Chapter 1

"Mom,I want to call off the wedding."

On the eve of her wedding,Hazel Bell called her mother,who was thousands of miles away overseas.

Her mother paused,stunned for a moment,but didn’t press her with questions;she knew her daughter all too well.

With a calm and reassuring tone,she readily agreed,"Alright.I’m getting older anyway,and this business will end up in your hands sooner or later.The sooner you come,the sooner you can adjust."

Hazel responded with a light laugh,masking the ache in her chest.But her eyes betrayed her,drifting toward the bridal suite.

Through the dim light filtering from the window,she could make out the shadows of two entwined figures;one was her fiancé,and the other,her stepsister.

She fought desperately to keep her composure,but her voice betrayed her,trembling with the faint trace of a sob.

Her mother sighed softly,a weight of shared pain in her words.

"I thought he was different.I didn’t expect him to walk the same path as your father and me.It’s alright,Hazel.You’re still young.I’ll be here waiting for you."

After a few quiet words,they ended the call.

Hazel crumbled onto the side of the road as the silence wrapped around her like a heavy blanket.The dam she had held back burst,and her sobs spilled into the quiet night.

The moonlight poured over her,its cold brilliance amplifying the ache in her heart.

Before tonight,she had clung to the belief that Ambrose was different.

They had grown up side by side,their bond unshaken,and their relationship officially sealed when they turned eighteen.

Ambrose Wright,born into a distinguished family of scholars,carried himself with effortless grace,his charm and refinement setting him apart.

As the heir to the Wright legacy,he exuded a maturity that set him apart from his peers.

In their ten years together,not once had they quarreled.Ambrose treated Hazel with tenderness and indulgence that bordered on devotion,as though he were the steady,protective older brother she could always rely on.

He showered her with gestures that spoke louder than words,lavish bouquets that filled entire car trunks,glittering jewels piled in velvet cases,and an unwavering willingness to grant her every wish.

To everyone who knew them,Ambrose’s quiet acts of devotion were proof of a love so profound it required no grand declarations.

They were the golden couple of their circle,envied and admired equally.

But that night,at what should have been the pinnacle of her happiness,Hazel’s ten-year dream came crashing down at their engagement party.

Ambrose had invited Hazel's stepsister,Scarlett Jones,the one person she wished to banish from her life forever.

The moment Scarlett appeared,memories Hazel had buried deep came rushing back like a relentless tide.

She remembered how Scarlett and her mother had tormented her endlessly,their cruel words and actions driving Hazel’s mother to the edge of despair.

She recalled the years of torment and humiliation she had suffered,the scars they left behind still aching like fresh wounds.

For once,Hazel,who was always calm and composed,let her emotions take over.

Her usually soft voice now carried a sharp edge as she demanded Scarlett leave.

But Scarlett,ever calculating,refused to back down.She invoked her mother’s name,a taunt that cut Hazel to the core.

Their heated exchange spiraled out of control,turning the engagement party into an utter spectacle of chaos.

Hazel instinctively turned to Ambrose for support,but his hand struck her cheek with a resounding slap before she could utter a word.

“Go home and sober up if you’re drunk.Stop making a scene!Look at yourself;how could you ever expect to be the future mistress of the family?”

His cold words stung far worse than the slap,but the pain didn’t end there.Her father,instead of defending her,added fuel to the fire.

“Your sister just returned,and this is how you treat her?Where’s your dignity as the elder sister?If your Aunt Althea takes offense at this,I won’t forgive you!”

The crowd stood silently,their eyes fixed on Hazel as the two men berated her mercilessly.Every word felt like a dagger,stripping away the last shred of her composure.

Then,as if to twist the knife deeper,Ambrose turned his back on her,escorting Scarlett away without a glance in her direction.

Left alone to endure the whispers and scorn of the onlookers,Hazel felt the humiliation seep into her very bones.Her face burned crimson,though whether from the alcohol or the unbearable shame,she couldn’t tell.

Without a word,she fled the engagement party,her footsteps echoing like a desperate escape into the night.

It was nearly impossible to hail a cab at this hour.After wandering through the deserted streets for over three hours,the cold wind gnawed at her skin and left her head pounding.Eventually,she stumbled her way back to Belmont Villa.

Chapter 2

As soon as she stepped onto the first floor,Hazel saw them in her bridal suite,locked in a tight embrace,whispering words that only lovers could share.

Her chest tightened,but she forced herself to turn on the surveillance camera,piecing together the scattered fragments to reveal the truth.

It turned out that while she had been blissfully unaware,Ambrose and Scarlett had shared a scandalous past.

Eight years ago,in a bid to shed the label of a privileged heir,Ambrose had ventured into entrepreneurship.But his ambitions crumbled,and he teetered on the edge of ruin.

At his lowest,he crossed paths with Scarlett in a rundown youth hostel.Within a month,Scarlett had replaced Hazel,his childhood sweetheart.She carved herself into the most pivotal role in Ambrose’s heart.

But because the Wright family would never accept a daughter-in-law from such humble beginnings,Ambrose settled for Hazel,all the while secretly cherishing Scarlett in his heart.

She believed their bond,built from childhood,was fate’s design.In truth,she was nothing more than a stand-in,chosen out of convenience.

Her feet,raw and bleeding,mirrored the shattered fragments of her heart.The imprint of his slap,like a searing brand of humiliation,destroyed decades of trust and devotion.

A resolute fire ignited within her;she would let go of the man she had clung to for over a decade.

But this wedding wasn’t just an event;it was her dream,a vision of love and promise she had nurtured for years.It had been her lifeline during her darkest days,the glimmer of hope that kept her moving forward.

She refused to let the wedding she had meticulously crafted become a prize for the very people who had betrayed her.

So,Hazel decided that this wedding would mark the final chapter of her decade-long devotion.It would be her last act of closure before severing ties with both her biased family and the unfaithful man she had once loved.

After pouring out her emotions,she took a deep breath,pulled out her phone,and booked a flight for seven days later.

The screen blinked as the purchase went through,but it quickly switched back to the surveillance footage.

Perhaps it was fate,or maybe just cruel irony,but Hazel caught the tail end of Ambrose’s confession from years past.

"I regret it,"he said,his voice heavy with regret."When I was young and foolish,I mistook sand for pearls.If you’re willing to return,I’d call off this wedding for you."

He sighed,his voice softening."Even if you refuse,I’ll still treat Hazel kindly since she reminds me of you."

Even though she had already made up her mind,even though she had seen the betrayal with her own eyes,hearing those words made Hazel’s heart quiver in a way she hadn’t expected.

Looking down at the screen,Hazel saw the love between them spill out as if it were too much to contain.

Scarlett seemed tipsy,her words slow and slurred,but she didn’t respond.Instead,she languidly sprawled across the sofa.

Ambrose,the same man who had scolded Hazel for drinking,now willingly cooked hangover soup for Scarlett,carefully feeding her spoonful by spoonful.

Scarlett turned her head away,a petulant kick directed at Ambrose.

"Who wants to marry you?"

Ambrose didn’t show any sign of anger.Instead,he reached for her foot,gently massaging it with a tenderness that made Hazel’s chest tighten.

Scarlett smiled contentedly.

"I know you can’t marry me because of your status.And I know you’ve never forgotten me."

"This bridal suite is decorated just the way I like it.The wedding ring you chose is based on my preferences.Even the high heels she’s wearing...those were the ones I didn’t want."

As she spoke,Scarlett rested her head gently against Ambrose’s chest.

"It doesn’t matter,"she murmured,her voice low and soothing."I don’t care about titles.As long as the person in your heart is always me,I’m satisfied.I will never leave you again.I’m willing to stay by your side in another capacity."

Hazel’s grip tightened around her phone,her fingers trembling.

Her heart felt as if it were being torn apart,piece by piece.

The most painful part?Even though she had already uncovered the truth,a tiny flicker of hope still lingered in Hazel’s chest,a desperate hope that Ambrose would draw the line at the very last moment.

Chapter 3

In the next breath,Ambrose,who had been silent up until now,stepped forward.Without a word,he captured Scarlett in a lingering kiss,his lips pressing against hers with a passion that had been locked away for years.

Hazel couldn’t hold back anymore.Tremors wracked her body as tears streamed down her cheeks.

They had loved each other for ten years,yet every time Hazel had tried to kiss Ambrose,he turned away.Back then,she had convinced herself it was his shyness,his reserved nature.She never imagined that all his yearning,all the love he had buried deep inside,was meant for Scarlett.

They had shared countless nights together,yet Ambrose had kept a piece of himself untouched,reserved for the one he truly loved.

Hazel’s nails bit into her palms,the sharp sting almost suffocating.She cast her gaze downward,her eyes falling on the high heels that felt too tight,too heavy.

They were a gift from Ambrose for their engagement,sparkling crystal diamonds that caught the light like a thousand stars.The shoes were as expensive as they were beautiful,a fairytale dream brought to life.Hazel had fallen in love with them the moment she saw them.

But no matter how stunning they were,they were one size too small,and the pain from wearing them had left her feet bloodied and raw.

Without a second thought,she slipped them off and tossed them into the trash.

Shoes that didn’t fit,no matter how dazzling,weren’t worth keeping.

And a marriage that didn’t fit,no matter how much love it held,wasn’t worth salvaging.

Just as she reached for her phone to call a cab,Ambrose appeared behind her.His voice sliced through the air,calling her name.

Hazel turned,meeting his gaze.The moment their eyes locked,Ambrose released Scarlett’s hand,guilt flickering in his eyes as he noticed the bruise on Hazel’s face.

“You’re sober now?I didn’t mean to hurt you.I just wanted to snap you out of it before things went too far.”

Hazel glanced at Scarlett,and Ambrose quickly added,“It’s not what it looks like.Let me explain…”

“Don’t overthink it.Scarlett had too much to drink.It wasn’t safe for someone like her to walk home alone at night,so I brought her back here.She’s your sister,after all.It’s only natural for me to look out for her.Besides,she’s a considerate girl.She insisted on leaving early because she didn’t want you to misunderstand when you came back.”

Ambrose,usually a man of few words,suddenly became a fountain of excuses when it came to Scarlett.Every sentence seemed to be a defense,a justification for her actions.

Hazel stared at him,the man she had known for over twenty years,and felt as if a stranger stood before her.

They had grown up together,childhood sweethearts through and through.She had been by his side,supporting him through the grind of building his career.How had she ended up as nothing more than a placeholder?

The question lingered in her mind,but she didn’t want to seek an answer anymore.In seven days,she’d be gone.

She no longer had to endure it for the sake of"family harmony."

Hazel’s eyes locked onto Scarlett,and the words she had kept buried for over a decade finally slipped free,tumbling from her lips like a long-held breath.

“She’s not my sister.She’s the daughter of a mistress,and now she’s a mistress herself!”

The words hit like a thunderclap,shaking the room.Scarlett didn’t flinch,but Ambrose’s face twisted in fury.

The word“mistress”seemed to strike a nerve,unraveling his calm facade.He surged toward Hazel,his voice a roar that shattered his usual composure.

“Hazel!What nonsense are you spouting?Apologize to Scarlett right now!”

“Fatherless,motherless,no wonder your parents couldn’t stand you.You’re a bitter,vile person,and no one will ever love you.You deserve this!”

For ten years,Ambrose had never raised his voice at Hazel.But for Scarlett,in the span of one day,he had shouted at her twice.

Every word he spat was like a blade cutting deep into the rawest parts of Hazel’s soul.

Chapter 4

Every word felt like a dagger,cutting deep and leaving scars that would never fully fade.

For a moment,Hazel thought she had misheard,her mind struggling to grasp the weight of what Ambrose had just said.

How could such cruel,venomous words come from his mouth?The man she had loved for so long.

She lifted her gaze,only to find Ambrose standing there,his body shielding Scarlett.

That familiar protective stance was too much to bear.It mirrored the past,when Scarlett's mother,Althea,had risen to the role of mistress,pushing Gianna,Hazel's mother aside and subjecting Hazel to endless cruelty.Zaccheus,Hazel's father had turned a blind eye.

And each time,it was Ambrose,who lived next door,who rushed in to defend her.

He had always been the one to stand up for her,to demand justice,to pull her into his arms and offer comfort when the world seemed too harsh.

When Hazel doubted her worth,Ambrose would always be there,declaring,"Hazel,you're the best person in the world.If they don’t want you,I do!No matter what happens,I’ll always stand by your side and protect you."

But years had passed,and those youthful promises had crumbled into nothing more than hollow echoes.

Now,Ambrose’s desire to protect was no longer aimed at Hazel but at Scarlett,the one who had caused her so much pain.

Hazel tried with all her strength to hold herself together,but tears spilled over,unstoppable.

Her heart was a raw,aching wound,and no words came to her to defend herself.

Seeing her like this,Ambrose's expression faltered,his guilt evident as his eyes avoided hers,instead landing on her bleeding feet.

"You're hurt?"

After all these years,Ambrose still couldn’t quite harden his heart against her.

He sighed softly,his words weighed down by regret."Forget it.Let’s just say tonight was all nonsense...from being drunk.From now on—"

“There won’t be a‘from now on,’”Hazel interrupted her voice barely a whisper.

"What?"

Ambrose sensed something had shifted within her,something he hadn’t expected.

But with everything that had unfolded that night,Ambrose’s mind was consumed by thoughts of Scarlett,leaving him with no energy left to focus on Hazel.

Just as he was about to speak,Scarlett’s voice,shaking with sobs,pierced through the air.

"Sister,do you really hate me that much?Forcing me to go abroad wasn’t enough;you want to drive me to my death,too?Fine,I’ll die,so I don’t burden Brother Ambrose anymore!"

Her words hit like a thunderclap,and before Hazel could respond,Scarlett ran toward the road.

It was late,empty streets,no cars in sight,but the panic surged within Ambrose,and he threw aside all hesitation.He rushed after Scarlett,his only thought to reach her.

In his frenzy,he collided with Hazel,sending her crashing to the ground.The sharp gravel scraped against her bleeding skin,the sting of it almost too much to bear.

The blows to her body,the weight of everything,drained her completely.She couldn’t even summon the strength to cry.

Ten years of love,gone,wasted.It had always been one-sided.A childhood sweetheart could never compete with an unexpected love.

She couldn’t compete with the woman Ambrose had held in his heart all along.

After what felt like an eternity,Hazel struggled to her feet,dragging her injured leg as she limped back to her room.

Once inside,she tended to her bloodied feet,then,with one final glance,she threw away the carefully selected wedding decorations she had once hoped would mark the start of forever.

Her gaze fell on the wedding countdown hanging in the living room,and for a brief moment,she hesitated.

Then,with a resigned sigh,she ripped off the word“wedding”and,in her heart,silently replaced it with a countdown to her departure.

There was so much to pack.The hours blurred together as she worked through the night,only falling into a restless sleep at four in the morning.

Barely three hours later,the shrill ring of her phone pulled her from her dreams.

“Hazel,are you awake?I ordered your favorite soup.I won’t be back today.Let’s push the wedding photoshoot to another day.There’s an emergency at the company,and I really can’t leave.”

Hazel rubbed her aching temples,her voice hoarse as she replied,“Alright.”

Her quick agreement and perhaps the sadness she couldn’t hide seemed to make Ambrose uneasy.His tone softened as though he was uncertain of the distance growing between them.

Chapter 5

“Don’t dwell on what happened yesterday.I’ve already apologized to Scarlett on your behalf.”

“Okay.”

“Scarlett said weddings are just a show,nothing to stress about.Our bond is so strong that we don’t need these formalities to prove anything.Let’s keep it simple.”

“I’ll follow your lead.”

Hazel had already made her decision.This wedding would go down as the simplest one in history.

No wedding photos.No marriage certificate.No officiant.

And no bride.

After hanging up,Hazel stood up,her hand steady as she grabbed a marker and slashed“Wedding Photoshoot”off her calendar.

Ambrose’s work always consumed him,and Hazel had always been careful not to disturb him,especially when he was busy.While she’d been planning the wedding,she’d bought a special wish calendar,pouring her dreams into it.Each event was a marker of hopes she longed to fulfill,one last grand gesture for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

Now,those dreams were swallowed by thick,regret-laden strokes of ink,leaving nothing but a void of unspoken sorrow.

With a deep sigh,Hazel glanced around the room,the glaring red of wedding decorations mocking her every move.It had taken her the entire day to strip the room of its once carefully arranged decor.

By evening,however,Ambrose's name was everywhere.

“To win a smile from his beloved,the CEO spends 8 million on a vintage pearl brooch.”

The photo was grainy,but the woman beside Ambrose was assumed to be Hazel.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.So,this was where all the money that was supposed to be for their wedding had ended up.

But it didn’t matter anymore.Hazel had long since shut the door on any sadness tied to Ambrose.

Over the next few days,he didn’t come home.Hazel didn’t ask where he was or make any arrangements for him as she once would have.Instead,she handed in her resignation,said her goodbyes to a few close colleagues,and quietly began telling her friends of her plans to leave the country.

Her friends exchanged knowing glances,their sighs blending in perfect unison.

"We had a feeling this was coming,"one of them murmured softly.

Without a word,one of them opened Ambrose's social media feed and handed the phone to Hazel.

"To the outside world,it might look like these pictures are of you,"she said gently,"but we all know it's Scarlett."

Only then did the truth sink in.Ambrose had been with Scarlett this whole time.Though he rarely updated his social media,his posts had been flooding in,each one more frequent than the last,each one dedicated to her.

They visited amusement parks,tried on wedding dresses at bridal shops,and shared quiet moments under the moonlight atop a mountaintop.

Ambrose's love for Scarlett was as clear as day,laid out for the world to see.The only thing he’d done to hide it was block Hazel from seeing it all.

Her friends exchanged concerned glances,the silence stretching on too long.

"Hazel,are you alright?"one of them finally asked,her voice laced with worry.

"There’s no need to waste your tears on someone like him,"another chimed in."Ambrose doesn’t deserve your love.Once he sees the truth about Scarlett,he’ll regret this for the rest of his life."

Hazel offered a faint smile,her eyes drifting to the lively streets outside the window.

"It’s fine.I don’t care anymore."Her voice was quieter,almost resigned."But I do need a favor…"

In just a few days,she would leave this place,cutting ties with the past.She no longer had the luxury of drowning in heartbreak over Ambrose.

When Ambrose finally returned after days of silence,Hazel couldn’t muster a reaction.She remained distant,her indifference cutting through the tension.

Ambrose,for his part,was lost in his world.Even when he finally stepped inside,his eyes never left his phone,his fingers moving rapidly across the screen,oblivious to everything around him.

Chapter 6

Hazel sat quietly beside him,her laptop open as she transferred the surveillance footage onto a USB drive.She had a surprise in mind that would leave a mark before she walked away.

Halfway through the transfer,Ambrose suddenly looked up,his gaze scanning the house."Why does it feel so empty in here all of a sudden?Didn’t you decorate?"

"You told me to keep things simple."

Hazel wasn’t concerned.She knew Ambrose's eyes had long stopped seeing anything that didn’t involve Scarlett.

However,Ambrose’s gaze lingered on the countdown calendar in the living room this time.He let out a soft laugh."Time flies,huh?Only seven days left until our wedding."

Hazel stood up and walked over to the calendar.With a quick motion,she tore off two pages.

"Our wedding is in five days."

The two pages she tore off had wishes written:“Ride a Ferris wheel together”and“Watch the stars together.”These were things Ambrose had already done with Scarlett.

A strange pang tugged at Ambrose’s heart,like a fleeting shadow of something important he’d missed.He opened his mouth to say more,but Hazel’s phone buzzed,cutting through the moment.

Noticing her mother’s name on the screen,Hazel excused herself and stepped onto the balcony to answer.

When she returned,Ambrose was already lost in his world,his eyes glued to his phone as he typed away,undoubtedly chatting with Scarlett.

“Who called?I thought I heard something about a visa,”he asked casually,barely looking up.

“Nothing important—just work,”Hazel replied,her tone light and dismissive.

Ambrose exhaled in relief.“Good.Don’t go planning any honeymoon trips.I won’t have the time.”

“I know,”she said softly.

Since Scarlett’s return,Ambrose couldn’t bear to be away from her,not even for a moment.It was clear he had no time or space for anyone else.

They sat in strained silence,the tension in the room growing heavier with every passing second.Ambrose shifted uncomfortably,an inexplicable unease curling in the pit of his stomach.

Hazel had always carried herself with a quiet grace,a sensibility born not of choice but necessity.Unlike other girls,she never indulged in tantrums or petty whims.

But Ambrose knew the truth;her calm demeanor was a mask,a defense she had perfected over the years.

Beneath it all,Hazel was just a fragile,love-starved girl,yearning for affection she rarely received.

In the past,every time he stepped through the door,she would rush into his arms,her eyes alight with joy as she eagerly shared every detail of her day.

She would chatter endlessly,filling the silence with her stories,oblivious to whether he was listening or not.

Now,the quiet was deafening.It pressed down on him,feeling unnatural and wrong.Ambrose set his phone aside,his gaze shifting to Hazel.

“You’ve worked so hard preparing for the wedding.Once this is all over…”

But Hazel cut him off,her tone steady yet pointed.“Where’s your wedding ring?”

He froze,caught off guard by the sudden question.“I’m not sure…I must’ve lost it somewhere.”

The memory crept back into his mind unbidden.It had been the night of their engagement.Scarlett had seen the ring and been upset.

He had slipped it off to calm her down,setting it aside without a second thought.

Ambrose opened his mouth to explain,guilt flickering in his eyes,but Hazel interrupted him almost dismissively.“If it’s lost,it’s lost.Just buy a new one.”

She didn’t linger on the matter.In her heart,she knew the truth.Once she left,Ambrose would undoubtedly replace it with a stunning diamond ring for Scarlett.

This ring,their ring,had been destined for the trash heap from the moment Scarlett had stepped back into his life.Whether it was now or later didn’t make a difference.

Ambrose had grown used to Hazel’s endless understanding,her boundless patience that bordered on self-sacrifice.

Yet,for the first time,her indifference rattled him.It was as if he hadn’t just lost a ring but something intangible,something far more valuable.

The unease gnawed at him,relentless and unfamiliar.Determined to ease the weight pressing on his chest,Ambrose resolved to make things right with Hazel.

Chapter 7

“Since the office is quiet today,how about I take you out to choose a new ring?Something grander to reward you for all the effort you’ve put in these past days.”

Hazel frowned slightly,her instinctive response on the tip of her tongue.She was about to decline when his phone buzzed,its screen lighting up with a message.

Ambrose glanced at it without a second thought,his expression shifting subtly.He shot to his feet,already heading for the door.But halfway there,as if struck by a fleeting memory,he turned back.Leaning in,he pressed a kiss against her forehead.

“Sorry,love,I’ve been caught up with so much lately I haven’t had the chance to give you the time you deserve.I swear,I’ll make it up to you once this hectic stretch is behind us.I’ll make you the happiest woman alive.”

In the ten years they had been together,Ambrose had never spoken with such tenderness to Hazel.

He understood that women often craved sweet words,but Hazel had always been the exception.She was far too sensible,too independent,to need his coaxing.

Naturally,his efforts had always been reserved for Scarlett,the woman who thrived on attention,who could cry at the slightest slight and demand his comfort.

Yet now,guilt gnawed at him.The growing unease over his neglect of Hazel had prompted this sudden attempt to treat her better,hoping to ease the weight pressing on his conscience.

But Hazel gave him nothing in return,no smile,no frown.Her face was a blank slate,concealing any trace of emotion.

Once Ambrose left,Hazel walked to the bathroom,her footsteps steady but deliberate.Slowly,methodically,she washed her face,rinsing away every trace of Ambrose’s fleeting touch as if cleansing herself of his presence.

Belated love.Hollow compensation after betrayal.Hazel didn’t want any of it.

The days crept by,and soon,it was the eve of the wedding.The calendar had thinned to just two fragile pages,one hanging by a thread.Today’s wish read,“Have a family reunion dinner together.”

For over twenty years,Hazel had carried this hope silently in her heart.Yet,deep down,she knew it was a futile dream.Her mother would never forgive her father,just as she could never forgive Ambrose.

Refusing to linger on these thoughts,Hazel brushed on light makeup,slipped into her favorite white dress,and stepped out.She watched a movie alone,ordered a couple’s meal for one,and rode the Ferris wheel in solitary silence.

When the Ferris wheel reached its peak,the sun dipped low on the horizon.The golden hues of the sunset bathed the city she had known since childhood in a tender glow.A soft breeze kissed Hazel’s face as she stretched out her arms,feeling as though her memories were unraveling and scattering into the evening wind.

As night fell,Hazel bought herself an ice cream and left the amusement park.She sat on a nearby bench,savoring the cold sweetness while gazing up at the starry sky.

The stars above had always been her solace.On those countless nights when she was cast out of her home,it was a younger Ambrose who had held her hand,lying beside her on the grass as they stared up at the heavens.

But none of that mattered now.People came and went,but the stars never faltered.No matter where she went,those same shimmering lights would always follow her,unchanging and eternal.

After finishing her ice cream,Hazel stood and began walking home.The stars above twinkled softly as her phone buzzed with a message from Scarlett.

[Dad’s sweet-and-sour fish is amazing!You’ve probably never had it,right?]

Hazel opened the attached video.It captured a lively family dinner scene.Ambrose and Scarlett sat at the center of the table,surrounded by festive red decorations.Laughter echoed in the background as their families chatted about the upcoming wedding.

Scarlett’s petty provocation didn’t anger Hazel.She had endured countless jabs like this throughout her life.Instead,she found it absurd.

Wedding plans?Whose wedding were they truly planning?Hers or Scarlett’s?

Chapter 8

Hazel didn’t see the point in arguing with Scarlett.With a calm resolve,she deleted the message,blocked Scarlett’s number,and opened her chat with Ambrose.

Their last conversation was over a week old.

As she scrolled through the thread,a painful pattern emerged.Message after message filled the screen,and she sent each one.She had poured her heart into every word,sharing everything from her lofty dreams to the tiniest details of her meals.

Ambrose’s responses were scarce;his replies were a rarity.And when he did bother to respond,the topic was always the same:Scarlett.

Hazel suddenly lost the desire to text him back.

If her words were destined to drift into silence,why waste the effort?

She was tucking her phone back into her pocket when Ambrose’s name lit up the screen.He was calling.

“Where are you?Why aren’t you home?It’s late already.Why haven’t you come back yet?”His voice carried a mix of urgency and subtle reproach.

Tonight,he had turned down Scarlett’s invitation,a rare occurrence,and returned home early,intending to spend time with Hazel.But when he walked through the door,the one who always waited for him was nowhere to be found.

She hadn’t answered his calls or texts,and his worry had escalated to the point where he almost called the police.

Hazel glanced at the clock,feeling a knot tighten in her chest.

It was 8 PM.

Ambrose had always been one to stay out late,sometimes not returning until the early hours or,worse,disappearing for the night.

Every time,Hazel had waited in silence,leaving a light on for him.

And if he had been drinking,she would fight off sleep,rising to make him soup,hoping it would sober him up.

But what had Ambrose ever done for her?

Hazel couldn’t recall a single thing.Her patience thinned,and her tone became sharper.

“Can’t I have a life of my own?”

It was the first time she had ever dared to speak back to him.

There was a pause on the other end of the line before his voice softened.

“Hazel,I’ve missed you these past few days.”

“Tomorrow’s our wedding day.I was just worried something might happen to you.Don’t be upset.Wait for me,alright?I’m coming to get you now.”

Within minutes,Ambrose pulled up in his car,unexpectedly holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

She didn’t take the flowers.Instead,she opened the passenger door,greeted by a faint yet unmistakable scent.

A wave of nausea hit her,and she quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe her hands,choosing to climb into the back seat instead.

Ambrose,absorbed in replying to his messages,remained unaware of her discomfort.

He spoke absently,“Why’d you go to the amusement park?Have you finished with all the wedding preparations?”

“Pretty much.”

Tomorrow,she would finally leave this place behind.

Ambrose chuckled,his tone light.

“I remember you’ve always wanted to ride the Ferris wheel.When I get a chance,I’ll take you and make sure you have a wonderful day.I didn’t mean to interrupt your fun today,but my mom wants to see you.”

“It’s fine.We’ll have plenty of time for that later.”

Hazel had a lifetime of wishes,and there would always be time later to fulfill them.

After she left the country,she would tick off her list of wishes,one by one,none of them involving Ambrose.

Once Ambrose finished sending his messages,he started the car and casually played one of Scarlett’s favorite songs.

Hazel turned her gaze toward the streets,the city she had grown up in.

It was a beautiful place.

Neon lights flickered,blending seamlessly with the starlit sky in a dazzling dance of colors.

But the longer she stared,the more the wind stung her eyes,leaving them red and sore.

When they arrived at the old family house,the dining table was already piled with leftovers.

The housekeeper was clearing the dishes while the parents of both families chatted merrily.

Ambrose and Scarlett shared a laugh,their easy camaraderie filling the space.

In the midst of it all,Hazel felt like an outsider.

Her figure caught Ambrose’s eye for a fleeting moment.He saw the lonely silhouette,and his heart skipped a beat.

Suddenly,a forgotten promise resurfaced in Ambrose’s mind,one he had made years ago,vowing never to let this little girl feel sorrow again.

Chapter 9

After a brief pause,Ambrose summoned someone to bring over a few dresses.

“Hazel,”he said softly,“I know you’ve been busy lately,so I asked Scarlett to pick out a wedding dress for you.Take a look and see if any of them catch your eye.”

Scarlett’s voice rang out cheerfully as she leaned in close.

“Sis,I’m your bridesmaid,remember?We’ll be walking down the aisle together,and everyone will see just how stunning we both look!”

Her father,a picture of affection,ruffled Scarlett’s hair with a proud smile.

Ambrose,too,grinned at the father-daughter moment,clearly pleased.

But Hazel couldn’t tear her eyes away from the wedding dress in front of her.

The fabric had yellowed with age,the cheap material stretched thin,and a large tear marred the chest.It stood out in stark contrast to Scarlett’s bridesmaid dress,elegantly designed with delicate lace and a fishtail cut that hugged her figure.If anyone looked like a bride,it was Scarlett.

Scarlett twirled with delight,her excitement evident in every spin.

“It’s gorgeous!If I had a crown,it would be perfect.”

Ambrose,never one to miss a beat,responded,“That’s easily arranged.Hazel has one,right?She’s the older sister;she wouldn’t mind handing it over.”

His gaze shifted to Hazel,but he paused as he caught sight of the wedding dress in her hands.

“How did this happen?”

Hazel’s eyes flicked toward Scarlett,and before she could speak,Ambrose stepped protectively in front of her.

“It must have been a mistake at the shop.It’s nothing to do with Scarlett.I’ll have someone fix it right away.”

Scarlett feigned concern,her voice sweet with a hint of mockery.

“But it’s so late now.The bridal shops must be closed...How about we borrow a second-hand dress for now?After all,didn’t you always say you wanted a simple wedding,Sis?”

All eyes turned to Hazel.

For two powerful families like theirs,finding a brand-new dress wouldn’t be an issue.But instead of going the extra mile,they seemed content to let Hazel compromise.After all,she’d always been the one to bear the brunt of their demands.

“It’s fine.I wouldn’t want to trouble anyone,”Hazel replied with a graceful smile.“You all have your own matters to attend to.I’ll handle it myself.”

Her smile swept through the room,effortlessly dissolving the tension.

The group returned to their chatter and coffee as if Hazel’s silent suffering hadn’t even been there.

Ambrose’s gaze lingered on her,his heart heavy with the knowledge of how much this wedding meant to her,yet his hands were tied.He feared the disappointment that might flicker in her eyes.

With a quiet sigh,he pulled out a bank card,handing it to her with a soft,reassuring tone.

“Don’t worry about the cost.Whatever makes you happy,that’s what matters.”

Hazel hesitated for a moment,the card feeling like an invisible barrier between them as she accepted it,her gratitude simple but final.

That soft“thank you”hung in the air,a silent line drawn between them.

Ambrose’s chest tightened,discomfort swirling inside him,but the words to bridge that gap refused to come.

Scarlett watched them closely for a moment,then,ever the opportunist,retrieved a camera from the bedroom.

“Why don’t we take a family photo now?Tomorrow will be so chaotic that the pictures might not come out right.”

Ambrose agreed without a second thought,drawing Hazel into the center,her presence a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his chest.

Just as the shutter clicked,Scarlett darted forward,stepping between them.

In the instant that Hazel lost her balance and tumbled to the floor,Ambrose’s heart lurched in panic.

“Hazel!”He cried,reaching out instinctively to catch her.

But Scarlett,ever the actress,burst into tears at that very moment.

Ambrose froze,just for a heartbeat.Three seconds of indecision.Then,with a swift motion,he turned to Scarlett.

He abandoned Hazel to crash against the sharp edge of the shelf,his hands gently pulling Scarlett into his arms,wiping away her feigned tears with a tenderness that sent a chill through Hazel’s veins.

Chapter 10

“Don’t cry.Your sister has always been understanding.She won’t blame you,”Ambrose reassured Scarlett.

The others quickly gathered around Scarlett,their voices a chorus of comforting words as they pointed to the photos in the camera,attempting to lighten her mood with half-hearted praise.

Meanwhile,Hazel struggled to push herself off the floor,her head throbbing with pain.A warm trickle slid down her face,and when she wiped it with a tissue,the smear of crimson on her fingers left her momentarily stunned.She couldn’t tell if it was tears or blood.

But no one noticed.Their attention remained fixed on Scarlett as if she were the only one who mattered.Their laughter and soft reassurances filled the room,drowning out the silent cry of Hazel’s pain.

It wasn’t until the bleeding on Hazel’s forehead had stopped that Ambrose finally approached her,the camera dangling loosely in his hands.

“The photo didn’t catch your face clearly,and Scarlett’s pose could’ve been better,”he said casually.Then,as if noticing her for the first time,his brows furrowed.“Wait…Hazel,what happened to your face?”

Her chest tightened at his words.Her face had been bleeding,yet their sole concern had been Scarlett’s pose in the photo.The realization struck her like a sharp blade,carving out the faint hope she’d held onto.

Hazel waved off the concern with a faint smile.“It’s nothing.Don’t bother retaking it.It’s late;I’ll head back now.”

What did it matter?The idea of a family photo had been erased from her heart long ago.

Unwilling to prolong the show,she turned and left quietly,her figure retreating into the evening.The path to Belmont Villa felt longer than usual,each step heavy with unspoken resignation.

The once-vibrant wedding room,filled with traces of celebration,had been stripped of its warmth over the past few days.Hazel had meticulously worked to transform it into something cold and impersonal,a space that could have belonged to anyone.

She tossed the wedding dress near the door with little regard,its fabric pooling in a heap.Dragging out her suitcase,she began packing,her hands moving with mechanical precision.

Everywhere she looked,remnants of her time with Ambrose lingered.They had known each other for so long that nearly every item held a fragment of their shared memories.

But memories were a double-edged sword.Apart from the essentials,she decided to leave everything else behind.She wanted a clean break,a fresh start.

By the time the first rays of dawn brushed the horizon,a knock echoed through the quiet villa.The makeup artist had arrived.

Since she was about to leave,Hazel decided to dress elegantly,ready to greet the dawn of her new life.As she settled in front of the vanity mirror,a knock at the door shattered the quiet.Ambrose rushed in;his expression tinged with urgency.

"The makeup artist for Scarlett canceled at the last minute.She’s been crying nonstop.Could your makeup artist help her first?"

A request as absurd as sending the bride’s makeup artist to the bridesmaid was almost laughable.The makeup artist hesitated,caught in the awkwardness of the moment.

But Hazel remained composed,her voice calm."Go ahead.I’m not in a hurry."

Her quick agreement startled Ambrose.On a day like this,shouldn’t she have protested?Shouldn’t she have shed tears or demanded attention,just like Scarlett would have?

Instead,Hazel’s indifference stung more than anger.It was as though the wedding and Ambrose had ceased to matter to her altogether.

The unsettling thought gnawed at him.What if she left today and he never saw her again?The idea,fleeting as it was,unsettled him deeply.

But his father-in-law’s insistent voice broke his train of thought,pulling him back to the present.

"Hazel,I’ll be back soon.I promise this is the last time."

The last time?Hazel’s lips curled into a faint,ironic smile.

Yes,it was the last time.

In a few short hours,Hazel would board a plane to a faraway land,never to look back.

Once Ambrose walked out,she rose from her seat and swept her gaze around the room.Over the years,Ambrose had lavished her with gifts,luxury handbags,designer gowns,sparkling jewelry,and even dolls,coffee,and gaming consoles.

Yet,every single item had been chosen with Scarlett in mind.

The once-naive Hazel had adored those gifts,treating them as tokens of love and devotion.But now,they were nothing more than hollow reminders of her misplaced trust.

Determined,she set to work.The scissors glided through the expensive fabric of the dresses,turning them into shreds.The hammer came crashing down on glittering jewels,splintering them beyond repair.Dolls and toys were tossed into the trash without a second glance,their cheery faces mocking her no longer.

When the last of it was destroyed,Hazel turned to her calendar.She tore off the final page with steady hands.

On it,her handwriting glowed with bittersweet irony."To wear the most beautiful wedding dress and marry the man I love most,Ambrose."

She let the paper drift to the floor,her lips curving into a faint,bitter smile.

The wedding dress now lay in tatters,beyond recognition,just like the man Hazel once thought she’d love forever.

With a surge of anger,she crumpled the torn page into a tight ball and hurled it across the room.

It sailed through the air like a final severance,cutting away the remnants of her past and paving the way for an uncharted future.

The eastern horizon began to glow faintly,the first light of dawn creeping into the room.

Hazel wiped the last of her tears,her fingers trembling momentarily before steadying herself.

She pulled back the heavy curtains,letting the warm,golden sunlight flood the space.It illuminated the chaos she’d left behind,a scene she no longer cared to remember.

The past,like yesterday’s death,no longer had a claim on her.

Sliding on her sunglasses with newfound resolve,she stepped out into the morning chill,hailed a cab,and set off to meet the media mogul her friend had introduced.

The moment they met,she wasted no time with pleasantries.“I have an exclusive story guaranteed to go viral.How much are you willing to pay?”

The man’s brow arched as he studied her.Slowly,he raised his hand,spreading out five fingers.

“If this has anything to do with Ambrose,I’m willing to pay this.”

“I’ll pay five million,but on one condition:the story must go live across the entire internet the moment the wedding begins.”

“Deal.”

Hazel placed the bank card Ambrose had once given her on the table beside the USB drive,which now felt heavier than its size suggested.

No hesitation,no farewell,just a quiet severance from the man she once thought she’d love forever.

Boarding the plane with nothing but her resolve,she left everything else behind.