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."