Chapter 1

My fiancé, Ethan, won a raffle for a couple's trip to an island resort.

The host asked, "Dr. Ethan, who will you be taking?"

Everyone's gaze turned to me, and murmurs of my name filled the room:

"Chloe! Chloe!"

My heart pounded faster. I looked at him with a smile.

But he pointed to Mia, his assistant, who was sitting below:

"Give it to her. She's been working incredibly hard lately."

Mia's face flushed instantly.

My best friend, Cassie, leaned into my ear, fuming. "Didn't we all agree to have our weddings on the island this year? How could your fiancé do this?"

I smiled, forcing back the sting in my eyes. "Don't worry. The plan's still on."

I would wear my wedding dress and get married on that island.

If Ethan didn't want to go, then he wouldn't.

Ethan walked down from the stage with an unhurried grace.

As he passed his assistant's seat, he naturally paused.

He handed over the envelope containing the travel voucher, a hint of indulgence in his smile:

"Here."

Mia's eyes instantly lit up, a mix of surprise and delight. She pressed her pretty lips together, taking the envelope with both hands.

As if she wasn't just receiving a raffle ticket, but a weighty, significant honor.

The next second, she stood up gracefully, her voice clear, her tone cheerful and rather loud:

"Thank you for always thinking of me! I don't know how I'll ever repay you!"

With that, she even performed a lively, playful curtsy towards Ethan.

Straightening up, she paused, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she glanced at Ethan, a mix of youthful playfulness and subtle testing.

"But... I don't really have anyone to travel with. Why don't you come with me?"

The air around us seemed to freeze for a moment, then broke into a few suggestive snickers.

Cassie, beside me, shot up, ready to confront him.

I gripped her wrist tightly, pulling her back into her seat, forcing a deliberately casual smile.

"Why are you still so impulsive? Ethan won't agree."

No sooner had I spoken than I heard Ethan's voice, laced with amusement.

"Well, that depends on your work performance."

"Yes, sir!" Mia exaggeratedly stood at attention and saluted, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Ethan couldn't help but chuckle. He patted her shoulder and walked towards me.

"What the hell is going on?!" Cassie was barely held back by me, gritting her teeth as she whispered fiercely in my ear.

"Is she playing innocent because she's young? Is she genuinely clueless, or is this deliberate?"

"We've been together, the four of us, for eight years! Back in college, we made a pact to have a double wedding on the island!"

"Liam and I have already set everything! Is Ethan truly clueless, or did he just forget?"

"This raffle was practically set up for him! Why else would he even be here? And to top it off, he brought his assistant!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, her chest heaving.

I placed my hand over hers, patting it gently.

"Sit still. Don't get worked up."

She didn't say anything more, but the sheen of tears in her eyes refused to dry, and she huffily turned her head away.

Ethan sat back down beside me.

He seemed to sense something, glancing at my face and Cassie's, then smiled.

It was that familiar, gentle charm that always made it impossible to stay angry at him.

He took my hand, his thumb caressing my knuckles, and said in a low voice:

"The beach isn't that fun anyway; it's always packed with people. When I take my annual leave at the end of the year, I'll take you for a quiet getaway in the mountains."

I gently withdrew my hand, my gaze not meeting his.

"No need. You just focus on your work."

He paused, then smiled and withdrew his hand.

To my left, Cassie, not giving up, pulled out her phone and quickly typed a few words, then leaned over:

"Liam's giving a speech soon; I'll get him to help us out."

I offered her a grateful smile, not objecting.