His Regret Began at My Wedding

I was getting married.

But the man I had spent eight years loving had no idea.

Lately, Adrian had been completely absorbed by his new personal assistant, Julian.

She had appeared in Varano territory six months ago, claiming to be a distant relative of a long-fallen southern family. No one could verify her story, yet Adrian welcomed her without hesitation. From the very beginning, they seemed to connect effortlessly. Their laughter echoed through the compound halls day after day, as though neither of them remembered I was there.

For Julian's birthday, Adrian personally ordered a ten-layer hazelnut torte from a famous bakery on Arthur Avenue. He knew I was severely allergic to tree nuts, yet somehow that fact had slipped his mind. At the celebration, Julian smeared frosting across his cheek, and Adrian laughed as he returned the favor. The two of them played around like carefree children while the room applauded, completely forgetting I was there.

No one noticed me.

……

No one noticed when the sweet scent of hazelnut reached me.

My throat tightened instantly, my chest seizing as panic surged through my body. I stumbled backward, knocking over a chair as I fought to reach the door. My lungs screamed for air, but every breath became harder than the last. The primal terror of suffocation clawed through me.

Before anyone realized something was wrong, darkness swallowed me whole.

When I woke up, I was lying in the compound's small medical room, surrounded by first-aid supplies and the sharp smell of antiseptic. A bitter ache spread through my chest.

That was the moment I finally agreed to the arranged marriage my family had suggested years ago.

My mother wasted no time. The second I returned to my room in the east wing and locked the door behind me, my phone began vibrating nonstop. Wedding plans, venue options, guest arrangements—dozens of messages flooded my screen.

I scrolled through them until my eyes landed on the last one.

"I always knew Adrian was never going to marry you properly. If he truly wanted to register your union before the Commission, why would he make you wait eight years?

"It's not too late, Seraphina. Everything has already been prepared.

"The wedding is in three days. Take your time packing. There's no need to rush."

I stared at the screen for a long moment.

The truth had become impossible to ignore. While I stubbornly clung to Adrian's promises, everyone around us had already seen through them.

Everyone except me.

Letting out a quiet sigh, I pressed the voice-message button.

"Mom, just choose whatever you think is best. I trust you. Let's keep everything simple."

I didn't hear Adrian approach. The bedroom door had been left slightly open, and apparently he had overheard enough.

His voice cut through the silence.

"Wedding? What wedding?"

My body stiffened, and I instinctively hid my phone. But Adrian was already reaching for it.

Before he could take it from me, his own phone suddenly rang. The sharp ringtone shattered the tension, and a frightened female voice burst through the speaker, loud enough for me to hear every word.

"Adrian! Someone's following me! I'm scared. I tried doubling back through the east side, but they're still there!"

Julian.

Adrian's expression changed instantly. His jaw tightened, and the concern in his eyes was immediate and unmistakable.

"Julian, go to the restaurant on Mulberry. Stay somewhere crowded. I'm on my way."

Without another word, he grabbed his coat from the hook and rushed out into the night.

The door slammed shut behind him.

I remained standing exactly where I was, my face calm. Only the twisting pain in my stomach betrayed what I truly felt.