Chapter 1
Alana's POV:
On the wedding day, all our family and friends stood in front of the church, full of hope. But Asher Brooks would not let me step inside.
"Just wait a little longer. It's not time yet, Alana," he said.
I thought he had something important to take care of, so I stood there and waited for more than an hour.
Then I saw it with my own eyes, his first love, Sienna Callahan, rushing toward the church wearing a wedding dress exactly like mine.
"Asher, I knew you'd wait for me!" she called out.
She reached out and slipped onto her finger the large diamond engagement ring Asher had made just for me.
I was the one who drew that design, working on it nonstop for three days and three nights.
I felt cold all over, as if I had fallen into ice.
Asher leaned close to me, his voice low and rough. "Sienna's birthday is today. I have to grant her this wish . . . to marry me." He reached out and touched my arm. "Be good. Don't make this harder for me, okay?"
I wiped my tears away and nodded. "Fine. I'll step aside so you two can be together."
Today also marks the third month that the CEO of the rival company, the man who has been pursuing me, has been in my life.
If Asher won't be my groom, then I will choose someone else.
When I nodded so easily, Asher froze for a moment. Usually, I'd cry and make a scene . . . once, I even took sleeping pills to make him marry me.
"But I have one condition. Give me back the engagement ring I designed."
I held out my hand to Sienna, but she hid in Asher's arms, scared.
Next, Sienna's group of friends stepped forward, looked me up and down with disdain, and mocked me.
"You even wore the same wedding dress as Sienna. What makes you think the ring is yours?"
"Copycat! Why don't you look in the mirror and see what you're really worth!"
"All of you, be quiet." Asher's voice was annoyed, and the crowd went silent at once.
He let go of Sienna, brushed a strand of messy hair behind my ear, like he was calming a child who didn't understand.
"It's just a ring. Let Sienna wear it for now. I'll give you a bigger wedding next week, okay?" He was smiling, but there was no warmth at all in his hazel eyes.
I took a deep breath, my nails digging into my skin. It wasn't just the engagement ring I designed myself.
Even the bouquet in Sienna's hand was made by my mom, just for me. Even though she has a serious heart condition, she pushed herself to help me get ready for the wedding.
"Asher Brooks, my mom and I decorated this wedding ourselves. Who gave you the right to give it to someone else?" My eyes were red as I asked him.
But Asher just frowned, "Your mom's health is bad. Don't use her as an excuse. Besides, a wedding is just a show, right?" He looked at the sad, gentle Sienna. "Your designs are really nice. Sienna liked them, so she just helped her out. You'll have other chances later. Don't cause trouble today."
At that moment, I understood everything. The wedding venue, the flowers, the dress, the ring, every single thing was picked to Sienna's taste.
He let me design the wedding just to use my hands to make a nice path for Sienna. And I was never the bride.
"Good. Asher Brooks, we're done." I pulled hard at the fancy gem necklace around my neck, the one Asher gave me.
Three years ago, he'd fought hard for it at an auction. He kept bidding until the price went from thirty million to over one hundred million. He didn't even blink.
But when he put it on me for the first time, his hands were shaking, and his voice was low, "There's only one necklace like this in the world. Only you deserve it."
Now, I was giving back the one-of-a-kind love he'd promised me.
I heard the sound of the blue diamond breaking clearly, but I didn't look back as I walked away.
On the road, I sent a message to Asher's worst enemy, the man who'd been pursuing me for years.
Alana: You said you'd marry me. Is that still true?
