Chapter 1

The day after Dale Moody eloped with his childhood sweetheart Iris Floyd, I booked a ticket to Borovia.

When he heard the news, Dale pulled Iris into his arms to comfort her.

He said, "Whatever trick she's trying to pull this time, I will never leave you again."

His family and friends also worried that I, used to running wild, would make everyone's life miserable.

But what they didn't know was that I had completely given up on him.

My flight to Borovia was to fulfill the family's arranged marriage.

The night before my wedding, I sent back to Dale every single love letter and gift he had ever given me.

I also attached a wedding invitation.

He had his happiness, and I would have my own brand new life.

*****

The day after Dale took Iris by the hand and left the engagement party in front of everyone, I booked a flight to Pinehurst City, Borovia, with a few taps on my phone.

A social media post popped up on my phone. Someone had caught Dale in a downtown café, hugging Iris tightly, her eyes red from crying.

Dale's voice came through the blurry video, full of determination. "No matter what tricks Lilah tries to pull, whether she cries or clings to me, I will never leave you again."

The comments below were all full of sympathy for Iris and speculation that I would throw a tantrum.

One of the Bradley family elders called, sounding cautious. "Lilah, Dale was just being foolish for a moment.

"Don't take it to heart. Let's talk this out properly. Don't make a big deal out of it."

My friends all messaged me, telling me to calm down. [You've always been spoiled by the Copeland family, but Dale's serious this time. If you keep making a scene, you'll only embarrass yourself.]

None of them knew that when Dale stood in front of all the guests at the engagement party and said, "The person I have always loved is Iris. My engagement to Lilah was just a family arrangement."

The obsession that had supported me for ten years completely crumbled.

Flying to Borovia was not to run away, nor was it to play tricks. It was me going through with the marriage deal between the Copeland and Anderson families.

The Anderson and Copeland families had always been tight. Three years ago, the elders of both families had mentioned an arranged marriage.

At that time, my heart was completely set on Dale, so I flatly refused.

Now that Dale had let me down for good, this arranged marriage had become my most dignified way out.

The night before my wedding rehearsal, I sat at the desk in my apartment in Pinehurst City and opened a dusty wooden box.

Inside were all the things Dale had given me from the age of fifteen to twenty-five. He bought a crystal hair clip with three months of pocket money when he was fifteen.

Dale wrote a shy love letter for my eighteenth birthday. He gave me a custom necklace for our twentieth anniversary.

When Dale was twenty-five, he gave me a promise ring and said he would marry me after graduation.

Every item carried the sweetness and hopes of the past. Now, they only felt ironic.

I packed all these things into a shipping box. Finally, I placed a gold embossed wedding invitation on top.

The invitation had my name and Ronnie Anderson's name printed on it, with the date set for a week later.

On the shipping label, the recipient was Dale, and the address was the beachfront villa he and Iris had just moved into.

After finishing everything, I turned off the light and looked out at the night view of Pinehurst City.

Dale had the happiness he insisted on protecting. And it was time for me to say goodbye to the past and welcome my brand new life.

*****

On the way to the wedding venue for the rehearsal, my phone buzzed. It was an unknown number with a domestic area code. I hesitated for a moment and answered it.

"Lilah, what are you up to?" Dale's voice came through the phone, simmering with barely contained anger.

He continued, "What does sending all those things back mean? And that invitation. Are you trying to make me angry on purpose?"

I held the phone, my voice calm and steady. "It's no big deal, just giving back what belongs to you.

"As for the invitation, I sincerely invite you to witness my happiness. After all, we've known each other for a long time."

"Witness your happiness?" Dale scoffed. "Lilah, don't think I don't know what you're up to. You've always been willful. You have to get what you want.

"Now that I've chosen Iris, you're using an arranged marriage to get back at me? I'm telling you, it won't work. I won't be manipulated by you anymore."

Dale's words pricked me, but the feeling quickly faded. I even found it a little funny. "Dale Bradley, you think too highly of yourself.

"Even if no one wanted me, I would never use my own marriage to get back at anyone. This wedding is what I want."

"What you want?" Iris's gentle voice came through the phone. "Lilah, I know you're upset. But you can't force love. Dale really loves me. Let him go, and let yourself go too, okay?"

"Let myself go?" I shot back. "I let myself go a long time ago. It's you two who keep clinging to the past.

"Iris, you knew well about my relationship with Dale, yet you kept pushing. Now that you've got what you wanted, you should hold onto your happiness and stop bothering me."

Then I hung up the phone without waiting for their response and blocked the number.

Ronnie, who was sitting next to me, noticed my change in mood and asked softly, "Was that Mr. Bradley?"

I nodded, forcing a smile. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Ronnie was the heir of the Anderson family. He was gentle, elegant, and calm. When we first met, I thought he would be a rigid businessman.

But after getting along with him, I found he was extremely thoughtful. He did not ask about my past with Dale. He only handed me a glass of tepid water.

Ronnie said, "Don't dwell on the past. Starting tomorrow, you will be my wife. I will not let anyone disturb your life again."

His words weren't fancy, but they made me feel safe. As I took the cup and felt its warmth in my fingers, the last bit of gloom in my heart melted away.

*****

The wedding venue was a castle on the outskirts of Pinehurst City, specially chosen by Ronnie. The moment I walked into the castle, I was shocked by the sight.

The lawn was covered with white roses. In the distance were rolling mountains. The setting sun shone on the castle's spires, casting a warm golden glow.

"Do you like it?" Ronnie asked softly, standing right beside me.

I nodded hard, my eyes a little wet. "I love it. Thank you, Ronnie."

"No need to thank me," he replied, his gaze gentle. "This is our wedding. I hope you can start the happiest chapter of your life here."

The rehearsal went smoothly. Ronnie patiently followed my pace. Whether it was the ring exchange or the vows, his eyes were always focused on me, as if I were the only thing in his world.

At that moment, I suddenly thought that maybe this marriage, which started as an arrangement, could bring unexpected happiness.