Noelle didn't know how she even left the club. Raindrops pelted her, but she felt nothing. All she could think about was the conversation from the private room, which replayed in her mind.

Winona Johnson… Whenever that name came up, Noelle couldn't stop shaking.

She couldn't understand. Winona had already gone abroad, so why wouldn't she let her go? Why was she hell-bent on destroying her?

All of this had happened over a meaningless "campus belle" title. Noelle's candid, barefaced photo had beaten Winona's retouched contest entry, so Winona and her gang had dragged Noelle into the restroom to teach her a lesson. They'd used every cruel trick possible to torment her before shoving her head into a toilet.

Noelle had refused to kneel and apologize, so they'd made the next three years of her life a living hell. They'd ganged up to beat her, stabbed her with needles, hidden thumbtacks in her shoes, rallied the entire class to isolate and bully her, wrecked her part-time jobs, and smeared her reputation.

Winona had even arranged for a bunch of rich boys to pursue Noelle. Noelle had once overheard the plan—Winona wanted her to be corrupted by money before having the rich boys dump her.

Winona never fully succeeded, though. Even by junior year, when Winona had left to study abroad, she still hadn't broken Noelle completely.

However, by then, Noelle was already deep in depression with the severe urge to harm herself.

That was when Chester appeared. Unlike those other rich boys who'd pursued her and eyed her the way men appraised goods, he hadn't flung credit cards at her and called it affection.

He'd had a clear, righteous gaze. He'd taken time to understand her situation and listen to what she needed.

When he learned that her grandmother, Marie Wakefield, needed long-term medication, he didn't look down on her. Instead, he'd done whatever he could, within the bounds of what she could accept, to improve her life.

Chester had helped Noelle find internships and part-time jobs. When she rushed between gigs, he'd sit with her in a convenience store for dinner and gently pat her head. "It must be tough, Elle. You're really amazing."

Once, Marie had fallen ill while Noelle was out of town. It was Chester who'd brought her to the hospital and stayed by her side for a full day and night.

The next day, when Noelle had made it back, he'd smiled and comforted her despite his exhaustion. "Marie's fine, so don't worry. Don't wear yourself out."

At the time, a voice inside her had said, "This is it. Try to trust him. Whatever the ending, just cherish the present."

And Chester really did keep treating her well. He'd even bravely defied his family for the sake of being with her.

Simon's sneers echoed in Noelle's mind. "She's so dumb. How could our family ever allow a nobody like her to marry in? All it took was hiring two people to play a part. Chester pretended to stand up to our 'parents', and Noelle was moved to bits.

"What an idiot. She didn't notice anything for the past three years.

"She's stupid. Even now, she thinks Chester's devoted to her.

"She's dumb. She's stupid. She's a fool…"

Noelle collapsed in the rain. Her tears spilled over and mixed with the downpour.

She really was dumb. Much too dumb.

She suddenly threw back her head and laughed, sounding wild and unhinged. She let the torrential rain pound her face without mercy.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Marie's caregiver.

"Elle, come quick. Your grandmother's on the brink of death!"

Noelle's mind went blank, and her ears buzzed. Her limbs turned to jelly.

On instinct alone, she scrambled to her feet and rushed to the curb to hail a car. However, every car flew past, their lights flashing and horns blaring, refusing to stop.

She was about to run to the hospital when a car pulled over. A tough-looking man asked where she was heading. Beyond caring about safety, she dove into the car.

By the time Noelle reached the hospital, the doctor had already issued a critical notice. "She has respiratory failure. There's no point in further resuscitation. You should spend these last moments with her."

Noelle dropped to her knees with a thud, her hands trembling as she clasped Marie's.

Marie forced a smile. "Elle, don't cry… I'm sorry… I couldn't hold on long enough to see your wedding…"

Noelle shook her head hard. She couldn't get any words out, nor could she stop her low, aching sobs.

Marie struggled to scan the room. "Where's Chester? I want to see him…"

"Okay." Noelle's voice was so hoarse it was barely there. She pulled out her phone and called Chester again and again.

Each call was rejected, so she fired off messages in a hurry.

"Chester, Grandma has respiratory failure. She can't hold on anymore. Please come to the hospital. She wants to see you one last time.

"Chester, Grandma's waiting for you. It's just one meeting. Can you come?

"Chester, I'm begging you…"

Her shaking fingers flew over the keyboard. Her tears fell onto the screen from her reddened eyes. At that moment, the lies and betrayal didn't matter. As long as Chester came—as long as Marie could leave in peace—nothing else mattered.

But Chester never replied.

Noelle stopped and forced out an ugly smile. She squeezed Marie's hand and tried to comfort her.

She said, "Grandma, I think Chester's tied up with something. Don't worry about us, alright? We're getting along fine, and our wedding is next week. I'll be happy, so please don't worry…"

Suddenly, Marie's grip tightened. She fixed her eyes on Noelle and whispered, "Elle, live well… Be happy…"

Her hand loosened and went limp. In her final moments, there was still worry in her gaze.

Noelle stared at their hands dazedly. Then, she broke down and collapsed on the floor, crying her heart out.

That night, she numbly went through the process of dealing with Marie's affairs. Chester still didn't reply.

While waiting, she unblocked Winona's social media and checked her posts.

"I was going to fly home early for a surprise, but I was the one surprised!"

The attached photo was taken at the airport. Chester wore a mascot costume and held flowers. His head was slick with sweat, but he wore a warm smile, and his gaze was tender.

There was another picture of him with Winona. She smiled sweetly while his head was turned to her, his gaze lingering and full of love.

Noelle let out a bitter laugh and turned off the screen.

The next day at noon, she returned to the hospital with Marie's urn in her arms. She did two things.

First, she scheduled an abortion for three days later.

Second, she submitted her application to join Doctors Without Borders.

Her superior, Tanya Brown, was shocked. "Weren't you getting married soon?"

Noelle went quiet for a moment. "Not anymore. I want to leave, Dr. Brown. The faster, the better."

Tanya didn't press for more information when she saw Noelle's bloodshot eyes and urgent expression. "You just barely caught the application deadline. I'll give you the next few days off to prepare. Gather at the hospital to depart in a week."

"Got it."

A week from now was exactly the day she was supposed to marry Chester. Not only would she leave on that day, but she would also send him, Simon, and Winona a grand gift—one they would never forget.

Knowing she was heading somewhere dangerous, Noelle decided to give Marie a proper burial. She bought a cremation pendant, tucked a strand of Marie's hair and a pinch of ashes inside, and buried the rest at the cemetery.

She kneeled before the headstone, clutching the pendant at her chest. "Grandma, don't worry. I'm about to do what I've always wanted to do, and I'll keep myself safe."

By the time Noelle returned to the villa, it was already dusk. The moment she stepped inside, she heard laughter in the living room. She froze, and Chester spotted her at once.

He strode over and drew her in. "Come on, let me introduce you to two friends."

A man and a woman stood from the couch and turned to look at her, somewhat malicious mischief flickering in their eyes.

It was Winona and Simon.

Noelle couldn't stop the tremor that ran through her. It was her body's reflex whenever she faced Winona.

Chester sounded happy. "Winona is a childhood friend, and Simon is my twin brother. They just got back from studying abroad and happened to make it in time for our wedding."

Winona waved and flashed a sweet smile. "Elle and I know each other—we were roommates in college."

She bounced forward, slipped her arm through Noelle's, and whispered in her ear, "Right, Elle?"

A flood of images crashed through Noelle's mind. Every time Winona finished bullying her, she would lean in and murmur, "It's just some fun between roommates. Right, Elle?"

Noelle jolted like she'd been shocked and pushed Winona away. The latter landed on the floor, her face full of wounded innocence. "Elle, you still don't like me? I just want to get along with you."

Both Chester's and Simon's expressions darkened. Chester hurried over to help Winona up, his gaze turning chilly. Meanwhile, Simon frowned in displeasure. "Chester, your fiancee's got quite the temper. She's not even part of our family yet, and she's already so full of herself."

Chester sheltered Winona behind him, his tone angry and icy. "Noelle, apologize!"

Noelle stared at the three of them, her hands balling into fists by her sides. She felt her heart tear open as she thought of what she'd overheard the night before, leaving a raw and jagged wound.

She turned in silence to leave.

She'd barely taken two steps when a hand clamped hard around her wrist and yanked, the force nearly making her stumble. She looked up into Chester's eyes, which boiled with rage. "Who said you could go?"

Simon said coolly, "The Gray family is a proper household with deep roots, and manners are very important to us. You need to teach your fiancee a lesson, Chester."

"You're right." Chester's gaze turned frosty. "Elle, you're about to become the lady of the Gray household. You must watch your tongue and your behavior at all times. Reflect on what you did today."

He dragged her down to the basement and shoved her into a room there. Before she could react, the door slammed shut.

The door was tightly sealed, shutting out every trace of light. Only then did Noelle realize it was a windowless, pitch-black room. Her breathing sped up in the pure darkness, and her panic surged. She pounded on the door, but no one answered, no matter how she shouted.

Terror swallowed her whole.

In college, Winona had locked Noelle in a dark room for three days with no sound or light. Time had stretched into a torture that felt endless.

Noelle had had a breakdown then. She'd feared darkness ever since, and claustrophobia had followed. For years now, she'd kept every light on at night, even sleeping that way.

At first, Chester couldn't get used to it. But after learning what she'd been through, he'd held her and soothed her. "It's okay. From now on, we'll sleep with the lights on at home. Don't be scared."

He'd initially tossed and turned in his sleep, waking easily. But each time she offered to try turning the lights off, he'd refused. "Elle, don't force yourself to do anything. I can adapt."

He knew. They all knew. Yet they'd still chosen this as Noelle's punishment, and it was just because she'd pushed Winona.

Noelle curled up in the corner, hugging herself as she trembled, a dull ache throbbing in her chest.

Of course. The tenderness had always been an act. They'd staged it for her sake. Even this dark room was likely designed just for her.

Two days later, Chester opened the door with a pleased smile. "Winona's not mad at you for what happened anymore. Clean yourself up—we're going to try on wedding dresses and pick out rings."

Noelle was taken to a bridal boutique. As soon as she got out of the car, she saw Winona and Simon already waiting inside.

Winona greeted her warmly. "Elle, you're here! I didn't get to congratulate you last time. Chester and I are best friends, so let me keep you company and help you choose the perfect dress today!"

She smiled, clearly waiting to see Noelle lose her composure.

But Noelle showed neither fear nor disgust. She smiled back and said, "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Winona's expression darkened for a split second before she smiled again. Hooking her arms through Chester's and Simon's, she said cryptically, "Then I'll try some on with you. I'm going to be a bride very soon myself."

Noelle offered a calm smile. "Congratulations."

Winona's gaze turned frosty.

From that moment on, any gown Noelle so much as glanced at, Winona would flag down a sales associate and rush to be the first to try it. Each time she came out of the changing room, she would grab Chester's hand. "Chester, what do you think? Isn't it gorgeous?"

And each time, Chester would stare at her as if enchanted. He would shower her with praise. Simon hovered at Winona's side, too. The two of them ignored Noelle completely.

A sales associate sighed with envy. "This bride is so lucky…"

Winona let out a playful yelp and turned to Noelle, who stood off to the side like an outsider. "Sorry, Elle. You're the actual bride. You should've tried first."

She thumped Chester's chest. "Chester, what's wrong with you? How can you leave your own bride standing around?"

The sales associates looked embarrassed, and Simon's lips curved into a mocking smile.

Only then did Chester look toward Noelle. "See anything you like?"

Noelle picked one at random and went to try it on. When she came out, the three of them were already gone.

A sales associate gave her a sympathetic look. "Ms. Johnson said she was going to pick out rings, miss. The two gentlemen went with her. You…"

"It's fine." Noelle took off the dress, handed it back, and walked out.

Soon after, Winona updated her social media with a photo of a diamond ring, embedded with pavé gemstones. "A ring Chester bought at an auction."

Noelle glanced at it, locked her screen, and went back to packing. Beyond clothes and daily essentials she needed to take with her, she gathered up everything else that belonged to her—including the gifts she'd once given Chester—and threw them away or destroyed them.

As for anything Chester had given her, she didn't touch at all.

She had just finished packing a suitcase and slid it into the closet when Chester walked in, holding a blue velvet box. "I bought you this ring at an auction."

Noelle recognized it—it was a free gift that had come with the ring Winona had shared on her social media. She accepted it calmly and set it aside.

Her reaction was so cool that it made Chester frown. His gaze drifted and landed on the trash can, where he saw the couple's mugs she used to cherish.

A flicker of unease crossed his heart, and he raised a brow. "Why'd you throw the mugs away? Are you mad?"

She pressed her lips together. "No."

That only seemed to confirm it for Chester. "Is it because of what happened at the bridal boutique? Winona's just a good friend of mine. We haven't seen each other in years, so of course I paid her a little extra attention."

He wrapped his arms around Noelle. "There's no need to be jealous of her. If there was something between us, we would've gotten together long ago, right? You're my bride, Elle. Don't you understand how I feel about you?"

At that, Noelle's heart lurched. She felt like a fist had clamped hard around it, making a sharp pain shoot through it. Her eyes reddened.

Chester ruffled her hair when he noticed. "I'm sorry, Elle. I upset you."

Hearing that, Noelle's fingers trembled. She curled them into fists, making her nails bite into her palms. In that instant, she wanted to question him. She wanted to peel back his sincerity from his lies, to know whether he'd harbored even a shred of genuine love for her in the past three years.

But she swallowed the words when they were at the tip of her tongue.

Chester's phone rang, and he immediately answered. "Winona? I'll be right there."

After hanging up, he mussed Noelle's hair again. "I've got something to take care of, so don't wait up for me. You'll be the most beautiful bride in a few days."

With that, he turned and left in a hurry.

Noelle sat on the bed and swallowed back her tears.

Two hours later, she finished washing up and got into bed to hit the hay. Just as she was drifting off, the door swung open. Chester, who was supposed to be hosting a party at a bar with Winona, walked in.

He smelled of alcohol. He carelessly ripped open his shirt, tossed back the covers, and pressed down on Noelle.

The instant their skin touched, Noelle's drowsiness was dispelled. She knew with blinding clarity that the man on top of her was Simon.