"Mrs. Lane must be Mr. Lane's true love." Another lady in the flower shop sighed.

"Haven't you heard? Long relationships rarely make it to marriage. Real love is about possession. Flash weddings are how you know it's the real deal."

I never thought I'd overhear my own gossip story one day. Without a word, I turned to leave.

I hadn't gone far when someone called out my name. "Serena!"

When I looked up in the direction of the sound, I saw Holden with Eve nestled against his side and a bouquet of roses in her arms.

"Are you here for flowers too?" Holden's expression was cool. He was probably still brooding over our last encounter.

Eve noticed my empty arms and said sweetly, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Serena. Holden bought all the flowers for me, but if you really want them, you can have mine."

She stepped forward as if offering me the bouquet in kindness, but I took a wary step back, not falling for her trick. A single bouquet meant nothing to me, and I had no interest in taking anyone's leftovers, be it people or possessions.

When Holden noticed the way I shunned the flowers, he sneered, "You see? You're always so kind, Eve, but some people will never learn to appreciate it."

With that, he dragged her away in the direction of a restaurant.

Moments after they left, Ryland's assistant, Philip, appeared by my side. "Ms. Barrett, Mr. Croft sent me to deliver this to you."

Looking at the rose crafted entirely of rubies in the velvet box, I drew in a sharp, surprised breath. That extravagance was staggering and honestly nothing like I'd ever seen.

This single piece could have bought me an entire nursery, but still, it was the most exquisite, stunning flower I had ever received in my life. Cradling it, I returned home in satisfaction.

…

The next morning, I woke up early to get my hair and makeup done. After putting on my wedding gown, I stared at my reflection in a daze.

For years, I believed I'd marry Holden, but fate had set me on a different path to marry Ryland, the infamous playboy I had never even considered. True enough, life had a cruel sense of irony.

I was about to head downstairs when commotion erupted outside. I opened the door, expecting Ryland's arrival, only to find Holden.

The moment his gaze landed on me in my wedding gown, his expression darkened. "What are you doing dressed like this? Didn't I tell you we're not marrying for another six months?"

I figured I might have played the part of a willing devotee so well that he believed I'd never leave him.

As I met his eyes, I declared, "Things have long been over between us, Holden. I'm not getting married to you today, and my husband will be here soon. Please leave if you have no business here."

He scoffed. "Who else are you gonna marry if not me? I never thought you'd force my hand by parading around in a wedding gown and getting wedding gifts ready. Seriously, have you no shame?

"You used to have some self-respect, so why are you in such a rush to marry me now? I told you I have to protect Eve for at least six months. You can pressure me all you want, but it won't change a thing. Now, take that wedding gown off before you embarrass yourself."

He sounded so blindly convinced and stubborn, while I was too weary to argue. Just as I was about to call for my men to escort him out, the sudden ringing of wedding bells from a nearby chapel interrupted us.

Holden frowned. "What's this? A wedding next door?"

His words faded away just as Ryland strode in with his groomsmen.

He cast Holden a casual glance and grinned. "Well, well. I never expected you to show up for my wedding to Ms. Barrett, Mr. Lane."