Even now, I can’t understand — how could Dorian say he loved only me while smiling and kissing Liora?

Just then, a new message from Dorian arrived:

[Baby, don’t rush back to the hospital. I’ll head to the south side of the city to buy your favorite cake and bring it to you later.]

[Don’t worry about gaining weight. Something sweet will make you feel better!]

That was the final blow.

I collapsed, unable to hold back the heartache anymore.

He had completely forgotten.

I love cakes from the north side of the city. The ones from the south are Liora’s favorite.

Those cakes contain almond powder.

But I’m allergic to almonds.

He used to remember everything about me — every detail, every preference, every allergy.

So is he simply forgetting now, or does he just not care anymore?

I turned off my phone, shut my eyes, and let the tears fall silently, tracing a warm path down my cheeks.

That night, I returned to the hospital alone.

Dorian called repeatedly and flooded my inbox with messages after he got home, but I didn’t respond to any of them.

The following morning, I was discharged.

Today was the day Alaric and I would register our marriage.

The Office of Civil Administration hadn’t opened yet, but Alaric was already waiting outside.

When I saw him, I paused.

After several years apart, he hadn’t changed much from how I remembered him. His face — the one that captivated so many — was still striking, but now, he carried a calmer, steadier aura. Perhaps years immersed in research had shaped that quiet, rational demeanor.

As he approached me, I noticed his brows gradually knitting tighter.

“You don’t look well,” he said bluntly.

I blinked, momentarily stunned. No one — aside from the doctors and nurses — had shown any real concern for my condition since I woke from the accident.

I forced a smile. “Just a minor car accident. Nothing serious.”

But his expression turned grave. “A car accident? Where were you hurt? Does it still hurt?”

His voice, so unexpectedly gentle, made my chest tighten. I quickly looked down, trying to hide the sudden wetness in my eyes. But the ache in my voice betrayed me. “I broke a few ribs.”

Alaric reached out instinctively, but stopped just short of touching my shoulder. Instead, he gently grasped my wrist.

“Come on, I’m taking you back to the hospital.”

I held his arm and stopped him. “No, I already left the hospital. Let’s just get the marriage certificate first.”

“What marriage certificate?” he said, frowning. “It’s just a piece of paper. How can that matter more than your health?”

His words brushed softly over the raw wound in my heart.

I smiled, this time with a hint of certainty. “Alaric, I want to marry you. I want to be your lawful wife.”

His entire body tensed, and the stern expression on his face faltered. I caught a faint flush creeping up to his ears.

He turned away awkwardly but reached out to support me carefully. “Alright. Let’s get married.”

The registration process was surprisingly quick. I stared at the little red book in my hands, still not quite believing it was real.

“Now, can I take you back to the hospital?” Alaric asked.

I nodded, but added, “There’s something I need to tell you first.”

“What is it?”

“I accepted the institute’s offer. In six days, we’ll officially be colleagues.” I extended my hand to him with a smile. “Looking forward to working with you, partner.”

His eyes widened slightly. “You’re going back to the institute?”

“I am.”

He hesitated. “Have you really thought this through? Once you're in, there’ll be no contact with the outside world. What about... your boyfriend?”

I interrupted without hesitation. “What boyfriend? I only have a husband now — you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve made up my mind.” I gave his hand a light shake, sealing the handshake.

“There’s one more thing,” I added. “There’s a wedding in six days. Would you be willing to be my groom?”

Surprise flashed in his eyes once more, and his ears turned a brighter shade of red.

“I do,” he said quietly.

When we returned to the hospital, I was surprised to find Dorian and Liora in my ward.

“Where were you? Why wasn’t your phone reachable?” Dorian rushed over, his expression filled with worry — as if he truly cared.

“I went out to finalize some wedding matters. My phone was silent and buried in my bag. I didn’t notice it.”

He helped me back into bed. “You shouldn’t be moving around. Didn’t I say I’d handle everything? You just need to rest.”

I nodded, smiling slightly. “It’s all taken care of now. You can focus on recovery.”

Because in six days, someone else will stand at the altar. And I’ll leave you for good.

Dorian seemed satisfied. He reached out to tuck my hair behind my ear, but I subtly turned my head away.

Retracting his hand, he picked up a jewelry box from the table.

“This is the wedding jewelry. I brought it over for you to take a look.”

He opened the box — inside were a necklace and earrings that sparkled brilliantly under the light.

But my smile faded. It wasn’t what I had expected.

“Why isn’t it the pink diamond set?”

That set was the one he’d won at auction just for me. At the time, he said he wanted me to wear it on our wedding day.

Before he could respond, Liora, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

“Are you talking about this set?” She tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing the pink diamond earrings. “Dorian gave it to me to wear as a bridesmaid.”

My expression darkened.

“Liora,” Dorian said sharply. “Leave us.”

“Dorian—”

“Get out!”

Pouting, Liora stomped out of the room reluctantly.

Dorian turned to me and said apologetically, “That pink diamond set doesn’t match your gown. I chose this new one for you.”

I stared at him, my voice was calm but firm. “Dorian, we agreed you’d give me that set for the wedding.”

“It doesn’t suit your current dress. You know, I just want the most perfect wedding for you.”

My eyes welled with tears. He panicked the moment they started to fall.

“Baby, don’t cry. If you really like pink diamonds, I’ll get you a bigger and even shinier one next time, alright?”

I looked at him, choking back a sob. “But what if all I want is this set?”

He wiped my tears gently, but the words that followed cut deeper than anything else.

“Serena, don’t be unreasonable. I already went to so much trouble to get you something even better. Isn’t that enough?”

The tears came harder now, and I couldn’t stop them.

Once, I never had to fight for anything with Dorian. He would give me whatever I wanted without hesitation.

Now, even what he promised me is no longer mine.

I inhaled slowly, wiped my face, and tucked the jewelry into my bag. “Fine. This one, then.”

He pulled me into a hug and stroked my hair. “That’s my good girl.”

But then, something in my bag caught his eye — a flash of red.

“What’s this?” he asked.

He reached into the bag and pulled it out.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he read the cover.

“A marriage certificate?”

"Where did you get this?"

My heart pounded, but I kept my voice steady. “I ordered it specially. It’s just a prop for the wedding ceremony.”

Because of Liora’s interference, Dorian and I hadn’t registered our marriage yet.

He chuckled awkwardly, clearly relieved. “You’re always so thoughtful. After the wedding, we’ll go get the real certificate. No matter what happens, I won’t break my promise this time.”

I smiled and slipped the marriage certificate back into my bag, silently dismissing his words.

It didn’t matter anymore. In six days, he wouldn’t get the chance to break a promise to me ever again.

Two days before the wedding, I was discharged from the hospital and returned home.

That evening, Dorian said, “Your favorite band is performing tomorrow. I managed to get two tickets. Let’s make it our last date before the big day. What do you think?”

Last date?

Alright.

Maybe it was my state of mind, but the concert the next night seemed more vibrant and powerful than I’d imagined. The music stirred something deep in me. Yet, discomfort slowly crept in — a dull ache began in my lower abdomen, and heat trickled between my legs, draining my focus.

“Serena, what’s wrong? Is your injury acting up again?”

I didn’t dare speak. I was afraid that if I opened my mouth, a painful groan would escape.

Dorian’s expression shifted with realization. “Is it your period? Are you cramping?”

I gave a small nod, and he immediately grabbed his phone. “There are painkillers and pads in the car. I’ll have someone bring them over.”

As the intermission started, he took off his coat and wrapped it gently around my waist, helping me up.

Just then, a familiar voice called out behind us.

“Dorian!” Liora appeared, holding a small bag. “I came to deliver something for my sister.”

“You’re just in time,” he said calmly. “Go with her and take care of her, okay?”

He didn’t seem even remotely surprised by her arrival.

My heart sank like a stone.

We said nothing on the way to the restroom. It wasn’t until we stepped inside that Liora broke the silence.

“This medicine was prescribed for me. I don’t know if it’ll work for you.” Her tone was flat, indifferent. “But it’s the only one in Dorian’s car, so I guess you’ll have to settle.”

My back was bent in pain, but I forced myself to stand straight. She looked down at me, the corners of her mouth lifted with satisfaction.

“At this point, do you still think you’re fit to marry him?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Why? Do you lack faith in your relationship?”

Liora’s eyes sharpened, and her tone turned venomous. “Serena, you’re just like your mother — shameless. You’re the unwanted one, yet you still cling to a man who doesn’t love you.”

I took a deep breath, gathering strength, then slapped her clean across the face.

But instead of anger, she laughed — triumphant.

“Did I hit a nerve?” she sneered. “Dorian doesn’t love you anymore. Can’t you feel it? I’m the one he cares about now. I’ve already replaced you in his heart.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I pushed her aside and rushed out.

Only when I was alone did my knees buckle. I collapsed against the wall, clutching my chest as the pain and grief overwhelmed me. Hot tears poured down my cheeks.

It’s one thing to feel unloved. It’s another thing to hear someone say it out loud.

Her words sliced through me, like a hand ripping open a wound I’d tried so hard to keep closed.

I didn’t know how much time had passed before someone grabbed my arm.

“Where is Liora?” Dorian’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with fury — a kind of rage I had never seen directed at me before.

I stared at him, bewildered. “What?”

He gripped my shoulders tightly and shook me. “Where did you lock her up? Bring her out!”

“I didn’t lock anyone up. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Serena!” he roared. “We’re getting married tomorrow! Why do you have to treat Liora like this?”

“When did you become so cruel?”

I looked at the man I once gave everything to — the one I believed would never hurt me — and felt nothing but unfamiliarity.

So this is what it looks like when he no longer loves me.

I swallowed my tears and whispered, “I didn’t lock her up.”

Then I turned to leave, steadying myself against the wall.

But he wouldn’t let go. “Don’t even think of running away. You’re coming with me — now.”

He dragged me through room after room. My body kept hitting corners and doors, and the pain in my abdomen was becoming unbearable. Cold sweat drenched my hair, and I could feel blood dripping down my legs.

But none of them registered with him.

Until we heard a faint cry behind a cubicle door.

He shoved me aside.

My back slammed against the wall, and the metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.

With a loud kick, he flung the door open.

Inside, Liora was crouched in the corner, soaking wet and trembling.

“Dorian! You came to save me!” she sobbed, flinging herself into his arms.

“I couldn’t find the medicine for my sister, so I gave her mine. I don’t know what I did wrong, but she locked me in here and poured cold water all over me!”

“She said that if I was going to use dysmenorrhea to get your sympathy, then I might as well suffer for it...” Her sobs grew louder. “Dorian, I didn’t mean to! I didn’t do it on purpose — you know that, right?”

“I know. I believe you,” Dorian said, holding her tighter. Then he turned to me, coldness in his eyes.

“Liora has always been kind to you. How could you treat her like this?”

I looked up slowly, voice barely audible. “Do you still love me?”

He froze for a moment, caught off guard.

Liora quickly stepped in, “Sister, Dorian loves you, of course he does. Please don’t misunderstand. I don’t want to be the reason you two fight...”

Dorian frowned. “Serena, we’re getting married tomorrow. Stop overthinking things.”

I stared at him for a long moment, then looked away.

There was nothing more to say.

Tomorrow, I will walk down the aisle in a white gown — but the groom waiting at the altar won’t be him.

After the wedding, I will disappear from his world.

Dorian, just now — that was the last time we’ll ever meet.

There is no room for you in my future anymore.