My father grabbed my wrist and forcefully dragged me back toward the stage.

I struggled and yanked my arm free. “I’m not being unreasonable! Onie doesn’t agree with me marrying her—so I won’t!”

“Shut up! You ungrateful brat. Who spoiled you so much that you’ve lost all sense of propriety? You will marry her whether you like it or not!”

With a kick, he sent Onie tumbling down the steps and yanked me by the arm, pulling me back toward the platform.

Onie rolled down, then scrambled back to its feet and, undeterred, once again raised its rear in protest.

My nose stung as a wave of emotion hit me. I shoved my father away and rushed toward Onie, crouching down to hug it.

“Good boy,” I whispered. “If you don’t want me to marry her, I won’t. Don’t worry.”

My father trembled with fury, pointing a shaking finger at me. But then something flickered across his face, and he softened his tone.

“Martin, I remember... Onie was a stray you and Casey picked up together. It was so tiny back then, and you raised it all by yourself. You’ve cared so deeply even for a dog. I don’t believe you could be this heartless toward Casey. Something must’ve happened, right?”

His eyes were full of hope. But all he got in return was my cold, unwavering answer.

“No. Nothing happened. I just don’t want to marry her.”

With that, I turned and continued walking toward the exit.

My father chased after me, still refusing to give up.

Suddenly, I grabbed a fruit knife from the banquet table and pointed it at my chest, meeting his gaze with an icy resolve.

“Dad, if I say I won’t marry her—then no one can force me to.”

“If you insist on pushing me... I’ll die right here.”

Everyone was stunned into silence. The guests froze, horrified by my determination.

Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Has Martin lost his mind? Refusing to marry because a golden retriever raised its butt? This is absurd!”

“Maybe he’s under a spell or something—how else could he act this ridiculously? It’s shameful!”

“Or maybe the Ortega family orchestrated this. Could it be they’re looking down on the Garza family and did this on purpose to humiliate them?”

The Garza family elders stood up, their faces were dark with rage. They looked coldly at my parents.

“Our families have been close for generations. You must give us an explanation today. If you can’t, then there’s no need for our families to associate any further.”

They turned to Casey.

“Sweetheart, let’s go. If they don’t value us, there’s no point staying. The Garza family isn’t some pitiful clan desperate to cling to others.”

I couldn’t care less about any of it. Holding Onie tightly, I rushed out of the venue.

I couldn’t afford to waste another second—some things couldn’t wait.

After making a few calls and settling the necessary arrangements, I returned to the private villa I had bought with my own money.

There was no trace of Casey here. Only my things.

Onie happily pranced around, rubbing itself against my leg.

I stroked its head gently and reassured it once more, “Don’t worry. I’ll never leave you.”

Just then, the group chat together with our family friends exploded.

Mentions began pouring in.

[@Martin Casey got drunk after the wedding was canceled and ended up in a car crash. Aren’t you going to the hospital?]

[Yeah! You two grew up together. She always puts you first and treats you like family. Even if you’re not her groom, you’re still her friend—you should go see her.]

[She’s in Platinum Hospital. They said right after the surgery, she kept calling your name. She’s still waiting for you.]

I scrolled through the messages and picked a few to respond to.

[I'm not going. I’m busy.]

That’s when Casey’s closest friend, Sabrina, directly confronted me.

[You took a whole month off just to marry Casey. What important thing do you have going on now?]

Letting out a sigh, I replied, [I need to take care of Onie.]

Afraid she wouldn’t believe me, I even sent a video.

On the screen, Onie nestled obediently in my arms, eyes sparkling like stars. His mouth hung open in a goofy smile, tail wagging with joy. Every time I stroked his fur, he leaned into me, rubbing against my hand with such affection it melted my heart.

Shortly after, Sabrina sent a barrage of messages.

[Are you fucking possessed?! What matters more to you—a person or a dog? Casey almost died in that car crash! A shard of glass nearly pierced her heart. Do you even understand what that means?!]

[And here you are—still worried about your damn dog?!]

[Martin, give us a straight answer—are you going or not?]

[If you don’t show up, don’t bother calling us your friends anymore. We’ll cut you off for good. Don’t ever show your face to us again.]

Just as I was about to reply, a message from Casey popped up.

[That’s enough, Sabrina. Martin isn’t the kind of person you think he is. If he doesn’t want to come, he must have his reasons. Don’t drag him into my mess.]

Then she messaged me privately.

[Martin, I miss you. I really, really miss you...]

[Especially when that truck was flying toward me—I couldn’t think of anything but you. I was terrified I might die without seeing you one last time.]

[But I guess I was lucky. If I hadn’t been wearing that blessed charm you gave me, I might not have made it.]

The charm she mentioned was something I had gotten for her when she was gravely ill and unconscious. I climbed 999 stone steps on my knees, praying with every breath for her recovery.

It had poured rain that day, and by the time I reached the top, my legs were trembling so badly I couldn’t stand.

But I clenched my teeth and kept going. I told myself, if she could just live, anything was worth it.

And miraculously, the moment I returned with the charm—she woke up.

Since then, she had worn it every single day.

But now, I wanted it back.

She didn’t deserve to wear it anymore.

I replied simply.

[Fine. I’ll come see you.]

Casey was overjoyed at my reply.

Despite the pain from her injuries, she instinctively opened her arms to hug me.

Even lifting them hurt her, but she forced them up anyway, biting through the pain.

In the past, I would’ve rushed over to embrace her, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

But now, I just stand there, unmoving—my face blank, maybe even filled with disgust.

Her smile faltered. Slowly, her arms dropped back to her sides. She forced a laugh to cover the awkwardness.

“Martin, I’m already so happy you came. I shouldn’t expect too much.”

She quickly pointed to a nearby table.

It was full of food—all my favorites.

Crystal dumplings. Caviar-topped king crab.

Everything was steaming hot, clearly timed perfectly for my arrival.

The butler beamed and added, “Mr. Ortega, Miss Garza personally arranged all of this after she heard you were coming. She—”

“Who said you could prepare anything for him?!”

A loud voice cut him off as the door slammed open.

Jaylen stormed in, throwing a stack of papers harshly onto Casey’s hospital bed.

“Sis, he’s scum! He’s not worth your love. Martin has been cheating on you! He’s been seeing another woman behind your back! Don’t let him fool you again!”

He expected Casey to be furious.

But she only glanced at the photos before quietly looking away.

“That’s enough, Jaylen. Don’t speak nonsense. Martin is not like that.”

“Sis, if not for that woman, why else would he suddenly back out of the wedding? He’s just afraid she’d cause trouble if he got married! Admit it—Martin is trash!”

“Shut up!”

Her furious scream was followed by the crack of a sharp slap.

Jaylen clutched his face in disbelief.

“Sis! After all these years, you’re hitting me for an outsider?!”

“I’m done with you!”

He stormed off in anger, expecting her to call after him. But Casey didn’t even glance his way.

That was shocking. She used to dote on her younger brother more than anyone. No matter what trouble he got into, she never once laid a hand on him.

I looked at Casey for a long moment, then turned my gaze away.

“I’m in pain, Martin,” she murmured. “Will you sit beside me?”

I walked over to her—but instead of sitting, I reached for the red thread around her neck and yanked the safety charm off with one hard pull.

The force tore at her wound, and blood immediately seeped through the bandages on her neck.

The butler’s face turned pale. “Miss Casey! You’re bleeding! Someone, quick! Call the nurse!”

The shouting drew in Casey's parents, who rushed into the room.

Once they heard what had happened, Casey’s mother slapped me hard across the face.

“If I could go back in time, I would’ve never let my daughter meet you! You’re nothing but a curse!”

And yet—even through this—Casey still shielded me.

“Mom, don’t say that. Martin is just angry with me. I broke a promise. I told him I wouldn’t do any dangerous sports anymore, but I secretly went hiking up the Appalachian Mountains. He was scared for me, that’s all...”

Appalachian Mountains.

My eyes sharpened instantly.

According to the latest report from the people I sent out, that area was still being searched—but no solid leads had turned up.

Could the person I’ve been searching for be there?

I couldn’t afford to wait.

I turned to leave—but just as I reached the door, a wave of dizziness overtook me.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

A soft warmth rested in my palm. I turned and saw Casey’s radiant face smiling at me.

Instinctively, I reached out and brushed her cheek—but the moment our eyes met, I jerked my hand back, recoiling.

“Don’t touch me. Get away from me!”

A familiar voice scolded me gently.

“Oh, you stubborn boy... why are you always so angry?”

My mother smiled warmly, gently stroking my hair.

“You just let your emotions get the best of you. Some rest will fix that.”

She continued speaking while gesturing toward Casey.

“But we do have good news. You’re going to be a father, Martin. Casey is pregnant!”

“Pregnant?” I stared at her stomach, dazed. My nose tingled.

“How far along?”

“Four weeks! Almost a full month.” Casey beamed with joy, cradling her belly lovingly.

My mother’s expression softened into one of complete tenderness.

“We’ve already discussed everything with the Garza family. Since Casey is pregnant, the wedding needs to happen. That child deserves a proper name. Next Friday is a lucky day—we’ll hold the wedding then and give Casey what she deserves.”

“I’m not agreeing to that,” I said coldly, meeting their hopeful gazes. “I won’t get married.”

My father let out a long sigh. “Fine. Then don’t marry. But at the very least, register the marriage—give the child a proper name.”

“I won’t sign the registry either.”

Casey panicked and clutched my hand tightly.

“You can’t do that! Martin, if we don’t register, the baby won’t have a household record... he won’t be part of the Ortega family, and he won’t be able to inherit anything. Do you want our child to be an illegitimate child?”

“Even if you’re angry at me, at least think of our child!”

I pulled my hand away and stared at her coldly.

“You’re right. I am thinking of the child.”

Then I waved my hand dismissively. “That’s enough. I’m leaving. I need some time alone.”

But she stepped in front of me, refusing to move.

“Martin, please... just stay with me and the baby. This is our—”

“Shut up!”

My roar cut through the air.

Tears streamed down my face as I placed a trembling hand on her belly.