In the dressing room, I sat in front of the mirror when my phone buzzed.
It was a photo sent by Rosie.
In it, Bowen had already taken off his bespoke suit jacket and draped it over Rosie.
He was bending down and carrying her into the emergency room. His profile looked worried, and he frowned tightly.
He had never treated me like that.
Even when I had a high fever, he merely had his assistant send over some fever medicine.
The caption of the photo was simple. "Bowen has always cared about me the most."
She provoked me so straightforwardly because Bowen backed her.
The photo quickly trended online, with the headline "Bowen rushes for love at his engagement party."
Everyone was laughing at the spectacle.
The door to the dressing room was flung open.
My mother rushed in and scolded me while pointing directly at me. "Are you just going to stand there? You can't even keep a guy!"
My father stood behind her, head bowed, sighing. "Layla, the Yates family's financial stability hinges on your marriage. If you fail to marry into the Green family, our family will face bankruptcy by tomorrow. "You have to plead with Bowen to marry you, even if it means you have to be very humble."
I looked at myself in the mirror.
My makeup was flawless, and the wedding dress was expensive, yet I felt like a pawn in a deal.
Such were my parents.
In their eyes, I wasn't their daughter but a bargaining chip for resources.
I had nothing to say, only twisting my wedding dress with my fingers.
The door opened again.
A glimmer of hope crossed my mind.
Could it be Bowen returning...
But as soon as I saw who it was, my heart sank again.
It was Brice.
He had changed into a black suit, impeccably tailored. He was broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, exuding a formidable presence.
My parents instantly fell silent and even subconsciously stepped back a few steps.
Brice didn't look at them. He walked straight to stand behind me.
"The Yates family won't go bankrupt." He looked at me in the mirror and said flatly, "Whether you become Mrs. Green or an abandoned woman of a wealthy family depends entirely on you."
I lifted my head and met his gaze through the mirror.
He was always in control and would never allow the Green family to become a laughingstock.
My parents' eyes lit up instantly. They seemed to see a lifeline. "Rosie, agree quickly. Do as you're told!"
They wanted me to do as I was told.
That indeed was my best aspect.
Bowen valued that in me and kept me with him for seven years.
I closed my eyes and suppressed the sting the photo brought me. "Okay."
As I walked out from backstage again, Brice offered me his arm.
His muscles were tough, and their tension was palpable even through the fabric.
The audience was silent.
Those who had mocked me earlier now widened their eyes in surprise.
Brice took the microphone from the host.
His gaze swept across the room and finally settled on the reporters' cameras.
"It is a joyous day for the engagement between the Green and Yates families today." He deliberately obscured the groom's name.
It created confusion yet left no room for criticism.
Brice turned slightly and took out a velvet box from his pocket.
He opened it.
Inside lay a ring with a large emerald. Its rich color exuded a vintage luxury.
It was worth more than ten times the ring Bowen had tossed to me.
Brice took my left hand.
His fingers were rough and calloused. They brushed against the base of my ring finger.
His hand trembled slightly, but he masked it well.
The ring slid on slowly.
The size was a perfect fit, requiring no adjustment whatsoever.
I was stunned.
The rings Bowen gave me were always either too big or too small. He never remembered my size.
I looked at Brice. He was tall and steady. He seemed to have the courage to hold up when anything happened.
I thought of the years spent as a shadow behind Bowen.
The forgotten birthdays and the neglected anniversaries all turned into a bitter taste in my throat.
Seven years of solo performance were truly exhausting.
Suddenly, I didn't want to endure anymore.
I didn't want to "do as I'm told" anymore.
I let go of his arm and stepped forward. Then I stood on tiptoe.
Amidst the audience's collective gasp, I kissed Brice's lips.
"Brice, I don't want a sham ceremony." I stared into his eyes and wagered everything. "Do you dare to do that?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Brice's eyes.
Then, the surprise turned into a deep, dark intensity.
He dropped the microphone, and his hands gripped my waist and pulled me into his arms.
He kissed me.
The kiss was fierce and domineering.
He whispered in my ear, and his voice was hoarse and intense. "Leyla, once you're with me, there's no turning back."
