Chapter 1:
At the wedding, Elyse Lloyd panicked, grabbing Theo Ward's wrist to stop him from leaving. Her eyes pleaded with him as the venue, filled with their families and friends, waited silently. The officiant had just asked Theo if he would marry Elyse. Instead of answering, Theo ignored him, answered his phone, and abruptly tried to leave.
"Kaelyn knows about our wedding, and she's threatening to jump off a building," he explained impatiently, pushing Elyse aside. "You know about her depression, don't you? I have to go save her." The push sprained Elyse's ankle, and as she fell, she awkwardly reached out, trying to hold him back.
"This is our wedding day! What am I supposed to do if you leave?" she cried. "Kaelyn Bennett stabbed you in the back before! She's caused you so much pain—why are you going to see her now?"
Theo's gaze hardened. "You're not in a position to judge my relationship with Kaelyn. Regardless of her past actions, you don't compare to her."
A sharp pain pierced Elyse's heart. She realized he'd never truly forgotten Kaelyn; she would never be as important to him. "What did I do to deserve this? Why are you treating me like this? Please, just wait until after the ceremony. We're almost ready to exchange rings. You can leave then. Are you really prioritizing a life over a wedding? You're so heartless. Let's reschedule."
Without looking back at her pale face, he strode away from the ornate altar, oblivious to the stunned guests. His departure erupted into chaos.
"No, please don't leave me, Theo!" Elyse cried, sitting pitifully on the floor, trembling. Tears streamed down her face, ruining her makeup. The man she'd loved for three years had, on their wedding day, disregarded her dignity and chosen another woman. He was consumed by Kaelyn's distress, indifferent to Elyse's humiliation and despair. Countless eyes watched—some mocking, some pitying, others gloating. Elyse had never felt such torment.
Her father, Lanny Lloyd, approached, but instead of comfort, he scolded her harshly. "You can't even keep a man. How useless." He left with his wife, Glenda, without a backward glance.
Her sister, Mabel Lloyd, emerged from the crowd with a smirk. "Well, that's embarrassing, Elyse. Your groom ran off, and now you're a laughingstock. I'm embarrassed for you. Imagine how Mom and Dad feel." She then turned and left.
One by one, Elyse's family departed, leaving her completely alone. Theo's parents initially felt guilty, but after witnessing her family's reaction, their guilt vanished.
"Even her own parents didn't support her," one whispered. "It seems this isn't entirely Theo's fault."
"Yes, if she were a good partner, why would her fiancé leave her?"
"Did she cheat on him? What else would make a groom leave like that?"
The murmuring criticism grew louder and harsher. Suddenly, Elyse noticed a man in a suit sitting alone in a wheelchair. The flustered officiant asked, "Where is your bride?"
Wiping away her tears, Elyse stopped a passing staff member. "That man is a groom, right? Where is his bride?"
The staff member glanced at her. "She didn't show up. I heard it was because she couldn't handle his disability."
"And he's been waiting here all this time?"
The staff member nodded.
The groom was facing away, and they were some distance apart. Elyse couldn't see his expression, but she understood the pain of abandonment. They were both unfortunate souls, left alone.
After a moment of reflection, a determined look settled on Elyse's face. She had loved Theo for three years, but he had betrayed her. Why should she remain loyal? She realized she didn't need him.
As she stood, the whispering guests fell silent. All eyes turned to her as she lifted her dress hem and confidently walked toward the man in the wheelchair. The sight of a bride in a white wedding dress stunned his guests. Hearing the rustle of her dress, the man slowly turned.
Elyse stopped, gazing at the handsome man, surprise in her eyes. She extended her hand. "Hello, I heard you're in need of a bride. My groom just left me. How about we get married?"