|| Veronica ||

"I do not want to get married."

As soon as those words left my mouth, tranquility emerged in the bubbly atmosphere. The excitement of my mother, Catherine Wilshire, dropped like melted ice cream. My cousin shrugged, fully aware of my intention.

No one responded to me. The only thing worse than chaos was silence, and I hated it with a burning passion. "Say something, guys. Are you paralyzed?"

"Goodness! It's not funny, Vinnie. Do you have any idea what you are saying?" my mom reacted and looked at me with shock written all over her face as if I had just told her that I was pregnant at the age of twelve.

But I guess I should not be surprised, considering tomorrow was my engagement with a man I never met before. Actually, this was all my fault.

My mom called me two weeks ago when I was in the middle of shooting a crucial scene and was bugging me about marrying my late dad's best friend's youngest son. I thought she was just kidding. To end the call as soon as possible, I just said yes casually, not expecting her to be so serious. This led to the preparations today I was facing after returning from Paris.

I sighed and tried to explain calmly, "Look, Mom, I know it’s my mistake. But I don’t know it would go this far! I can't get married, I don't want to. I don't want a husband who will take away the little freedom that I have."

I was a career-oriented woman, and I didn't want any man at this point. I was a happy, successful actress, meaning if I married the wrong guy, my career was as good as doomed. But my mom was hell-bent on marrying me off to God knew whom.

"Honey, what will people say? What about your dad's promise to his friend? How will I show my face to his family? At least care about me, Vonnie. What will I say to Mom and Stephen?" spoke up my cousin, Sara Aldridge, the eldest daughter-in-law of the family I was about to marry in, and Stephen Aldridge was her husband. "Do you have any idea how hard it was for us to convince Aaron?"

"Well, you shouldn't have convinced him," I retorted. "Because I won't marry a person who doesn't even bother attending his father's funeral."

Three years ago, I went to the funeral of my dad's best friend, James Aldridge, but his youngest son didn't show. His brother, Stephen said that he was busy, which I found very disturbing and gave me an impression that Aaron Aldridge was not a very nice or responsible person.

"Aaron must have had his reason," Sara tried to defend her only brother-in-law.

"I don't see any valid reason for a son to skip his father's funeral unless he's a complete ungrateful prick who hated his father," I responded and went near my mom who was still trying to digest what I declared. I placed my hands on her shoulder and said, "Therefore, Mom, I won't marry that jerk or anyone for that matter. That's final."

Mom released a deep sigh and looked me dead in the eye, giving me a shiver. She was fully in her businesswoman mode now. "Your dad wanted you to marry in a good family, and I am going to fulfill his last wish, whether his daughter cares or not. Therefore, Veronica, you will marry Aaron Aldridge. That's final," she declared and walked out of my room.

Sadness engulfed my heart as I plopped down on my bed hopelessly. My own mother wasn't willing to understand me. Then who would? She had gone crazy to fulfill Dad's last wish.

Sara placed a hand on my shoulder and said softly, "Think this over well, Vonnie. It will all be for the best." With that, she left my bedroom.

I clutched a fistful of my purple bedsheet, feeling rage storming inside me. I wanted to go against my mom so bad, but she's been through enough since my father died. What should I do? I released an exaggerating sigh.

I need a drink, I thought.

I took out my cell phone from my purse which I had yet to unpack since I returned home to Los Angeles. I gave a call to my manager, Juliette Ellinor. However, that brat didn't receive my calls.

Frustrated, I let out a groan and grabbed my grey hoodie, aviator sunglasses, and face mask. I could not take the depressing atmosphere anymore. I needed a drink to clear my mind which was impossible at home.

I threw in the hoodie over my white crop top and took my car keys. Avoiding any confrontation with my mom or Sara, I sneaked out with my favorite car, Lamborghini Veneno.

I stopped near a bar and looked around. There were profound probabilities of any of my fans recognizing me there, then a lot of unwanted gossips could spread as tomorrow was my engagement. And the last thing I wanted right now was a scandal. So, I adjusted my glasses and mask before going in.

I stepped inside the bar, only to be welcomed by the blasting music, reek of branded alcohol, and gleaming neon lights. As usual, some hormone-struck teenagers were making out somewhere.

Avoiding the temptation to dance, I went to the bar counter and ordered a drink. Once I sat down on the barstool, my eyes fell on the guy beside me, who was sleeping with his head buried in his hands, clearly drunk from the three bottles of alcohol that were near him.

After a minute when I was handed over my glass of drink, the man beside me raised his head, his handsome face twitching in pain as if he was having a pounding headache.

He had a dark shade of hair, the front of it slightly curly and the rest was styled in a tousled way. His eyes and skin color were not clear due to the flashing neon lights, but with a sexy jawline, I felt that he’s a gorgeous man. His slouched broad shoulder told me that he was depressed just like me. Nonetheless, he looked familiar somehow.

The man in his mid-twenties fixed his navy blue shirt, which was paired with cream-colored pants and white sneakers, and looked at his Patek Philippe wristwatch, which made me think whether he was filthy rich or just a good thief.

"Shit," he cursed, his eyes widening in horror.

Wow, he has a deep, attractive voice even when he's cursing, I thought.

The man hurriedly took out his phone from his pocket and blinked a few times to adjust his vision before dialing a number. "Hey, Dean, come to pick me up," he ordered over the phone and dropped it on the counter, slumping his head down again, probably feeling another hammering pain in his head.

"You have been staring at me for a while now, miss," spoke up the man, making me jump a little.

I pretended not to listen and took off my mask before taking a casual sip of my drink.

"Ah, it's so sunny right now. I will go blind. Might you lend me a pair of sunglasses as well?" he let out sarcastically in a slurry voice, hinting at my sunglasses.

"I am wearing them for a reason, okay?" I responded, turning my head towards the man who was now looking at me with a bemused look, his elbow rested on the counter and his head on his palm.

"Now we are talking," he said, a smirk lingering on his face.

I frowned. "I wear my sunglasses because I can't have my fans recognizing," I muttered. Who knows if this person was also a fan of mine? What if he screamed seeing my breathtaking face and attracted the others?

"Well, someone thinks they are a celebrity just by covering their beautiful face," he commented.

"And well, someone thinks they are a billionaire just by wearing an expensive watch," I retorted.

"Ugh, I came to get rid of my family's nagging, yet I happen to meet another annoying woman," complained the man and ordered another drink for himself to the bartender.

"You also came here to escape your family? Me too," I chimed, now somehow interested to talk to the person beside me.

"Wow, what an unfortunate coincidence, miss— uh, what should I call you?"

I bit my lips as I couldn't tell him my real name. "You can call me Ms. V," I answered and forwarded my hand.

"Oh, okay, then I'm Mr. A," he responded and shook my hand.

I chuckled and wondered if he was a celebrity like me or it was just his drunk sense of humor. "So, Mr. A, what's gotten you so depressed?" I inquired, playing with my glass. As much of a chatterbox I was, I loved listening to others as well.

"As if you would understand." He rolled his eyes and sipped from his glass.

"You will never know if you don't try," I encouraged.

He anticipated for a while before letting out a shuddering breath and started, "It's the 21st century. Yet, who the fuck does arranged marriage nowadays?"

My eyes widened, glimmering in excitement. I leaned towards him and immediately agreed, "I know, right?"

"How can someone expect me to marry an unknown woman?" he complained, slamming his palm on the counter.

"I freaking know, right?"

Wow, Mr. A and I really have a lot in common. We have the same mindset.

"Wait, are you getting in an arranged marriage too, Ms. V?" Mr. A arched an eyebrow, and I nodded with a pout. "Now I think it would be just better if I married someone like you," he hummed remorsefully.

"Yes, I will arrange to marry a cold jerk who I even don’t really know! It would be so much better if I can marry someone who has the same mindset as me," I crooned enthusiastically.

The two of us talked for a little longer. I was only twenty-four years old, and Mr. A was two years older than me. But our respective families that were forcing us to get married when we weren't even that old and had a stable career.

Damn, it must have been fate. Otherwise, why else would I meet someone who was handling the same shit like me?

"What shall I do to break off this engagement?" I whined, my voice slurry as well. I had finished two bottles of alcohol, and my mind wasn't functioning well right now.

"You should cheat on your partner and tell that to his face!" exclaimed Mr. A.

I gave him an impressed look for such a brilliant idea and clapped. "But now the only person I can think of cheating with is you."

Mr. A suddenly pulled his stool closer to mine, bringing his face inches away from me. My breath hitched at his sudden action. "Same goes for me, except I really want this," he said, his eyes dropping to my lips with lust.

"W—what do you mean?"

"Your lips are very attractive," he murmured and used his finger to fondle my lips slowly, which made my cheeks heat up for no goddamn reason.

I gulped as he was inching closer. I would surely regret it later, but I couldn’t resist it. My body is heated and there is a fire rising from my heart. I want his sexy lips. I closed my eyes when his soft lips touched mine, letting my stomach twitch into knots of pleasure.

It wasn't like any other feeling I got before, not with any other kiss. It was special. Because it wasn't for a crowd of people to watch. It was just the two of us. In a bar where no one was paying attention.

Diving in ecstasy, I started moving my lips in sync with him. As the sunglasses were getting in my way, I hurriedly took them off to close the remaining gap between us, deepening the kiss.

He placed a hand on my waist, sending a shiver to my body, and another on my cheek while I wrapped my arms around his neck, our lips still connected.

We were lost in our own world until a man hollered, "God, what are you doing?" It made the two of us pull apart from the kiss and gasp for breath. Damn, that was so good.

I quickly pulled down my hood, covering my face, and looked away as the chestnut-haired man approached us. "Tomorrow is your engagement, and you are here kissing another woman? You will drown your family name along with me," the man hissed and pulled Mr. A up from his seat and wrapped one of his arms around his neck before making him stand on his staggering feet, without taking a glance at me.

Mr. A looked over his shoulder, a silly grin forming on his face, making his one dimples pop. I swear this guy's smile was so damn pretty; he should have been a model. "See you some other time, Ms. V," he hollered and I waved at him.

A smile curled up on my face as there was a strange attraction between us, an odd feeling that told me we would meet again, and that might be very soon.

Once he left, I felt all the energy drain out of my body. I slumped my body over the counter as reality started sinking in.

I jumped up when it hit me like a truck. "I just fucking kissed a total stranger!"

|| Veronica ||

I was wearing a light blue princess gown with a sweetheart neckline, highlighting my collarbone. I was sitting in front of my dressing table while my makeup artist was busy styling my platinum blonde hair into a complex bohemian hairstyle. Even though I was against this engagement, my mom let me have no choice. At least I had to look my best to keep my perfect image. I will find a way to make that man give up our engagement!

I was putting on my diamond earrings when my manager barged in my bedroom, breathing heavily, giving me the hint that she sprinted her way here.

"Ma'am, you look gorgeous," breathed out Juliette, standing beside me with a file clutching to her chest.

"Oh, really, Ms. Ellinor?" I squinted my eyes at her.

Juliette gulped and played with a strand of her black hair before mumbling out, "I'm sorry, ma'am. My mom fell sick, that's why I couldn't pick up your calls last night."

"How is she right now?" I inquired worriedly, forgetting all about my anger.

"Don't move," instructed my makeup artist, Brianna McConnell, and snapped my neck straight. One of these days I would be seen wearing a plaster around my neck due to Brianna.

"She's well now," Juliette replied to my question.

"Pay the bills through my card like usual," I said.

"But ma'am —"

"Julie," I called her name sternly, glaring at her through the mirror with my deep blue eyes.

Juliette lowered her head and nodded.

"I know that you can pay for her by struggling, but you do so much for me. That's the least I can do for you," I told her softly. Juliette did everything for me, starting from planning my schedule to bringing me water, although she stumbled quite a lot on the way.

A smile bloomed on her face. "You are the best, ma'am," she said.

"Ma'am, what about me? Will you increase my salary since I work so hard for you too?" Brianna butted in.

"I will consider that if I can make my soon-to-be fiancé's breath hitch," I answered, looking at my reflection in the mirror.

"I'm sure you can," Brianna and Juliette said in unison.

After a moment, Sara walked into my room and smiled widely, looking elegant with a v-line pastel gown and her golden blonde hair in a bun. "Everyone has arrived," she announced.

I nodded and stood up. I twirled around, flaunting my gown, before walking out with Sara and Juliette behind me.

The engagement ceremony was going to be held in the big outdoor garden of our mansion. Only close people were invited.

I was doing well in hiding my anxiety over meeting my fiancé after I kissed a complete stranger last night. But a maid stopped us and informed me that Aaron wanted to see me in the backyard, alone.

I arched an eyebrow in question. Why would he want to meet right before our so-called engagement? It kicked up the bucket of my nervousness by a notch. Shit, how am I going to face Aaron?

However, it was the perfect chance to talk him out of this marriage. If worse comes to worst, I would tell him about my blunder last night. He surely wouldn't want to marry a woman who would cheat with him.

I held the edges of my gown and made my way to the backyard, where there was no one but a tall man in a light blue three-piece suit pacing around with his hands in his pocket. My heartbeat started accelerating as I closed the gap between us, the more familiar the person started to seem. Is it because yesterday's kiss made me crazy?

I bit my lips. I felt like a criminal. I must have been out of my mind last night. The worst thing was, I enjoyed that kiss. What is wrong with me? Why am I making such a big deal out of it? I have kissed so many men before while acting.

Shaking my head, I stepped onto the backyard gazebo, the sound of my heels clicking announced my presence which made him turn around, and finally, our eyes met.

All the unwanted memories from last night flashed in my head. Starting from our conversation to our kiss.

I let out a small gasp since I immediately recognized him! The man I kissed last night!

"Mr. A?" I let out, my eyes widening like saucers.

Holy mother of salads, what the heck? Mr. A is Aaron Aldridge!

Listening to my voice, his green eyes squinted at me, trying to jog up his memory. "Ms. V?" he finally guessed.

"Yes," I replied, still in a daze.

How the fuck did I not recognize that face? I saw him so many times on the business magazine cover before.

Maybe because you were wearing sunglasses at night, answered by my subconscious.

However, he was drop-dead handsome when he's drunk, not to mention sober, with his green eyes shining like emeralds and his dark brown hair styled perfectly, clearly giving off the cold, arrogant vibe of the businessman I was informed about—the complete opposite of the drunk person I met in the bar.

Shit, if I knew that he was Aaron, I would have told him to back off from this right then. I wouldn't have had to deck up today, either.

Wait, that wasn't important. If Aaron was Mr. A, then he knew that I cheated on him. But he also cheated on me with my drunk self. We both were cheaters. Great.

What the fuck is up with this complex situation?

I was still in shock when Aaron cleared his throat and said, "I don't understand how you didn't recognize me. I mean, your face was covered, but mine wasn't. And wait— didn't you say your would-be husband is a cold jerk, which is actually me?"

My eyes widened and I snapped out of my trance. "No, I never said such a thing," I lied nonchalantly. I was stupid to blurt out so many complaints to a stranger.

Idiot, I scolded myself.

"Don't you lie. I clearly remember," Aaron responded.

"You were blackout drunk. Your memory must be hazy as hell," I argued.

"I have a sharp memory."

"And so do I." I held my ground, even though I was the one lying. I hated giving up on arguments.

"Well, you don't seem to remember that kiss we shared last night," he retorted.

My cheeks flushed for no logical reason. Why was I getting flustered over a simple kiss? It wasn't even a one-night stand. That's why I looked him straight in the eye and said, "Oh, I do remember clearly, you cheater."

"Really now? I'm the cheater?" He looked at me in disbelief. "Who kissed me back?"

"Who knows? Probably your glass."

"I can't believe you are going to be my fianceé." He shook his head in disapproval.

"I don't want you to be my fiancé, either."

Ugh, I would never want to get married to such a person who will argue with me over everything!

All of a sudden, something clicked between the two of us and we both blurted out in sync, "You also don't want to get married?"

I breathed an air of relief, so did he.

"Call off the engagement," I quickly urged him.

Aaron narrowed his eyes at me. "What makes you think I wouldn't have done it if I could?"

"Then what is your plan to stop this wedding?" I asked, putting a hand on my hip.

Aaron twitched his lips, a thoughtful expression taking over his face. "Why don't you run away on the wedding day?" he suggested blankly.

I formed my hands in a cross in front of me and said, "No way. It will spoil my reputation. My fans will say I'm irresponsible for running away from my wedding and my mom will kill me!"

"Then, what do you want? Shall I run away?" he asked sarcastically.

An idea lit up inside my head. I smirked and took a few steps closer to him and let out, "That is a nice idea, indeed."

"No way in hell. My mom and Sara will run me over with a car," he reasoned out.

"Now, look. I get that it's something that means a lot to our moms because it was a promise made by our dads, but we need to think about ourselves. We both are not interested in getting married, least to each other," I explained calmly. "The best way is for you, the groom, to run away."

Aaron thought for a while before nodding his head. "You are right. If my bride were to run away, I would lose face as well. I can handle the issue by making up some other story."

"Great," I chimed. If Aaron didn't arrive on the wedding day, I would be able to convince my mom, and my fans would also take sympathy for me. "So, is this a promise?" I asked, forwarding my fist for confirmation.

He looked at me strangely as if I was asking for the secret details of his company from him. "It's a promise," he replied and skeptically bumped his fist with mine, which made a bright smile take over my face.

"I hate promise-breakers, so you better not betray me," I added.

"Aaron Aldridge never goes back on his word."

"But for now, let's proceed with the engagement ceremony, Mr. A." We needed to put on a convincing show so that no one would doubt our plan.

"We… still need to do that?" he asked.

I nodded and went forward and wrapped my arms around his, making him release a sigh.

"Fine, have it your way."

We made our way to the outdoor garden in the perfect sunny weather where the guests were waiting.

A big smile bloomed on the faces of my mom and Aaron's mom, Elise Aldridge. Our mothers were good friends as well since the two of them were businesswomen, my mom being the owner of a transportation business, and Elise being a chain hospital owner.

"Are you two ready for it?" asked Sara, an excited grin on her face.

Aaron and I nodded and made our way to the aisle. Sara and her husband, Stephen, brought the diamond rings in two golden palettes. Although engagement ceremonies like this were rare nowadays, it was a must-follow custom of my family.

I put up the best smile I could muster and looked at Aaron who flashed me a perfect fake smile as well, displaying his dimple. Being an A-list actress had its perks as I could always detect what kind of a smile someone was giving.

Aaron took my left hand in his while every pair of anticipating eyes were on us—even the attendees were more excited than me about this. I didn't invite the paparazzi because I was initially intending to break off this engagement, so the lesser people, the better.

I held my breath as Aaron was about to slide down the perfectly cut beautiful diamond ring through my fourth finger. Just as the ring crossed my fingernail, his cell phone rang up and he immediately let go of my hand, which made the crowd go 'oh, man!' in disappointment while my jaw was hanging open, being dumbstruck.

Wow, he has the guts to keep his cell phone on during his engagement. How fucking rude! No one leaves Veronica Wilshire hanging.

"Hello? Of course, I know the paper signing can't be done with me. Yes, I'm coming right now," Aaron said over the phone, a little too excited for a simple contract signing. He slipped the phone back in his pocket and turned towards the people. "I have an important work," he announced and shoved the ring in my hand before marching down from the dais, making everyone gasp in horror.

Really, what a big difference alcohol made within a person. He was so open and even kissed me, but now he even had a problem with putting a ring on my finger.

As he disappeared from my vision, I released a sigh.

"Poor Veronica."

"Oh, that poor girl. She must be so heartbroken right now."

"I want to give her a consolation hug right now."

I heard people chattering and a smile evolved on my lips which I tried to restrain and pretended to be sad, but on the inside, I was ecstatic. It was exactly what I wanted. People would take sympathy for me after my groom would run away just like today.

A man so disinterested in me that he tried to skip out on our engagement in front of everyone, I wondered what he would do on the wedding day. He ought to run away, right?

I held the edge of my gown and was about to walk down the aisle faking a few tears when I heard a few attempts of protest. "Let me fucking go!"

I turned my neck in that direction to find Sara dragging Aaron back here by his hand forcefully. "You will not leave until you make my sister wear that engagement ring," Sara declared.

"I have an important meeting to attend," Aaron protested.

"Whatever losses that shall be incurred will be paid by me, and I don't see how a work of ten seconds can make you late for anything. Make her wear that ring and go wherever you want," Sara lectured and pushed Aaron towards the dias while I watched the tom-and-jerry scene unfold with wide eyes.

Aaron scowled at Sara and fixed his necktie before briefly meeting my eyes. He cleared his throat and took the ring that he had shoved in my hand earlier, grumbling, "Your sister is a piece of work."

I was still trying to process what was going on when he quickly slid the ring across my finger and was already on his way out.

"And who will wear your engagement ring?" Sara hollered.

"I have done enough. You can do that for me," Aaron hollered back, disappearing from everyone's sight.

There was a belated burst of squeals and congratulations as the people awkwardly realized that Aaron and I were finally engaged. They said they couldn't wait for the wedding which was two months from now. Well, I couldn't either.

|| Veronica ||

Today was the big day. The most important day of my life, or it's supposed to be. But now, It was merely an occasion for me where I had to be the apple of everyone's eyes and pretend to be the damsel-in-distress whose groom eloped.

However, it all depended on Aaron. I left everything in his care and remained relaxed for the whole time. The things he did at the engagement make me believe him.

The last two months have been full of fun for me as we went crazy shopping. I loved shopping more than anything. After all, I was the type of person who never wore the same dress again, except the home PJs. And with all the beauty treatments I received on my mom's order, my age had lessened by a year and my face was literally sparkling.

I never met up with Aaron after he disappeared from the engagement ceremony that day. He was supposed to come for bridal outfit selection, venue observation, flower, and card selection, but he never showed up, saying he had important work. It was understandable, considering he was a self-established businessman, who was also a self-made billionaire.

After all those chaotic moments, right now, I was standing in front of the full-length mirror, checking my gorgeous reflection. I was wearing a luxurious white mermaid gown that hugged my curvy figure perfectly, having a deep cut in between my cleavage, along with an extensive lacy cape. My hair was tied in a loose bohemian bun with a diamond beaded crown on my head, which was a family heirloom of mine.

"You look stunning, honey," complimented my mom, tears glistening in her dark blue eyes.

I hugged her and patted her back, saying, "Don't worry. I won't go away from you."

Mom broke the hug and said, "You have to go away. From now on, your husband shall be your everything, and you shall dedicate yourself for his happiness."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "It's not the 18th century, Mom. It's my own life, why should I dedicate it to someone else?"

Mom smiled and caressed my cheek. "You will understand that once you fall in love."

"Then, I hope I never fall in love," I responded, flashing her a tight-lipped smile. "By the way, isn't Sara supposed to come?" I diverted the topic as Mom opened her mouth to lecture me again.

"No, she informed me at the last minute that she will be coming as the groom's side," Mom replied.

I pouted as my favorite cousin would not come from my side. Sara was the closest to me out of all, my best friend, because she has lived with us for the most time since her diplomat parents were always traveling around due to their work. Now, she was a criminal prosecutor and the wife of a multinational corporation president.

"Ma'am, everything is arranged," Juliette informed us.

"I will go ahead," Mom said and went away.

My lips curved in a smirk and I sat down on the chair, crossing my legs. I knew that I wouldn't be called to the wedding aisle since the groom wouldn't even arrive, that's why I would just chillax.

Juliette arched an eyebrow seeing me. "Ma'am, can I ask you a personal question?" she asked, and I nodded. "You were so adamant about not getting married, then what caused you to be so enthusiastic about it all of a sudden? Did you fall in love with Mr. Aldridge after meeting him?"

I chortled. I wondered if everyone thought that I had fallen in love with Aaron which caused me to change my decision. "If I share a secret with you, Julie, will you keep it with yourself?"

"Of course, ma'am. Cross my heart, I will never tell anyone," Juliette replied.

"I won't get married today," I announced.

"Oh, my gosh, ma'am, are you planning to run away? The agency directors will fire us," Juliette gibbered.

I laughed and said, "I won't, but my groom will."

She gasped. "But if he doesn't come, then—"

"Yes. Aaron won't come, and I won't get married. All good. I won't even have to go to the aisle today. Though it's a shame since I dressed up so prettily," I told her with a giddy smile on my face. “Click some beautiful pictures of me though, okay?”

Juliette nodded her head half-heartedly. To pass time, I even started talking to her about the film project we were taking on.

"Let's go," said Uncle Peter, Sara's dad, once he entered the bridal chamber.

The only announcement of his arrival was a descent of absolute silence before I stood up and let out, "What?"

"Why do you seem shocked? You have to come to the aisle with me. Now, hurry," he urged.

"But —" I cut myself off as to not create a blunder. What's happening? I thought in panic.

Wait, is Aaron going to break the wedding alliance right at the aisle in front of everyone like those movies? Or are they taking me there because he didn't come? Yes, that must be it.

Before I had the chance to organize my thoughts, I was already on my way to the church doors. I slid my hand around Uncle Peter's arm since I had no brother or father except him.

I inhaled and exhaled quite a few times, preparing myself to gather the pity I was going to be given by the people. The paparazzi weren't allowed inside, only close friends and relatives would be present.

Finally, the doors were open and I started walking through the aisle runner with Juliette holding my veil from behind and the guests hooting in encouragement. My eyes were set on the expensive fabric I was on walking on, too afraid to look up at the altar.

I didn't want to face the reality but eventually, I had to, and somewhere in my heart I knew what awaited me when Uncle Peter asked me to come with him—what awaited me was a fucking betrayal!

As I raised my head and gazed at the altar, I found my soon-to-be husband standing there with a forced smile on his handsome face, dazzling in his black tuxedo, his hair brushed flawlessly.

How quickly my trust in him turned to hate as if I never even doubted him. Hatred and contempt burned through my body as if it could turn my heart to ashes, more than anything I wanted to turn back the time and go back to that day we made a promise and undo that.

I should find a way to end this shit marriage by myself! That bastard!