Chapter 3

For three days straight, Chase didn't come home.

If this were the past, I would have sent him dozens of texts begging him to return.

But now, I didn't care where he went.

I had just finished throwing away all my belongings in the apartment when my mom called.

"Aria, your dad and I invited Chase's parents over tonight. We should discuss your wedding plans."

I wanted to refuse, but on second thought, our parents had spent so much effort on our relationship over the years.

Since the show was ending, it was best to make things clear.

So, I agreed.

When Chase arrived, he was thirty minutes late.

I didn't expect him to bring Chloe with him.

Noticing my parents' displeased expressions, Chase explained casually,

"We promised each other that we'd witness every happy moment of each other's lives."

"So of course, she has to be here for the wedding discussion."

Chloe added provocatively, "Yeah, we've been best friends for so many years. Our bond is special. Aria, you don't mind, do you?"

Chase's eyes swept over me, as if waiting for my usual outburst.

I didn't make a scene, nor did I object.

I smiled and reassured my parents,

"It's fine. I don't mind."

Hearing my response, Chase's face darkened, and the glass he was tightly clutching slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor.

Was he waiting for me to scream and cry like before?

But I only did that when I actually cared. Now, my feelings for him... were completely gone.

The atmosphere turned awkward. Chase's parents spoke up apologetically,

"Aria is such a good girl. Why don't we set the date first? Whatever demands you have, we'll agree to them."

My mom smiled and replied, "This is up to Aria."

Everyone's eyes fell on me. I stood up, and under Chase's smug, expecting grin, I spoke.

"Alisa, I'm sorry, but I don't want to marry Chase."

My answer shocked everyone. Even Chloe, who was waiting to watch me get rejected, stopped her wine glass halfway to her mouth.

After a long pause, Chase sneered scoffingly,

"Aria, your family has begged for this wedding so many times, and now you're saying you don't want to marry me? Do you think I'm stupid? You probably set up this dinner just to make up with me."

In the past, my parents had indeed brought up marriage to Chase multiple times.

Even though they didn't particularly like him, they did it because I loved him so desperately.

I wanted to bind his face to my side forever, so I had practically threatened my parents to get what I wanted.

They had no choice but to swallow their pride for me.

But every time, Chase would just brush it off: "I'll marry Aria once my career is successful."

After his company went public, he said, "I need to become more mature before I can make Aria happy."

Wait, wait, wait. One year after another.

He had used countless excuses. But I knew the truth. What he really wanted to say was:

The person I want to marry isn't Aria, it's Chloe.

This time, I would be the one to clarify.

I spoke calmly again. "Chase, just like you said before, we really aren't a good match for marriage."

Seeing me so incredibly calm, confusion and panic finally flashed in Chase's eyes.

He opened his mouth to say something, but Chloe suddenly clutched her stomach, crying out in pain.

"Chase, my stomach hurts so bad. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Right in front of my parents, Chase scooped Chloe up in his arms and rushed toward the door.

Ignoring his parents' protests, he snapped at me impatiently, "We can discuss the wedding anytime. It doesn't have to be right now. Chloe is sick, I need to take her to the ER."

"Just wait. I will marry you eventually."

As soon as he stepped out, Chase's parents shook their heads, sighing in disappointment.

"Aria, he doesn't deserve you. We really wanted you to be our daughter-in-law."

I smiled gently to comfort them. "It's okay, Alisa. There will be other opportunities."