Chapter 1

Most of the attendees at my wedding, who witnessed the spectacle, had left. I was the only one left stunned and in disbelief.

My parents consoled me with teary eyes. “Veronica, it’s all our fault. We shouldn’t have rushed you into marriage. Who would’ve thought…?”

My fiance, Joe Smith, had fled from our wedding.

The man who had kissed my forehead tenderly just the night before had vanished without a trace.

I bawled my eyes out in the vanity room until my makeup was completely ruined. I felt incredibly hurt when I looked at the ring on my finger.

I had a crush on Joe for three years, and my feelings for him had been evident.

He enjoyed the luxury of having home-cooked lunches at work and hangover remedies after drinking out all night. I would always be there for him, come rain or shine.

A week ago, Joe got drunk again. He was drowsy as he leaned against me in the back seat of the car.

I tried my best to provide him a shoulder to lean on, and my heart swelled with joy from being so close to him.

Right then, he asked, “Veronica, do you really like me?”

I froze and nodded, but I realized that his eyes were shut. So, I quickly replied, “Yes.”

Joe propped himself up and leaned closer. He looked incredibly handsome.

Then, he smiled and kissed the corner of my lips before he said in a low voice, “Marry me, then.”

It felt like the happiest moment of my life. I was so overwhelmed with joy that my ears began to ring.

The next day, Joe asked his assistant to send me a ring that I thought was a bit large for my finger. Nevertheless, I treasured it deeply.

After the spectacle, I scrolled through his social media and managed to find him in person at a bar.

He was hugging another girl, and my dreams shattered instantly.

“Now that you’ve left her at the altar, what’s going to happen to her?”

Joe enjoyed himself as the girl kissed him on the cheeks. He laughed heartily and said, “I’m already tired of her clinginess. Besides, what can she do even if she gets mad? Everyone knows that she’s head over heels for me. Who would want her?”

I was standing at the private room’s door, and I felt a rush of disappointment wash over me.

Falling in love with Joe had been easy.

He was a senior of mine. Being handsome and kind, he checked all the boxes for what I had envisioned in my future partner.

However, I soon realized that there was a stark difference between us.

We once went on a picnic, and he had invited his friends, who were all wealthy heirs and heiresses.

During our excursion, they traveled in several recreational vehicles and even organized the picnic at one of their family estates.

Looking at their lavish lifestyle, I felt embarrassed and hid my tiny picnic basket behind me.

Joe noticed and graciously took the picnic basket from me. He complimented the simple sandwiches I had made.

As the sun shone through the leaves, it lit up his face and gentle smile. I felt myself blushing and feeling light headed at that moment.

He had given me plenty of cold shoulders and put me through a lot over the past three years. But such acts of kindness would make me forgive him for everything.