Chapter 1

I was at the boutique checking on my custom-made wedding dress when a young woman walked in.

The staff quietly told me she had already ruined ninety-nine wedding dresses in their store over the past three months.

Her standards were impossibly high—borderline obsessive.

And to make things worse, she had a wealthy, overly indulgent husband who just followed her from fitting to fitting without question.

While the staff were still venting under their breath, the woman's eyes landed on my dress, the one I designed myself.

When she was told it was not for sale, she immediately pulled out her phone and called her husband.

Not long after, the store manager rushed over and told me her husband had already bought the wedding dress—and that he wanted my dress transferred to her.

They asked me to "be accommodating."

I refused. I designed that dress for myself. There was no way I was giving it up.

One of the employees gently tugged at my sleeve and lowered her voice. "Sadie, maybe think about it? That's Mrs. Morgan. Getting on her good side wouldn't hurt."

I froze. She was Mrs. Morgan? Then who was I?

*****

When the young woman saw the shock on my face, a proud smile flashed across her lips.

She gave me a nod and smiled, radiating the confidence of someone who knew she was on top.

"You're a designer too, aren't you?" she said with a confident smile. "If I wear your wedding dress at my ceremony, you'll be a household name in the design world before you know it."

I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing. After a moment's hesitation, I turned to the saleswoman and said, "Could you show me this lady's... I mean, Mrs. Morgan's contract?"

When I got the contract, I flipped straight to the last page.

And there it was—a sweeping, confident signature: Lucian Morgan.

The handwriting was so familiar that I almost thought I was seeing things.

That name used to fill every doodle in my teenage notebooks.

Not long ago, it was printed right next to mine on the welcome poster at our engagement party.

And now, here it was again, on this wedding dress contract—paired with Ellen Gardner's name.

In that instant, I felt like I'd been plunged into an icy abyss.

The absurd truth hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn't deny it, no matter how much I wanted to.

My fiancé had betrayed me. He was cheating.

My legs nearly gave out beneath me. I grabbed a glass of water, trying desperately to keep it together.

I studied Ellen.

She looked barely out of college, radiating that fresh energy only someone in their early twenties had.

I could even spot a hint of my younger self in her face.

But instead of making me feel better, it just made me feel even sicker inside.

I nodded, agreeing to give up my wedding dress to Ellen.

Ellen clapped her hands, her face lighting up with excitement.

Without another word, Ellen spun around and headed straight for the makeup room.

I grabbed Ellen's arm, stopping her. "This dress calls for a unique look. Let me do your makeup for you."

Ellen's makeup room was reserved just for her, and the products inside were way fancier than what the regular customers got.

When Ellen saw the surprise on my face, she laughed softly and covered her mouth.

"My husband insists I have my own makeup room," Ellen said. "He thinks the other products aren't clean enough, so he had someone buy all new stuff just for me."

I smiled. "He really treats you well."

Ellen pouted. "All he ever does is spend money on me. Look at me, trying on wedding dresses, and he can't even make time to come with me."

Her lips were pushed out in a dramatic pout, but even as she grumbled, the happiness in her eyes was impossible to hide.

The saleswoman, who had followed them in, teased, "Mrs. Morgan, don't be so modest. Every time you've come to try on wedding dresses, Mr. Morgan has been right here with you. He must be really tied up today to miss it."

Ellen's lips curled into a satisfied smile at the saleswoman's words.

"That's true," she said. "If it weren't for something urgent, he'd definitely be here with me."

Ellen's smile was almost too much to bear.

I couldn't help but think back to how Lucian never really cared about planning our wedding.

When I picked out the hotel, he just told me, "You decide."

I arranged for a photography team to take our wedding photos, but he stood me up three times.

I always thought it was just because he was swamped with work.

But it turned out it wasn't about him being busy. He just never put any effort into me.

I picked up a brush and started reshaping Ellen's eyebrows.

Suddenly, Ellen asked, "Hey, Sadie, was that wedding dress you designed meant to be a gift for someone? Why did the saleswoman say it wasn't for sale?"

I paused, then forced a faint, bitter smile.

"I actually designed that dress for myself," I said.

Ellen froze for a moment and then looked a bit awkward.

"Oh, really? Sorry about that," she said.

But even as she apologized, she clearly had no intention of letting go of the dress.

She gave me a playful wink, looking absolutely adorable.

"I just can't help it. I really love that dress," Ellen said. "You know how picky I am, and it's so rare for me to find one I actually like.

"I just can't let it go. But you're so talented, I'm sure you can design something even more perfect for yourself. Keep it up."

I shook my head with a smile.

"It's fine. I'm not rushing," I replied.

Just then, Ellen's phone rang.

Since she was in the middle of getting her makeup done, she couldn't answer it herself.

So she simply put it on speaker.

A familiar male voice came through the phone. "Ellen, how's it going with the fitting?"

Lucian's voice was low, overflowing with affection that he couldn't hide.

He used to say my name with that same gentle tone.

When we first moved in together, he was like a kid—so full of excitement.

Every morning, he'd wake up before me, snuggle up close, and softly whisper in my ear, "Sadie, time to wake up."

If I ignored him, he'd blow in my ear or tickle me until I gave in.

Then we'd end up laughing and wrestling, tangled up in the sheets.

But now, I couldn't even remember the last time he'd woken me up like that.

I quickly turned my head, afraid Ellen would see the tears falling down my cheek.

I had almost forgotten what his gentle voice sounded like.