Five years into my marriage, I received a wedding invitation from California.

The groom was my husband, Caspian Blackwood.

The bride was my own sister, Genevieve Valerius.

In disbelief, I flew to Napa Valley to see it for myself. But when I saw Caspian holding Genevieve in a passionate embrace, my world shattered.

Grand fireworks erupted in the night sky, spelling out a message—"Congratulations to Mr. Blackwood and Miss Valerius on their wedding."

In that moment, I felt an invisible blade pierce my chest. Watching them bask in the adoration of the crowd, I felt like a shameful interloper.

Love is a world built for two; a third person is always an intruder.

Rather than wait for him to discard me, I chose to leave on my own terms, preserving the last shred of my dignity.

————————

1

I hid on a terrace at the wedding venue, my heart pounding in my throat as footsteps approached.

"Congratulations, Blackwood. One wife at home and another on your arm. Some guys have all the luck," a business partner joked.

My heart clenched, the pain so sharp it was hard to breathe.

Then, I heard Caspian Blackwood's soft chuckle. "Don't be like that. Genevieve was there for me after the accident. That’s why I’m marrying her. She really loves me—she was willing to give up everything."

"But Scarlett will always be the one I love. Don't you dare tell her about this—ever."

His voice was gentle yet firm, each word a sharp blade carving fresh wounds into my heart.

He used to bring me my favorite Blue Mountain coffee every morning. On my birthdays, he would book an entire observatory just to watch a meteor shower with me, whispering how much he loved me under the stars.

Then, the crash happened. A horrific private jet crash damaged his nerves and changed everything.

As the ruthless CEO of a major tech company, he couldn't accept the possibility of being permanently paralyzed. Overnight, his personality became volatile and desperate. He started pushing me away, trying to force a divorce.

"Scarlett, I'm a broken man now. If you stay, you'll only be dragged down with me. Someone like me deserves to rot alone."

He threw a signed divorce agreement in front of me, his eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse with pain.

"Sign it. We're over. Go live the life you were meant to have."

But how could I leave him when he needed me most?

I squeezed his hand and told him firmly, "I'm not going anywhere, Caspian. Never. Don't you dare say that. I'm staying with you."

But it was as if he couldn't hear me, sinking deeper into a mire of despair. Sometimes, he would lose control and roar at me.

"Scarlett! What are you waiting for? Just sign the damn papers! What future is there for you, tied to a burden like me? Leave me, I'm begging you. If you leave, I'll have no reason left to live..."

I never signed the agreement. No matter how hard he pushed, I stayed by his side.

To help him walk again, I moved to Switzerland. For two years, I practically lived in the labs of a top research institute, developing a cutting-edge neurological treatment just for him.

I wore the diamond pendant he'd given me every single day, never taking it off. Caspian had hidden a micro-recorder inside it so he could hear my voice whenever he wanted.

This connection across continents was the only comfort that kept me going. And by some miracle, he finally recovered.

But now, here I was, watching him marry Genevieve Valerius. Listening to him speak of his "responsibility" to her.

So, this is what he was doing while I was gone.

While I was away, Genevieve had taken advantage of my absence.

Knowing full well that Caspian was my husband, she had shamelessly thrown herself at him.

And Caspian... even though he claimed to love me, he had still betrayed me. He'd even ordered everyone to keep it a secret.

The thought made my heart seize in a painful spasm.

I clapped a hand over my mouth, desperate to choke back a sob.

I don't remember how I left that place. All I know is that by the time I stumbled back into our penthouse, my face was streaked with tears.

I sat at the desk, staring at the divorce agreement Caspian had signed all that time ago.

I had wanted to tear it to shreds countless times, a reminder that we would never be apart.

But now, I picked up a pen and, without hesitation, signed my name.

The divorce was final.

A single teardrop fell onto the paper, smudging the ink and blurring my world.

I knew, in that moment, I had lost Caspian forever. The love we once shared had burned to ash.

After signing the divorce papers, I pulled myself together and decided to return to my career in neuroscience.

Genevieve always had a way of winning everyone over—even our parents preferred her, though I was their biological daughter. Every time I came home on vacation, a flicker of strained discomfort would cross their faces when they saw me.

Over time, the house stopped feeling like a home.

Before Caspian, I had planned to pursue advanced studies in neuroscience. I gave up my ambitions for him.

Now, it was time to reclaim my life.

As fate would have it, my mentor was preparing a confidential neuro-technology project in the mountains of Colorado. I submitted my application and was quickly accepted.

In three days, I would be heading to a secure facility for a classified research project.

This was it. I would be leaving Caspian for good and starting a new chapter.

However, just two days before my departure, Caspian returned to the penthouse. He stared at my packed suitcases, his expression baffled.

"Scarlett, where are you going?" There was an unmistakable hint of panic in his voice.

I lowered my gaze, unable to meet his eyes. "I'm... going on a trip with some friends. I'll be back soon."

"No," he cut me off, his voice sharp as he rose from the sofa. "You're not going anywhere. The world outside is too dangerous. You'll stay here, where I can keep you safe."

I frowned, about to argue, but he had already seized my wrist and was dragging me toward the door.

"Don't you dare leave me again, Scarlett. Stay by my side. Come on, I have a surprise for you."

Before I could protest, he had bundled me into his sports car.

The entire way, he clutched my hand, his grip so tight it felt as if he feared I would vanish into thin air.

...

Half an hour later, the car purred to a stop in front of a private observatory.

This was the place we had once promised to build together. Back then, it was just a barren patch of mountain land. Now, Caspian had built a private observatory outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment.

"Scarlett, I know how much you've always wanted to see the Leonid meteor shower. I arranged all of this for you."

His gaze softened, brimming with the affection I remembered.

However, just then, a familiar figure caught my eye.

It was Genevieve. Clad in an elegant white Chanel dress and holding a camera, she was strolling toward us with a practiced smile.

"Scarlett, Caspian," she greeted us warmly.

It was only then that I realized Genevieve always used that sickeningly sweet tone when she said his name.

Caspian's expression darkened for a fraction of a second before he smoothed it over.

"Genevieve's just here to take some pictures. She won a photography award recently. I know you don't like her, but she'll leave as soon as she's done."

He tried to explain, but I had already caught the triumphant smirk on Genevieve's face.

...

Inside the observatory, she manufactured an excuse to get Caspian out of the room, leaving the two of us alone.

"Caspian, could you get some champagne for Scarlett and me?"

The moment he was gone, her innocent mask fell away. Her voice dripped with scorn. "Scarlett, you really are a coward. You flew all the way to Napa Valley but didn't even have the guts to show your face."

"Oh, by the way," she added with a sneer, "why don't we make a little bet? Growing up, Mom and Dad always loved me more. Now, let's see who Caspian loves more."

"What are you talking about?" I frowned. "I'm not interested in whatever game you're playing. I'm done fighting for anyone's affection."

I turned to leave, but Genevieve shamelessly followed me all the way back to the penthouse.

"Scarlett, how about this? If we were both in danger, at the exact same time, who do you think Caspian would save?"

With a wicked smile, she crept toward the fireplace. I watched in horror as she twisted the valve on a gas line—one she must have tampered with earlier—then pulled a lighter from her purse and flicked it on.

Before I could react, a massive explosion rocked the entire building.

Genevieve had ignited the gas.

All I saw was a blinding flash, and then the world around me began to crumble.

A heavy ceiling beam crashed down, pinning my legs, while a large shard of glass pierced my shoulder. The intense pain threatened to drag me into unconsciousness.

Still, I gritted my teeth and screamed with everything I had, "Caspian! Save me!"

But my only answer was the sight of his resolute back as he raced away.

I watched as he scooped up Genevieve's limp form, racing through the flames to carry her to safety. He didn't so much as glance back at me.

In that moment, something inside me died.

...

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. Only one day remained before my scheduled departure.

Caspian was sitting by my bedside, his face a mask of anguish.

"Scarlett, you're finally awake!" He clutched my hand, his eyes filled with regret. "I had no idea you were in the penthouse. I thought you were still at the observatory! If I had known, I would have saved you first..."

I silently pulled my hand from his and turned my face away. "I understand. You don't have to explain."

He sighed heavily. "Genevieve is your sister. In a situation like that, I had to save her first."

"Besides," he added, "she's so much more fragile than you. How could I just leave her there?"

"Okay," I replied, my voice chillingly calm. "I understand perfectly."

Judging by Caspian's surprised expression, he hadn't expected me to be so agreeable. In the past, any mention of Genevieve would have prompted me to urge him to stay away from her. We’d even fought about it.

He clearly never imagined I could be this detached.

The next second, he grabbed my hand again, his voice sincere. "Scarlett, you have to believe me. I love you. I would trade my life for yours in a heartbeat."

Just then, a message from Genevieve lit up my phone.

"He chose me, Scarlett. Left you to burn. Still think he loves you? Pathetic. Just watch."