Chapter 1

On the night before Valentine's Day, my fiancé, Simon Shepherd, who worked at a secret unit, sent me a message. [Babe, I'm sorry. The team got called out for an emergency mission, and our wedding leave got canceled again.]

The moment I got that message, I was standing less than ten yards from the entrance of his workplace.

I saw him pull his female friend, who was actually the other woman, Maxine Burns, into his coat.

"I've ditched Isabelle six times for you, kid," he said with a grin. "But this is the last time. Next year, no matter what, I'm marrying her."

Maxine grinned and offered him a sip from her milkshake. "Didn't you buy a new bed for your wedding? You're welcome. Consider it my early wedding gift to you two."

Hearing all that, I clenched my fist so hard that my nails dug into my palm, and then called Simon's parents, Dutton Shepherd and Elowyn Shepherd.

I said, "Hey, Dutton, Elowyn, can you get everyone together tonight? Let's start decorating the wedding room early. Because I want to surprise Simon."

Since he'd got no shame, I was not holding back. Don't blame me for making things ugly.

I continued, "Let's not tell Simon yet that we're all heading to Westford. Alright, I'll wait for you guys downstairs."

After hanging up, I pulled up the footage from the cameras I'd set up yesterday.

The feed showed how they were wrapped up in each other from the front door all the way to the bedroom.

I saw the charm I'd tried so hard to get for him was left all alone, surrounded by the mess.

I stood frozen, letting the cold wind bite right through me.

Before long, both families and friends of ours arrived in time.

Before I could get close, my parents hurried over, full of worry and concern.

My dad, Grady Hanson, said, "So, Izzy, did you see that jerk?"

My mom, Romina Hanson, said, "Don't worry, Izzy, your grandpa gave his boss a call. Even if the world ends tomorrow, his team won't send him out on an emergency mission."

I barely held myself together, fighting back tears and swallowing the pain, and forced a shaky smile for them. "Okay."

Elowyn urged, "Izzy, didn't you say you wanted to surprise Simon? What are you standing around for? Let's hurry up and get upstairs to start decorating."

Seeing the colorful balloons and streamers in everyone's hands, a sharp sting rose in my nose, and I let the tears spill over.

I'd known Simon for ten years, been in love with him for eight, and we'd been planning to get married for six.

Six years ago, a month before our wedding, he told me he wanted to run for team captain, so I agreed to postpone the wedding for a year.

Three years ago, a week before our wedding, he told me he had to go on a secret mission, so I agreed to postpone the wedding for another year.

But this year, both of our parents finally couldn't hold back anymore.

Three days ago, we brought all our relatives and friends to his city to kick off the wedding preparations.

For our marriage, I'd spent six years lovingly preparing the home. But I never imagined, not in a million years, that every single piece of furniture, every inch of the floor, would end up being used first by Maxine.

Thinking about it made my stomach churn. I dashed to the trash can and threw up until I felt empty inside.

I wanted to tell everyone the truth that thirty minutes ago, Simon sent me a message to inform me that our wedding, which was supposed to be tomorrow, was postponed for another year.

I wanted to tell my parents that Simon had betrayed me.

For six years, every time he claimed his wedding leave was canceled, it was a cover. The truth was he was off messing around with Maxine.

But I felt like an invisible hand was gripping my throat, squeezing so hard that not a single word would come out.

No matter what I did, I couldn't force out a single word or sound.

As I walked into the apartment building, I chugged down some cold water.

"Simon, it's about time you found out what it feels like to be played for a clown," I whispered to myself.

As soon as everyone stepped out of the elevator, they were greeted by shoes and women's underwear scattered all over the hallway.

When everyone saw me, I tried to hide my embarrassment by awkwardly kicking the underwear toward the wall.

Elowyn pinched her nose and couldn't help but chuckle.

She read the room and unlocked the door.

At the same time, some unmistakably suggestive sounds drifted out from the master bedroom. "Dude, your bed's actually pretty nice. Will you remember me when you're here with Isabelle?

"You should switch to a leather couch. This one's so rough. It's poking me everywhere."