Chapter 2

"Where are you?"

I stepped out of the musty basement, took a deep breath of the crisp air, and answered, "My rental place."

"I already told Lionel last time that I'd get you two a new place. You—"

I cut him off. "The bride price negotiations fell through, and he told me to come find you."

"You two lost another game and you're pulling my leg again, aren't you?"

"I'm not joking with you."

There was a full minute of silence on the other end before he replied, "Where do you want to meet? I'm having drinks at the Ginza Lounge right now."

"I'll come to you."

After I hung up, I flagged down a taxi.

My phone kept lighting up, messages popping up one after another.

I opened them, and the whole screen was nothing but congratulations.

Congratulations, Odette! Congratulations, Lionel! Wishing you both a happy marriage in advance!

After all these years, we've finally heard your wedding news. Congratulations!

Lionel had posted to his feed—a shot of his hand wearing a matching wedding ring, with the caption: Wedding date, August 17.

In an instant, the group chat exploded. It was full of Lionel's friends.

No one suspected that Lionel's bride had been swapped out; the moment they saw the wedding date, everyone tagged me.

Where's Odette? Why hasn't she come on to say something about news this big? @Odette

I stared at the messages in the group chat, my finger resting on the text box for a long time.

Where's Odette?

She's not just being shy, is she?

Six years of dating and they're finally getting married—Odette has to send out a big red packet!

I typed a few words, looked at them for a few seconds, then deleted them one character at a time.

I typed another line, then wiped it clean again.

I didn't know how to explain to so many people how my six-year relationship with Lionel had ended in a single day.

Just then, Lionel replied first.

I've received everyone's well wishes. Melanie and I have set things up at the Ginza Lounge tonight, eight o'clock. Everyone has to come.

The group chat instantly buzzed to life again. Nice, Lionel, the Ginza Lounge, all arranged—you're really spending big.

After all these years you're finally getting married. We've got to drink our fill tonight!

Where's Odette? Why hasn't she come on to say anything?

Someone tagged me again, and just as I was about to turn off my phone, a message suddenly popped up.

Wait, who's Melanie?

After that line, the messages that had been refreshing nonstop came to a dead stop.

A few seconds later, the system announced that Lionel had invited Melanie Harding to join the group chat.

Melanie quickly sent a message: Hi everyone, I'm Melanie Harding, Lionel's fiancée. I hope you'll all look out for me from now on.

No one replied.

One minute, two minutes, until almost ten minutes later, someone finally sent: Hello, ma'am.

Right after that, as if they'd all finally caught on, the others chimed in with their blessings one by one.

Nothing extra, just the same stiff congratulations.

Looking at those messages, I suddenly found the whole thing rather amusing.

I left the group chat, and when I looked up, the car had already stopped.

The driver turned around to remind me, "Miss, we're at the Ginza Lounge. That'll be thirty-five."

He held out a QR code, and I paid the fare and got out.

A row of luxury cars was parked outside the Ginza Lounge, all sorts of wealthy people milling about.

The moment I got out, someone called to me, "Odette?"

I looked up. It was a few of Lionel's friends.

They must have just arrived too, standing outside waiting for Lionel. One of them saw me, still smiling, and said without thinking, "Odette, which private room are we in today? This place must be pretty pricey. Lionel really went all out this time—well, of course, you two are getting married, so he's happy."

The words were barely out when the guy beside him yanked hard on his arm and whispered urgently, "Haven't you seen the group messages?"

He froze for a second, then immediately looked down and scrolled through his phone, and the smile on his face went stiff.

He looked up at me, opened his mouth, but couldn't get a word out for a long moment.

I paid it no mind and walked on inside.

I'd only taken a few steps when hushed muttering came from behind me.

"Why is she here too?"

"She's not here to cause a scene, is she?"

"Six years, and he just swaps her out like that. Who could stand that?"

"I honestly thought she was the bride—then out of nowhere there's this Melanie."

"Stop it, what if she hears you?"

I heard it, but I didn't turn around.

They all thought I'd come for Lionel.

And I couldn't blame them for thinking that. Even I never imagined that one day I'd sit down and talk marriage with Joseph Gilbert.