Chapter 1

At my own wedding ceremony, my bride, a high-ranking Commander, forced me to kneel in front of everyone just to comfort her crying 'childhood friend'.

When I refused, she didn't hesitate. She ordered her subordinates to drag me out of the gala hall like a common criminal.

To the sound of the guests' cheers, she took the wedding ring that was supposed to be mine and slid it onto his finger instead.

Someone whispered to her, suggesting she should stop the drama and bring me back before it was too late.

She just shrugged it off with total indifference.

"Don't worry about him," she said. "He won't stay mad. He can't survive a day without me."

Standing outside in the cold, I ripped the boutonniere from my tuxedo and immediately withdrew our marriage license application.

I didn't hesitate for another second. I signed the guarantee form to volunteer at a remote school in the distant mountain wilderness.

...

After I finished the paperwork, I went to the hospital to deal with my chronic stomach issues.

I didn't expect to run into Bianca Vance and Zale Sterling, the two who had been so cozy at my ruined wedding.

When they saw me, both of them froze for a second.

Then, Zale's eyes turned red almost instantly.

He looked so aggrieved, you would have thought I was the one who crashed his wedding.

"Kieran, I'm so sorry," he whimpered. "I didn't mean to cry at your ceremony. I was just so scared that once Bianca got married, she wouldn't want me as a brother anymore."

"I got scared, and I just..."

Bianca gently stroked his head, her eyes full of pity.

"Don't be afraid," she whispered. "No matter who I marry, Zale, you will always be the most important person in my heart."

Then she turned to me, her gaze turning sharp and vicious.

"Kieran, do you have any idea how much you worried Zale by walking out? He nearly fainted from the stress."

"Apologize to him right now, and I'll consider dropping this whole thing."

"But don't even think I'm going to redo the wedding ceremony for you."

I wasn't sure if it was the stomach cramps or my heart breaking, but my clenched fists were shaking.

She said I walked out?

Wasn't it her who had her men throw me out?

Before Zale showed up a year ago, Bianca used to tell me that I was the center of her world.

In just twelve months, the person at the top of her list had changed.

She was even willing to humiliate me at our own wedding just for his sake.

I didn't say a word. I just let out a self-deprecating smirk, turned around, and walked into the doctor's office.

When I came back out, I was carrying two IV bags.

The stomach pain had started the moment Bianca tried to force me to kneel in public.

I hadn't shown it then because I was trying to save the last scrap of my dignity.

My face was deathly pale now, and I didn't even have the strength to stand up straight.

I tried a few times but couldn't even hang the IV bag on the stand.

Suddenly, Bianca appeared behind me and hooked the bag onto the pole.

"Thanks," I said coldly.

I sat down in a nearby chair and looked away.

I didn't give her another glance the entire time.

Bianca knitted her brows, looking like she wanted to say something.

Suddenly, Zale let out a small cough from a few feet away.

Bianca was back at his side in an instant, her voice full of panic.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick again?"

Zale stole a cautious glance at me and whispered.

"Bianca, I think I cried too much. My throat really hurts now."

"I really miss that hot honey-lemon tea Kieran used to make. It was so soothing."

Bianca immediately turned to me and barked an order.

"Kieran, once you're done with your IV, go home and make some of that tea for Zale. It's your fault his throat is like this anyway."

I snapped my head up, looking at her in total disbelief.

"Bianca, I'm sitting here hooked to an IV, and you don't care about me at all? You want me to go cook for him?"

Bianca didn't answer. She just shifted her gaze uncomfortably.

Then she went back to whispering sweet things to Zale.

I looked at her long and hard.

This Bianca was a stranger to me now.

She was no longer the woman who put my needs above everything else.

The last bit of my obsession with her finally evaporated.

Then I heard Zale's voice again.

"Bianca, forget it. Let's not bother Kieran."

"I mean, I don't know why he was fine a minute ago and suddenly he's sick now. But I'm sure he wouldn't fake an illness just to trick you."

As soon as he said that, Bianca's eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"Kieran, are you lying to me?"