Chapter 1

After five years together, my lawyer boyfriend canceled our wedding 52 times.

The first time, his female intern messed up some paperwork at the firm. He rushed back, leaving me alone by the seaside for an entire day.

The second time, in the middle of the wedding ceremony, he learned that the same intern was being bullied by another lawyer. He left to help her, while I was left behind, mocked by the guests.

After that, no matter when I tried to hold the wedding, the intern always had some kind of emergency that needed him.

Eventually, my heart gave out, and I decided to break up.

But on the day I moved away from Anilewood, he lost it, searching for me everywhere.

*****

Today was our fifty-second wedding ceremony. This time, I didn't invite anyone. Just our families showed up.

I was burning up with a fever, but I still had to go over every detail with the wedding director. Percival Sterling couldn't care less.

Meanwhile, in the groom's dressing room, Percival was busy massaging the leg of his intern, Bella Norton, who'd come rushing in with a twisted ankle.

My parents kept shaking their heads, thinking I deserved so much better.

"After everything you've been through, has he ever truly cared about you?" my mom said.

Everyone knew how much this wedding meant to me, how desperately I wanted it to finally be perfect.

But right before the ceremony was supposed to begin, Percival, who should've been standing at the altar with me, called off our wedding at the last minute again.

I rushed out after him, but he blocked my way.

"Bella's leg still isn't any better. I need to take her to the hospital," Percival said. "Let's call off the wedding this time, too. Next time, I swear I won't leave you hanging."

With that, he pulled away from me and helped Bella into the passenger seat.

After five years together, this was the fifty-second time he'd ditched me for Bella.

If it were before, I would've made a scene, demanding to know why he always had to walk out on me during the ceremony.

But this time, I just stood off to the side, smiling softly.

"It's okay. Bella's leg really needs immediate attention," I said.

Percival paused for a moment, clearly surprised at how calmly I responded.

"That's good to hear. I'll bring you that strawberry cake from your favorite bakery tonight," he said.

I nodded, watching as he shut the window and drove off. As soon as he was gone, my smile disappeared.

He forgot, I hate strawberries, and cake was the worst for me. I was not the one who liked strawberry cake.

He once bought me a strawberry cake to cheer me up, and I forced myself to choke down a bite, even though it made me sick, just so I wouldn't let him down. Later, I finally told him how much I hated strawberries and cake.

When he found out, he immediately typed it into his phone, swearing he'd never forget.

Just a year later, that promise was already forgotten.

The sun was blazing overhead, making me feel like I was burning up, but my heart stayed frozen.

I let out a mocking laugh, went back, and announced the wedding was canceled. Then, in front of everyone, I slashed to pieces the wedding dress I'd worn fifty-two times.

I knew it was time to let go of these five years for good.

In the end, my parents stayed behind, trying once again to talk me into going back.

"Why don't you come back to Jinsland with us?" my mom suggested.

This wasn't the first time they'd tried to get me to go back.

I slumped down on the couch, looking up to meet my parents' hopeful eyes.

They were the founders of the largest law firm in Jinsland, and it was their influence that led me down the path of becoming a lawyer.

Originally, they wanted me to train at the family firm once I was older, but after I met Percival in grad school, I ended up moving to Anilewood with him.

Percival came from a small, poor town, and he couldn't stand it when people mentioned their privileged family background.

So for the past five years, I never told him the truth about where I came from. In his eyes, I was just another poor kid, the same as him.

Over the past five years, I'd gone from a rookie lawyer to making a name for myself. Percival and I had snagged the firm's top bonus three years running, and everyone joked we were the ultimate power couple.

Life kept getting better for us, and honestly, I doubted he'd care if he knew the truth. Still, I just never found the right time to tell him.

Lost in thought, I let out a sigh.

I wouldn't ever have to say it after all.

"Alright, Mom, Dad, I'll go back with you," I said.

Their faces lit up, and they squeezed my hands tight.

"Sweetheart, we'll book your flight right away. We're not letting you stay here and go through all this anymore," my mom said.

After making sure my parents were settled, I headed home.

The whole place was just as cold and empty as always.

I threw together a quick plate of pasta, then opened up my phone and scrolled through my social media. That was when I saw Bella had just posted something new.

In the photo, she was dressed in tight workout gear, posing with Percival. They looked way too close for comfort.

Bella: [Tricked my soon-to-be-married mentor into playing ball with me. He was a little annoyed at first, but when I said we'd grab dinner at my place later, he totally cheered up.]

Seeing that post, I almost threw up.

I knew he wouldn't be coming home tonight, just like all those other nights before.

At least we never got married. From now on, I never have to settle for less again.