Chapter 2

My phone vibrated and "Honey" flashed across the screen. It was Edward.

I stared at that word, and the irony almost made me laugh.

I drew in a long breath and forced every muscle in my body to keep my voice steady. "Hello?"

"Anna, why are you still up?" Edward's voice was as gentle as ever on the other end. "Tomorrow's your big day. You need to get some rest so you'll look beautiful."

I glanced at my pale, hollow, drained reflection and let out a mocking smile. "I'm a little nervous. I couldn't sleep."

"Silly girl, what's there to be nervous about? We've waited ten whole years for this," he chuckled softly. "Go get some sleep. I'll come pick you up in the morning. I promise you'll be the most beautiful bride in the world."

Then he added, "Oh, I just got off the phone with Sophie. She's so nervous she can't sleep either. She told me to comfort you. You two really are best friends."

I nearly laughed out loud at his words.

What a sick joke.

"Edward." I cut him off.

"Yeah? What is it, baby?" he asked.

"Do you love me?" I asked.

He paused, then slipped right back into that tender, doting tone. "What kind of silly question is that? Who else could I possibly love but you? From the very first moment I saw you at eighteen, I knew you were the one. This life, the next, and every life after—you'll always be my bride."

He was smooth. I wondered if he fed the same lines to Sophie.

"Then what about Sophie?" I asked plainly.

He went silent. A few seconds passed before he finally spoke, sounding helpless. "Anna, why are you bringing her up again? Haven't I explained this a thousand times? She and I were just friends—best buddies, that's all. Because of you, I treated her like a little sister. Why would you let your mind run wild at a time like this?"

I wondered what kind of brother hooked up with his "little sister" in my bed.

"I just... I'm scared she'll take you away from me," I said, my voice trembling with fake tears. My performance was flawless.

"Silly girl." Edward's tone melted immediately. "She could never compare to you. In my heart, no one else could ever take your place. Stop overthinking and get some sleep, alright? You don't want dark circles tomorrow."

"Okay," I replied.

The moment I hung up, every trace of fragility vanished from my face.

I sat back down at my computer and downloaded every photo, every post, and all those shameless chat logs between Sophie and Edward from her secret profile.

Then I dialed the wedding planner calmly. "Ms. Walker, it's me, Anna. For tomorrow's wedding, we need to adjust the program. Yes. Start with a video."

The next day, the sun was shining bright.

I wore the wedding dress I'd spent half a year designing and walked arm-in-arm with my father, waiting at one end of the aisle.

The church was full, and the wedding march echoed through the hall.

Every guest looked at me with warm, hopeful smiles.

My mother sat in the front row, eyes glistening with tears. She was overjoyed and overwhelmed.

Edward's parents looked pleased too, chatting happily with relatives.

At the end of the red carpet, Edward stood tall in a perfectly fitted suit. His eyes locked onto mine through the crowd, full of tenderness, as if I were his whole world.

Beside him stood Sophie, wearing the bridesmaid dress I had tailored for her. She beamed at me, even gave me a little wink, and mouthed, "You've got this."

Her acting was truly Oscar-worthy.

I returned her look with a gentle smile. I held my father's arm tight and walked toward the man I was about to push into hell.

My father placed my hand into Edward's and said solemnly, "Eddie, I'm entrusting my baby girl to you. You must take good care of her."

"Don't worry, Mr. Jennings." Edward held my hand tight, vowing with full confidence. "I'll spend my whole life loving her and protecting her."

I met his tender gaze, but inside, I felt nothing but cold emptiness.

The officiant stepped up to the stage and began the usual boilerplate blessings. "And now, the bride and groom will exchange rings."

Edward picked up the ring and looked at me with deep affection. "Anna, I love you."

I didn't move. I simply stared at him, calm and steady, and pressed the tiny remote hidden inside my bouquet.

With a soft sound, the giant screen behind us lit up. Everyone instinctively turned to look. But the sweet wedding photos they were expecting never appeared.

Instead, the screen showed a blown-up picture. It was a bouquet of bright red roses—exactly the same as the one I was holding. Below it, a bold line of black text: [He said the flowers were for Anna, but he was mine.]

The entire venue fell silent. Then the images began to flip, one after another. Every single one came from Sophie's secret account. Their kissing photos. Their pictures in bed. Their explicit chat logs. And playing over the slideshow was the audio I had someone edit.

"Eddie, do you love me or Anna?" Sophie's voice was soft and flirtatious.

"Of course it's you, baby." Edward's voice followed. "Being with her is just for her family's money and connections. Once I get shares in her dad's company, I'll dump her and marry you."

"But how long do I have to wait? I can't stand it anymore." Sophie whined.

"Soon, baby, just a little longer. Look, she even put both our names on the apartment deed. That idiot doesn't even know she's being played like a puppet," Edward answered.

The filthy dialogue, paired with those gut-wrenching images, echoed again and again inside the solemn church.

Chaos erupted. Camera flashes exploded like fireworks. Reporters, smelling blood in the water, swung their lenses toward the couple onstage—both of them already pale as death.