He reached out to me, his voice low and husky with emotion.
“Emily, let me take you home.”
Back at the Sterling estate, I stood in the familiar courtyard, greeted by the samne kind housekeeper I remembered from years ago. Everything felt the same–yet so different.
Nathan’s mother, Catherine, had been best friends with my mom, Margaret. When we were children, the two women would laugh about arranging our future marriage–though back then, I wanted nothing to do with it. I was at that rebellious age where I fought with my mother constantly, and by extension, resented Catherine’s interference… and especially that scrawny Nathan she kept pushing me toward.
After middle school, I left for Milan to study art. Nathan, meanwhile, was sent to the UK to study business management.
Over ten years passed before we saw each other again.
And that reunion? It was at my mother’s funeral.
I was still lost in those memories when Catherine approached, carrying a bowl of steaming ginger broth. Without a word, she pulled me into her arms, worry etched all over her face.
“That foolish boy! Letting you walk in the rain like that. I’m…”
“…Mom?” I asked, startled.
Nathan cleared his throat awkwardly and turned away. “I’ll go get you something dry to change into.”
Once he left, Catherine chuckled and handed me the ginger broth.
“Nathan told us everything. The wedding’s already in motion. You may as well call me ‘Mom‘
now,” she said with a knowing smile.
“I’ve waited for this day for so long,” she added warmly. “We’ll keep the date your mother
picked. No need to change it.”
The date she mentioned? It was next month.
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It was supposed to be the day I married Ethan.
I took a sip of the broth, its warmth slowly spreading through me. But even as it comforted my body, my eyes stung with unshed tears.
The next day, Nathan brought me stacks of wedding preparations–everything from
invitations to flower arrangements–all laid out neatly for my review.
I had expected the timeline to be too tight. I thought we might have to recycle the old plan I’d
worked on for Ethan and me.
But Nathan had taken care of everything.
Every detail, every decision. Done.
It said more than words ever could–how much he valued me.
And Ethan?
Five years together, and if I hadn’t pushed for it, he never would’ve proposed. I’d planned
every detail of that wedding myself, practically begging Ethan to show even a glimmer of
interest.
Love shouldn’t feel that one–sided.
With no hesitation, I called the original wedding planner.
“Cancel everything.”
Not even a minute later, my phone rang again. Evelyn–Ethan’s mother.
“Emily, have you completely lost your mind? You canceled the wedding–just like that?”
“What nonsense is this now? What could Ethan possibly have done that’s so unforgivable? You’ve always been too sensitive – flying off the handle at every little thing. Frankly, you’re lucky my son puts up with your dramatics!”
No one in the Caldwell family ever liked me.
I used to believe Evelyn was just sharp–tongued but soft–hearted–that deep down, she cared.
But after what I heard Ethan say at the Elite Maternity Retreat, I knew better.
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My voice was calm, cold. “Evelyn, Ethan and I broke up. The wedding’s off.”
“Broke up? Don’t be ridiculous! Whatever petty argument you’ve had, just apologize and make up. A proper wife knows how to keep her husband happy. If you can’t even-”
I hung up.
No more lectures. No more humiliation.
The next day, Nathan and I went to try on wedding attire.
He took a business call halfway through, leaving me to change on my own.
I slipped into the gown he had specially flown in from Italy, took one look in the mirror, and
smiled.
The fabric shimmered. It hugged my figure perfectly. I looked… happy.
Behind me, the door creaked open. I turned, beaming.
“Well? What do you think?”
But it wasn’t Nathan.
It was Ethan.
F
his eyes flickered with something–shock? Admiration?
Jessica stepping out of another fitting room.
ression darkened instantly. He stormed over and ripped the veil from my head.
what you’ve been doing? You called off our wedding, and now you’re here playing
? What–trying to get my attention?”
grip was rough. The veil tore away so violently that a pin sliced into my skin. Blood trickled down my cheek, staining the couture gown with a stark red bloom.
I winced, the sting making my eyes water.
“I didn’t come here for you, Ethan.”
Jessica gasped dramatically. Her eyes welled up.
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“Emily, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I just thought it would be fun to try on dresses,” Jessica lied, her voice trembling. “This doesn’t mean anything with Ethan, I swear…”
Ethan let out a bitter laugh.
“Don’t waste your breath, Jessica. Explaining yourself to her is pointless.” He turned on me, eyes full of disdain. “You always were dramatic, Emily. I let it slide because I loved you. But even now–ruining our wedding out of spite?”
“Fine. I won’t marry you either!”
With that, he reached for the zipper on the gown, trying to strip it off me right there.
“You don’t deserve this dress. You don’t belong here.“.
I struggled to fight him off.
He gripped my waist, trying to yank it down–right there in front of everyone.
And that’s when Nathan showed up.
One kick.
Ethan hit the ground hard.
Nathan stepped forward and caught me before I fell, his hand gently steadying my waist.
“My fiancée is trying on her wedding gown,” he said, pulling me protectively against him. “And you? You’re just the ex who should’ve stayed gone a long time ago.”
Chapter 4
