Chapter 1
"The bride's name has been changed to Rosie's. She's the one walking down the aisle today."
Dorian Jackson pushed the door open and came straight toward me, taking the bouquet right out of my hands.
For a moment, my ears rang. "What did you just say?"
His voice was calm, as if he was discussing someone else's problem.
"Rosie's ex-husband has been spreading rumors about her, saying that she's a divorced woman nobody wants. She broke down last night and tried to kill herself. She almost didn't make it. I'm using this wedding to help her get her pride back."
I stared at my fiancé, the man I had loved for 10 years, unable to believe what I was hearing. "Dorian, this is our wedding. We've been together for 10 years. The wedding's been pushed back nine times. Today is supposed to be the day you finally give me the commitment you promised."
My voice shook as I looked straight into his eyes. Yet he didn't show even a hint of guilt.
"Claire, don't be so petty. Rosie is in a fragile state right now. She needs this ceremony to regain her confidence. You've always been the kind and understanding one. Can't you put yourself in her shoes for once?"
I almost laughed in disbelief. "Put myself in her shoes? By handing over my wedding to her? Dorian, if she becomes the bride today, then what am I? What will our relatives and friends think?"
Dorian sighed, his patience clearly running thin.
"I told you, it's only for show. Everyone here is an adult. Who would actually believe this is real? After the wedding, I'll make it up to you. Do you want that designer purse, or do you want a trip to Averosia? I'll give you whatever you ask for."
He had turned my dignity and the 10 years I spent waiting for him into a simple quid pro quo, as if everything could be settled with a price tag.
My eyes stung as I gripped the fabric of my wedding dress. "I don't want a purse, or a trip. I want my wedding. Put my name back and give me my bouquet."
I stepped forward, reaching for the flowers.
Dorian moved back instantly, his face cold.
"Claire, stop throwing a tantrum. Rosie is right next door. She's already put on her wedding dress. Do you really want to make a scene and ruin everyone's day? Do you even understand how severe her depression is? If something happens to her again, will you be able to bear the consequences?"
I watched him guard the bouquet like it was something precious, and my heart slowly turned cold. Those lilies of the valley were flowers I had personally chosen. They represented a lifetime of happiness together. But now, they were being taken from me and placed into another woman's hands.
"Dorian, did you forget how Rosie treated you back then?"
I clenched my teeth and tore away the last bit of his pride.
"She thought you were too poor and turned around to marry some rich heir. Now that her husband's abandoned her, you're rushing to become her savior, even if it means destroying our wedding?"
Dorian's face darkened instantly. "Enough! You have no idea what you're talking about. I'm only showing basic compassion. If you keep saying things like this, then maybe this marriage shouldn't happen."
He threw those words at me coldly before turning around and leaving.
The dressing room door opened again. Dorian's mother, Mary Jackson, walked inside. Behind her were Dorian's brothers and the wedding officiant.
Mary looked at me with complete indifference. "Since Dorian has already made his decision, you should be more understanding. After all, people shouldn't forget the ones who helped them, should they?"
I tightened my fists. "Mrs. Jackson, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Mary sneered, "What am I trying to say? If Dorian hadn't paid for your college, could an orphan like you have made it this far?
"We're only asking you to step aside and give Rosie the wedding she needs, and you're acting like you've been wronged?
"For the past 10 years, you've been living off our family. Is this little sacrifice really too much to ask?"
