Chapter 1

I came back from my business trip early, hoping to surprise my fiancé, Noah Reed, who was working late.

I crept up to the slightly open door of his studio and peered through the crack.

The sight that greeted me was a shock. He was down on one knee, proposing to the girl in front of him.

My eyes were drawn to her radiant face.

I knew that girl.

She was Noah's first love, Talia Linwood, the one whose features I so unnervingly mirrored.

I crumpled the pregnancy test report in my hand.

The man who had promised me a lifetime had ultimately broken his vow.

From that moment, my heart turned to ice, and I ended things without a second thought.

*****

I stood in the corner of the gallery, my fingers numb as I moved them. Taking a deep breath, I dialed Noah's number, interrupting the passionate kiss they were about to share.

The sudden ringtone startled both of them.

Noah let go of the girl, frowned when he saw my name on the screen, and answered with obvious irritation, "Claire, I told you I was working late. Why are you calling me?"

I was so choked up, my throat so dry, I could barely speak.

I said, "Noah, is this what you call working late? Proposing to Talia?" I swallowed hard, my hand shaking as I held the phone.

"Proposing?" Noah repeated, sounding confused.

He froze for a second, then instinctively glanced toward the door. Our eyes met, and his widened in shock.

He asked, "Claire, what are you doing here? Weren't you on a business trip? Don't tell me you came back early just to check up on me?"

He immediately stepped in front of Talia, shielding her behind him.

I walked into the studio and said to Noah, "Checking up on you? My trip ended early, so I just came to pick you up. Didn't expect to catch such a dramatic scene."

Hearing my words, Talia suddenly pushed Noah away and fell to the floor in front of the easel.

"Please, Claire, it's not what you think. It's all my fault. Don't blame Noah," she said, her voice trembling.

Her face was pale, and she looked so pitiful.

I was startled by her reaction and instinctively reached out to help her up, but Noah misread my intentions. His face turned cold, and he shoved my arm away with surprising force.

"Claire, if you're angry, take it out on me. Leave Talia out of this; she's done nothing wrong," Noah snapped.

I was wearing heels, and his rough push threw me off balance. I crashed down hard onto the gallery's cold tile floor.

An excruciating pain shot through my wrist.

I couldn't hold back the tears; they spilled down my cheeks as I realized my wrist was already swollen and throbbing.

Noah was stunned for a moment, regret flashing across his face as he moved to help me up.

But Talia quickly got up, blocking Noah's path. She dropped to her knees with a thud in front of me, covering her face and sobbing softly.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault. If I just died, you two wouldn't have all these misunderstandings," she said.

Noah's hand rested on Talia's shoulder instead. He gently helped her up, his voice soft as he said, trying to comfort her, "Talia, it's okay. Claire will understand. Don't blame yourself."

Then he turned to me.

"Claire, don't do this. I can explain everything. Can we talk about this at home?" Noah said.

Watching Noah fuss over Talia so tenderly, I just found it all so ironic.

Fighting through the pain in my wrist, I steadied myself against the wall and replied, "Explain what? Explain how my fiancé decided to propose to another woman while I was away for work? What am I to you? A proof of your love?"

Noah frowned, disappointment flashing in his eyes. He said, "Claire, do you have to be so cruel?"

"Harsh? You think I'm the one being harsh?" I shot back.

I bit down hard on my lip, cold sweat breaking out on my forehead as I dug my nails into my palm, trying to fight off the pain.

Talia's eyes were rimmed with red as she finally spoke.

She said, "It's all my fault. I lost my memory in an accident, and ever since I was a kid, all I ever dreamed about was being Noah's bride, just once.

I know you are getting married, and I never meant to interfere. It's just that I lost my memory; I always thought Noah would be my groom. Can you please let me have this wish? After the wedding, you can have him back, I swear.

As she spoke, her eyes shone with expectation.

Hearing her words, Noah's expression filled with sympathy. He turned to me and said, "Claire, Talia just wants to have a wedding with me. Can't you be generous and let us finish what was left unresolved?"