Chapter 1

The sound of a champagne flute shattering on the red carpet drowned out the wedding march.

Everyone thought I was just overcome with emotion. Only I knew that face had been etched into my very being for five years.

My best friend pushed me onto the stage to give a speech. I smiled through the blessings, only to be yanked into his arms. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "You've lost weight."

During the toasts, he slipped a note into my hand: "She forced me to break up with you. Meet me on the rooftop tonight."

I looked up, meeting Serena's meaningful smile.

The note in my palm was drenched in cold sweat. Tonight's wedding, who was the real bride?

The sound of a champagne flute shattering on the red carpet drowned out the wedding march.

Everyone thought I was just overcome with emotion. Only I knew that face had been etched into my very being for five years.

My hands trembled, and shattered glass scattered at my feet. A server quickly came to clean it up. My best friend, Serena, rushed over, holding up the hem of her wedding dress, a bride's sweet smile on her face. "Autumn, what's wrong?"

I forced a smile. "Nothing, just slipped."

She linked her arm through mine, her grip so tight my wrist ached. "Good. I thought you were too excited seeing the groom."

Her words were a sharp jab right behind my eyes.

I looked up, meeting her curved, smiling eyes. Serena was my best friend of ten years. From high school to college, we were inseparable, shared everything—secrets, clothes, even a dorm room. When I had my heartbreak five years ago, she stayed up with me until 3 AM every night for three months.

But her expression now sent a chill down my spine.

The groom stood still, impeccably dressed, his gaze fixed directly on me. That look was all too familiar—five years ago, whenever he waited for me outside school after classes, that was the look he had.

Liam.

I silently repeated the name in my heart, my tongue feeling as if it had been burned.

"Autumn, why don't you come up and say a few words?" Serena pushed me forward. "You're my best friend."

She guided me to the microphone. Dozens of tables of guests watched me. Liam stood to my left, close enough for me to catch the faint scent of pine from him.

"I wish you both..." My throat tightened, my voice wavering. "I wish you a lifetime of happiness, and may your hearts always be one."

A round of applause filled the room.

Serena smiled contentedly, linking her arm through Liam's and resting her head on his shoulder. I turned to step off the stage, but a hand suddenly pulled me back.

Liam pulled me into his arms, a motion so forceful it was almost like he was snatching me.

He lowered his head, his lips almost touching my ear, and whispered in a voice only we could hear, "You've lost weight."

I froze.

His embrace was still as wide and strong as I remembered, his chest still as solid. But this hug should have belonged to his bride. Serena stood right beside us, her smile unwavering, as if this were all a pre-arranged part of the ceremony.

"The groom is just too enthusiastic!" the MC quickly smoothed over, chuckling. "It seems the bride's bridesmaid is simply too stunning, even the groom couldn't resist a hug!"

The guests burst into laughter.

I pulled free from his embrace, practically fleeing off the stage. I grabbed a glass of champagne and gulped it down. The icy liquid burned a path down my throat, but the fury in my chest only intensified.

During the toasts, I hid in a corner, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

"Autumn."

Liam was suddenly behind me, holding two glasses of wine. He handed one to me, his eyes holding something I couldn't decipher.

I took the glass, my fingers brushing his, and recoiled as if I'd been shocked.

"You shouldn't have come," he whispered.

"Your invitation had my name on it," I retorted, a cold laugh escaping me. "What, afraid I'd cause a scene?"

He didn't speak, just quickly slipped a piece of paper into my palm. His movement was so swift that none of the surrounding guests noticed.

"10 PM tonight, rooftop."

I looked down at the words on the note, my palm instantly drenched in cold sweat.

When I looked up, Serena stood not far away, holding a glass of red wine, and gave me a meaningful smile.

That smile was too perfect, so perfect it sent shivers down my spine.

I crumpled the note, my nails digging into my flesh. This wedding, from the moment the champagne glass shattered, was destined to be anything but a normal celebration.