Chapter 1

Chapter 1 For seven years, my fiancé has called off our wedding ninety-nine times.

The first time, I waited in my wedding gown until midnight, only to see pictures flooding my social media feed of him locked in a passionate kiss with his first love at a bar.

The second time, he was driving me to the venue when his first love called, claiming she missed him. He dumped me right at the entrance, did a U-turn, and left me to be the laughingstock of the guests.

No matter what date we picked for our big day, his first love always had some kind of emergency.

After the latest cancellation, my heart finally turned to ice. I tore my custom-made wedding dress to shreds, packed my bags, and prepared to head home.

This was supposed to be our ninety-ninth attempt.

The officiant on stage looked at him with a polite smile.

"Do you, Silas Vane, take Genevieve Thorne to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

I held my breath, staring at him, praying for him to say the words.

He looked at me, his hazel eyes crinkling with a gentle, reassuring smile.

"I―"

"Mr. Vane, we've got a problem! Ms. Farrow is drunk, and she's demanding to swim in the deep end of the pool. She won't let anyone near her!"

His assistant shoved past the security guards, interrupting the moment.

My eyes widened, and the last frayed string of my patience finally snapped.

Silas looked panicked, barking orders at his assistant.

"Get a team over there to restrain her! I'm heading there right now!"

I grabbed his hand, my voice trembling, tears welling in my eyes.

"Can you not go?"

"Silas, this is the ninety-ninth time we've tried to get married. It's always her. Can't you stay for me, just this once?"

"Let someone else handle her. Please."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Silas's face.

But the assistant's voice grew even more urgent.

"Mr. Vane, it's bad. Ms. Farrow said if she doesn't see you, she's going to drown herself!"

The tenderness in Silas's eyes vanished, replaced by cold irritation.

"You heard her, Genevieve. Farrow needs me."

"She's grown dependent on me over the years. If I don't go, she might actually do something stupid."

"This is a life-or-death situation. Don't be so selfish."

Seeing my silence, his expression hardened, and he sighed.

"Next time, I promise we'll finish the ceremony next time, alright?"

The same tired lie. My grip on his hand slackened.

I had heard that promise ninety-nine times now.

To him, I was nothing more than an unreasonable child.

Seeing I hadn't let go completely, he shoved my hand away and walked out without a backward glance.

I stumbled, twisting my ankle, and nearly hit the floor.

"I won the bet! Pay up!"

Silas's best friend shouted, a wide grin on his face.

I realized then that the corner of the venue was a gambling den. Some of the guests were cursing as they handed over cash, sneering at me.

"What a loser. Ninety-nine weddings and she still couldn't lock a man down."

Others chimed in, tossing their napkins aside.

"I only came because of Mr. Vane."

"They say Farrow is his one true love. Guess it's true."

I stared down at my ruined dress, too exhausted to fight back.

They were right.

It was my own delusion to think I could ever actually marry Silas.

Seven years of history―it was time to let it turn to ash.

I wiped my tears, headed to the back room, and shredded my custom gown.

My phone buzzed with a message from the heir to the Gu estate in the capital.

I tapped out a quick reply.

"The proposal you mentioned. I accept."