Chapter 1

Three years after we broke up, Elias suddenly appeared at my engagement party.

I was raising a toast with my fiancé, while he sat in the corner, wearing a hat, his eyes full of sorrow.

The moment our eyes met, he mouthed, "Don't marry him."

For a brief moment, I was taken aback, but I scoffed and ignored him.

He suddenly lost it, surged through the crowd, and snatched the glass from my hands.

He begged, "Julia, just don't marry him, okay? He's a jerk."

I let out a mocking laugh.

Come on, Elias. You weren't anything noble either.

The once lively room fell silent, and everyone turned to stare at the uninvited guest.

My fiancé, Sean Ramos, was the first to react. He stepped in front of me, shielding me.

"Sir, today is our engagement day. Please show some respect," Sean said.

"Respect?" Elias lowered his gaze, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I'm here to crash this engagement."

Sean was pissed.

Seeing the two of them about to go at each other's throats, I slipped my hand into Sean's arm and stood beside him.

"Mr. Foster, whatever was between us is over. I've found where I belong now, and you're not welcome here," I said. "Please leave."

Elias just kept that smug smile on his face, unfazed by my words.

He coolly pulled a remote from his pocket, and in an instant, the screen in the room started playing some shocking footage.

On the screen, Sean was caught in a passionate embrace with his secretary, their moans filling the room.

As the crowd reeled in shock, the voices of the secretary and Sean echoed.

"Sean, after you marry Julia Warren, will you still remember me?" the woman asked.

Sean brushed her nose with a wicked grin. "Of course, baby. You're the only one I love.

"Marrying Julia is just because she's a famous designer. My company needs someone cheap and useful like her, and honestly, so do I."

The whole place went wild. I could feel everyone's eyes glued to the screen.

Sean's parents fainted on the spot, and my usually calm and collected fiancé was totally roasted, completely exposed, and helpless.

He panicked, his breath coming fast and shallow. "Julia, don't believe him. It was just for show. It didn't mean anything."

I smiled, but didn't say a word.

Was I hurt? Not really. Honestly, I never truly felt anything for Sean.

People who had been hurt before wouldn't fall for anyone easily.

He was nothing more than a temporary option.

However, I couldn't help feeling a little lost inside. My dad's time was almost up, and I didn't know if I could make his last wish come true.

My younger cousin Margo, who'd been sitting at the table, suddenly marched right up and smacked Sean across the face.

"You scumbag. Did you think Julia doesn't have family to back her up?" Margo shouted.

With all hell breaking loose around me, I kept my cool and told everyone, "Sorry, guys. The engagement is canceled."

Elias yanked Sean up from his seat and leaned in, his voice low and menacing. "Stay away from Julia, or I'll kill you."

Someone in the crowd suddenly recognized Elias. "Whoa, isn't that the Foster family's heir? I haven't seen him around in forever."

"Foster family? Which Foster are you talking about?"

"You know, the Foster family that once held all the power in Sundral. I heard they moved overseas ages ago. What's he doing here, ruining someone else's wedding?"

I took Margo by hand and walked out of the room, not giving a damn about all the gossip swirling behind us.

Elias caught up to us, reaching out and grabbing my hand, desperate.

His hand was cold, and I couldn't help but frown as I looked down.

Elias quickly let go, looking awkward. His voice came out hoarse as he said, "Sorry, Julia. I wasn't trying to put you on the spot. I just don't think he deserves you."

I paused, withdrew my hand Elias had just touched, and discreetly wiped it on my dress, making sure he didn't see.

Then I walked away, never looking back.

Margo was bouncing with excitement in the car, totally clueless about what had just gone down. "Julia, that guy was so tall and handsome. Was he trying to steal you away from your fiancé or something?

"Come on, Julia, what's really going on between you and him?"

I paused, my tone calm. "He's just the person who ditched me three years ago."

He was my first love and the reason I nearly died.