Chapter 3

Miles sneered in agreement. “Tessa, even if you’re embarrassed, there’s no need to lie.

“Besides, do you think I wouldn’t know if anyone actually wanted to marry you?”

His words sent a wave of laughter rippling through the crowd.

Everyone had seen how I had spent years chasing after Rowan. It was a fact no one could deny.

Nathan pretended to think for a moment before smirking. “Could it be that she’s just trying to make Rowan jealous?”

“That’s such a pathetic trick, Tessa. Don’t you think it’s ridiculous?”

Lisa gently tried to stop them, then turned to me with a look of concern.

“Tessa, this whole thing was just a little joke to cheer me up. You playing along with them really means a lot to me.

“I also know you’ve liked Rowan for a long time, but love is a two-way street…

“A girl should know her worth. Father is watching from the audience, along with so many guests. You shouldn’t keep making a scene.”

Her voice was soft, her tone soothing, but every word painted me as a shameless woman.

I glanced down and saw my father’s face darken as he hurried to offer the guests an explanation.

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and spoke firmly.

“This is my wedding. The groom is on his way.”

Then, without hesitation, I picked up my phone and dialed the number pinned at the top of my contacts.

…

But the call went straight to voicemail.

I redialed, again and again, but no one answered.

A hollow unease settled in my heart. After all, we had only met once.

Rowan watched me with amusement, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“I used to think you were just unabashed. Now, I see you’re also remarkably good at lying to yourself.”

Miles scoffed. “Stop wasting your time, Tessa.”

Lisa cast me a pitying glance, then turned to Rowan.

“Rowan, it looks like Tessa desperately wants to get married,” she said softly.

“Why don’t you just humor her and go through the motions? I feel a little sorry for her.”

Rowan didn’t even hesitate. “I was only playing along to amuse you. I never had any intention of marrying Tessa.”

He took a deliberate step back as if drawing a clear boundary, as if afraid I might cling to him.

Lisa then turned to Nathan.

Nathan recoiled instantly. “There’s no way I’d embarrass myself like that!”

Watching them scramble to reject Lisa’s suggestion, eager to prove their loyalty to her, I felt nothing. Nothing but the echo of a memory.

At eighteen, these same two men had fought over the chance to have me as their partner at their coming-of-age ceremony.

They had tripped over each other planting roses in my honor, hoping to win my favor.

Now, their devotion belonged to someone else, and my heart had long since gone numb.

I refused to watch Lisa pretend to be kind.

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t marry either of you scumbags, nor would I ever let you be associated with me,” I said coldly.

“My groom is someone else entirely.”

My father, Richard Hamilton, finally lost his patience.

He bellowed at me, his face twisted with fury.

“Tessa! Stop this act! Do you want to humiliate me in front of everyone?

“Why can’t you be more like Lisa? Sensible, obedient! Do you have to make sure the whole world knows you’re a desperate, unwanted burden?”

I stood there on the stage, stripped of dignity, forced to endure his rage.

All he cared about was saving his reputation.

My frail yet steady grandmother held my hand tightly. She looked at me with unwavering support and offered a reassuring smile.

“Tessa would never lie! Please, just wait a little longer.”

At that moment, my phone vibrated in my clenched palm.

I answered, my heart pounding.

A deep, steady voice came through the receiver—urgent yet soothing.

“Sorry, my love. Traffic’s bad today, but I’m on my way.”

I told him to be careful.

Nathan smirked, watching me like he was enjoying a show.

“You’re really committed to this act. Did you hire some random guy to play the part?”