On Our Wedding Day, I Dumped Both

I had barely hit send before my professor's video call popped up. His face lit up with excitement. "Emma, you finally saw the light. You're the best student I've ever taught. You weren't born to throw away your future just to be someone's stay-at-home wife. The expedition flies out in three days." After we hung up, the scene between Owen Parker and Grace Scott came rushing back. Grace blushed as she melted into Owen's embrace. A nurse passing by laughed and teased them. "I always figured Mr. Parker was into the sweet housewife type. "Guess not. Looks like confident career women are more his style. Someone like Ms. Scott is a perfect match for him." Owen never denied it. But when I graduated first in my class, he had torn up my acceptance letter from an overseas research institute without a second thought. "Emma, I don't want a career woman. I'd be happiest if you stayed home and waited for me every day. I'll look after you for the rest of our lives." Owen wrapped me in his arms. Without me realizing it, those arms became my cage for the next five years. I walked away from my career and my friends. I gladly became the quiet, supportive wife behind his success. Was it all so I could wear a wedding dress created by the woman he cheated on me with? A tear splashed onto the back of my hand. Only then did I notice my phone had been ringing nonstop. It was Owen. I quickly wiped my face, but my eyes were still red when I answered the video call. The instant he saw me, all the color drained from his face. "Emma, what's wrong? Are you upset because I missed your dress fitting? I've been swamped, and this client wouldn't take no for an answer. Be good. I'll book the first flight home and make it up to you." I said nothing. For the first time, the man who had slept beside me for years felt like a complete stranger. Owen had become so good at lying that every word sounded like the truth. I ended the call, turned off my phone, and went back alone to the old apartment my parents had left me. At 3 am, my apartment door burst open with a violent kick. Owen stood there with snow dusting his coat, the winter chill still clinging to him. His eyes were red-rimmed. He wrapped his arms around me the moment he saw me. "Emma, why didn't you tell me you were coming here? You scared me. I'm sorry. Tomorrow, I'll put everything else aside and spend the whole day with you picking out your wedding dress." I froze in his arms. "Owen, I don't like the dress Grace designed." Owen paused for a moment. His eyes searched my face, and when he noticed I wasn't showing any signs of suspicion, he relaxed and gave me a soft smile. "She's the most talented designer in the city." The admiration in Owen's eyes was impossible to miss. Seeing him look at Grace that way shattered something inside me. I met Owen's gaze and spoke slowly, making sure every word landed. "I said I don't like it." Owen went quiet for a moment. Then he messed up my hair with a helpless smile, his voice soft with affection. "Fine. Whatever makes you happy." The next morning, Owen took me to choose my wedding dress. The most exclusive bridal shops in the city were all on the same floor. I had barely walked into one when Grace appeared behind me. "Ms. Carter, the designer here was trained by me. If you had any concerns, you could've come to me instead of immediately looking for a replacement." Grace gave me a once over, then smiled knowingly. "Maybe it's a fitting issue? Well, the bodice was made based on my measurements. Ms. Carter, your figure has a more delicate kind of beauty." She smiled sweetly while taking a jab at my body. I laughed softly too. The very next moment, I lifted my hand and slapped her across the face. Grace gasped, and a bright red handprint bloomed on her cheek. Shock flashed through Owen's eyes. He almost rushed over to steady her without thinking, but he stopped himself at the last second. The restrained concern in his eyes made my heart ache. "What the hell was that?" Grace stared at me, her jaw tight, fury burning in her eyes. I pulled a wet wipe from the counter and calmly wiped my hand. "This entire mall belongs to my fiancé. I'm only teaching an employee who doesn't know how to behave or watch her words a lesson. Is that a problem?" With a smile, I reached out and took Owen's hand right in front of Grace. Owen smiled back. He held my hand gently, his thumb brushing over my fingers. "The manager failed to train the staff properly. Don't let it upset you." Then he looked at Grace. "Apologize." His voice was cold and detached, as if he wasn't the same man who had been caught kissing Grace yesterday. Grace's eyes shimmered with tears, making her look painfully pitiful. "But..." "Apologize." Owen's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. No matter how unwilling she was, Grace could only bite back her anger and force the words out. "Mrs. Parker, I'm sorry."