Chapter 3

This blind date was my sister's arrangement. Noah and I weren't really familiar—we only knew each other's names.

My sister wanted to help me move on from Ethan's death, and I truly did need to start a new life.

Noah was worried, so he took me to the hospital.

On the way back, he placed the gift he'd prepared for me on the seat beside me.

"Stella, I can wait for you."

His gaze was sincere and warm, rekindling something in my deadened heart for just a moment.

When I got home, I hid the fact that I'd seen Ethan from my sister.

I knew her temper. If she found out Ethan had deceived me, she'd definitely go after him.

But now, I didn't want to see Ethan anymore.

The real Ethan had died eight years ago.

A week later, I agreed to Noah's pursuit and we planned our wedding date.

Everyone said we were rushing things, that we should take more time to get to know each other.

But I just didn't want to keep drowning in those old memories.

I didn't want the memories of Ethan to slowly devour me.

News of the wedding eventually reached Ethan's ears.

It was the first time he sought me out alone.

In the park downstairs.

"Stella, you can't marry him."

The Ethan before me was dressed in a sharp suit, tall and handsome, but his eyes no longer held the warmth I remembered.

"Who are you to me? What business is it of yours whether I get married?"

"Ethan, please keep your distance. Don't let your wife get the wrong idea about our relationship."

My deliberate coldness displeased the possessive Ethan.

He stepped forward and gripped my shoulders tightly.

"Stella, wait for me another ten years. In ten years, my son with Ivy will be an adult. Then we can remarry, okay?"

"I really had no choice."

I laughed.

"Ten years? How many decades does a woman have? I already gambled away eight years. You want me to gamble another uncertain ten years?"

"Do you think I'm still that stupid?"

"You had the right to cheat. I have the right to pursue happiness."

I stepped backward. Ethan's hand hung suspended in midair.

Anger shadowed his brow.

"Stella, you could marry anyone else. Why does it have to be Noah?"

"How am I supposed to face you two after this?"

"How to face us? You seem pretty good at adapting."

"Let me tell you—it's Noah or no one."

Without giving Ethan another chance to speak, I turned and left the park.

The night before the wedding, Noah invited many friends to his house.

The living room and bedrooms were packed with people.

Noah was smiling, holding an air pump and inflating balloons.

By the time I arrived at his place, the bridal suite was already decorated.

I just didn't expect Ethan and Ivy to show up uninvited.

Ethan held a gift box and casually tossed it onto the coffee table.

"Noah, are you really going to marry a divorced woman? As your friend, I need to warn you—it's not too late to back out."

Ethan said this only because of what happened in the park. He was just bitter. Even though he'd deceived me, even though I'd thought he was dead, in his mind I was only allowed to remain faithful to him. Even if he didn't want me anymore, I had no right to marry anyone else.

Noah stepped forward and took my hand, as if declaring ownership to Ethan.

"I don't mind Stella's past. What matters is the present."

"Ethan, don't forget to come drink at our wedding tomorrow."

Ethan flew into a rage, his sharp gaze landing on Noah.

"You're really going to throw away our brotherhood over a woman?"

"You've got so many women around you. Why does it have to be Stella?"

"Noah, let me make this clear—if you dare marry her, we're done as brothers."