The church bells rang softly as sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows.
Ivy Hart stood before the mirror in the bridal suite, her fingers trembling as she adjusted her veil.
Today was the day.
After three years of love, countless late-night promises, and endless obstacles, she was finally going to become Mrs. Damian Kingston.
"You look beautiful."
Her best friend, Chloe, smiled as she fixed the train of Ivy's white gown.
Ivy smiled back nervously.
"What if something goes wrong?"
Chloe laughed.
"With the amount of money your future husband spent on this wedding? Nothing can go wrong."
Ivy chuckled.
She wanted to believe that.
Her phone vibrated.
A message from Damian.
Can't wait to see you walk down the aisle. I love you, future wife.
Her heart melted.
She quickly typed back.
I love you too. See you soon, future husband.
She stared at the message for a long moment and smiled.
This was it.
The beginning of forever.
A knock suddenly sounded on the door.
A wedding coordinator stepped inside.
"Miss Hart, the ceremony will begin in thirty minutes."
Ivy nodded.
"Thank you."
As the coordinator left, another knock came, louder this time.
The door burst open.
Damian's younger brother, Ethan Kingston, rushed in.
His face was pale.
He looked like he'd seen a ghost.
Ivy's smile slowly faded.
"Ethan?"
He was breathing heavily.
"There's been an accident."
The room went silent.
"What?"
"Damian... his car crashed on the way here."
The bouquet slipped from Ivy's hands and fell to the floor.
"What are you saying?"
"He was taken to the hospital."
Her ears rang.
"No… no…"
Without another word, she gathered her dress and ran.
"Ivy!" Chloe shouted.
But she was already out the door.
---
The drive to the hospital felt endless.
Her hands shook violently.
This couldn't be happening.
Not today.
Not when they were supposed to get married.
The moment she arrived, she rushed into the emergency ward.
"Where is he?" she asked frantically.
Ethan guided her toward a waiting area.
"The doctors are still checking on him."
Ivy's legs gave out.
She sank onto a chair.
Her wedding dress spread around her like a pool of white silk.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
Finally, a doctor emerged.
"Are you his family?" he asked.
Ivy immediately stood.
"I'm his fiancée."
The doctor nodded.
"The patient suffered a concussion and several minor injuries. Fortunately, his life isn't in danger."
A collective sigh filled the room.
"But..." the doctor continued.
Ivy's heart clenched.
"He appears to have memory loss."
Silence.
"What?"
"We won't know how severe it is until he wakes up."
Ivy's entire body turned cold.
Memory loss?
No.
This wasn't real.
It couldn't be.
Suddenly, a nurse came running.
"Doctor! The patient is awake."
Everyone rushed toward the room.
Ivy's heart pounded.
She pushed through the doors and froze.
Damian was sitting up in bed.
A bandage wrapped around his forehead.
His face was pale.
But he was alive.
Tears filled her eyes.
"Damian..."
She ran toward him.
Before she could reach him, he frowned.
"Stop."
She stopped.
He stared at her.
There was no warmth in his eyes.
No love.
No recognition.
Only confusion.
"Who are you?"
The room went deathly quiet.
Ivy laughed nervously.
"Very funny."
No one laughed.
Damian's brows furrowed.
"I don't know you."
The words struck her like a slap.
"What?"
He looked at her wedding dress.
Then at the engagement ring on her finger.
His expression darkened.
"Why are you dressed like that?"
Ivy's breathing became uneven.
"Damian… it's me."
He remained silent.
She stepped closer.
"I'm Ivy."
Nothing.
The fear inside her grew.
"We're getting married today."
His face turned cold.
"Getting married?"
She nodded rapidly.
"Yes."
He looked around the room.
Then back at her.
"No."
Her smile slowly disappeared.
"No?"
"I would never marry someone I've never met."
The world seemed to stop.
"Damian..."
"I don't know who you are."
Tears filled her eyes.
"You can't mean that."
He stared at her as though she were a complete stranger.
"I think you've mistaken me for someone else."
Her hands shook.
"No… no, that's impossible."
The doctor stepped forward.
"Mr. Kingston suffered memory loss. He may not remember recent events."
Ivy grabbed Damian's hand.
"It's okay. You'll remember me."
He immediately pulled away.
The gesture felt like a knife to her heart.
His eyes narrowed.
"Security."
Everyone looked at him.
"I don't know this woman."
Ivy's face turned white.
"Damian..."
"If she's causing trouble, remove her."
A tear slid down her cheek.
"Causing trouble?"
He looked at her coldly.
"Are you some kind of stalker?"
The words shattered her.
Stalker.
He had called her a stalker.
The woman he had promised forever to.
The woman wearing his engagement ring.
Before anyone could speak, a soft voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"Damian…"
Everyone turned.
A beautiful woman stood there in a red dress.
She looked shocked.
Tears filled her eyes.
Then she rushed forward.
"Thank goodness you're awake."
She hugged him.
Damian looked confused but didn't push her away.
The woman turned toward everyone.
Then her eyes landed on Ivy.
A strange smile flashed across her face.
She held up her left hand.
A diamond ring sparkled on her finger.
"I'm Vanessa Sinclair," she said softly.
She tightened her grip on Damian's arm.
"And I'm Damian's fiancée."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Ivy felt the ground disappear beneath her feet.
"What…?"
Vanessa looked at her with pity.
"I'm sorry, miss, but I think you've made a terrible mistake."
Ivy stared at her.
Then at Damian.
Then at the ring.
Her breathing stopped.
This wasn't possible.
This had to be a nightmare.
Because today was supposed to be her wedding day.
So why did another woman just claim her groom?