Chapter 1
On the eve of me marrying Camron Delacruz, his first love returned from overseas.
He brought her right in front of me, his tone as cold as if we were just making small talk.
He said, "Mallory, the wedding is off. She's back. I can't betray her."
I didn't argue and simply nodded.
Then I turned, went home, cut the wedding dress I had so carefully prepared into shreds, packed my bags, and walked away.
*****
Camron Delacruz posted an update on Instagram. [Some people are made for love, others are just for everyday life.]
He shared a photo of himself with his first love.
Everyone thought I'd break down, that I'd try to win him back.
Until one night at a charity gala, a breathtakingly difficult piano piece filled the room, leaving everyone in awe.
Maverick Barnett, Aureville's youngest medical doctor, was standing in the audience, watching me.
His gaze was so gentle that it felt like he could melt me right there.
Camron suddenly stood up, his hand shook and red wine splashed all over him.
Later that night, he dragged me into a corner, his voice was hoarse.
"Mallory, who is he?" he asked.
Maverick slipped up beside me, his voice laced with a teasing smile.
"Hey there, I'm the future father of her kids," he said.
*****
I was pushing through the pain in my stomach, going over the wedding plans again and again at the venue.
In three days, I'd be marrying Camron.
It was just a marriage of convenience, but both families were treating the wedding like a lifeline, hoping it could revive their flagging fortunes.
I was still double-checking the flower arrangements when a sudden commotion broke out outside.
"Did you hear? Rebecca Hodges is back! Camron blew through red lights just to pick her up. Everyone's freaking out about it!" someone whispered.
"Seriously? I always heard their love was legendary. If their families hadn't interfered, they never would've split up!" another person added.
"Wait, isn't he getting married to someone else tomorrow? What's the bride supposed to do?" someone else muttered.
"Come on, everyone knows it's just a marriage of convenience. The bride shamelessly begged for it. Let her cry," someone scoffed.
I quietly paused, letting go of the flowers I was picking.
The staff were still clueless, glancing at me in confusion.
"Miss Randolph?" one of them called out.
I shook my head, stopping her mid-sentence, and dialed Camron.
He answered almost instantly.
"Where are you?" I asked.
"I'm at work," he replied.
"Really?" I asked, not buying it.
His voice was cold. "What else do you want me to say? Would you even understand? Just go plan your wedding if you're so bored."
I quietly tightened my grip on my phone, holding back everything I felt.
Yeah, it really was hard to understand.
After all, I'd spent my whole life playing piano. Music was the only thing I was good at. Everything else was just a mystery to me.
Camron was the complete opposite, growing up immersed in finance. We couldn't be more different.
But I wasn't even asking about his work.
Just as I was about to press him, that flirty, familiar giggle came through the line.
"Camron, will you help me pick out some furniture later?" Rebecca asked, her voice playful.
"Don't worry about it. I already got you an apartment downtown, decorated exactly how you like. It's been waiting for you to move in," Camron replied.
Suddenly, I remembered mentioning to Camron just a few days ago that I wanted us to pick out our place together.
He just gave me a blank look, like he couldn't care less.
"I have no idea what women like. Just take my card and get whatever you want," he said.
I didn't bother saying anything else. I just ended the call and faced the staff.
"The wedding's off. Please clear everything out," I told them.
After all these years of swallowing my pride and running after him, I was just tired.
Camron never reached out to me again.
It wasn't until the day before our so-called wedding that he asked to meet.
I'd just sold our wedding apartment and hurried over.
I was only a minute late, but everyone inside rolled their eyes at me.
I kept swallowing my frustration, and then Camron brought Rebecca over, holding her hand, and stopped right in front of me.
Rebecca had her hair pulled back in a loose, wavy ponytail, wore a figure-hugging dress, and a tattoo was etched along her collarbone, symbolizing freedom.
Everyone stopped what they were doing, shooting us knowing looks.
They were all just waiting for the show to start.
He stood right in front of me, his voice so indifferent that it was like we were just talking about nothing important.
"Mallory, I'm not marrying you," he said.
I looked at him.
"You know tomorrow's our wedding, right? I've spent all this time getting everything ready, and now you decide to back out?" I said.
He wrapped his arm around Rebecca, pulling her close.
"Rebecca's back. I can't betray her," he said. "You deal with our parents yourself and explain why the wedding's off. Don't make it my problem.
"Or maybe you can just go find another guy to marry with that thick skin of yours, just like you chased after me back then."
Someone in the crowd couldn't hold back their laughter.
I nodded quietly, keeping my composure.
"Fine," I replied.