Chapter 3

44 days before the wedding, Sia resigned, and Ryan hired a male secretary. Levi sent me a message, congratulating me for making it through.

39 days before the wedding, Ryan and I made up. The tension and awkwardness between us melted away, and we stopped fighting about the wedding.

35 days before the wedding, I tried on my wedding dress again, and we finalized our honeymoon in Aisleland.

32 days before the wedding, I deleted a new message from that unknown number, the one with a mocking ellipsis. Thirteen days earlier, that same number had exposed Ryan's hidden side to me.

31 days before the wedding, Ryan attended Vie's jewelry launch event and bid on a necklace.

The assistant I had arranged was sent back by him.

Vie, a renowned jewelry designer, created a necklace called "True Love", a necklace perfect for weddings.

It was beautiful. It was the necklace I had already decided to wear at the wedding, even before Ryan had proposed to me.

As soon as I got home, that familiar, exquisite gift box was waiting for me.

Overjoyed, I threw my arms around Ryan. "Thank you."

The atmosphere was wonderful. He said he had prepared dinner, and we were going to spend our last Valentine's Day together.

I'd been so busy, I'd forgotten it was even Valentine's Day.

"Why call it our last? That sounds awful."

"Because next time, Flora, you'll be my wife."

I laughed at his teasing, and then eagerly opened the box, but I froze in shock.

Ryan hugged me from behind, nuzzling my neck. "What's wrong?" he asked gently.

My fingers stiffened a little. "I remember sending you the photo and the name. This isn't it."

"Is that so?"

"It must've been bought by someone else. I got you a similar one instead."

Seeing his casual attitude, I became a little anxious.

"How could that be? It's a wedding jewelry set. There shouldn't be much demand for it right now, and I gave a very high budget. My assistant should have told you..."

Ryan loosened his hold on me and said, "It's the same designer, and the style is similar. It's good enough."

I froze, not sure if he was talking about the necklace or me.

The next second, he smiled and coaxed me. "Sorry, Flora, but someone else bought that one. I couldn't just snatch it from them, right?

"By the way, do you like handbags? Hermès just released a new collection. Pick whichever one you want, okay?"

I looked at him, feeling like I barely knew him. "Since when did you know so much about bags?"

His expression didn't change. He just smiled and nodded. "Gotta learn how to keep my wife happy, right? I'm about to be a husband, after all."

"I see."

Though I didn't get the necklace I wanted, I still sent Vie a thank-you message.

Midway through dinner, Ryan told me he'd got a surprise for me.

As dazzling fireworks filled the night sky outside, my mood began to lift.

A message popped up on my phone. Vie had replied.

[Thank you and Mr. Jackson for your support. I hope you'll love both necklaces.]

The word "both" stood out in my eyes.

A chill crept through me as the truth hit me all at once.

Ryan knew exactly how much I wanted "True Love".

Meanwhile, a Twitter notification popped up on my phone.

[You lit up the entire city with fireworks for me. I'll cast aside all judgment and go crazy with you, just this once.]

That same afternoon, Sia posted another update on Twitter: [Choosing one is too hard. Why can't I have both?]

The photo showed the "True Love" necklace and the one Ryan had given me tonight.

The fireworks outside hadn't yet faded. The top comment was from an account registered less than six months ago, using a couple's profile photo.

I suddenly remembered joking with Ryan about doing the same. He told me we were way past that childish nonsense at our age.

[The new Hermès bag has arrived at your place. Think of it as my apology.]

Sia answered with a shy, blushing emoji.

The comments flooded in.

[Damn, he prepared a whole firework show in the city for her. The fine is gonna be huge.]

[You don't get it. He bought Sia a luxury penthouse downtown. She can see the whole skyline right from home.]

I looked out the window. The grand display was still dazzling, though partially obscured by tall buildings and a tree.

Another user tagged Sia: [Did you spend Valentine's Day with him?]

[Not yet. He's been busy. We only had time for a short video call.]

A screenshot was attached. The man's face was cropped out, but it was Ryan, the same man who had just been having dinner with me.

[But he promised once he's done dealing with someone, he'll come be with me.]

Fans immediately caught on. [Ugh, that rich bitch again, huh?]

[Gross. Knowing he has a girlfriend and still playing third wheel with her money? I pray the homewrecker goes bankrupt soon.]

Countless vicious comments poured in, some even wishing me dead.

The illusion shattered, and rage consumed all reason, leaving me stripped bare in my humiliation.

[He won't come to you.]

Before I could stop myself, I'd already sent the message.

Clueless netizens who didn't know the full story mocked me, saying I broke down like some lovestruck fangirl.

As an insider, Sia instantly saw through me and recognized who I was.

She sent me a private message.

[Out of pity, I asked Ryan to keep you company.

[But now? I don't feel like it anymore.]