BOOK 1

Chapter 1

My fiancé, who was supposed to be on a business trip to Sydney, was quarantined in a hotel in Wollongong due to an outbreak. Along with him was his ex-girlfriend. As the bride-to-be, I only learned about this the day before our wedding. Over twenty days later, he finally showed up in front of me, telling me he would reschedule the ceremony. I flashed the diamond ring on my finger with a smile.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Chase, but I'm already married."

-----

I was having my final makeup trial when Nathan's call came through.

Outside the room was bustling with activity. My close friend, Tina, and my cousin, Freddie were debating how to tie the balloons to make them look decorative.

I laughed as I pressed the speakerphone button, softly asking, "Nathan, are you back from Sydney?"

A week ago, Nathan told me that he had to go discuss a long-delayed cooperation case in Sydney.

He was very irritable when the lockdown had halted this Sydney project, so now that the lockdown was lifted, I obviously couldn't stop him from going.

Before he left, he promised me that he would definitely return within three days, just in time for us celebrate Valentine's Day together.

But three days turned into five, and five days has led us to now.

Nathan was silent for a moment, then he said guiltily, "Necia, I'm sorry. I may not be able to return in a short while."

He added, "Could you possibly postpone the wedding date? I'll get my parents to settle the relatives. When I get back, we can have an even grander celebration."

My smile froze on my face. Before I could ask for an explanation, a charming female voice from his side cleared up my doubts.

"Nathan, how long will we have to quarantine in Wollongong? If I had known this was going to happen, I wouldn't have asked you to accompany me..."

The next second, the call was disconnected.

The highly-paid makeup artist, holding a curler, stood next to me, looking at me with awkward sympathy in her eyes.

"Miss Lynne, shall we continue?"

I looked at my own reflection in the mirror, exquisitely made up, and with long hair spread out. A few minutes ago, I had still considered myself the happiest woman in the world.

Outside the door, the playful noises of Tina and Freddie continued.

Pinching the palm of my hand to calm myself down, I smiled apologetically at the artist, "Sorry, could you wait for a bit? I need to make a phone call."

The woman's voice just now sounded extremely familiar. I needed to confirm if my guess was correct.

The call connected quickly.

Reagan on the other end was as always nonchalant. "Well now, why would the bride think to call me? Suddenly have a change of heart and ready to come to the good side, are we?"

"I want to ask you something. Where did you meet Jennifer?"

"Sydney. Why do you suddenly ask about her? Don't tell me Nathan ran off with her."

I slightly hunched my body, it felt like someone had punched me in the chest, it hurt.

So it turns out, Nathan's earlier annoyance and agitation wasn't because the collaborative case couldn't continue, but rather he was worried about his ex-girlfriend.

The corners of my eyes were stinging and swelling, yet I wouldn't cry.

"Reagan," I called his name in a choked voice, "You once said that if Nathan doesn't want me anymore, I could consider you. Does that offer still stand?"

As soon as the sound of my words faded, the sound of glass shattering as it fell to the ground, came from the other end.

Reagan swore quietly, "Damn, did he really run off with Jennifer?!"

"No, I don't want him anymore...So, will you marry me or not?"

A message alert on my phone, revealed a brief text from Nathan a few minutes ago: "Wait for me patiently, I'll explain when I get back."

As our wedding day quickly drew near, he went to Wollongong with his ex-girlfriend to celebrate Valentine's and now he expects me to wait for him??

Even if the wedding date is rescheduled, the news of him standing up Siegfried's granddaughter and delaying her wedding will surely become the talk of the town.

I refuse to lose face like this, and neither will I allow my family to go through it!

I know it's unfair to Reagan, so I softened my tone a little: "Do this one favor for me, please. I won't restrict you after we get married. We can sign a property agreement, if you want a divorce, I won't take a cent that's yours. You like the Daffodil Field porcelain plate from Doulton's, right? I can give that to you too."

Reagan deliberates for a while, then asks earnestly, "Have you thought this through? No regrets?"

"No regrets."

"Alright, I will marry you tomorrow!"

After ending the call, I sent a message back to Nathan.

"Let your relatives know on your side. I'll handle it on mine."

Then, I typed into the family group chat: "Nathan and his previous girlfriend have become isolated in Wollongong, no idea when they will return. Contact the hotel. Change the name of the groom to Reagan Walsh. The wedding will still be held as scheduled, tomorrow."

The message was like a bombshell, causing an uproar in the family group chat.

Freddie rushed into the room, questioning anxiously: "Cuz, what's going on? Did that jerk Nathan cheat on you....and now he's standing you up? He dares think he can do this to you, I'll call him right now, and give him a big piece of my mind!"

I signaled the makeup artist to continue and softly reassured Freddie: "No need. The ones who lose face because of the last-minute change in bridegroom are the Chase family."

"Make sure to keep this incident under wraps. Let's avoid letting Nathan know this before the wedding."

Freddie appeared puzzled and asked me in surprise: "But why, Cuz?"

"Because... I want to publicly slap him in the face."

Nathan, Reagan, and I all grew up together on a military Base.

Whilst I got along well with them both... the two of them have been at odds since childhood.

Nathan was the stereotypical model child - exceled in studies, worked methodically, and was composed.

As in Grandfather Walsh's words, Reagan's like a wild monkey. It's one thing for him to cause trouble, but he'd always drag me into his mess as well. He knew that his grandfather wouldn't punish me, and so his punishment would be much lighter.

However, he forgot that what his grandfather was not willing to do, my grandfather was!

Ever since we were little, I've been frequently punished alongside him, yet it cultivated a profound bond of comradeship.