Chapter 1

This was the ninth time Maya had ruined my wedding with Ethan.

I was so furious that I wanted to call the cops and have her arrested, but Ethan stopped me.

"Chloe, please. Maya is my patient, and she’s emotionally unstable. As her therapist, I have a professional duty to help her. Just do this for me, one last time."

"I promise you, I’ll make it up to you with the most perfect wedding!"

My heart softened, and I believed him.

Until last night, when I heard him on the phone with a friend, leaning against his car.

"Maya isn't actually sick. She's just my girl on the side, throwing a jealous tantrum."

"My fiancée? Don't worry, even if she finds out, what can she do? Maya has crashed our wedding nine times, and every single time, I coax her with a few sweet words and it blows over. She loves me too much to ever leave me."

The wind was freezing. I stood frozen in the shadows, watching the red taillights of Ethan's car slowly fade into the darkness.

Now, it was our tenth wedding.

Maya was acting up as usual, but the bridal suite was empty, save for a discarded wedding dress.

Look, Ethan.

This time, I'm finally letting go.

"Ma'am, what do you think of this wedding dress? It features the most popular..."

"Ma'am? Ma'am!"

The saleswoman's soft voice finally snapped me out of my thoughts.

I nodded blankly and gave a casual reply.

"Sure, let's go with this one."

Standing next to me, Ethan noticed my distraction. He reached out, squeezing my hand gently.

"Are you still upset about Maya crashing the wedding yesterday? Don't worry, I gave her a stern warning. If she dares to act up again, I'll personally have her committed to an asylum."

"This time, no one will ruin our wedding."

But the moment the words left his mouth, Maya burst through the boutique doors.

She pointed at the catalog in my hand, screaming hysterically, "You can't wear that! A cheap bitch like you doesn't deserve a wedding dress!"

"Ethan, make her change it! Otherwise, my bipolar disorder is going to flare up again!"

Maya panted heavily as she spoke, digging her nails sharply into her own arm.

Ethan looked torn.

He turned to me, his voice hesitant.

"Chloe, why don't you pick another one? This one is nice, but maybe there's a better fit."

"You know Maya is sick. Just let her have this one, okay?"

I said nothing.

I casually pointed at another design.

But Maya threw another fit, demanding I choose again.

After three dresses, it was clear she was just there to torment me. I looked at her and asked directly, "Maya, what exactly do you want?"

Maya grabbed Ethan's hand, holding it up like a trophy.

"Ethan insists on marrying you, and I can't stop him."

"But you are not allowed to wear a wedding dress. I am! Otherwise, I'll keep ruining it. Every time you try to have a wedding, I'll crash it!"

I stared at their intertwined hands.

Ethan let her hold him. He didn't even try to pull away.

"Ethan, you promised me the perfect wedding. If the bride can't even wear a wedding dress, is that still perfect?"

Ethan sighed.

And, right on cue, he coaxed me to back down again.

"Chloe, it's just a dress. If you can't wear it, so be it. We can focus on other things—the venue, the catering, the officiant... I promise, everything else will be exactly how you want it."

"Maya is in a fragile state. Don't trigger her. Just show some compassion, okay?"

I let out a bitter laugh, lowering my eyes.

"Okay."

"Yay! The bitch gave in!"

Maya smiled triumphantly.

Right in front of me, she cupped Ethan's face and kissed him on the lips.

Ethan didn't flinch.

He only shot me a helpless, apologetic look.

I couldn't watch this anymore. Grabbing my purse, I walked out.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my clutch. I swiped to answer.

It was the airline.

"Hello, Ms. Miller. The business class cabin for your booked flight, G7920, is currently sold out. Since you are one of our elite members, would you like us to upgrade you to first class using your loyalty points?"

I glanced back.

Ethan hadn't followed me out.

He was still inside, helping Maya choose earrings and a necklace to match her wedding dress.

"Yes, please."

"Perfect, Ms. Miller. Your upgrade is complete. Flight G7920 departs in three days at noon. Please arrive early for check-in. Have a wonderful trip!"