Chapter 1

My lovers were brothers.

Right before the wedding, the older brother, Ethan, broke up with me yet again.

The next second, my phone rang with a call from the younger brother, Lucas:

"Autumn, let's get back together."

Five years. This was already the ninth time.

They always did this. One would string me along right up to the wedding and dump me, while the other swooped in right on cue to beg for reconciliation, over and over again.

I often felt like I wasn't their lover, but a shared toy passed between brothers.

Yet I was too desperate for love.

Even knowing it was a fire pit, I jumped in time and time again.

Until that night, when I overheard them chatting with Chloe, the adopted heiress.

"It's been five years. Why hasn't Autumn completely lost her mind yet?

Only three days left on our bet. If you guys lose, you owe me a sports car."

Ethan chuckled softly. "Deal. I'll even buy you a yacht."

Lucas played right along with her reckless banter: "Don't worry, I plan on leaving her at the altar this time. She'll definitely snap!"

I listened quietly from start to finish. No tears, no scene.

Suddenly, I just stopped craving love. I quietly quit my job, packed my bags, and cut off all contact.

When they finally found me again years later, I merely flashed the ring on my finger. Politely, I declined:

"Sorry, no getting back together this time."

"I'm married."

They were engrossed in their conversation out on the banquet terrace, completely oblivious to my presence.

I stood right by the doorway, quietly recording everything on my phone from start to finish.

It wasn't until a passing server softly called out to me:

"Miss, are you alright? You look really pale. Do you need any help?"

The voices inside cut off abruptly.

A moment later, Lucas pushed the door open. Seeing me, he wrapped an arm tenderly around my waist and smiled:

"Autumn, what are you doing out here?"

"It's breezy out. You're not feeling well, so let me take you inside and get you a hot drink to warm up."

I didn't pull away.

I let him lead me by the hand, just staring blankly at his profile.

Out of nowhere, I asked:

"Lucas, do you actually love me?"

His steps hitched for a split second.

Then, without missing a beat, he replied firmly:

"Of course I love you!"

"The second my brother broke up with you, I rushed right over to beg for you back, and I threw myself into planning our wedding. How could I not love you?"

"Don't worry, Autumn. I won't run away before the wedding like in the past. Tomorrow we'll go look at wedding dresses, and we'll tie the knot this very weekend!"

I opened my mouth, then closed it.

Honestly, Lucas was a terrible actor. The words "I love you" poured endlessly from his lips.

Yet in his eyes, there wasn't a trace of affection.

In the end, I just smiled and said nothing.

Back inside the ballroom, I sat down in a quiet corner while Lucas eagerly volunteered to fetch me a hot drink.

The ringing in my ears persisted, and my temples throbbed violently.

I opened my clutch to rummage through it, but the medication my psychiatrist prescribed wasn't there.

Lucas had forced this designer bag on me, stuffing it with all sorts of useless junk.

He had no idea I was sick, so naturally, he hadn't packed my pills.

I let out a helpless sigh, looking down at the engagement ring on my middle finger to distract myself.

Lucas had clearly bought it on a whim.

It was way too big.

It hung loosely on my finger, ill-fitting and awkward.

Then, my downcast gaze caught a pair of polished leather shoes stepping close. I looked up.

It was Ethan.

Chloe had her arm affectionately looped through his, smiling at me:

"What a coincidence. Are you and Lucas here for the gala too?"

"I heard you two are having your wedding this weekend. Huge congratulations! You literally just broke up with Ethan and now you're rushing to marry Lucas. Are you really that desperate to be loved?"

Beside her, Ethan kept a rigid face and echoed:

"Congratulations."

My head pounded horribly. I had no energy to engage with either of them.

Pretending not to notice the venom dripping from Chloe's words, I replied casually:

"Thank you."

"If you have time, you're welcome to come watch."

It was an outright lie. I had zero intention of going through with the wedding.

The three of them had teamed up to play me for five whole years.

Now that it was ending, it was only fair that I played them back.

I was going to ditch them first.