Chapter 1

"Melisa, you know we don't have any choice."

Seeing her daughter sitting quietly at the dressing table, the middle-aged woman said in a soft voice as if Melisa was being unreasonable.

Melisa felt something blocking her throat, so painful. Taking deep breaths, she controlled her tears who were threatening to fall.

Seeing her still silent, the woman gave a prompting gaze to her husband who was just standing there.

"Melisa, as an elder daughter you should understand. Cancelling this marriage at the last minute would affect our company badly so just marry instead of your sister, okay? Do this for us."

Hearing her father's voice, Melisa nodded slowly. She had seen this scene in her dream, but it still hurted her so much that she could not even utter some words. She was just older by few minutes, why did she have to cover Olivia every time?

Seeing her agree, the middle-aged couple who felt a tinge of guilt for forcing her to marry, felt a wave of relief.

Thinking of their younger daughter, Olivia's protest, they said in a pretentious angry voice.

"How can this girl still act so childish? She was the one who insisted to get married, now at the last minute she backed out."

Hearing her parents' tone laced with helpless pampering, Melisa was unfazed. She had grown up seeing her parents pamper her twin sister just because she had a weak constitution since birth.

Thinking of the strange, vague dreams that had haunted her every night since her twentieth birthday, a cold light flashed in Melisa's eyes. She would live this life solely for herself. She would never end up like the pathetic version of herself in those dreams.

"This will be the last sacrifice I make as a sensible daughter and a responsible sister. After this marriage, I will only be Melisa," she thought.

Wiping her tears, she glanced at the mirror. A beautiful woman with teary, warm hazel eyes, draped in a white, fluffy wedding gown, gazed back at her.

Wrapped in the wedding dress chosen by her sister, she looked like a misplaced dream—too poised, too serene for a gown that begged for innocence and liveliness.

Melisa fidgeted with her fingers as she thought of her future, not even noticing the faint, bloody taste on her lips from biting down too hard.

Tristan Soveir—her sister's ex, now her soon-to-be husband—was infamous for his reputation as a notorious playboy.She had never met him face to face for 12 years but she had seen him from afar and overheard similar rumors at gatherings like: "He swaps girlfriends like a gambler changes bets—never sticking to one for long."

That was why, when he had stayed with Olivia for more than four months, everyone had been surprised. Olivia had believed her love had changed him. She had been so convinced they were soulmates that she had insisted on Although she backed out at last minute.

Melisa's tears, which she had tried so hard to hold back, spilled like pearls from a broken string at the thought of her soon-to-be in-laws. Mrs. Soveir had always treated her kindly, never ignoring her even in Olivia's presence. Melisa didn't know how she would face them now.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Melisa, come out." Her father's calm voice resonated through the room—devoid of the sadness one would expect from a father about to give his daughter away.

Calming herself, Melisa placed the veil over her head, hiding her face and reddened eyes. She wrapped her right arm around her father's as they walked toward the altar, surrounded by the cheers of the guests.

She walked slowly, her gaze lowered, her vision hindered by the veil. When her father stopped, leaving her standing opposite the groom, she lifted her eyes hesitantly.

The officiant's voice echoed through the decorated hall.

"Leonard Soveir, will you take Melisa Everhart to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"

Melisa's breath caught. Leonard?

Shock rippled through her. Had she misheard? Leo?

The officiant repeated her name, pulling her back to the present.

"I will," she replied hastily.

"Now, you may kiss the bride," the officiant announced.

Melisa stiffened, anxiously waiting for him to lift her veil.

As the guests cheered, Melisa felt a gentle tug at her wrist, pulling her into a warm embrace. A hand lifted her veil, and her breath hitched.

Those familiar grey eyes.

The same ones that had haunted her dreams—the same ones that had once held warmth for her.

Leonard's expression froze, mirroring her shock. He hadn't expected her.

"Melisa...?" His voice was barely above a whisper, unreadable.

Before she could react, he leaned in—his lips just a breath away from hers.

And then, in the stunned silence, he murmured words that made her heart stop.

"What are you doing here?"