Chapter 1

I was a talented designer.

However, I fell in love with Zachary, who was completely broke.

To support his struggling company, I drained my savings that my parents left me to help him get back on his feet.

But on the day of our wedding, I discovered that he had been cheating on me with my bestie behind my back.

Without hesitation, I turned away and vowed to make them pay for their betrayal.

*****

The ivory lace wedding dress was dazzling, enveloping me like a soft cloud. Crystal chandeliers reflected thousands of diamond-like sparkles, while the air was thick with the luxurious scent of champagne and premium roses. The guests, all dressed to the nines, whispered their blessings and envy, weaving together a "symphony" called happiness.

And there I was, Whitney Levine, the star of this grand wedding.

I tilted my head to look at the tall, handsome man beside me—Zachary Nelson, the man I'd loved for five years and was about to spend the rest of my life with. He looked especially dashing today. His custom-tailored black suit accentuated his broad shoulders. His eyes brimmed with tenderness as he leaned in and whispered to me, "Whitney, are you nervous? Don't worry. I've got this."

I felt touched as I squeezed his cool fingers, giving him what I thought was my sweetest smile. "With you here, I'm not afraid," I said.

Yeah. With him here, what was there to be afraid of?

For him, I willingly gave up my chance to study abroad and transformed myself from a designer into the supportive wife he always wished for.

For him, I emptied the savings my parents left me to prop up his failing company and help him rise again.

For him, I even drifted away from my friends and family who warned me Zachary wasn't worth it, stubbornly believing they were just jealous of my happiness.

It'd been five years, over 1,800 days. I'd been like a devoted follower, seeing him as my only god.

The emcee's gentle voice echoed through the mic. "Now, let's watch a special video and relive the sweetest moments shared by our bride and groom."

The big screen flickered to life, and I watched eagerly, picturing all those snapshots of our travels, celebrations, and the ups and downs we'd weathered together, paired with the soundtrack Zachary picked just for us. It was going to be so romantic.

But what showed up on the screen wasn't what I'd been expecting.

Instead, what popped up looked more like security footage.

Grainy and dim, the video looked like it was shot in some secret VIP room. The camera zoomed in on two people: Zachary—the man I'd given my whole heart to, and Sasha Haney—my bridesmaid and my best friend. She was in a bridesmaid dress that matched mine, only simpler, and she was curled up in Zachary's arms.

My heart instantly skipped a beat.

Then, their voices blasted through the state-of-the-art speakers, echoing across the entire hall.

"Zachary, we'll finally get Whitney's last bit of shares after the wedding. When are you going to break up with her?" Sasha's cute voice, once so familiar, now stabbed at my ears like poisoned needles.

Zachary let out a low chuckle, laced with impatience and scorn. "What's the hurry? I'll wait until she transfers those old houses that her parents left her over to me. Those are worth a fortune! She's head over heels for me right now. Getting her to sign is child's play."

"But I can't stand waiting any longer," Sasha whined, begging like a child. "I'm the one you really love, aren't I? If it wasn't for her money, I wouldn't bother watching you put on this act. Every time I see her parading around, thinking she's so happy, I just want to puke."

Zachary pinched her cheek with fondness. "Be patient, babe. Just a little longer. Once we squeeze every last cent out of her, I'll divorce her. Then everything I have will be yours. Whitney is just a stepping stone on our way to the top. That lovesick fool actually thinks I'm some kind of Prince Charming. Pathetic!"

I felt as if my heart cracked open, and the whole world collapsed.

My mind went completely blank, and my ear rang with shock.

Their voices kept going, and every word was like a red-hot iron, leaving burns on my soul.

"Her parents' car accident back then... Was that part of your plan too?" Sasha asked hesitantly.

Zachary's voice went cold. "Don't ask about things you shouldn't know. Anyway, everything the Levine family owns is going to be ours."

So that was their plan.

My parents... My family's legacy... All the love...

It was all just a scheme from the very beginning.