Chapter 1

On my wedding day with Lucas Bennett, his widowed sister-in-law, Charlotte White, suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed, completely out cold.

Lucas, worried sick about Charlotte, tossed out a quick "the wedding's postponed" and vanished without a trace.

This wasn't the first time Lucas had left me hanging for Charlotte.

I didn't call him, didn't cry, didn't make a scene, didn't even bother to ask him why.

Instead, I did my makeup and slipped into my gorgeous wedding dress like nothing had happened.

Then I sent a message to James Sterling, Lucas's arch-nemesis.

I texted James: [I'm getting married, but my groom's a no-show. Wanna step in?]

*****

I was in the middle of doing my makeup when I got the news that Charlotte had coughed up blood and collapsed.

Lucas didn't even bother to call me. He sent a quick message saying the wedding was postponed, and then went radio silent.

We'd been together for six years, and he'd ditched me for Charlotte more times than I could count.

I was too soft-hearted. Every time Lucas ditched me for Charlotte, a few words of explanation were all it took for me to let it slide.

Lucas was sure I'd keep putting up with his crap because I loved him, but I was done.

When I saw his message, I didn't even feel that sad.

My parents were furious when they heard the news, especially my dad. His voice boomed from outside.

My dad shouted, "If she fainted, get someone to take her to the hospital. He's not a doctor，what's he gonna do there?

"Doesn't the Bennett Family have anyone else? Why does it have to be Lucas? Can't the driver, assistant, or maid take her?

"I'm telling you, the Hart Family can't afford to lose face like this. Even if we have to drag that brat Lucas here by force, he's finishing this wedding today!"

My dad was fuming, already dialing to get someone to drag Lucas over, but I jumped up to stop him. "Dad, don't do this!"

When he saw me, he probably remembered how crazy I was about Lucas.

He sighed. "Sweetheart, do you really love him that much? He is a guy who can walk out on your wedding. Do you really think he'll ever care about you after you marry him?"

My mom chimed in, "You're our precious girl. We've never let you suffer a day in your life. Why would you throw yourself away for a guy like that..."

My nose stung, and tears welled up in my eyes. My dad saw and quickly waved his hands. "Alright, alright, don't cry. We get it. You love him, and you can't imagine life without him.

Okay, fine. Let's do what Lucas said and postpone the wedding."

Honestly, I couldn't blame my parents for thinking I was hopelessly attached to Lucas. Over the years, I'd done things for him that were totally out of line.

I ditched my shot at going overseas for Lucas.

When the Bennett Family was about to go under, I convinced my parents to throw in 1.7 billion dollars and save them from the brink.

Lucas couldn't stand spicy food, so I ditched my love for chili and even signed up for cooking classes to make his favorite dishes.

He liked things simple and understated, so I switched up my whole style to match.

Even our newlywed home was decorated to Lucas's exact taste.

I loved roses, but he was all about orchids, so there wasn't a single rose in our garden, orchids everywhere.

Even though orchids made me break out, I put up with it for Lucas.

I did everything I could to win over Lucas's parents.

I bent over backwards to please Charlotte, too.

I showered Charlotte with expensive jewelry and designer bags.

All so Charlotte would put in a good word for me to Lucas, hoping it would help him warm up to me.

But in the end, it was all me fooling myself.

Charlotte never liked me. She took all my luxury gifts, but she was always giving me a hard time.

I only realized Charlotte didn't like me after I gave her a limited-edition perfume which is one of 32 bottles in the whole world.

That very day, Charlotte was hospitalized, claiming she was allergic to the perfume.

I felt so guilty. As soon as I heard she was in the hospital, I rushed over.

But when I got outside her hospital room, I overheard Charlotte crying to Lucas.

Charlotte cried, "Sophie Hart did it on purpose. She knew I was allergic to almonds, but she still gave me perfume with almonds in it. She did it on purpose!"