Chapter 1

After standing by Felix Warwick through his depression, he finally proposed to me.

Having no idea how to design a wedding dress, he traveled abroad several times to study under top wedding dress designers. He said, "I want you to be the happiest woman, wearing a wedding dress I designed myself."

But three days before the wedding, Felix told me the wedding dress wasn't finished.

I had no choice but to go to the bridal shop alone. To my surprise, I received a message and a photo from his first love, who had been living abroad for years.

Her message said, [Felix kept his promise to me. I'm wearing the wedding dress he made for me himself.]

In the photo, they looked perfect together, with him in a suit and her in the wedding dress.

I slipped out of the wedding dress I was trying on and posted the photo she sent me on Instagram with the caption, "Congratulations to the happy couple."

Soon enough, my phone was flooded with comments from my friends and family.

[Romina, this really doesn't look like you. This is way too photoshopped.]

[That wedding dress is stunning. It's definitely your dream gown!]

[I never expected Felix, who's always so serious, to look at you with such adoring eyes. Girl, you're living the dream!]

*****

I let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh and typed out a reply. [Big announcement, Felix's new identity is my ex-boyfriend. The wedding in three days is canceled, so don't waste your trip.]

Before I could even put my phone down, Felix immediately left a comment, saying I was only joking.

I didn't even have time to clap back before Felix blew up my phone with messages, each one demanding answers.

I just skimmed through his messages, and a bitter ache welled up inside me.

Out of sight, out of mind. I put my phone away and walked out of the bridal shop.

But Felix wasn't about to let it go. The special ringtone I'd set for him kept blasting, drawing curious glances from everyone passing by.

I never imagined that Felix, always so aloof and composed, could act this desperately.

I let out a sigh and answered the call.

"Romina, why did you post that photo on your Instagram? Don't you realize people are going to get the wrong idea?" Felix demanded.

I swallowed the pain and kept my voice steady. "I needed to tell everyone the truth precisely because it was a misunderstanding, so I wouldn't end up being blamed for breaking up a couple when the wedding day comes."

Felix snapped, "What couple? She already has a boyfriend! Can you stop making things up? If her boyfriend hears about this, what is she supposed to do? Why are you being so harsh?"

At that moment, the voice of his first love, Sabrina Dashiell, came through the phone in tearful sobs. "Miss Rhett, there's truly nothing going on between Felix and me.

"Please don't get the wrong idea. I'm begging you to take down that Instagram post. Otherwise, how am I supposed to explain this to my boyfriend if he sees it?"

"I don't even know your boyfriend, and he won't see this. What's all this crying for? Even if he does find out, he'll probably thank me. He and I can be your best man and maid of honor, for free, on your big day." I said.

With that, I hung up on Felix for the first time.

The streets were bustling with life, yet I felt utterly alone.

I kept walking with no destination in mind, and after half an hour, I finally stopped, only to realize I'd wandered straight into a dead end.

With nowhere left to go, all I could do was head back the way I came.

My phone rang again, and it was Felix. "Why aren't you home? Where are you?"

I let out a bitter laugh, feeling ridiculous for thinking he actually cared about me.

But I'd reminded Felix over and over to go with me to try on dresses at the bridal shop this afternoon.

I wiped the tears from my face. "Just stay with Sabrina. Don't bother about me."

"Can you stop with the drama? You already know how things are between Sabrina and me. We... It's over between her and me," Felix said.

I could practically feel Felix's reluctance pouring out of the phone.

I hung up again and made my way back to my place.

"Felix, try it and tell me if my cooking's slipped," Sabrina said, still wearing her wedding dress. She delicately picked up a peeled shrimp and gently placed it in Felix's mouth.

Felix's eyes softened, full of affection as he gazed at Sabrina. "This is the tastiest dish I've ever had."

The sight left me, standing in the doorway, torn between walking in or slipping away.

In the end, I backed out, pressed myself against the door, and muffled my sobs with my hand.

Sure enough, when it came to Sabrina, Felix let go of all his principles.

Sabrina didn't even remember that Felix was allergic to shrimp, but he obediently ate it anyway, not caring at all.

As for me, I couldn't even get Felix to try a spicy pasta with me. At meals, there was never anything but the light, plain dishes he favored.

Over time, even my friends came to think of me as an oddity who disliked spicy food, despite growing up with it as a staple.