressing on, I could only respond, "Fine, ask him about it. If he's not interested, I'll figure something else out."

My brother blurted out, "There's no need to ask. He'll definitely agree."

"What?"

Before I could question him further, a group of people surrounded me.

"You must be Luke's fiancee. You're so beautiful!"

"You're waiting for Luke to get off work, right? He'll be down soon. You two are such a perfect couple!"

Gripping the steering wheel, I lowered my eyes to hide the self-mockery in them.

Years ago, Luke introduced me to his colleagues and friends. Everyone considered us the epitome of a loving couple, but no one could have guessed he was about to marry someone else.

After saying goodbye to the group, Luke got into the car and handed me a necklace.

"This is from Mandy. She asked me to give it to you. You embarrassed her at the funeral yesterday, so find some time to apologize to her."

The necklace was obviously a freebie that came with a larger purchase. I saw it in Luke's shopping cart a few days ago.

"I don't want it," I replied bluntly.

Luke frowned. "What's with the attitude? You barged into the funeral and told everyone I wasn't her fiance, making her look bad. She's been generous enough not to hold a grudge and even sent you a gift. Can't you be a little grateful?"

The man who once protected me no longer existed. Someone else held his heart by then.

Frustrated, Luke rolled down the window, letting the wind in. After a long silence, he saw that I was not placating him. Finally, he said, "Forget it. I'll let it go today since we're going to pick out your wedding dress."

It was the first time he had softened his attitude toward me that year.

At the bridal boutique, the staff welcomed us warmly.

"Mr. Graham, Ms. Lane, your custom-made wedding dresses and suits are ready."

However, Luke's attention was not on the outfits. Instead, he was anxiously engrossed in his phone.

Noticing my gaze, he quickly put away his phone and flashed an apologetic smile. "Anna, Mandy's having some issues. I need to head over there. Try on the dresses and pick a suit for me. I trust your taste."

With that, he hailed a cab and left in a hurry, leaving me alone.

The staff approached cautiously, "Ms. Lane, would you like to select the suit yourself?"

I withdrew my gaze and nodded.

The suit had to be chosen, just not for Luke.

After all, the groom had changed.

Back home, I thought Luke would stay out all night, but he appeared before dinner. He was carrying a food bag when he got back.

"I went all over town to get this for you. They're meatballs from Highbury."

I looked at the meatballs. There were three fewer than usual, and one had a bite mark on it.

Half an hour ago, I saw Mandy Lynch's social media post.

The picture was of the same meal now in front of me.

[My hubby went out late just to get me supper. Thank you, love!]

I set down the food as I suddenly lost my appetite.

"I don't want it. Throw it away."

Luke's face darkened, but he held back his temper and sat beside me while complaining.

"You have no idea how pitiful Mandy was today. My parents went to her house to berate her for not having enough money. She was so upset that she cried. Mandy just returned from abroad, so she doesn't have much money. I was thinking that we could use some of your money to help her out."

His presumptuous tone made me feel sick.

I looked at him mockingly and spat, "You want me to fork out my own cash for your wife?"

I used to care deeply for Luke. As long as he asked, I was willing to give him anything and do anything for him.

However, he had opened my eyes.

Ever since Mandy returned to the country, everything Luke had done was for her. He had already forgotten that I was supposed to be the one spending the rest of his life with him.

My response angered Luke.

"What do you mean by that? You're not willing to? You'd better get this straight. Mandy is my best friend. You'd better make her happy, or I won't marry you!"

With that, he slammed the door and left.

Frustrated, I went downstairs to jog in the park.

After just one lap, my phone rang. It was Ethan.

Thinking of Ethan's perpetually grim face, I hesitated briefly before answering. The moment I picked up, he hit me with a verbal punch.

"Since you've already said yes, you're mine now. Try running away, and I'll drag you back myself!"

I stayed silent, and he continued, "Send me your ID. Let's get the marriage license. I don't want you backing out."

'Ethan, something is seriously wrong with you,' I thought.

In my mind, I pictured countless scenarios of how he might use our marriage to torment me.

In the end, all I could muster was, "See you at the wedding, Mr. Shaw."

The moment the words left my mouth, Luke's voice came from behind me. "You're inviting Ethan Shaw to our wedding? I won't allow it!"

He stared at me like I was the enemy.

"Anna, didn't I tell you to stay away from Ethan? His intentions toward you aren't pure. If you insist on inviting him to our wedding, we're done!"

Before I could respond, Luke had already issued his ultimatum.

Luke had always disliked Ethan and harbored some inexplicable hostility toward him. Early in our relationship, he even got jealous because Ethan and I used to exchange sharp remarks on social media. Eventually, I cut off contact with Ethan.

However, Luke suddenly claimed that Ethan had ulterior motives toward me.

I was about to press further when Mandy suddenly leaned against Luke's shoulder.

"Luke, you're hurting me..."

Only then did I notice their fingers intertwined as they strolled together. Luke coughed awkwardly but made no move to withdraw his hand.

Mandy looked at Luke affectionately before turning to me with a feigned apology.

"Anna, I'm so sorry. Luke and I were just practicing the wedding process. Please don't pay us any mind. I won't bring up how you had me beaten up or how you desecrated my mother's grave, but please don't hurt Luke. True love can't withstand such tests."

I did not want to watch her act any longer and turned to leave.

"If you're so eager, I'll make sure you're beaten up again tonight and have your mother's grave dug up again!"

Slap!

Luke struck me hard across the face and yelled, "Anna, how can you be so vicious?!"

His face was dark. His chest was heaving with anger.

'Vicious?'

One word from Mandy and he believed her, yet five years of my loyalty meant nothing.

A surge of fury rose in me, and I was about to confront Luke when Mandy stepped between us.

"Anna, please, I'll return Luke to you once the wedding is over. Please spare the people around me, and don't hurt Luke anymore."

She spoke as if she were about to kneel before me.

Luke quickly wrapped his arm around Mandy's waist, stopping her from kneeling. He glared at me and said, "Anna, stop using your privileged status to step on others! You know how much I hate that. If you still want to marry me, stop causing trouble!"

With that, he warned me to stay away from them until the wedding.

The next day, unexpectedly, Luke reached out to me first.

He started with harsh accusations.

"Anna, did you really dig up Mandy's mother's grave? I didn't think you could stoop so low!"

Confused, I immediately called my assistant to investigate. What they found shocked me deeply.

Mandy's mother was not dead.

It was no wonder Mandy could be so heartless. She even desecrated her own mother's grave to frame me.

It turned out that her mother's death was a lie.

I sent Luke a text.

[Mandy's mother isn't dead. The truth is in the email I just sent you.]

Whether he looked at it or not was no longer my concern.

Ethan scheduled my flight to depart in three days.

When Luke came home, he saw me packing my things. Half of my clothes were discarded, and a small portion was shipped to South City.

"Why are you packing?" Luke asked uncertainly.

I brushed him off with a one-word reply. "Moving."

Not sensing anything amiss, he paused and said matter-of-factly, "Lane Corporation is in South City. We'll settle there after the wedding, so starting early is good."

Suddenly, Luke's piercing gaze was upon me as he snapped, "As for Mandy's mother, apologize as soon as possible. Don't put me in a difficult position. Do it on the wedding day, alright?"

After speaking, he left his phone behind and went to look for his ID. It was the day he and Mandy were registering their marriage.

He did not come back all night. When I checked my phone, a message from Mandy popped up.

It was a photo of her and Luke wearing matching outfits, lying side by side in bed.

I closed my eyes, but the ache in my heart was unavoidable.

Suppressing the emotions, I turned off my phone.

Late at night, my phone vibrated every hour like clockwork. Each time, it was Mandy sending me provocative videos of her and Luke.

By morning, I received a message from Ethan.

[Ms. Lane, everything is ready. Take your time coming home.]

Attached was a photo of the marriage certificate and a pot of vibrant red peonies.

I never expected Ethan to still care for the flower I casually gave him years ago.

For some reason, an indescribable feeling stirred in my heart.

I replied with a single word.

[Okay.]

Putting my phone aside, I began organizing my work files on my computer. I did not even notice when Luke returned.

He packed his things and said, "I'm moving in with Mandy for a few days. She's overwhelmed preparing for the wedding. Make sure you're on time for the ceremony the day after tomorrow. Don't be late."

He then gave a lengthy explanation, claiming it was just regular help, urging me not to stir up trouble again.

"I won't go," I said quietly, keeping my head down.

After last night, any remaining affection I had for him had completely vanished.

Luke stared at my calm demeanor, and an inexplicable panic rose within. He hesitated momentarily, but when he thought of Mandy's charming, playful behavior, his grip on his phone loosened.

In his mind, Anna Lane loved him so much. What could possibly go wrong?

With that reassurance, he breathed a sigh of relief and left without saying anything else, disappearing from my sight.

I made a call as I watched him leave.

That evening, a helicopter landed in the plaza.

A man approached me and said, "Ms. Lane, your helicopter has arrived. It'll safely take you to South City in half an hour."

I nodded and handed him an envelope. "Deliver this to the wedding tomorrow. It's my wedding gift for the bride and groom."