Shanna’s eyes reddened. “Why? You don’t even love me.”
Leland grabbed the back of her head and kissed her hard. He didn’t let go until both of them were gasping for air.
He finally admitted, “I love you. From the very start, you’re the only one I’ve ever loved.”
The next second, he swept everything off the desk, and the room filled again with breathy, intimate noises.
I stood outside the door, tears pouring down my face, unable to believe he had lied to me for so long.
My mother’s death… I’d comforted myself countless nights, telling myself it was an accident, just so I could feel a little better.
But now, I finally knew—Leland had planned everything from the start!
All our sweet moments were just sugar-coated poison, and now it was exploding inside me, tearing me apart from the inside out.
I don’t remember how I numbly made it back to my room that night.
All I remember was that when I touched my face, it was already covered in dried tears.
All those little moments that once moved me… all of them vanished into nothing.
I turned on the lights. The master bedroom was filled with ninety-nine wedding dresses—symbols of my ninety-nine failed weddings.
Each dress was more expensive and designed more elaborately than the last.
Leland said it was because he felt guilty and wanted to make it up to me.
I picked up the newest one. The jewels covering it were worth enough to buy a small estate.
I remembered how overwhelmed I was the first time I saw it, thinking it was way too extravagant. Leland had held my hand and told me, “My fiancée is the best girl in the world. She deserves everything beautiful.”
But now, all I saw was how painfully bright those shining jewels were.
After calling my senior, I lay alone on the cold bed. No matter how many times I tossed and turned, I couldn’t fall asleep.
I don’t know how long it was before Leland finally pushed the door open and joined me in bed.
He wrapped his arms around me from behind like he always did, but the faint scent on him after making out with his other woman made my stomach turn.
I instinctively pulled away. My voice was flat and distant. “Go to sleep. You woke me up.”
He froze for a second, then brushed it off. “You’re mad just because I stayed in the study a little longer to deal with work?”
“When did you get so petty?” he commented.
A sour ache rushed up my chest. I had to dig my nails into my palm just to stop myself from confronting his lies.
When I didn’t respond, he helplessly shrugged.
“Alright, cheer up. Tomorrow you’ll officially be my wife,” he said.
Then, he asked, “Have you tried on the new custom wedding dress? Do you like it? Does it fit?”
I frowned, my irritation slipping out. “I don’t like it. And it doesn’t fit at all.”
I thought he’d at least pretend to coax me a little.
But instead, he actually looked relieved—almost happy. He blurted out, “If that’s the case, why don’t we just cancel the wedding tomorrow?”
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he messed up and hurried to explain.
“You know this, babe. I’ve always wanted to give you a perfect wedding. I don’t tolerate even the smallest mistake.
“So just wait for me a little longer, okay? I promise I’ll make you the happiest bride.”
I tugged the corner of my lips in a silent, bitter smile. Listening to his self-righteous excuses almost made me laugh.
We’d been together for so long, and only now did I realize Leland was this manipulative and heartless.
I turned my back to him and numbly nodded.
It didn’t matter anyway. After the last seven days, none of this man’s life would have anything to do with me.
Just then, the bedroom door opened.
Shanna stood there, tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Leland… your house is so big and dark. I’m scared of being alone. Can you come keep me company?”
