Chapter 1

Growing up with Silas Sterling and eventually walking toward the altar was a dream everyone envied. People couldn't stop talking about how much he adored me.

After I accepted his proposal, he spent a fortune at an auction to buy a priceless diamond ring. He even used a family heirloom, a rare silk, to custom-make my wedding dress.

When I went to pick it up, I found a set of lingerie made from the leftover silk scraps. It was hidden in the back of the shop.

I caught a glimpse of Silas's phone while he wasn't looking. It was a photo from his secretary wearing that exact lingerie.

The message read, "The waist fits perfectly. Want to come into the fitting room and try out this new skin?"

He replied with a smirk I could feel through the screen. "I'll get rid of her and be right there."

Later, when I chose to call off the wedding, he was the one who desperately searched the world for me.

1.

Silas locked his phone and looked up with a face full of wonder. He wrapped his arm around my waist and whispered in my ear.

"Elara, you look breathtaking. The best things in this world belong on you."

Looking at myself in the mirror, wearing that high-end custom gown, I should have been the happiest woman alive. Instead, my heart felt like it was drowning in bitterness.

This dress was made from the Sterling family heirloom silk. He had promised to give me the best of everything, and he had delivered.

The designer stood nearby, eyes full of envy. "Ms. Vance, Mr. Sterling's love for you is truly something else. There isn't another dress like this in the world."

"I heard he also bought a priceless diamond ring for you. This will surely be the wedding of the century."

Silas soaked up the praise. His grip on my waist tightened as he smiled at the staff.

"It took twenty years for Elara and me to get here. Of course, I'm going to give her the world."

It was the same sweet talk as always. This time, I couldn't bring myself to hide in his arms like a shy schoolgirl.

His phone kept buzzing in his pocket. I forced a tight smile.

"Yes, the best of everything," I said, my voice feeling heavy.

He ruffled my hair affectionately. "Elara, I can't wait to see you walking toward me in this on our big day."

I managed a bitter smile. He suddenly frowned and pulled out his phone, sounding annoyed.

"What is it now? I told you not to disturb me while I'm with my fiancée!"

He looked impatient, but I was sharp enough to catch the flicker of excitement in his eyes. He put his phone away with an apologetic look.

"Something came up at the office. I need to take a quick call in the restroom. Sorry, babe, can you wait for me?"

I didn't call him out. I just nodded like a dutiful partner. "Sure, go ahead."

He leaned down to kiss my cheek, but I turned my face away. He was usually quick to notice my moods, but he was too distracted today.

He told me to wait and hurried toward the second floor. He didn't go to the restroom; he went straight to the VIP fitting rooms.

Twenty minutes ago, I saw a staff member carry that scrap-silk lingerie up there. I knew exactly who was wearing it.

Maybe I was just punishing myself, but I asked the attendant to show me the security feed for the second floor.

Within ten minutes, the fitting room wasn't enough to hold their fire. They were all over the sofa, completely lost in each other.

Tessa Lane did have a great body. That lingerie looked like it was molded onto her.

No wonder Silas couldn't wait. He was bold enough to cheat just a few steps away from me.

The monitor had no sound, but I could read Tessa's lips. She mentioned my name.

I don't know what she said, but Silas became even more aggressive. He gripped her chin with a dark, intense look in his eyes.

I took off the wedding dress and handed it back to the designer. "I love it. Please keep it here for now."

The designer looked confused but then smiled. "You're probably worried about it getting dirty before the big day."

"Don't worry, I'll keep it safe until your wedding in seven days."

I gave her a small smile and said nothing. I wasn't leaving it there because I was worried about stains.

I was leaving it because I had no intention of wearing it. There wouldn't be a bride at the wedding of the century.