Chapter 1

They said marriage was the tomb of love. I thought it was great. I'd rather have a comfortable resting place than die without a grave, exposed to the elements.

After two months of meticulous sewing, I finally finished my bridal gown.

It dazzled brightly under the light. I imagined myself in it—a few days from now, walking down the aisle with the man I loved—and smiled.

I had been waiting for this day since I was 19. After six years, I was finally going to rest in this tomb of love at the age of 25.

My dream shattered overnight.

Cherry Birkin, my assistant, called and asked, "Tay-Tay! Mr. Kennedy came this morning and took the bridal gown. He's bringing it home, right?"

Still groggy, I replied, "He took my gown?"

"Yeah. Um, do you know anything about that?"

"I'll ask him about it now."

My mind cleared slightly, but I still couldn't figure out his reason.

Our house was already filled with things for the event. There was no space for the gown, so I had planned to take it home the day before the wedding.

Edward didn't pick up his phone. I was about to call again when he called first.

"Did you take the gown, Ed?" I asked straight away.

"I did."

He sounded exhausted. His reply came out as a groan, and I felt a pang of worry.

"Are you alright? You sound under the weather," I said.

He was quiet for a few minutes before suddenly declaring, almost quietly, "Let's cancel our marriage."

I was stunned. "What?! Why?!"

"Maddie's been diagnosed with late-stage cancer. The doctor said she has only three months left to live," Edward replied.

For that brief moment, I thought God had finally paid attention. He was finally giving that woman her just deserts.

"What does that have to do with our wedding?"

"Maddie's last wish. She wants to marry me before she dies," Edward replied.

Before I could say a word, he added, "I know this isn't the most sensible request, but can you just let her achieve her dream for once? Show some sympathy to someone who's on her way out?"

My jaw dropped. Was this some kind of twisted joke?

I scoffed. "Are you even hearing yourself, Edward Kennedy?"

"I know what I said, Taylor. I have to fulfill her last wish. I have to marry her," he said firmly. "I know this isn't fair to you, so I'll give you 50% of my company's shares to compensate. Please consider this."

My body went numb. "And if I refuse?"

"Does it kill you to be a little more empathetic? She's your sister!" he snapped. "Just let her have her wish, once. Can't you?"

What nonsense was that?!

"Damn, should I be worried that you might die with her just to be buried with her?" I retorted mockingly.

"Taylor!" He gritted his teeth. Then, suddenly, he said, "I've brought the gown to the hospital. The two of you share the same size, so it's a good fit."

A familiar voice cried out in the background, "Eddy! Maddie's up!"

"I'm coming!" he replied hurriedly. "Don't keep me waiting for your answer, Taylor."

The call ended just like that.

I knew who that was—Cameron Thompson—my father's current wife and my stepmother. And of course, Maddie's mother.

I had no idea Edward had become her favorite.

I gripped my phone in resentment.

Maddie's mother had stolen my father away from my mother years ago, and now Cameron's daughter had stolen my fiancé. The irony wrote itself!

More than ten years ago, my parents went through a divorce.

My father didn't even wait three months before marrying Cameron, who came with a pair of fraternal twins.

They had always been his. I gained a stepbrother and stepsister, just two years younger than me. My father's infidelity had started early.

My mother was furious. She sued my father and demanded a reassessment of the division of his wealth.

I was certain she was trying to secure my birthright before that homewrecker could rob me blind.

My father was nothing short of cruel. He denied my mother's request and acquired my maternal grandparents' business, leaving her without financial support.

My grandfather, stricken by the shock, fell ill. His condition became critical, and the family found itself in desperate times.

My mother sold our most prized possessions and anything that could be liquidated to fund his medical treatment, but he still died.

It was a crushing blow to my mother. Guilt turned to depression after a mental breakdown, and soon after, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away.

My father had done this to her.

Their deaths were devastating for both my grandmother and me. That was when I swore I would reclaim everything that belonged to my mother… with interest.

Through my own efforts, I managed to elevate my business to new heights.

At the same time, I became engaged to my childhood friend and lover, Edward, the heir to the Kennedy family.

I thought this relationship meant gaining the support of someone I loved, and that my achievements would only grow with it.

That was until this bitch stole my fiancé right before our wedding!

Since when had Edward become so close to Maddie?! Was it the time she donated her blood to him? Was it when she cooked for him?

Or was it that one fateful day, when Maddie was 18 when she declared her love for Edward in public and claimed she would rather die than not marry him?

Edward and I were already together at the time, but everyone praised her for that. They said she was bold!

Was that all it took, Edward? What about all the sacrifices I'd made for you? What about the times I donated blood for you over five years until your condition was gone?

What about those days when I learned and mastered herbal cooking to help nurse your health?

What about the many sleepless nights and exhausted days I spent at your bedside when you were too sick to even leave the hospital? The times my heart ached with concern and worry?

All it took for you to backstab me was Maddie getting cancer. You would cancel a wedding we'd spent months preparing for just to be with her!

My eyes watered, but I fought back the tears.

I wasn't going to cry for a piece of shit. And I didn't need anyone's pity—especially not my own. All the suffering I'd endured from the Jones family had taught me how useless tears were.

The only way forward was to fight back!

I called him again. "I want the entire company, Edward. Give me that, and I'll cancel our engagement. If you agree to this, we can start drafting…"