Love Built On Lies

Synopsis

Inside the most luxurious hotel in Aurissy City, Jake stood in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting his groom's tuxedo for the hundredth time. A faint smirk rested on his lips. His eyes were steady and calm, as if nothing in the world could shake him. Three years earlier, Alice had been hunted by enemies. Jake had stepped in to protect her, but he was badly hurt when he fell off a cliff. After that, he developed a rare kind of memory loss that came and went without warning. For the first ninety-nine weddings, everything had fallen apart at the last minute because he claimed he couldn't remember who Alice was. Today was supposed to be their hundredth wedding. "Mr. Harvey, all the guests have arrived," his assistant said in a low voice. Jake gave a small nod. He glanced toward the ballroom, where the most powerful and wealthy people in Aurissy City had already gathered. "Is Alice ready?" he asked the bridesmaid, his tone gentle. The bridesmaid hesitated. She looked uneasy. "Ms. Harmon said she needs a little more time." A quiet sense of pride rose in Jake's chest. Of course, she needed more time. It was their hundredth wedding. She would want to look perfect. For three years, no matter how many times he "forgot" her, she had stubbornly started everything over again. She kept arranging new weddings as if nothing could stop her. Her devotion almost felt insane. "It's fine," he said with a soft smile. "I'll wait." Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. The guests started whispering among themselves. Jake kept the same polite smile on his face, but something inside him began to tighten. Alice was never late. Not once. In all ninety-nine weddings before this, she had always been there at the end of the red carpet, waiting for him with hopeful eyes. By the thirty-minute mark, unease spread through the room. Jake turned to his assistant. "Go check on her." The assistant hurried off and came back moments later, pale and shaken. "Mr. Harvey, the dressing room is empty, and her luggage is gone." Jake's smile froze.