Chapter 1

At the wedding, just as I was about to step onto the stage, Florence Harding appeared in front of me in a gown identical to mine.

"Thank you for giving up your own wedding to make up for what I lost."

I froze in place, not understanding what was happening, and my eyes went straight to Edgar Delgado.

He not only didn't stop her, he smiled at me.

"We decided this at the last minute yesterday. My brother passed so suddenly he never got his wedding. As his younger brother, I have a duty to fulfill his wish for him."

"A ceremony is just a formality anyway. When it comes to the marriage license, it'll still be us. This way you won't wear yourself out today either. Just sit down and watch."

My nails dug deep into my palm. My voice shook.

"This is my wedding. Why didn't you talk to me about it first?"

His face darkened at once.

"I'm the one paying for this wedding. Since when do I need to consult you about who I marry?"

"If you agree today, you're still my wife. If you don't, then leave now. With you or without you, this wedding goes the same either way."

With that, he took Florence's hand and turned toward the stage.

I stood where I was, watching their backs as they walked away, cold all over.

1

The applause below rose, fell, and rose again.

On the stage, Florence held Edgar's arm, smiling as she accepted everyone's congratulations.

Every seat was full, and not one face showed surprise.

As if the bride standing in the spotlight had always been meant to be her.

So everyone had known.

This wedding I'd spent half a year planning.

From start to finish, I was the only one kept in the dark.

Marjorie Delgado came over, gripping my wrist and dragging me toward the lounge area, her voice impatient.

"Florence and his brother had already sent out the invitations back then, and then he was suddenly gone. It's not easy for a young woman like her."

"Edgar's just going through the motions for his brother. Once the ceremony's over, he's still yours. You two go on living your life the way you always would. It costs you nothing."

Jason Delgado stood beside her with his hands behind his back, his face stiff.

"Be reasonable. Don't make a scene over something this small and let the guests laugh at the Delgado family."

I pulled my hand back, my fingertips cold.

"You should choose your words more carefully. There's no marriage license, so whose he is isn't settled yet."

The date I'd booked to get the license was a week ago.

That day I waited outside the county clerk's office from morning until afternoon.

Five hours, eighteen phone calls.

In the end all I got was one message from him.

He said Florence had stomach pains and had fainted alone at home.

He'd taken her to the hospital and couldn't leave a sick person, so the license would have to wait.

Until today, I'd been grieving that a wedding without a marriage certificate was a flaw.

Now I saw it was heaven warning me.

Marjorie's face darkened the moment she heard it.

"The Delgado family letting you through the door is a blessing you earned in a past life. Don't spit on the kindness you're given!"

My voice went cold too.

"My wedding, and you swap out the bride just like that. Did you ask me a single word?"

Jason's voice suddenly shot up.

"Ask you what? The Delgado family paid for this reception. We put whoever we want up there as the bride!"

"If you know how to behave, sit quietly and stay put. If you don't, get out right now. The Delgado family isn't short one daughter-in-law!"

The argument grew louder and louder.

On the stage, the ring exchange had just finished, and Edgar immediately took Florence's hand and came over.

His gaze swept across my tight face, and his brows knotted.

"Althea Swanson, are you done making a scene? My brother passed so suddenly, and Florence never even got a proper wedding. I'm only fulfilling a wish for him. Is it really necessary to throw a tantrum in front of your elders?"

Marjorie jumped in right away.

"A tantrum? She just said we were being unreasonable. If you ask me, she never wanted this marriage at all!"

Edgar's face darkened further.

He stepped forward, looking down at me, his tone full of disappointment.

"How did I never notice how petty you are?"

"Florence was with my brother for all those years. Now that he's gone, is it wrong for me to look after her a little more?"

"It's just a ceremony. The name on the marriage certificate is yours, and the person I'll spend my life with is you too. You insist on making a scene on a day like this. What's the point?"

I lifted my head and looked at him coldly.

"So that's why you didn't talk to me first? This is my wedding, and I don't even get the right to know?"

He curled his lip as if he'd heard the biggest joke.

"You're Mrs. Delgado only because I let you stand here. If I don't, you're nothing."

Florence tugged lightly at his sleeve.

"Edgar, don't say any more. It's my fault. I shouldn't have come..."

"This has nothing to do with you."

Edgar patted the back of her hand, and when he looked back at me, there wasn't a shred of patience left.

"Two roads. Either you sit quietly, and when the ceremony's over you come home with me, and I won't hold today against you."

"Or you grab your things and leave right now, and never appear in front of me again. You choose."