Chapter 1

On my way to try on wedding dresses, I got a call from Andrew.

Charlotte, we need to reschedule the engagement party.

Why? I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.

Emily was in a car accident. I need to take her to the hospital. His voice was laced with urgency.

For three years, ever since he returned from abroad, Emily always seemed to pop up whenever something important was happening.

I made a U-turn and drove straight to the hospital.

Pushing the door open, I saw the two of them in the hospital room, quickly pulling apart as I entered. Andrew scrambled to his feet.

Andrew, our engagement party is tomorrow!

Andrew sounded annoyed. "Emily needs someone to take care of her. I can't just abandon her."

What about me? My eyes began to sting.

You have housekeepers at home, don't you? The words tumbled out of his mouth.

I stood there, stunned. Then, I turned and walked away.

I heard Andrew's voice behind me. "Charlotte, where are you going?"

I didn't look back. "To cancel tomorrow's engagement party."

*****

On my way to try on wedding dresses, I got a call from Andrew.

"Charlotte, we need to reschedule the engagement party."

"Why?" I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.

"Emily was in a car accident. I need to take her to the hospital." His voice was laced with urgency. "You understand, she's my most important assistant."

I can't believe he did this for his assistant.

I let out a cold laugh. "Andrew, our engagement party is tomorrow."

"I know, but Emily needs me right now."

Beep.

The call abruptly ended.

I stared at my phone screen, feeling a heavy weight in my chest.

Three years. From when he first came back from abroad and joined the Evans Design Department, to becoming the lead designer, to our engagement... when had he ever put me first?

Every time something important came up, Emily White was always there.

At company dinners, she was always seated right by his side.

When they were working late nights, she'd stick around with him, long after everyone else had gone.

Even on my birthday, he ditched me as soon as Emily called.

I took a deep breath and made a U-turn towards the hospital.

Since he cared so much about Emily, I wanted to see for myself what was so special about this woman who had my fiancé wrapped around her finger.

At the Central Hospital VIP room, I heard voices before I even opened the door.

"Andrew, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault, causing your engagement party to be postponed," Emily's voice was tearful.

"Don't say that. Of course I'd stay with you if you're hurt," Andrew replied gently.

"But Miss Evans will be angry. She loves you so much."

"She'll understand. Charlotte is very sensible," Andrew paused. "Besides, I can't leave you here alone."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Andrew, please don't say it," Emily interrupted him. "Miss Evans is so good to you, you're about to be engaged. I can't be the other woman."

"Emily, you're not the other woman, it's me who..."

Before Andrew could finish, I pushed the door open.

The two inside instantly sprang apart. Andrew scrambled up from the bedside, and Emily hurriedly pulled the sheets up.

"Charlotte, what are you doing here?" A flicker of panic crossed Andrew's face.

I assessed Emily White on the bed.

She was in her early twenties, had delicate features, and was looking utterly innocent with tears in her eyes.

"I heard Miss White was injured, so I came to see," I walked to the bedside. "Is it serious?"

"Just a few scratches, Miss Evans, please don't worry," Emily said softly. "It's all my fault, your engagement party—"

"It's fine," I cut her off, turning to Andrew. "Since it's just minor scrapes, the engagement party will proceed as scheduled tomorrow."

Andrew frowned. "Charlotte, Emily needs me now."

"What?" I said coldly. "She's just got a few scratches. It's not like she can't move."

"Miss Evans, I'm really fine, please don't cancel your party because of me..." Emily's eyes welled up again.

Looking at her fragile act, a wave of disgust washed over me.

"Andrew, let's talk outside," I said, my voice icy.

In the hallway, Andrew looked displeased. "Charlotte, what's wrong with you today? Emily is hurt, and you're being so aggressive."

"Aggressive?" I scoffed. "Andrew, our engagement party is tomorrow, and you want to postpone it for your assistant. What am I doing wrong?"

"She's not just an assistant, she's..." Andrew stopped.

"She's what?" I stared him down.

Andrew averted his eyes. "Nothing. Anyway, the party is postponed. I've already informed the venue."

"You already told them?" My voice rose an octave. "Andrew, this involves both of us. How could you decide alone?"

"Charlotte, stop making a scene," Andrew sounded impatient. "Emily needs someone to look after her right now. I can't just leave her."

"And what about me? I need someone too. I need my fiancé by my side."

"You have the family housekeepers, don't you?" The words slipped out of his mouth.

I was stunned.

In his eyes, was I just a rich girl who had hired help, so that was enough?

"Andrew, seriously? Did you just say that?" My voice shook, disbelief and anger mixing together.

He realized his mistake and tried to explain. "Charlotte, that's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" My eyes started to sting. "Three years, Andrew. Three whole years. When have you ever made me your priority?"

I continued. "Every company event, you take Emily.

"Every late night at work, it's Emily who stays with you the longest.

"Even on my birthday, you left me for her.

"Now, you're postponing our engagement party for her."

I grew more agitated as I spoke. "Andrew, tell me, what do I even mean to you?"

Andrew was speechless. Finally, he said, "Charlotte, you're overthinking it, I just..."

"Enough!" I cut him off. "Andrew, am I really overthinking it? You know the truth."

With that, I turned and walked away.

Andrew's voice followed me. "Charlotte, where are you going?"

I didn't look back. "To cancel tomorrow's engagement party."

If he didn't care, then there was no point.