Chapter 2

I looked up, the voice from my memories blending with the one in my ear, and stared blankly at the man in front of me.

It was Henry Quinn.

Henry was the head of Quinn Group. Losing his parents young, he managed to protect his family's business and took Quinn Group to a whole new level. In their world of wealth and privilege, he was at the very top.

Our paths crossed by chance. After graduating from high school, I went to my grandma's house for a visit. While I was there, I ended up saving Henry and looked after him while he was healing up.

Before he left, he gave me his contact info and promised that, as long as it was something he could do, he'd help me out with no questions asked.

After that, our families kept in touch from time to time, and we'd bump into each other pretty often. Eventually, we got close.

I was not sure when we started to drift apart.

Ever since I came clean to my family about being with William, it's been two or three years since I last saw Henry, not even once.

When I messaged Henry, my nerves were all over the place.

After all, Henry was unpredictable and untouchable.

But in our world, he was the only one who came to mind.

The Stone family had real power, and no one else would dare marry me with things the way they were, except for him.

I didn't even know if he'd changed his contact information.

I couldn't help but wonder if he still remembered that promise he made to me.

So now, standing before me was this aloof and strikingly handsome man in a custom-tailored suit, looking like he'd come straight from a business meeting.

My eyes turned red, and my vision grew hazy with tears.

Henry let out a soft sigh, reached out, and gently wiped the tears from my lashes.

"Why are you crying? Didn't you ask me to come here and get our marriage license? Having second thoughts already?" he asked.

I shook my head and pulled him into City Hall.

We handed over our documents, and the staff couldn't hide their surprise. It was all wrapped up in ten minutes.

Who knew getting a marriage license could be so fast?

But William couldn't wait with me for those ten minutes.

Or maybe he couldn't bear to let Emily wait for him.

Standing at my front door, I stared at the marriage license in my hand.

I took a deep breath.

As soon as we stepped out of City Hall, Henry hurried off. He was in the middle of an important government contract and couldn't afford to miss it, so he had to rush back.

Before leaving, he looked at me, his eyes deep and unreadable.

"Don't worry. The wedding is still on for tomorrow," he said.

I nodded. When I messaged him earlier, I'd explained everything, about what happened and why I needed his help.

I was about to call my driver when my phone rang.

A call came in, and it was William.

I picked up, and William's voice came through, warm and soothing as always.

"Rachel, I'm sorry," William said.

I figured he was apologizing for ditching me at City Hall and bailing on our wedding.

As I was about to reply, Emily's delicate, almost pleading voice chimed in, "Rachel, I'm so sorry. I accidentally messed up your wedding dress. I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry."

Then William's voice came through, soothing Emily gently.

"It's alright, don't cry. Rachel is not the kind to get upset over something like this," he said.

Then he spoke to me.

"Rachel, since the wedding is off anyway, how about we go find a prettier wedding dress together next time?" he said.

I didn't want to say anything anymore. I was just so tired.

I didn't bother to ask why they were in the bridal suite with my wedding dress, instead of at the hospital.

I didn't even ask if William remembered that we designed that dress together in college or how much it had meant to me.

I stopped asking. None of it mattered anymore.

I was already married, wasn't I?

Being with William, I can't deny I was happy. Back in college, I was truly happy.

I never doubted William's feelings for me. His eyes always told the truth.

But that sincerity wasn't just for me.

Ever since Emily showed up, I stopped being the one he cared about most.

I remembered this one party.

I was not much of a drinker, so after a few glasses, I was already feeling tipsy and went to the bathroom.

When I came back, I walked in just in time to hear Emily, her words slurred from the alcohol.

"William, I swear I'm never marrying anyone but you," she said.

The whole place went quiet for a moment after she said that.

Everyone knew William was already engaged, so someone cracked a joke, and everyone quickly changed the subject.

I stood there by the door, holding my breath, waiting for William to say something.

But all William did was give a gentle reminder.

"I'll go get some hangover remedy for Emily. She's probably going to have a headache soon. Keep an eye on her for me, okay?" William said.

I had no idea what I was feeling at that moment.

Was it disappointment? Or maybe something else?

It didn't matter anymore.

I was pampered all my life, but every heartbreak and disappointment I've ever had was because of William.

I compromised and gave in for so long. Thinking about it now, I must have lost myself.

He never loved me alone.

I was never his one and only.

I don't want him anymore.

"Don't worry about it. If it's ruined, toss it," I said.

My voice was so flat and devoid of emotion.

William froze for a moment. There was no jealousy, no blame, no fight. It was nothing like the drama he had been expecting.

William should have felt pleased, but instead, he felt a sudden surge of panic for reasons he couldn't explain.

"Anything else?" I asked, not wanting to drag out this meaningless conversation.

William started to say something, but in the end, he stayed silent.

"No, that's it," he said.

As I was about to hang up, I could faintly hear Emily's voice in the background.

"William, do you want me to help you tidy up these clothes?" she asked sweetly.

Expressionless, I hung up the phone.

William heard the call end and quickly checked his phone. Seeing the call was already disconnected, a wave of anxiety hit him.

He looked up at Emily, annoyed.

"I don't need you messing with my clothes," he said.

"I'll take you over and make sure you're settled in. Then, I'll come back," William said.

Emily's eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"William, you're all I have. Are you going to leave me and not care about me?" she pleaded.

William's gaze softened.

"I won't abandon you, but Emily, you need to learn to stand on your own. Once you're settled, my wedding is coming up," he said. "If it weren't for your injury, I would have brought Rachel home as my wife tomorrow."

Sadness flickered in Emily's eyes, but then she steeled herself, resolve shining through.