Chapter 1

A-list movie star, Andrew Grant, made a splashy show of proposing to his first love, Rachel Dewitt, complete with a wedding date.

The internet cheered. Only I didn't.

He was supposed to be my fiancé after six years together.

For Rachel, he took our wedding venue and wanted me to humiliate myself, confessing a six-year obsession.

I gave him three outs.

But he said, "Don't be dramatic. It's a fake marriage. I'm still yours. You waited this long; what's another two years?"

Seeing him fight for Rachel, I gave up. I called my father.

I said, "Dad, I accept the arranged marriage."

I thought Dad would scold me, but instead, he just laughed good-naturedly and started chatting with me.

He said, "I told you. Andrew wasn't right for you. Good thing you're turning back now; it's not too late.

"Actually, I've already picked someone out for you. You should give him a chance. He's a year younger than you, but honestly, he acts way more grown-up. I really think he'll put your mind at ease."

I never thought Dad had already lined up a candidate for me.

Looking back, in all six years with Andrew, he never wanted us to meet each other's families.

Whenever I brought it up, he'd just smile and kiss me to shut me up. If I kept pushing, he'd lazily pull me into his arms and mumble, "Now's not the time."

Every time, I'd just let it slide, telling myself we'd meet the parents at the wedding anyway.

But I never thought the person I'd be marrying now would be someone completely different.

As Dad was talking, he texted me a picture.

His eyes and brows instantly grabbed my attention.

He looked so familiar, like I'd seen him somewhere before, but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

I didn't overthink it and just asked Dad, "Is he cool with marrying me in just seven days?"

Before Dad could answer, a low chuckle came from the other end of the line. A man said, "Absolutely."

I was stunned for a moment, then felt my face heat up.

Before I could say a word, Andrew's voice exploded behind me.

Andrew said, "A wedding in seven days? Claire, how many times do I have to tell you, I am not marrying you in seven days!. Stop with your schemes. If you ruin my wedding with Rachel, don't blame me if I come after you."

I didn't say a word, just gave him an icy stare as he spiraled into another paranoid tirade.

He kept talking about giving Rachel the perfect wedding, but the biggest wild card in that whole plan was me.

Because he knew perfectly well, I'd been waiting for him for six years.

All those years, I kept testing the waters, asking when he'd finally put a ring on my finger.

But he always had a million excuses to brush me off.

He'd say stuff like his career wasn't where he wanted it to be, or he was scared he couldn't give me the life I deserved.

Or he'd say he wanted me to go out and have fun for a few more years, to really enjoy life before settling down.

And every time, I fell for it, waiting for him with no complaints, just hoping he'd finally choose me.

That was until I found photos of his first love hidden away in his private album, and I totally freaked out.

It was only then, just to keep me from blowing up, that Andrew finally made up his mind to propose.

But just a few days later, he said he had to film abroad, leaving me alone to plan the whole wedding.

When he finally came back, he brought his first love, who was seriously ill, with him, and asked me to let them have the wedding I'd spent all that time planning.

Everything I did ended up just setting the stage for someone else's happy ending.

I hung up the phone and, without a second thought, tossed the lovers' keepsake I'd been playing with into the trash.

"Andrew, I won't ruin your wedding. In fact, I wish you and Rachel a happily ever after, may you two grow old together," I said.

Something I said must've really triggered Andrew, because he suddenly closed the gap between us, stepping right up to me.

"Claire, if you're pissed, just say it. What's with the passive-aggressive attitude? I'm marrying Rachel, end of story. As long as you don't try to mess things up, I'll make sure your wedding is even bigger than this one," Andrew said.