Chapter 1

In the dimly lit hallway of the bar, the slender figure of the girl leaned in front of the man, looking up at his delicate eyebrows and eyes, her red lips slightly parted.

"Let's get married."

In the center of the dance floor, with deafening music and dazzling lights, the girl's clear voice lingered in the man's ear, carrying a hint of uncertainty and probing.

"Okay!"

The man's thin lips slightly parted, agreeing cleanly and decisively.

Upon hearing this, the girl's beautiful eyes suddenly brightened.

He was the only man she had ever loved, the only one who could make her heart flutter.

As long as she could be with him, she was willing to do anything.

That night, the girl was pressed hard under the man, their two hot, entwined bodies closely attached, as if they had merged into one, never to be separated again.

"Will you really marry me?"

The strength on her body suddenly disappeared, and the girl looked up, her clear and bright eyes meeting the man's deep ones, unable to help but ask.

She was a little scared, afraid that this was just a dream.

She wanted more of him, more.

But she was also afraid that when this dream ended, he would disappear without a trace, just like last time, without even saying goodbye.

The man's thin lips slightly curved: "Yes."

His voice was sexy and hoarse, with a bewitching magic that made people unable to extricate themselves.

"I believe you."

The next morning, the news that Russell Percy, the president of the Percy Corporation, and the famous manager Sienna Stuart were getting married spread throughout Melondor.

In an instant, it climbed to the top of the recent hot list.

And I was one of the people involved, Sienna.

I began to handle the wedding-related matters, taking care of everything myself, down to the smallest detail.

On the wedding day, accompanied by the sacred and solemn wedding march, I appeared in front of everyone in a white wedding dress.

Russell stood at the opposite end, wearing a well-tailored suit that highlighted his tall and straight figure, his gem-like eyes shining brightly.

His thin lips were slightly pursed, his face showing an indifferent and aloof expression, without a trace of a groom's smile.

But I didn't care at all. In my eyes, Russell was like the brightest star in the night sky, dazzling and radiant.

As the lights focused and all eyes were on us, someone suddenly leaned in close to Russell and whispered something.

Russell's expression changed, and he looked at me meaningfully.

Seeing this, my heart inexplicably trembled, and a strong and uneasy emotion surged up.

I saw Russell withdraw his gaze and walk straight back.

In front of everyone, the groom left the wedding scene, and the audience was so quiet it was frightening.

At that moment, I stood on the stage like a ridiculous clown, my face pale.

I don't know how long it took, but I was curled up on the sofa with a hangover remedy in my hand, rubbing my head that was throbbing with pain from the hangover, my thoughts slowly coming back.

I picked up my phone and lit up the screen, looking at the message in front of me, feeling particularly ironic.

'Ms. Stuart, we are very sorry, but something came up with Dorothy Carnegie, so Mr. Percy didn't have time to say goodbye to you.'

Dorothy, she was Russell's first love.

I knew, I always knew.

I knew they had deep feelings for each other, and I knew she was Russell's beloved.

But why did she have to come back now, after disappearing without a word back then?

Thinking of Dorothy, I couldn't help but catch my breath, my fingers gripping the cup turning slightly white.

Aurora City was only two hours away from Melondor, but when I finally arrived at the villa and saw that familiar figure in the backyard, my heart couldn't help but stop.

"Dorothy."

I murmured, and the person standing by the pond turned her head slowly upon hearing my voice.

It really was her.

Because of her appearance, my wedding was abruptly terminated, making me the laughingstock of all Melondor.

But the culprit, Dorothy, was here, calmly watching the fish, looking at me without a trace of guilt, and even with a hint of provocation.

"Sienna." Dorothy smiled slightly and spoke softly, "It's been four years, how have you been?"

She waved at me, signaling me to come closer.

She didn't mention the wedding or the grudge between us, her tone so familiar as if nothing had happened.

Looking at her hypocritical face, I couldn't help but admire her ability to remain calm and composed.

"Come over." Dorothy called out.

I frowned, originally wanting to keep my distance, but seeing her provocative look, as if mocking my cowardice, I hesitated and walked towards her.

"Long time no see."

I looked at her and said.

"Do you know why I came back at this time?" Dorothy suddenly asked.

"Because of Russell."

I spoke slowly, meeting her eyes, seeing the mockery in them.

The mockery of my futile attempt to take her place.

"Yes." Dorothy answered straightforwardly, "I did come back because of what I heard about you two, but I didn't expect him to actually leave you at the wedding."

"Sienna, I'm really sorry."

I looked up at her, but there was no trace of apology on her face.

I knew very well that she was just going through the motions.

As I was thinking of how to respond, I saw her gaze flicker behind me, then she grabbed my hand and raised her voice: "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to."

With that, she leaned back and fell into the pond.

Seeing this, I quickly grabbed her with one hand, but unexpectedly, she pulled me down with her. The pond wasn't deep, but it was early winter, and the bone-chilling cold instantly soaked through me.

Then, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar.

"You!"

I was annoyed by her sudden action and was about to question her when I saw a tall figure walk straight into the pond, passing me without a glance.

He took off his coat and draped it over Dorothy's shoulders, then picked her up in his arms.

Before leaving, he looked at me with cold eyes, completely different from his previous attitude.

From my understanding of Russell, I could clearly feel his disgust towards me at that moment.

It seemed that I was the one who caused his beloved to fall into the icy water.

He didn't care about my shivering at all and left quickly.

Watching them leave, I suddenly felt a sense of defeat.

It turned out that in this relationship, I was the outsider. His leaving the wedding was nothing.

I was the intruder in their relationship.

Realizing this, I suddenly felt the sky darken, life hopeless, and the bone-chilling cold even more palpable.

I shivered as I walked into the villa, which was empty of servants, and could only find a towel to dry myself.

I stood outside the master bedroom on the second floor, looking through the crack in the door at Russell busying himself with Dorothy, a level of care I had never seen from him.

Sensing my gaze, he glanced outside, then said something softly to Dorothy before turning and walking out.

Our eyes met, and my instinct was to flee, but seeing Dorothy's provocative look, I hesitated.

Although Russell had left the wedding, the news of our marriage was still all over the headlines.

I was the legitimate one, what was there to fear?

Thinking this, I felt a bit more at ease, looking at Dorothy with a calm and indifferent gaze.

At that moment, she was nothing more than a clown performing a self-directed play in my eyes.

Lost in thought, Russell had already walked up to me: "We need to talk."

"Okay."

I responded softly, looking at his cold expression.

In front of him, I had no principles.

Even though he had embarrassed me in front of so many people yesterday, now...

As long as he could give a reasonable explanation, I was willing to forgive him.

I watched Russell walk towards the study, his straight back making me feel a bit dazed.

I had heard that people in love walked side by side, or the man walked behind the woman, but when he was with me, he always walked quickly ahead, leaving only his back.

Compared to his attitude towards Dorothy just now, it was a world of difference.

Russell noticed the distance I kept from him, glanced sideways, but didn't slow his pace.

In the large study, Russell stood by the bed, and it wasn't until his cold words came out that I snapped back to reality.

"Leaving the wedding was my fault. I'll make up for the impact it had on you. You can make a request."

Hearing this, I was stunned, my lips pursed, and after a moment of hesitation, I waved my hand and said generously: "It's okay, we can reschedule the wedding. Your matters are more important."

As soon as I said that, I felt disgusted by my own words!

If Zachary Boleyn were here, he would definitely mock me for my shamelessness.

As the top manager in the country, being left by the groom at the wedding, I had become the laughingstock of the industry. But even so, I couldn't bear to leave Russell.

Russell seemed surprised by my response, his usually cold face showing a rare hint of surprise.

But it was only for a moment before it disappeared.

He looked at me seriously, his thin lips slightly parted: "Sienna, there won't be a next time."

No next wedding, no future together.

I understood the implication of his words, and looked up at him in shock.

Just two weeks ago, I was overjoyed that he had agreed to be with me, but now, I was being abandoned again.

Just like years ago, when Dorothy appeared, I had to step aside.

I tried to see some guilt, regret, or reluctance in his expression.

But there was none, only coldness.

I finally couldn't hold back my emotions, my tone turning cold.

"Why? Just because Dorothy is back?"