Chapter 1

Just because of a life-saving debt from fifteen years ago, I, Aria Sterling, stayed by Weston Thorne's side for three whole years while he struggled with depression.

He had promised me the most lavish wedding in the city. Yet, on the very day we were supposed to sign our marriage license, he pulled a disappearing act.

I didn't find him until his secretary posted their newly issued marriage certificate on her social feed. Weston had even liked the post and commented below.

"Mrs. Thorne, please guide me for the rest of our lives."

This time, I didn't scream or beg for an explanation. Instead, I went to the clinic to schedule a procedure to terminate my pregnancy.

......

"Miss Sterling, are you sure about this? Your health is quite fragile, and it might be difficult for you to conceive again in the future."

I fell silent for a long moment before nodding with a look of absolute resolve.

"Doctor, please schedule the procedure. The sooner, the better."

The doctor let out a heavy sigh. She signed the consent form and handed it back to me.

"The procedure is scheduled for three days from now. Please avoid any strenuous activity until then."

I took the form and walked out of the clinic with a numb expression.

The giant screen in the hospital corridor was broadcasting a live event for the Thorne Group's new perfume launch.

Weston Thorne, the heir to the Thorne Group, was a world-renowned perfumer, but he had stopped creating scents three years ago due to his illness.

Now, he was publicly announcing a new limited-edition perfume named "Vienne," dedicated to his wife.

No one knew that "Vienne" was for Vivian, not for Aria.

The oblivious viewers online were already flooding the comments with envy and praise.

"Mrs. Thorne gave up her career abroad to stay by his side for three years. She even hiked up to a remote mountain temple on her knees to pray for him. They are truly soulmates."

"I heard Mr. Thorne is already planning the wedding. I can't wait for that hundred-million-dollar ceremony of the century!"

Listening to the voices from the screen, I lowered my eyes and quickened my pace to leave.

Reflecting on everything that had happened over the last three years, I felt nothing but a bitter ache in my chest.

When I was a child, I was kidnapped. It was Weston who had risked his life to save me.

To repay that debt, I searched for him for fifteen years.

When I learned he was ill, I gave up my pride as a rising star in sculpture design to stay by his side 24/7.

I forced myself to learn everything about psychology. When Weston would have episodes and try to hurt himself, everyone else ran away, but I was the only one who rushed to hold him.

Even when he accidentally wounded me, I never felt a shred of resentment.

There was still a two-inch scar on the inside of my arm from one of those nights.

On the day Weston finally recovered, I saw him cry for the first time. He kissed my forehead and made a vow.

"Aria, from now on, my life belongs to you. You are the only woman I will ever marry. If I break this vow, may I die a miserable death. I will give you the grandest wedding of the century and tell everyone that you are my wife."

All those past promises had vanished like smoke. It turned out that vows made so easily were destined to be defeated by reality.

I wondered if the eighteen years of waiting had truly been worth it.

Back at home, I looked at the pregnancy test result hidden deep in my drawer.

It was supposed to be a birthday surprise for Weston. Now, it was just a cruel mockery of his betrayal.

I folded the clinic's appointment slip and tucked it underneath the test.

I was curious. When would Weston even notice?

I picked up the phone and called my old mentor who was currently living abroad.

"Professor, is it still possible to register for that New Star Sculpture Project you mentioned?"

The professor seemed surprised. He was silent for a moment before answering.

"I can sign you up, but what about the old injury on your hand? Are you really okay?"

"Besides, this competition is a total lockdown program. Weren't you and Weston Thorne about to have your wedding?"

I lowered my gaze, fighting back the stinging sensation in my nose.

"The wedding is canceled."

Just as I said those words, Weston walked through the door.

I muttered a quick thank you to the professor and hung up. I turned around to find Weston staring at me.

"Whose wedding is canceled?"

"Ours," I answered silently in my heart. I brushed past him without changing my expression.

He followed me and wrapped his arms tightly around my waist from behind.

The intimacy that used to feel like home now made my body go stiff. Before I could move, he pulled out a black gift box.

"Aria, happy birthday."

It was the new perfume his company had just released―Vienne.

"The new product just launched. Once this busy period is over, I'll take you on a long honeymoon. Where do you want to go?"

The heavy scent of jasmine―a feminine, floral perfume―clung to him and filled the air. It made my head spin.

I pulled out of his embrace, but as I turned, I accidentally knocked over a shopping bag.

Two bright red marriage certificates fell onto the floor.

I froze for a second before bending down to pick them up.

In the photo, Weston was smiling brightly. He looked like a completely different person compared to the cold man who usually hated cameras.

In the next second, the certificates were violently snatched from my hand.

"Why are these in your hands? Did you go behind my back to see Vivian? What did you say to her!"

His voice was dripping with accusation. I shoved the shopping bag back into his arms.

"Since it's such an important item, you should keep better track of it."

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Weston finally spoke, looking somewhat troubled. "Since you saw it, I won't hide it from you. Vivian was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer a few days ago. She doesn't have much time left. Her final wish was to marry me."

"You know Vivian has been with me since graduation. She gave her youth to this company. During my depression, she worked day and night to take care of me. She's not just my secretary; she's my friend. I can't just stand by when a friend is in trouble."

"Once she's… gone, we'll go get our license. Aria, you're so kind, you'll understand me, right?"

Weston looked at me with an expectant gaze.

"She's your assistant, your friend, and now, she's Mrs. Thorne. You should discuss things with her. You don't need to tell me."

Hearing this, Weston's brows furrowed. "Aria, why are you being so heartless? I told you I'll marry you eventually. Does it matter if it's a bit later? Vivian is a dying patient. Why are you being so sarcastic?"

He became so agitated that he swept a pair of couple's mugs off the table, smashing them onto the floor.

A loud crash echoed through the room.

I stared at the red and blue shards. I suddenly remembered not long ago on Valentine's Day, Weston had held a bouquet of roses under a giant mall screen and proposed to me.

He was the one who said he wanted us to get our license on my twenty-sixth birthday.

But all I got was a three-word text: "Wait a bit."

I noticed a hickey partially hidden under his crisp white collar.

I blinked, feeling a wave of emotion crashing over me.

He was wearing the shirt I had meticulously picked out for him while he was in a hotel room doing those things with Vivian. Did he even think about my feelings for a second?

I didn't want to argue anymore.

In three days, I would leave this city forever and never see Weston again.