Theater: NovelMaster | Language: English | NEW
Synopsis
Tags: Betrayal, Cheating Ex, Strong Female Lead, Cutting Losses, Revenge
The night before our wedding, my fiancé, Derek, gave away the house we had prepared for three years—all for his precious first love.
"Chloe, Savannah is having a severe depressive episode. She said she wants to spend the night in our new house."
"Just stay at a hotel tonight. I need to be here for her."
He expected me to throw a fit like I always did, crying and begging him to stay. He had probably already rehearsed the speech to yell at me.
Instead, I just smiled, set my keys gently on the entryway console, and politely closed the door behind me.
Then, I posted on Ins:
"Groom is out. Wedding is still on tomorrow. Who wants to step in?"
Two minutes later, a comment appeared:
"I will."
The moment my keys clicked onto the console table, I heard Derek exhale in relief behind me.
Suddenly, he called out, "Chloe."
I stopped in my tracks without looking back.
"Savannah is in a really fragile state right now. Don’t overthink it. It’s just for one night."
"Okay," I replied, turning the doorknob.
There was a two-second pause before he added, "You always loved hotel stays anyway. Just treat tonight like a little getaway."
I said nothing and pulled the door shut behind me.
I was alone in the elevator.
The mirrored walls reflected my face. My makeup was still completely intact from my bridal trial run that afternoon.
The artist had told me this was the hottest bridal look of the season. She had placed tiny rhinestones at the outer corners of my eyes, telling me they made my eyes sparkle whenever I smiled.
I had smiled back then, and so had she.
Now, looking in the mirror, my lips were set in a flat, cold line.
I pulled out my phone and opened my contacts. Derek’s chat was still pinned to the very top.
Three minutes ago, he had posted a photo on Ins:
It was a picture of the crystal chandelier hanging in our living room.
He and I had brought that chandelier all the way back from our trip to Italy last year. We had agreed it had to hang in our home because, once turned on at night, it looked just like a starry sky.
His caption had only one word: *Safe.*
I knew who that was for. It was for Savannah.
Whenever Savannah had an anxiety attack, she loved looking at shiny things. Derek had mentioned it countless times.
He told me she had been terrified of the dark since childhood, and it only got worse after her parents divorced when she was sixteen. Only light could calm her down.
And so, using that exact excuse, he demanded I give up our new home to her.
He demanded I surrender three years of anticipation.
He demanded I surrender him to her, too...
The elevator chimed at the ground floor, and I walked out.
The doorman in the lobby greeted me, "Leaving so late, Miss Davis?"
I gave him a faint smile. "Yeah. Just running an errand."
"Mr. Vance isn't coming with you?"
"He’s busy."
"Ah, got it," the doorman replied, not pressing further.
I pushed open the glass doors. The night breeze rushed in, fluttering the hem of my dress.
I looked down at the champagne satin gown I was wearing—another piece I had tried on during the fitting.
Derek had been slumped on the couch scrolling through his phone back then, not even glancing up when he muttered a quick, "Looks nice."
Looking back, he probably didn't even know what color I was wearing.
I walked to the curb and hailed a cab.
The driver asked, "Where to?"
I paused for a second. "Anywhere. Just drive for now."
The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror, said nothing, and stepped on the gas.
The car glided through the midnight streets, streetlights streaking past one by one.
Suddenly, memories flooded back of my freshman year of college, when Derek gave a speech at orientation.
I was sitting in the third row, looking up at him.
Just one look.
That single glance led to three years of dating, three years of waiting, and three years of planning our future together.
We promised each other we’d build our careers first and get married once we were stable.
He went into investment banking, while I left an architecture firm to start my own interior design studio.
Together, we saved for five long years and finally bought that house last year.
Derek told me he trusted my taste completely, so I oversaw every single detail of the renovation myself.
When it was finished, he was amazed.
We made a promise that our wedding night would be our very first night staying in that house.
Yet tonight, Derek and Savannah had moved in ahead of schedule...
I didn’t even have the energy left to imagine what they were doing in there.
Leaning against the headrest, I opened my contacts. My thumb hovered over the screen for two seconds.
No messages. Not a single one.
Over the years, every time Savannah was involved, we fought.
Derek knew I would throw a fit. He knew I’d blow up his phone, crying and demanding to know what I did wrong.
And every single time, it started with his silent treatment and ended with my surrender.
Eventually, tired of my complaints and sad posts on Ins, he simply muted my account.
But tonight was different.
Remembering all those years of backing down, I opened Ins, tapped out a line, and posted it:
"Groom is out. Wedding is still on tomorrow. Who wants to step in?"Barely two minutes later, a notification popped up in the comments:
"I will."
Staring at the avatar of the person who replied, my heart skipped a beat.
It was Julian Hayes.
The most ruthless, powerful head of the elite Hayes family in the city. The very billionaire Derek had spent three desperate years trying to get a meeting with—only ever knowing his last name, unable to secure even a five-minute introduction.
Julian spent most of his time abroad. The public only read about him in top-tier business magazines, but his face was rarely photographed.
The only reason I had his direct contact was because a private client had once commissioned me to hand-deliver a custom painting to his penthouse.
Before I could even process the shock, my phone vibrated in my hand.
I took a deep breath and slid to answer.
"Where are you?"
Julian’s voice came through, deep and commanding.
I gripped the phone tightly. "In a cab. Heading toward the Hilton."
"Wait for me in the lobby. Ten minutes."
The line clicked dead. He didn't even give me a chance to say no.
Staring at the dark screen, a bitter laugh escaped my lips.
*Derek, you thought nobody would want me the night before our wedding. And now, Julian Hayes just called me.*
Was this fate playing a cruel joke?
Three years ago, Derek held my hand on the busiest corner of the city and made a vow.
"Chloe, the moment we buy our own place, I’m going to give you the most unforgettable wedding."
Back then, his entire world revolved around me. He would panic if I lost a single strand of hair.
Yet somewhere along the way, Savannah took over his life.
Whenever Savannah felt unwell, he left me behind while I burned with a high fever.
Whenever Savannah was in a bad mood, he canceled vacations we had spent six months planning.
And tonight, he gave away our brand-new home to her without a second thought.
He even looked me dead in the eye and said, "Chloe, Savannah has severe depression. Can’t you just be the bigger person?!"
I had to laugh.
He never realized that it was precisely because I had been "the bigger person" for so long that my love for him had been completely drained away by his endless excuses.
*Ding.*
A message popped up on my screen from Savannah.
It was a photo.
The setting was the master bedroom I had spent weeks decorating.
Savannah was wearing my pure silk nightgown, wrapping her arms around Derek’s waist from behind.
She looked at the camera with wide, innocent eyes, dripping with smugness.
"Chloe, Derek is helping me make the bed right now. Don't be scared staying at the hotel by yourself, okay?"
"Derek is only staying with me because of my depression. Please don't be mad at him."
The fake innocence practically oozed through the screen.
Looking at the photo, my lips curled into a cold, mocking smirk.
This was the man I had loved for three years.
Holding another woman in our bridal bed, acting like it was his moral duty.
I blocked Savannah's number without hesitation.
*Derek, if you love playing the hero so much, you don’t need to play the groom anymore.*
...
The cab pulled up in front of the Hilton.
I took a deep breath and stepped out into the crisp air.
Walking into the grand lobby, I immediately spotted the man sitting on the velvet couch.
Julian wore a bespoke midnight-black suit, long legs crossed.
Even sitting in total silence, the aura of power radiating from him was impossible to ignore.
He had actually beaten me here.
Looking at this untouchable figure, my feet felt suddenly rooted to the floor.
This was Julian Hayes—the most elusive, untouchable titan in high society.
What if he was just messing with me? How was I supposed to clean up that mess?
A sudden wave of panic washed over me.
Then, I thought about my parents. They had invited every single relative and friend to tomorrow’s wedding.
If the groom didn't show up, how would they survive the whispers and the humiliation?
Derek had already thrown away his dignity. I refused to let my parents lose theirs.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to walk over.I stopped before him, my throat feeling dry.
"Mr. Hayes."
Julian looked up, his deep, dark eyes locking onto mine.
"You're here."
He stood up and motioned for me to follow.
"Come on. Penthouse suite."
The elevator soared upward. In the enclosed space, the subtle scent of cold pine and cedar wood drifted from his suit.
Once inside the penthouse, I stood stiffly by the door, nervously wringing my hands.
Julian slipped off his jacket, tossed it casually over the back of the sofa, and loosened his tie.
"Sit down. No need to be nervous."
His voice was calm and unreadable.
I took a deep breath, deciding to lay all my cards on the table.
"Mr. Hayes, I don't know why you replied to my post, but tomorrow's wedding..."
"I happen to need a wife," Julian cut in, pouring a glass of warm water and handing it to me.
"My family has been pressing me to settle down. My grandfather’s health is failing, and his only wish is to see me married."
He studied me, a faint flicker of approval crossing his eyes.
"When you delivered that painting last time, you were professional, composed, and spoke only when necessary. You left a good impression on me."
"Rather than marrying some spoiled socialite with an agenda, I’d much rather marry you."
I froze, entirely caught off guard by his bluntness.
"B-but we don't have any feelings for each other."
"Feelings can be built after the vows."
Julian pulled out a chair, sat down, and tapped his long fingers against the table.
"Now, let's go over the details for tomorrow."
"The ceremony proceeds as planned. We just swap the groom's name to mine. Any objections?"
Looking at this man who commanded the room with effortless grace, I nodded firmly.
"None!"
Right at that moment, my phone buzzed again.
I answered and hit speakerphone.
"Chloe, are you done throwing your tantrum yet?"
Derek's irritated voice crackled through the speaker.
"Savannah finally fell asleep. I don't have time to constantly babysit your emotions."
"I’ll be at the wedding on time tomorrow. Use tonight at the hotel to reflect on your attitude."
"And don't show up tomorrow with a miserable face. Don't make us a laughingstock in front of our families!"
Hearing his words, a cold laugh escaped me.
Even now, he genuinely believed I was just throwing a childish fit.
He believed that with a single snap of his fingers, I’d come running back like an obedient puppy, wagging my tail with gratitude.
I spoke, my tone dead cold:
"Derek."
"Tomorrow, don't bother coming."
With that, I ended the call.
I immediately swiped over to my contacts and blocked Derek's number.
A text message instantly forced its way through before the block took effect:
*Chloe, that’s enough. Stop acting like a spoiled brat. Savannah needs someone by her side right now. I’ll be there tomorrow on time, so quit making drama.*
I laughed bitterly. He actually thought I was just "making drama."
"Do you need me to take care of him?"
A deep, velvety voice came from beside me.
Julian tilted his head slightly, watching me.
I swallowed, an unexpected flutter hitting my chest.
I couldn't fathom what a ruthless billionaire meant by "take care of him."
"No, thank you."
Taking a slow breath, I shook my head.
"I already told him not to come."
"If he still insists on making a scene, the only one getting humiliated won't be me."
Julian gave me a long, searching look, pressing no further.
"Get some rest, then. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Leaving me with those words, he turned and headed into the master bedroom of the penthouse.
I shut the door to the guest room and collapsed onto the massive king-sized bed.
The room was dead quiet. Memories from the past three years flashed across my mind like an endless film reel.
Every single time Derek and I went on a date, one phone call from Savannah was all it took for him to abandon me.
*"Savannah's having an episode. She only has me, Chloe, please be reasonable."*
*"Can you stop being so petty? The girl is sick, and you're competing with her?"*
Every righteous accusation he had ever thrown at me felt like a needle to the chest.
How blind and foolish had I been to let myself be his doormat for so many years?
Tears slipped down my cheeks, soaking the silk pillowcase.
I thought I would toss and turn all night.
Yet before long, a subtle, soothing fragrance drifted through the room.
The scent was unique, wrapping around my frayed nerves and gently unraveling the tension.
My eyelids grew heavy, and I drifted into a deep, uninterrupted sleep.When I opened my eyes, it was exactly seven in the morning.
"Good morning, Miss Davis."
I sat up abruptly, only to find an entire team standing in a neat row beside the bed.
World-class makeup artists, hairstylists, and a haute couture bridal gown hanging front and center, its custom crystals shimmering brilliantly under the morning sun.
"Mr. Hayes instructed us not to disturb your rest, so we will begin your styling now," the lead artist said with a warm, respectful smile.
I sat there dazed. Julian had arranged everything down to the smallest detail.
He had even predicted my insomnia—that scent last night was undoubtedly a calming sleep mist he had ordered for me.
Hair, makeup, gown—everything moved with seamless precision.
By ten in the morning, I arrived at the venue on schedule.
Hardly any of Derek's relatives had shown up anyway, leaving only a handful of his rowdy drinking buddies loitering around the hall.
"Escort those irrelevant people out," Julian commanded his chief assistant, his arm casually resting around my waist.
Several burly security guards in dark suits moved instantly, physically dragging Derek's friends out of the venue.
"Chloe! What on earth is going on?!"
My parents came rushing out from the backstage lounge, their faces pale with shock.
"Why is the groom's name different? Where is that bastard Derek?"
My mother’s eyes were rimmed with red as she grabbed my hand, voice trembling.
Seeing how panicked they were, I took a deep breath and told them everything that had happened the night before.
From Derek giving away our bridal home to Savannah, to him telling me to go stay in a hotel, I didn't hide a single detail.
"That absolute scoundrel! How dare he treat my daughter like this?!"
My father shook with rage, his fists clenched tight.
"I’m getting a crew together to beat him into the dirt! We’re calling off this wedding! We’re going home right now!"
My mother broke down, reaching for her phone to scream at the Vance family.
"Mom, Dad, please, calm down," I urged, holding them back.
"All our friends and relatives are sitting out there right now. If we call off the wedding, our family becomes the punchline of the town."
"If Derek wants to throw away his pride, let him drown in it."
My parents exchanged stunned glances before turning their gaze toward Julian, whose quiet authority dominated the room.
"And... Mr. Hayes? How does he fit into this?" my mother whispered, her guard up.
"It’s a mutual arrangement. We both needed a partner," I said, squeezing my mother’s trembling hand to reassure her.
"There are too many guests out there right now. I’ll explain all the details after the reception."
"Mom, Dad, trust me. I won’t let myself get hurt."
My father looked out at the packed banquet hall, then took in Julian's undeniable elegance and aristocratic poise, finally letting out a long sigh.
"Alright. As long as you aren't suffering, we stand behind you."
Around eleven in the morning, the ceremony officially commenced.
Julian’s family was already seated elegantly in the front row. Every one of them wore warm, dignified smiles, giving me the utmost respect and honor.
The atmosphere was grand and breathtaking, with cameras flashing continuously toward the altar.
Just as the officiant stepped up to announce the entrance of the bride and groom, the heavy double doors of the ballroom were slammed open with a violent bang.
Derek rushed in, his suit wrinkled and disheveled.
Clinging tightly to his arm was a pale, fragile-looking Savannah.
"Chloe, are you out of your damn mind?!"
Chapters (4)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Watch & Promotions
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