Chapter 1

Before Chloe and I got together, she chased me for three whole years. Her love for me was wild, loud, and known by everyone on campus.

But on our wedding day, she abandoned me at the altar. She kissed another man right in front of all our guests.

She told me she only got with me to make him jealous.

What she didn't know was that I only saw her as a substitute for my deceased first love.

Today was supposed to be my wedding day with Chloe, but she was acting incredibly off.

The closer we got to walk down the aisle, the more anxious she became. She kept checking her phone, as if waiting for a life-or-changing call.

When I went to check on her, she was hiding in the dressing room, whispering into her phone.

Seeing me walk in, she hung up in a panic. Her eyes were red and puffy.

"Chloe, honey, why are you crying?" I asked softly, wrapping my arms around her.

She had been acting strange for the past few days, often staring into space with tears in her eyes.

"It's nothing," she murmured, leaning into my shoulder like she was melting. "I just realized that once we’re married, I won’t be living with my parents anymore. I’m just going to miss them."

Chloe always told me that marrying me was her ultimate dream.

In fact, she was the one who proposed.

The night I said yes, she hugged me so tight. Her eyes were like bright stars, and her smile was warm enough to melt the coldest winter.

Today was supposed to be the day her dream came true.

"Ethan, Chloe, it’s time. We need you at the altar," the coordinator called out, knocking on the door.

"We're coming," I called back. I turned around to take Chloe's hand.

Instead, I was met with a face that was completely pale, drained of all color.