Chapter 2

I got home in the early hours of the morning. Samuel's attitude made me lose faith in him, but it also gave me my resolve.

First thing that morning, I told my parents straight out that the wedding was off.

"Off? Willow, what nonsense is this?"

My mom reacted violently, glaring straight at me, one step short of raising her hand.

"Mom, he doesn't even care, and he goes out to have fun with other women. Do you really think a marriage like that could ever work?"

"Out with a woman? You mean Lena? Lena's a harmless girl. And besides, he's a grown man, and he'll be a groom any minute now—there's nothing wrong with him relaxing a little."

I couldn't win against my mom, so I turned to my dad standing off to the side.

But just as Dad was about to speak, Mom shot him a look, and he shut his mouth on the spot.

At home, my mom is very domineering; she holds all the household power in her own hands, and yet the one she dotes on is Samuel.

Even I, her own daughter, can't compare.

"You'll get married whether you want to or not! Samuel is such a fine boy—don't make an unreasonable scene here."

"How am I being unreasonable? Mom, whose mother are you, exactly?"

I tried to push back, but under the shadow of years of my mom ruling and controlling me, it got me nowhere.

Back then, when I gave up a better university, it wasn't only my boyfriend and my best friend talking me into it—my own mother did plenty too.

"I'm tired. We'll talk tomorrow."

I didn't keep arguing. I knew there wasn't much point.

Maybe it was because of her health problems—she couldn't have a second child, and never giving the Summers family a son became the wound she carried in her heart.

She grew up in the old days, and the idea of favoring sons over daughters was deeply rooted in her; even though she was a woman herself, she was no different.

There was a generational gap between my mom and me, just as there was a gap in values between Samuel and me.

Early the next morning.

Mom was up early getting ready, her face full of joy, while Dad, with a trace of resignation, just went along with all of it.

The wedding was set at the local Grandeur Hotel—no small affair, with a banquet hall big enough to hold hundreds of tables.

Both sets of parents came early, and everyone was in high spirits.

Even Samuel, the groom, had dressed himself up sharp at home—except that Lena Cobb was right there beside him.

Amid the lively anticipation of the hotel guests, with the wedding about to begin, Samuel, with Lena at his side, came heading over toward my house.

He and I were childhood sweethearts; our two families lived very close, and the hotel where we were holding the wedding was close too—as if everything had been destined.

In the eyes of our relatives and friends, we were an innocent childhood pair, a match made in heaven.

Heh. That was only what outsiders believed.

She was supposed to be my best friend, yet on my wedding day she was over on the groom's side.

Too bad they were all doomed to be disappointed.

Because I ran away from the wedding.

Very bold, very thrilling—but also a decision I made after a whole night of careful thought.

We hadn't registered the marriage yet anyway. The original plan was to do it after the wedding; both families had specially picked an auspicious day.

In the car.

"You're really sure? Drive a little longer and even if you regret it and want to go back, you won't make it in time."

From the driver's seat, Pamela asked me.

She's my childhood friend too. We grew up together, though we never went to the same school—whether in high school or in college, she was always the best choice for me.

The two of us have always gotten along well. Of course, when we first started college, we had a fight because I gave up a better future.

Ever since, Pamela had warned me about Samuel and Lena more than once.

Sad to say, back then I couldn't take it in.

"Yeah, let's go. I already sent my résumé over there this morning, and besides, this place isn't right for me."

I said it decisively.

But looking at Pamela, I still felt a little guilty.