Ellis's eyes lit up instantly. A flash of triumph flickered across her face–quick, but unmistakable.
Charles outright refused.
"No. She can wear something else, but not this dress."
"I…" Ellis tried to argue, turning a wounded, pleading look toward him. Nonetheless, his stance was firm; there was even a hint of restrained anger in his expression.
She knew better than anyone that once Charles decided, no one could change it.
She quickly changed her tone.
"Thank you, Zoey," she said softly. "But this is something Charles made for you himself. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to wear it."
Charles handed the wedding dress to the staff.
"Go try it on. If anything doesn't fit, there's still time to alter it. I'll wait outside."
Before I could say a word, he gently but firmly ushered me away.
Just a few minutes later, my phone buzzed.
An anonymous message.
[So what if he designed a wedding dress for you himself? He gave Donna title to me.]
[Even if you get that wedding ceremony, it won't matter. You'll always be the mistress his family refuses to acknowledge.]
[Your child will never walk freely in the light.]
Attached was a freshly issued marriage certificate.
My chest felt like it had been torn open.
I had known this outcome all along, but seeing it still hurt enough to make the tears fall uncontrollably.
When I came out after changing into the wedding dress, Ellis was already gone.
Charles had changed into his groom's suit. He stood beside me in front of the mirror, my hand tucked into his arm. His face was filled with excitement and anticipation.
"Zoey, you're beautiful," he said, eyes shining. "Being able to marry you is the greatest blessing of my life."
He then swept me into his arms, lifting me in a princess carry and spinning in place.
The joy on his face was so real.
For any man, marrying the woman he loved felt like winning a war.
At this moment, Charles looked every bit like a victorious general.
My tears fell all at once.
I was not ready to let go of this love. If he had just been honest–if he had told me the truth, promised that he would marry me within a fixed time–I would have waited.
"Charles… Do you love me?"
"Of course I do," he said without hesitation. "My princess is the one I love most. Why would you ask that?"
"Are you feeling pre-wedding anxiety?" He added as he wiped away my tears gently.
"Are you hiding anything from me?" I asked softly.
He froze for a brief moment, just about to answer when his phone rang.
Through the muffled sound, I caught words like Ellis, fainted, bleeding.
Charles's face turned deathly pale.
"Ellis collapsed," he said urgently. "I need to go check on her."
"Don't overthink things, princess," he added quickly. "The only one I love is you. I wouldn't hide anything from you.
"Just focus on preparing for the wedding."
He kissed my forehead and rushed out.
My hand hung in midair, fingers grasping at nothing but air.
I let out a bitter smile.
So this was the truth: Ellis already held a place in his heart that surpassed mine.
After changing out of the wedding dress, I went straight to the hospital for a prenatal checkup.
I might be done with this relationship, but I was keeping my child.
The doctor glanced at my test results, then looked up.
"The child's father didn't come with you?"
I lowered my eyes, my voice calm and distant. "He's busy with work. He can't make time."
After the examination, I took the report and walked out of the consultation room.
Then, in the hospital lobby, I saw the two people I least wanted to see.
Ellis was nestled in Charles's arms, one hand gently resting on her lower abdomen. Her face glowed with happiness.
She spotted me first. A smug smile curved her lips as she spoke sweetly, "Zoey, what a coincidence. Why are you at the hospital, too? Aren't you supposed to be at the bridal shop?"
Only then did Charles notice me. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes before being replaced by concern.
He gently eased Ellis aside and walked toward me.
"Zoey, are you unwell? Where's your report? Let me see."
He scanned me anxiously from head to toe.
"It's nothing," I said lightly. "Just a routine checkup."
He finally relaxed.
"That's good. Well, go home and rest. I'll finish Ellis's checkup and head back later."
I nodded and left.
The moment I got home, another video arrived.
"I want a wedding dress you design with your own hands too."
"You know… No woman ever grows up without dreaming of being a beautiful bride."
Charles was silent.
"I don't want our child to grow up and realize his parents don't even have wedding photos," she continued softly. "He'd feel inferior."
"…Alright," Charles finally said. "I'll design one for you. And later, I'll make it up to you with a proper wedding."
[Did you see that?]
[I didn't just have his marriage certificate–I had a wedding too.]
[And you? You're nothing but the third party.]
I downloaded the video and saved it.
Then my best friend called.
"Your new identity has been registered," she said. "The documents will be mailed to you by tomorrow.
"Also, I've booked your flight—tomorrow night at eleven.
"Don't worry. With this new identity, Charles will never be able to find you."
