Chapter 1

1.

I had stood before a minister with Liam Callahan thirty-three times, but we never once said, “I do.”

Every single attempt was blown to smithereens by his “mentally fragile” childhood friend, Ava.

Ava claimed she had bipolar disorder and lived in a fantasy world where everyone knew she was Liam’s fiancée―a complete and utter lie.

first, for the first timeThe first time, we had planned a grand wedding for six months. The moment I stepped out of the car, she doused me in a bucket of scarlet paint like an anti-fur activist. Guests screamed and scattered while the groomsmen and security took a full five minutes to pull her off me. I ended up looking like the star of a B-list horror movie.

The second time, we tried for a quiet signing at City Hall. She rear-ended my car on the way there, a crash that left me with three broken ribs and a week in the emergency room.

The third time, we planned to elope in Vegas. She had a public breakdown at the airport, sobbing and accusing Liam of abandoning his mentally ill fiancée. Her performance successfully drew the attention of both the police and TMZ.

…

After every single disaster, Liam would just hold me, look at me with those blue eyes I once adored, and beg me for a little more patience.

“Chloe, babe, Ava’s just sick,” he always said. “I swear, once she’s better, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

And today was our thirty-fourth attempt. A real wedding, before God and everyone.

This time, Ava chose to slit her wrists.

I wasn't even surprised when she burst into the church, a pale and furious ghost in a white dress.

“Liam, you love me! How could you marry another woman?” She cried with enough theatrical flair to win an Oscar.

Every muscle in my body went rigid. But this time, I didn't panic. I just stared at her, my eyes cold as ice.

Liam sensed the change in me and squeezed my hand tightly. The two security guards he’d hired for the wedding immediately moved to escort Ava out.

Seeing them approach, Ava’s performance hit its climax.

“Have you really moved on, Liam? Do you really love this woman?” she wailed, completely lost in her tragic script. “I guess I’m just broken. No wonder nobody wants me. No one would even shed a tear if I died…”

“Liam, if I can’t marry you in this life, will you marry me in the next?”

With that, Ava gave a tragic smile, whipped a box cutter out of her purse, and dragged it across her wrist.

Bright red blood blossomed instantly.

I stood frozen, a long-suppressed rage burning in my chest. Thirty-three times. Thirty-three times she had ruined my life with the same cheap theatrics.

Liam’s face went white. He tore his hand from mine and rushed to her side.

“Ava!”

She collapsed right into his arms. Blood was still flowing from her wrist, but her eyes were unnervingly bright. “Liam, I knew you still cared. I can die happy in your arms…”

“Don’t be stupid, you’re not going to die!” Liam cut her off, scooping her into his arms to rush to the hospital.

I watched his back, and the last spark of hope inside me died.

I took two steps forward, my voice as cold as ice. “Liam.”

He stopped but didn’t turn around.

“Don’t go,” I said. It wasn't a plea, just a statement of fact. “Let your security take her to the hospital. Stay here. Finish our vows. Don’t you dare leave me again.”

Liam finally turned his head, his eyes filled with disappointment, as if I were the one being unreasonable.

“Chloe, she's dying! For God's sake, stop being selfish!”

“I’m so sorry,” he panted, avoiding my gaze. “Next time… I promise, next time there will be no more surprises.”

Without another glance, he ran out of the church with Ava in his arms.

I didn’t cry.

I just stood there, feeling the pity, sympathy, and morbid curiosity from our guests. Then, I started to laugh.

I ripped off my veil, tossed it to the floor, and strode out of the church.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the number that had called me two months ago.

“That offer you mentioned?” My voice was so calm it felt foreign. “I'm in.”