Chapter 1

On the day of our honeymoon trip, with only two minutes left before boarding, one of my fiancé's female buddies tossed his new boarding pass down in front of me.

"Sorry about this, Peggy. Looks like the honeymoon's turning into a group trip again."

"There are so many of us buddies taking up your time. You're not going to cry, are you?"

"I heard you've always been a romantic—you wanted your first trip before the wedding to be about giving yourself to Leo. We're not ruining your little plan, are we?"

The people around us burst out laughing.

Leo's eyes curved in a smile as he gave Marianne a look of mock reproach.

"Your sister-in-law has thin skin. You told this to so many people—careful, she'll get upset and cry right in front of you."

But Marianne didn't care in the least. She folded her arms and looked at me.

"A good buddy is really just helping you train your woman. Romance can't put food on the table. You're marrying her to settle down and live a real life."

"Come on, forget the honeymoon. Come have fun with us instead—you'll fit into the group better that way."

I didn't answer. Instead, I sent a message to my childhood friend.

The honeymoon flight leaves at three this afternoon. If you can make it, we'll go get legally married at the courthouse.

...

Ever since I was little, I've had a slight case of tear incontinence.

When I run into something hard, I can handle it—but my eyes still well up right away.

That's why I never dared to date. I was afraid of getting hurt, and everyone in our circle thought of me as an untouchable flower.

Until I met Leo Gilbert.

He said:

"A man's greatest charm is solving problems."

"Don't worry. I'll always solve your problem before you can shed a single tear."

I believed him.

And I only cried more.

The staff finished processing my new boarding pass and brought it over. I didn't respond.

I just pulled my suitcase back out of Leo's hand.

I tried to head back to the waiting area, but Leo blocked my way.

"Peggy, we'll have our honeymoon. We can go after we're married, that's fine."

"My buddies finally get a chance to spend time with me. Give me a little face here."

"Think about the bigger picture first."

I looked at that crowd of men and women waiting for the show, then brought my gaze back to Leo.

I raised my hand and slapped him across the face.

"You were the ones who didn't give me any face first."

I could clearly hear my own voice going more and more nasal.

"What do you mean, your buddies finally get a chance to get together?"

"On our dating anniversary, when you all gathered at home and sang until dawn—wasn't that a get-together?"

"When I was sick and you all snuck off fishing and barbecuing—wasn't that a get-together?"

"How many times have you gotten together behind my back? Do you need me to count them out for you in detail?"

Leo stiffened, frowning in displeasure.

"You've been following me."

I glanced at Marianne and gave a cold laugh.

"Why would I need to follow you? Every single time, one of your good buddies posts you to their social media feed and shares it live."

"So many male buddies, and she's the only woman among them. It's obvious what she's after."

Marianne waved her hands in a panic.

"I must have forgotten to block your wife, that's all—lots of people posted that day."

I looked at the others.

Every one of them guiltily looked away.

I turned back to Leo.

"Do you really not know why I wanted this honeymoon trip?"

"In our family, when people marry, the engaged couple is supposed to travel together—it's a way to work things out before the wedding."

"You know that perfectly well, and you still can't tear yourself away from these buddies of yours."

Marianne stepped in front of Leo, her face full of displeasure.

"That's enough. You hit him, you cursed him out."

"Working things out before the wedding, tradition—whatever. It's all just that cursed romanticism of yours acting up."

"We've already bought the tickets. Can't you set aside your romanticism and accommodate us for once?"

Accommodate them once, and I'd be accommodating them every time.

Leo's tone carried a trace of barely restrained anger.

"That's enough."

"My buddies have already given you an out. Can you stop being unreasonable?"

"Postponing the honeymoon a few days is no big deal."

Once again, no big deal.

I let out a slow, heavy breath.

"Go on, then."

"When the trip's over, you can just go marry your buddies."

"It's no big deal to me anyway, right?"

I dragged my suitcase to the waiting area, and my childhood friend's messages came in one after another.

I keep my word. I'll be there soon.

If you dare stand me up this time, I'll tie you to my side even if it means offending your mom and dad.