My Uncle Married Another Woman, So I Married His Rival

Chapter 3 He Humiliated Me for His Bride

"If there's nothing else, Uncle Lucien, you should head back. My parents aren't home, and if word gets out that we were here alone together, it won't reflect well on either of us, especially not on Aunt Vivian."

Lucien looked momentarily stunned. The Serena he knew had once clung to him every chance she got. Now, she was asking him to leave.

"We don't have to be strangers," he said softly.

Serena said nothing. She simply turned and walked back inside.

Over the next few days, news of Lucien and Vivian's upcoming wedding swept through all of Ashbourne. Friends who knew nothing of the truth bombarded Serena with texts and calls.

"What's going on? Didn't you say your uncle was coming back to marry you? Why did the bride change?"

Holding her phone, Serena let out a quiet laugh.

"Just pretend I was talking in my sleep before. Don't take it seriously. I don't like him anymore."

Every street corner, every shopping mall, and every towering digital billboard was plastered with advertisements Lucien had bought to build anticipation for the wedding.

Massive LED screens replayed carefully edited footage of him and Vivian together, showing him working out, asleep, and focused behind his desk. Every image drove another blade into Serena's chest.

While she had spent those years desperately waiting for his replies, he had been with someone else all along.

She even overheard people whispering nearby.

"Of course. Lucien only went overseas because of that disgusting scandal with his shameless niece. He left to be with his real girlfriend."

"That explains it."

Serena dug her nails into her palms as her phone suddenly rang. It was Chloe.

"Rena, get here now! Lucien brought Vivian to try on wedding dresses, and the moment she saw yours, she insisted on taking it!"

When Serena arrived at White Veil Atelier, she found Vivian standing before the display case, gazing wistfully at the couture gown inside. Lucien stepped forward first.

"Rena, I heard this dress is yours. You're still young; you don't even have a boyfriend, much less a wedding date. Let your Aunt Vivian have it."

Serena met his gaze without wavering. "No. I may not have a boyfriend, but I'll be getting married soon."

Lucien's expression darkened at once. "Don't be ridiculous. Are you really saying something like that over a dress? Have you no shame?"

Vivian stepped in and lightly tugged his sleeve. "Forget it, Lucien. I love the dress, but I can't take what belongs to someone else. I certainly don't want to come between you two."

Ignoring her protest, Lucien signaled for Vivian to try it on anyway before turning back to Serena, his voice turning cold.

"If you refuse, I'll buy out this entire boutique. And if you want Chloe to keep her job, be sensible, Rena."

Chloe was so furious she nearly stormed out on the spot. But this boutique was her greatest dream, and Serena stopped her before she could leave. Then Serena looked at Lucien and smiled faintly.

"If that's the case, why bother pretending to ask me at all, Lucien?"

From childhood onward, Lucien had cherished her like treasure, and because he doted on her, he had always treated her friends with kindness as well. The CEO of Vale Group had never hesitated to lower himself for her sake.

Back when Chloe was a broke design student being bullied by her classmates, Serena had stood up for her. When the situation reached an impasse, Lucien personally arranged for a renowned designer to take Chloe on as an apprentice.

"You're Rena's friend," he had told her. "That's why I'm helping you."

Serena had been so proud then. She walked through school with her head high, and everyone wanted to be her friend.

Now, Chloe was being humiliated because of her.

Serena drew in a slow breath and turned to leave, but Lucien caught her wrist. His tone softened as he said, "If you walk out looking like that and the media sees you, what do you think they'll write about Vivian? Stay and help her decide whether it suits her."

Expressionless, Serena turned back.

When Vivian stepped out in the gown, it was clear at a glance that it did not fit her. The shoulders were too tight, while the waist hung loose.

"Lucien," Vivian asked softly, "how do I look?"

"Beautiful." Then he turned to Serena. "What do you think?"

Serena answered honestly. "It doesn't fit. It looks terrible on you. If something isn't yours, don't force yourself into it."

Vivian's eyes reddened at once. Lowering her head, she began to take off the dress. "I understand, Serena… I can give up the gown. But I truly love Lucien. I won't give him up."

A few perfectly timed tears rolled down her cheeks.

Lucien reached out to stop her, then shot Serena a cold look. "There's no need for passive-aggressive remarks. Put away those inappropriate thoughts of yours."

Serena said nothing, forcing down the pain twisting in her chest.

At that point, what was left for her to fight for? If Vivian wanted it that badly, she could have it.

While changing out of the gown, Vivian's zipper got stuck. From inside the dressing room, she called softly, "Serena… could you come help me with the zipper?"