When we returned to the hospital, I was surprised to find Dorian and Liora in my ward.
“Where were you? Why wasn’t your phone reachable?” Dorian rushed over, his expression filled with worry — as if he truly cared.
“I went out to finalize some wedding matters. My phone was silent and buried in my bag. I didn’t notice it.”
He helped me back into bed. “You shouldn’t be moving around. Didn’t I say I’d handle everything? You just need to rest.”
I nodded, smiling slightly. “It’s all taken care of now. You can focus on recovery.”
Because in six days, someone else will stand at the altar. And I’ll leave you for good.
Dorian seemed satisfied. He reached out to tuck my hair behind my ear, but I subtly turned my head away.
Retracting his hand, he picked up a jewelry box from the table.
“This is the wedding jewelry. I brought it over for you to take a look.”
He opened the box — inside were a necklace and earrings that sparkled brilliantly under the light.
But my smile faded. It wasn’t what I had expected.
“Why isn’t it the pink diamond set?”
That set was the one he’d won at auction just for me. At the time, he said he wanted me to wear it on our wedding day.
Before he could respond, Liora, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
“Are you talking about this set?” She tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing the pink diamond earrings. “Dorian gave it to me to wear as a bridesmaid.”
My expression darkened.
“Liora,” Dorian said sharply. “Leave us.”
“Dorian—”
“Get out!”
Pouting, Liora stomped out of the room reluctantly.
Dorian turned to me and said apologetically, “That pink diamond set doesn’t match your gown. I chose this new one for you.”
I stared at him, my voice was calm but firm. “Dorian, we agreed you’d give me that set for the wedding.”
“It doesn’t suit your current dress. You know, I just want the most perfect wedding for you.”
My eyes welled with tears. He panicked the moment they started to fall.
“Baby, don’t cry. If you really like pink diamonds, I’ll get you a bigger and even shinier one next time, alright?”
I looked at him, choking back a sob. “But what if all I want is this set?”
He wiped my tears gently, but the words that followed cut deeper than anything else.
“Serena, don’t be unreasonable. I already went to so much trouble to get you something even better. Isn’t that enough?”
The tears came harder now, and I couldn’t stop them.
Once, I never had to fight for anything with Dorian. He would give me whatever I wanted without hesitation.
Now, even what he promised me is no longer mine.
I inhaled slowly, wiped my face, and tucked the jewelry into my bag. “Fine. This one, then.”
He pulled me into a hug and stroked my hair. “That’s my good girl.”
But then, something in my bag caught his eye — a flash of red.
“What’s this?” he asked.
He reached into the bag and pulled it out.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he read the cover.
“A marriage certificate?”
"Where did you get this?"
My heart pounded, but I kept my voice steady. “I ordered it specially. It’s just a prop for the wedding ceremony.”
Because of Liora’s interference, Dorian and I hadn’t registered our marriage yet.
He chuckled awkwardly, clearly relieved. “You’re always so thoughtful. After the wedding, we’ll go get the real certificate. No matter what happens, I won’t break my promise this time.”
I smiled and slipped the marriage certificate back into my bag, silently dismissing his words.
It didn’t matter anymore. In six days, he wouldn’t get the chance to break a promise to me ever again.
Two days before the wedding, I was discharged from the hospital and returned home.
That evening, Dorian said, “Your favorite band is performing tomorrow. I managed to get two tickets. Let’s make it our last date before the big day. What do you think?”
Last date?
