Chapter 1

Enola Crawford felt a bit dazed as she stood before the familiar front door. She never thought she would have the chance to return after being banished abroad for four years.

She still remembered what Robert Shaw had said to her when he sent her off back then. "You're not allowed to return without my permission, Enola!"

Her parents died in an accident when she was eight years old. It was Robert, who was her father's friend, who took her in and raised her.

When Enola turned 18 years old, Robert accidentally discovered her diary. He saw the hidden feelings she had toward him carefully tucked away within its pages, along with all the love she dared not express.

He had always doted on her, but that vanished in an instant. Furious, he held up the diary and reprimanded her for being a ridiculous, immoral woman.

Enola couldn't understand it. Even if he took her in, they weren't related by blood. Why wasn't she allowed to love him?

Even so, he never gave her a chance to explain herself. He immediately shipped her off to Melcian, where she remained for four years. That faraway land was over 7,500 miles away from Bakersville.

He had cast her away without hesitation, and in the end, she had finally let go of her feelings for him. Just as she was about to push open the door, her phone suddenly rang.

Seeing the name "Honey" flashing on the screen, she couldn't help but smile before pressing the answer button.

"Ennie, the wedding date is set. It's in a month. Have you decided whether to hold it in Bakersville or Melcian?" Parker Sadler's warm voice came through the phone, inexplicably putting her at ease.

Enola thought for a moment before replying, "Let's do it in Melcian."

"Alright. I'll start making arrangements." His voice remained gentle.

After a brief pause, he added, "Make sure to let Robert know this time. He should come to our wedding."

"Mm," Enola responded sweetly.

They then chatted a little longer before reluctantly ending the call.

She had been shipped off to Melcian out of nowhere back then, so she struggled to adapt to both the language and lifestyle. The adjustment had been difficult, but then came the multiple shooting incidents and chaos. She had faced danger more than once, nearly losing her life on several occasions.

She had dialed Robert's number in a panic, desperate for him to take her back home. But call after call went unanswered, and every message she sent disappeared into the void.

If Parker hadn't shown up in time to save her, she might not have survived those shootings. As they got to know each other, they realized they had been alumni of the same school, and that connection brought them closer.

Later, Enola was finally moved and accepted Parker's confession after two years of his persistent pursuit. He then wasted no time in proposing after graduation, and she had said yes.

It was only then that Robert contacted her for the first time in years, granting her permission to return home to visit her parents' graves.

Now, she was back to deliver the wedding invitation and to tell him she was about to get married. She had just entered the passcode when the door suddenly swung open from the inside.

"Ennie, you're back? It's been so long! I thought I heard your voice outside just now," said Chloe Garcia as she opened the door from inside.

She was smiling as she greeted Enola. Then, seeing that Enola remained frozen in place without a reaction, she added, "Don't you remember me?"

Enola blinked. She stared at the face that felt both unfamiliar and oddly familiar for a long moment before finally snapping back to reality.

A nightmare-like memory resurfaced. The fear she had buried came rushing back, paralyzing her limbs and sending a chill down her spine. Even a sense of shock filled her eyes.

"Why are you here?"

Before she even finished speaking, Robert stepped out as well. Tall and elegant as always, he carried his usual cold and dignified presence.

Seeing her reaction, Robert frowned slightly. Displeasure was evident in his expression, and he said to her in a deep and low voice, "She's to be my wife."

His wife?

"Why her? She used to—"

Before she could utter the words "bully me", Robert cut her off, "Used to what?"

Just like that, memories came flooding back again.

Her early days in Melcian had been unbearably difficult. Lonely and restless, she had refused to give up and tried every possible way to find out news about him.

What she eventually learned was that Robert had gotten himself a girlfriend. Not just any girlfriend, but it was one he doted on endlessly, too.

Fireworks filled the sky for her birthday. Thousands of roses were flown in just to make her happy. He had even spent millions at an auction just to amuse her. He had given another woman all the tenderness he once reserved for Enola.

She cried alone in the darkness. She endured the extreme pain, struggling through countless sleepless nights until she finally accepted the truth that he had fallen for someone else.

But never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that the woman who replaced her would be Chloe, the very person who had bullied her in school.

Looking at the way he stood protectively by Chloe's side, Enola opened her mouth. Yet in the end, she only shook her head and murmured, "It's nothing."

"If it's nothing, then come inside. Now that you're finally back, focus on moving forward. Let go of whatever was on your mind before.

"Your parents' death anniversary is coming up. I'll go with you to pay respects when the time comes.

"Also, Chloe is moving in today as well. You can unpack on your own. Try to get along with her from now on."

With that, he wrapped an arm around Chloe and left the villa with her. Enola could only respond with a bitter smile as she watched their retreating figures.

After a long silence, she finally murmured, "There's no need for that, Robbie. Once I finish paying my respects to my parents, I will leave this place for good."

By the time Robert and Chloe returned, it was already evening. They spent the entire night unpacking their bags, only finishing late into the night.

Enola stood outside Robert's bedroom door, holding her wedding invitation. She took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for a long time before finally gathering the courage to knock on his door.

The door opened from the inside, but the person standing before her wasn't Robert.

Chloe looked at her, and there was a malicious smile curling at the corners of her lips. "Well, well. It's been years. Did you come looking for me to reminisce about the past?"

Enola's body tensed. A flood of nightmarish memories surged in her mind. She instinctively turned to leave, but Chloe grabbed her wrist before she could escape.

"I'm warning you to keep your mouth shut. Don't even think about telling Robert anything about the past." Chloe's voice was laced with menace.

Meanwhile, Enola forced down the fear rising inside her and snapped back, "Do you think keeping quiet will bury the truth forever? One day, Robbie will see you for who you really are."

But instead of fear, Chloe looked even more smug. "Then, let's wait and see, shall we? A few years ago, I could destroy you with ease. Nothing's changed since then."

Before Enola could react, Chloe suddenly grabbed the cup of hot milk from the table and flung it over herself.

Her piercing scream echoed through the hallway.

Robert rushed out of his study in a panic the very next second. He quickly pulled Chloe into his arms as she collapsed against his chest, looking utterly pitiful with tears streaming down her face.

"Robert… It wasn't Ennie's fault…" she whimpered.

"Enola, I thought sending you abroad for four years would make you let go of those thoughts. That's the only reason I allowed you to come back. But I see you're still as stubborn as ever.

"Let me make this clear one last time. There are some things that are impossible. No matter what tricks you try to pull, you will never get what you want."

His harsh reprimand made everything instantly clear to Enola. Did he truly think she had done this on purpose? That she had splashed Chloe out of jealousy?

She quickly tried to explain. "No, you misunderstood. I came to give you my wedding invi—"

But before she could finish, Robert had already carried Chloe away.

Enola's eyes were filled with sorrow as she watched his retreating figure.

Then, she completed the sentence that had been left hanging in the air with a self-deprecating laugh, "I came to give you my wedding invitation. I don't love you anymore, Robbie. I'm getting married."

Chapter 2

Robert returned the next morning.

Enola had just finished breakfast when she saw him walk in. She was about to explain what had happened the night before, but he grabbed her hand without explanation and pulled her along before she could say a word.

The car sped down the road, eventually stopping in front of a hospital. Robert still didn't let go of her until they were standing by Chloe's hospital bed. Only then did he finally speak for the first time that day.

"Apologize to Chlo."

Enola pressed her lips together, refusing to respond. Her resistance was evident.

"Why should I apologize for something I didn't do?"

Robert's eyes darkened with disappointment as he watched her turn her head away, unwilling to admit fault. Neither of them was willing to back down first. It was Chloe who eventually broke the stalemate.

"It's okay. Ennie is still young. Maybe she's just not used to seeing you with someone else and is throwing a childish tantrum."

"She's only a year younger than you. Besides, she's an adult now. What's so young about that?"

What was meant as a soothing remark twisted into something else in Robert's ears. His expression darkened even further as he turned back to Enola, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Apologize. Right now."

The explanation Enola had been holding onto was swallowed back down. Looking at the grim expression on his face, she realized he had already decided she was at fault.

She opened her mouth to speak but suddenly felt exhausted. She no longer had the energy for another pointless argument.

Perhaps falling in love with Robert had been an unforgivable mistake from the very start. Because no matter what happened, she was no longer someone to be trusted in Robert's eyes. His first instinct would always be to believe she was at fault.

"Sorry." After a long standoff, Enola finally relented.

Robert should have felt relieved, but as he watched her sudden drop in spirit, an unfamiliar discomfort settled in his chest.

She didn't care how he felt. To her, once the apology was said, the matter was over. Enola casually found an excuse and turned to leave, as she didn't want to linger around as an obstacle between them.

"I need to use the restroom."

Then, Enola used cold water to splash her face, cooling the frustration burning inside her. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and pressed her lips together.

People always favored the ones they cared about more, and Robert was no exception. Just like how he doted on her before, Chloe was that person to him now. Even so, maybe this was for the best.

With that thought, she turned to leave the restroom. But as soon as she stepped outside, she noticed him standing a short distance away, as if he had been waiting for her.

Just as she was about to walk past him and leave, Robert suddenly spoke, "Chloe wants chicken pot pies from Larry's Deli. I need to stay with her, so go buy them and bring them here."

Enola remained silent for a moment but didn't refuse.

As they brushed past each other, his voice rang out again, carrying an inexplicable weight, "I'm going to marry Chloe. You should get those ideas out of your head for good."

Enola's steps halted for a brief second, but she didn't turn back. "Don't worry. I've already moved on. In a month, I'll be…"

"Let's hope you mean it." Before she could finish, Robert interrupted her and then walked away.

She walked quite a distance away before suddenly calling out, "Do you like Chloe that much? We're the same age, so why is it okay for her but not for me?"

Robert turned back, and his gaze was sharp with warning. "Yes. It's possible for anyone else—just not you. Don't bring this up again."

She nodded obediently. "Got it. I won't."

…

The hospital was on the east side of the city, while Larry's Deli was on the west. Not only was it far, but there was always a long line because of its good reputation. Enola waited a long time before finally getting an order and rushing back to the hospital.

She handed the pies to Chloe while panting, only for her to take one bite and then toss them into the trash with a look of disgust.

"They're cold. It's not good at all. Forget it, Ennie. Why don't you go get me a cake from Morris Patisserie instead?"

Enola said nothing and turned to meet Robert's gaze. After a long pause, she nodded and said, "Okay."

Morris Patisserie was closer to the hospital than Larry's Deli, but it was just as much of a hassle. After finally getting the cake and bringing it back, Chloe took a single bite before setting it aside.

"Oh, shoot! I forgot to tell you that I don't like this flavor."

And so, Enola spent the entire afternoon running errands for her. Only when Chloe finally found nothing more to nitpick did it come to an end.

Fortunately, Robert didn't ask Enola to go to the hospital again after that day. She avoided the place entirely, and by doing so, she also avoided Chloe's endless trouble.

But on the day Chloe was discharged, a knock sounded at Enola's door just as she returned home.

"The class rep is organizing a gathering. Why don't you come along?"

Enola was about to refuse when Chloe suddenly pulled Robert over and spoke in a playful, coaxing tone, "Don't say no so fast. Staying home all the time is so boring. Robert already agreed to go with me, and we haven't seen everyone since graduation. You should come, too!"

When he was dragged into the situation without warning, Robert seemed slightly helpless but didn't correct her. Instead, he simply indulged her with a soft look.

Then, all that warmth disappeared when he turned to Enola. His voice was cold and firm as he said, "Chloe is doing this for your own good. Don't make things difficult for her."

Enola forced a smile, swallowing the bitterness and self-mockery in her heart. She had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Chapter 3

The gathering was held at the most famous bar in Bakersville.

When Chloe arrived arm-in-arm with Robert, the entire room erupted in gasps of surprise. Meanwhile, Enola, who walked in behind them, was completely ignored.

She didn't mind. In fact, she welcomed the peace and quiet. Settling into a corner, she watched as Chloe basked in the attention, enjoying Robert's meticulous care.

He was doing things, like specifically choosing juices in her favorite flavor, draping a jacket over her shoulders the moment he noticed she was cold, and even saying a casual yet generous statement like, "Since Chloe is happy, drinks are on me tonight."

His effortless gestures sent waves of admiration through the crowd.

"Chloe, your boyfriend is incredible! I've seen him on TV before. He's the CEO of Shaw Corp! I can't believe you managed to get Mr. Shaw to come to a gathering like this!"

"I always thought Mr. Shaw was cold and untouchable when I saw him on TV. But now, I truly understand that even the most unattainable man can be soft and affectionate in front of the one he loves."

"Of course! Chloe and Mr. Shaw have been together for years. Every single date they go on is high-profile. I just wish I could find a boyfriend like that someday."

…

Amid the chatter, someone suddenly grew bold and called out, "Chloe, since you and Mr. Shaw are so in love, when's the wedding? You have to invite us when the time comes!"

Chloe's face instantly flushed red at the question. She tugged at Robert's sleeve, and he instinctively glanced toward the corner where Enola sat. She simply kept her head down while sipping her juice, seemingly indifferent.

His gaze darkened briefly before returning to normal. Then, he smiled indulgently while looking down at Chloe. "Very soon. We've already started planning the wedding."

A fresh round of congratulations broke out.

Just then, someone suggested playing a game. The group gathered around the table, pulling Enola in as well. They even encouraged her to get Robert to join.

She shook her head and explained, "Robbie never plays these kinds of games."

Chloe turned to Robert upon hearing her words. "Just this once—for me? It'll be more fun with everyone playing."

The moment she finished speaking, Enola saw Robert nod in agreement. The first round ended quickly, and Robert lost.

He flipped over the punishment card, revealing the task written in bold letters for everyone to see.

"Kiss a member of the opposite sex in the room for one minute."

Chloe's cheeks immediately turned scarlet. Robert chuckled, showing not a trace of hesitation. Amid the playful cheers and teasing, he pulled Chloe into his arms and kissed her deeply.

If Enola had witnessed this scene in the past, it would have devastated her. However, that was a long time ago, and she had already let go of those feelings. So, instead of reacting, she simply clapped along with the rest of the crowd.

The minute passed quickly. In the second round, Enola was the one who lost. This time, the punishment was to reveal the top contact in her phone.

She unlocked her phone without hesitation, and everyone's eyes immediately fixated on the name displayed at the top—Honey.

Someone blurted out in surprise, "Ennie, when did you get yourself a boyfriend? How come we haven't heard anything about it?"

She smiled and explained, "It's recent. You're all welcome to the wedding when the time comes."

With that, she put her phone away. As she lifted her gaze, her eyes met Robert's. His expression was dark and unreadable, but he didn't say a word.

It wasn't until she left for the restroom midway through the gathering that she ran into him again. This time, they were face-to-face, and his expression was ice-cold.

"What's the meaning of this? You know marriage isn't something to joke about."

Enola knew exactly what he was asking and didn't try to hide the truth. "I'm not joking. The reason I came back—aside from visiting my parents' graves—was to tell you that I'm getting married.

"Robbie, if you're willing, I'd like you to be my officiant and witness my love with my husband."

Officiant? Witness their love? The words that came out of her mouth sounded so absurd that they nearly made him laugh.

Perhaps he found what she said too ridiculous, as he simply crossed his arms and looked at her with an air of amusement instead of getting angry.

"Fine. You want to get married? Then, call your so-called husband. Let him tell me himself."

Seeing that he wouldn't let it go, Enola had no choice but to dial the number. The phone rang endlessly, only to be met with an automatic disconnect.

"There's a time difference. He's probably asleep," she explained honestly.

Robert let out a cold chuckle. "When a lie gets exposed once, don't keep trying to act your way through it. It only makes you look pathetic. Enola, stop using something like this as a joke."

With that, he turned and walked away without another word.

Just as his figure disappeared around the corner of the hallway, her phone vibrated with an incoming call. Parker was calling her back.

She answered, and his voice, which was still carrying a trace of drowsiness, came through the line, "Sorry, Ennie. I was asleep and missed your call. What's wrong?"

She sighed softly as she watched Robert's distant silhouette fade from sight. At this point, there was no point in chasing after him to explain.

After shaking her head slightly, she replied, "It's nothing. I didn't mean to disturb your rest."

Parker, who was now fully awake, chuckled gently. "Ennie, you know you can call me anytime. It's never a disturbance.

"Oh, by the way, the wedding preparations are underway. I remember you once designed a wedding dress for yourself. Are you bringing it back this time? Do you want to wear that one for the wedding?"

Enola hesitated for a moment before softly responding, "Alright."

…

The next morning, Robert and Chloe were nowhere to be seen when she came downstairs. She didn't think much of it. She then left for the bridal boutique alone after a simple breakfast.

The store assistant led her through the exhibition section and carefully took down the dress displayed at the very center.

The white gown hung quietly on the mannequin. She took it and slipped into it before standing in front of the full-length mirror, momentarily lost in a daze.

She had designed this dress with love years ago, imagining herself wearing it to marry Robert. Now, as she wore it once more, the man she was marrying was someone else entirely.

"Ennie? What are you doing here?" a familiar voice sounded from behind.

Chapter 4

Upon turning around, Enola saw Chloe and Robert, both looking surprised to see her. There was also a group of Chloe's close friends trailing behind them.

She lowered her gaze and explained, "I'm getting married soon. I ordered my wedding dress here earlier, so I came to pick it up today."

"You're really getting married? I thought you were joking," Chloe said, still visibly shocked.

Robert's expression darkened beside her, and his voice was laced with displeasure. "That's because it is a joke. Who could she possibly be marrying, and where would she even get married?"

Feeling helpless, Enola lowered her eyes and repeated, "It's real…"

But before she could finish, Robert's sharp voice cut her off, "Lying once is enough. What's the point of repeating the same lie over and over again?"

She couldn't understand why he was reacting so strongly to her wedding, nor did she feel the need to explain any further. Just as she was about to leave and ask the store assistant to pack the dress, Chloe's eyes landed on the gown she was wearing. Admiration flashed across her face.

"If this really is just a joke, Ennie, can you give me this dress? I just love the design."

Enola froze for a moment before instinctively shaking her head.

Robert's expression instantly darkened as he frowned. "You don't even need a wedding dress. Since Chlo likes it, just give it to her."

Pressing her lips together, Enola stood her ground without the slightest intention of giving in.

Seeing the growing storm in Robert's eyes, Chloe quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, now. That's enough. Why don't you wait outside for me? Let me talk to Ennie alone. It's easier for us ladies to settle things between ourselves."

Robert hesitated for a moment before finally turning to leave.

As Chloe strolled toward her with a smile, memories of the bullying Enola had suffered in school suddenly surfaced. Alarms blared in her mind, and she instinctively tried to feel. However, a sharp yank on her hair stopped her in place before she could take a step.

The next second, the sound of slaps rang out one after another.

A burning pain spread across her cheek, momentarily making her feel like she had been thrown back to her high school days, when she had been helpless against her tormentors. Then, forced to look up, she could only see Chloe's twisted grin as her vision blurred with tears.

"Strip that dress off her!" Chloe's group of girls swarmed toward Enola at her command.

A wave of fear and trauma surged through Enola. Her breathing turned ragged, and her entire body trembled as she curled in on herself, desperately trying to shield her clothes. Even so, how could she possibly fight off so many people alone?

The wedding dress was forcibly ripped from her body. A chill seeped into her bones, but even in her humiliation, it still wasn't enough for Chloe.

As if suddenly remembering something, Chloe pulled out her phone and began taking pictures, mumbling to herself with amusement, "A moment this scandalous has to be documented, don't you all think?"

"D-Don't…" Enola's voice trembled as she pleaded, but it only made Chloe even more excited as she snapped the pictures with greater enthusiasm.

The torment continued until a sudden ringtone pierced the air, abruptly interrupting Chloe's twisted fun.

Seeing Robert's name on the screen, Chloe immediately answered it. Her voice turned sickeningly sweet as she said, "Robert, what's wrong?"

"Did she agree?" his deep voice came through the line.

Chloe glanced at Enola, and a smug smile spread across her face. "Of course, don't worry. Ennie is easy to talk to. After some persuading, she agreed to let me have the dress."

Still on the phone, she led her group of friends out of the store, and their laughter faded as they disappeared.

Only when they were completely gone did Enola finally steady herself. She turned to the shop assistant, who had been hiding on the sidelines, and asked for clothes to change into.

She didn't go straight home after leaving the bridal boutique. Instead, she took the store's security footage straight to the police and filed a report.

What she didn't expect was that the moment she arrived back at her apartment, she received a message from the police station informing her that the case had already been withdrawn. Her heart sank. She immediately called them back.

"Ms. Crawford, a man claiming to be your guardian just came in. He said it was all a misunderstanding, so we closed the case."

Enola was in disbelief when they mentioned Robert. It wasn't until the officer on the other end confirmed it multiple times that she finally accepted the truth. She simply let out a bitter laugh after hanging up.

It wasn't long before Robert stormed into her room, and the first thing out of his mouth was an accusation. "Did you seriously call the police over a wedding dress?"

"Yeah, Ennie. You told me yourself that I could have it, so why did you suddenly change your mind?" Chloe chimed in from behind him. Her expression was filled with feigned innocence.

Enola ignored her completely and fixed her gaze on Robert. She said to him in a shaky voice, "Over a wedding dress? Robbie, have you seen the security footage? Do you know how she took that dress from me?"

His expression was full of impatience, and his response was like a blade stabbing straight through her chest.

"I don't need to see it. If you want to stay here, you need to get along with Chloe."

His words crushed the last bit of hope she had.

Of course, Chloe was his fiancée now. Naturally, everything revolved around her. How foolish Enola had been to think—even for a second—that he would take her side.

Her eyes turned red, and she shook her head with a self-deprecating smile. "There's no need. I won't be staying here, and I don't need to get along with her. I'm getting married soon."

Without sparing another glance at Robert's darkened expression, she turned and walked away, leaving his reprimands behind.

…

That night, Enola tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. As the night deepened, she became thirsty, and she groggily got up to get a drink.

After finishing her water, she made her way back to the room. When she was finally ready to lie down, she realized something felt off.

She immediately jolted awake. She glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings, making her pause in confusion. It took her a long moment to realize that she had entered the wrong room.

It was not just any room. It was the one Robert had never allowed her to step into.

Panic surged through her, and she turned to leave in a hurry. However, something on the wall caught her eye just as she moved. It was a rosary bracelet.

Her breath hitched. A cold wave of shock crashed over her, leaving her frozen in place.

Why was this rosary bracelet here?