Chapter 1

Everyone in Jansburg knew Emmett would rather be a celibate than marry me.

It all started on the day he proposed. His first love, Kaylee, threatened to end her own life if he didn't call off our engagement.

He told me to wait for five years, but he didn't care that I became the town's laughingstock.

My older sister got caught up in my mess, too. Her fiancé, whom she'd been with for four years, broke off their engagement because of what happened to me.

My father was furious and forced me to marry Charles, who was eight years older than me.

On my wedding day, the limo crashed head-on into a crowd.

A light breeze kicked up some sand, stinging my eyes. Then I locked eyes with Emmett's cold, indifferent stare.

He panicked, rushing over and grabbing my hand without hesitation.

But I didn't love him anymore.

*****

"Emmett, is it because of Kaylee that you're breaking things off with me?" I asked.

Through the window, I couldn't see Emmett's face clearly. I just stared at his sitting silhouette.

"I only agreed to marry you because Kaylee didn't want to marry me," Emmett said. "Lydia, give me a break. Just wait five years and stop bothering me."

His voice was full of disdain and impatience.

A sharp pain shot through my chest. I stood there for a moment, and then placed the ring he'd given me on the windowsill and turned to leave.

It was already winter, and the cold wind stung my face. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over.

As I walked down the steps, I missed a step and tumbled down the stairs.

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was my father's furious face.

"You're just as stubborn as your mother, who passed away early," he snapped. "Our family is the laughingstock of all Jansburg.

"I don't care what happened between you and Emmett. But from today on, put those feelings for him behind you.

"Charles may be older, and there are even rumors he can't perform, but with your reputation and the Sullivan family's situation, you have no choice. You have to go through with this marriage."

With that, my father slammed the door and stormed out.

I ran my fingers over the wedding dress lying next to me. The pattern wasn't really my taste, but I remembered how happy I was when Emmett had it made for me. I was so thrilled that I didn't sleep a wink that night.

I set the dress aside and just sat there on the bed, silent for a long time.

After what felt like ages, I finally said in a rough and low voice, "I accept."

My father was right. The Sullivan family had fallen from grace, and after all the mess I made chasing after Emmett, everyone in Jansburg knew about it. There was nothing left for me to choose.

The engagement I fought so hard for with Emmett only left me wounded and scarred in the end.

There was a knock at the door, and my sister, Karen Sullivan, walked in. Her gaze fell on the wedding dress lying at my side.

"Lydia, you still can't let go of Emmett, can you? The Guzmans already have your wedding dress ready. You should just toss this out sooner rather than later," she said.

I replied quietly, "Alright." It really was time to let it go.

When Emmett said he wanted to marry me, I was over the moon. I pulled out the wedding dress he'd given me years ago, never noticing how awkward and distant he was.

It wasn't until a few days ago that I found out the dress was originally meant for Kaylee. She thought it was tacky and over the top, so Emmett ended up giving it to me instead.

"Lydia, you know I broke up with him because I was leaving the country for work and didn't want to drag him down," Kaylee had said.

"If I hadn't stepped aside, do you really think he would've ended up with you? Bet you begged him for this dress, right?

"Do you just love taking my leftovers or what?"

Her words left me frozen in embarrassment, not knowing what to say or do.

All those years with Emmett, I was always the one chasing after him. He kept his distance. He never reached out or pushed me away.

Thinking about it now, I knew that I was just too naive, wanting too much. I hoped for a love that was never mine to begin with.

"Karen, can you help me burn all these things for me?" I asked.

She gave me a long, thoughtful look. "Are you really sure about this?"

I nodded, bitterness rising in my throat. "You guys are right. This stuff should've been trashed a long time ago."

She called the maids over, and they started hauling out all the Emmett-related things, one by one.

The room looked a lot emptier now.

Finally, my gaze settled on the mug sitting on the bedside table.

After Emmett broke off our engagement, Kaylee had come over to my place just to gloat.

She looked around my room, and then shook her head with a mocking laugh. "Lydia, you're honestly pathetic.

"That mug? Emmett made it himself for me, with butterflies on it. It is my favorite.

"But I thought it was way too cheesy, so I didn't want it. I never expected that you would treasure it like a gem. Stuff I toss is basically garbage to him, and you just love collecting my cast-offs.

"No wonder you're the laughingstock of all Jansburg, and you even dragged the Sullivan family down with you. Your sister got dumped because of you, too."

In that instant, all the color drained from my face.

But Kaylee just kept twisting the knife. "Do you think you hold meaning for him? Just one word from me and you can forget about ever marrying him."

My gaze sharpened, and my nails dug deep into my palms.

Finally, I yelled at her, "So you get to hesitate and overthink everything, but I'm not allowed to go after the person I want?"