"Go tell Andrew the truth. Tell him you used to sell yourself. Tell him I kept you for three years. Tell him your first time was with me. And the money he's using now? That came from what you earned in my bed. If you can't say it, then end things with him. Don't make me wait too long, Rosalyn. I don't have that kind of patience."

Rain came down the second Rosalyn stepped outside. Old memories kept coming back, one after another. Five years had passed, but it still felt like she hadn't gotten out of it.

Her phone kept ringing and dragged her back to the reality. She saw Andrew's name and picked up.

"Where are you?" Andrew asked urgently.

She hesitated before answering, "Sorry, I forgot to tell you earlier. My friend just went through a breakup, so I went out with her for a drink. Just wait for me at home. I'll be back soon."

"Alright."

After the call ended, the uneasy feeling didn't go away. It got worse. She went to the mall right away and bought new clothes. The ones Nathan had touched went straight into the trash.

Later, when she met Andrew, she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. "Sorry for making you worry with those missed calls."

Andrew said nothing at first. He just stared at her, his expression hard to read. "Is that what you were wearing when you left this morning?"

The question threw her off. He usually didn't care about such details. Half the time, he wouldn't even notice what she wore.

"I ran into a homeless guy earlier. He grabbed my dress, and it got dirty. I just bought a new one and changed." Her voice came out steadily, but her heart was pounding hard.

"Really?" Andrew asked, a faint smile on his face. The way he looked at her made it obvious. He didn't believe her at all.

Nathan's threats kept ringing in her ears. At that moment, she didn't want to hide her past anymore. She wanted to tell Andrew everything.

"Andrew, I..." Rosalyn made up her mind to tell him everything, but before she could continue, his phone suddenly rang.

The sharp sound cut through the moment. Her eyes dropped to the screen, and the name "Nathan Harvey" made her freeze.

Without wasting time, Andrew picked up and turned on the speaker.

Nathan's voice rang out. "I've already signed the contract. Come by tomorrow morning to collect it, Mr. Murray. And your fiancée handled everything well. She's highly capable. It's not often you come across someone like her."

Each word hit Rosalyn like a shock. Her thoughts began to spiral, and she could barely steady herself. She pressed her fingers into her palm until it hurt, bracing for whatever Nathan might say next.

But the call ended just like that. Nathan didn't push things further.

A quiet breath slipped out of her as the tension eased, though it didn't last long. Her phone lit up.

She turned slightly and checked it. It was a message from Nathan. "My patience is limited, Miss Carter. You should understand that better than anyone."

Her brows tightened as she deleted it without a second thought.

When she turned around and faced Andrew again, his eyes were already on her.

She slipped her phone behind her back and shifted the topic. "Your parents. When are they coming?"

She figured that since she was going to say everything, she had to be honest about all of it before the wedding. Keeping it hidden wouldn't change anything because Nathan would make sure her past came out anyway, and that wouldn't be fair to Andrew or his family.

Andrew clenched his jaw before speaking. "Honey, Mr. Harvey just praised you. You've helped me more than you know."

His fingers brushed along her neck, slow and deliberate. "Once you're done trying on the wedding dresses tomorrow, I'll set up a meeting with them."

A small nod from her followed. "Okay."

Meanwhile, tension filled the hotel room.

"Who exactly is she?" Julia Sutton stepped forward and threw a stack of photos onto the table.

Without rushing, Nathan adjusted the belt of his robe. Only then did his attention shift toward the scattered images. In every shot, two figures stayed pressed close, leaving no room for doubt.

Nathan raised an eyebrow. Traces of Rosalyn still lingered in the room, but the evidence of their encounters had already reached Julia.

"Your father approached my family to propose this marriage arrangement between us. You should at least act like it matters. I paid five million to keep these photos from spreading. If I hadn't, they'd already be everywhere by now. If you can't control yourself, then learn how to keep her hidden. I don't want to deal with this kind of trouble again," Julia said, crossing her arms without softening her tone.

Her eyes stayed on the photos longer than needed. Even in the photos, the woman's figure stood out in a way that drew attention without effort.

Nathan reached out and gathered the photos in one sweep. "Where are the negatives?"

A short laugh slipped from her lips. "Gone. Looks like you do care about your reputation."

No response came from him.

Julia said, "Don't show up late for the wedding dress fitting tomorrow."

Before stepping out, she glanced around the room, her nose scrunching as if the place offended her. Rumors from the paparazzi echoed in her mind, stories about how long their time together had lasted.

The door shut behind her. From the other side, her voice carried faintly. "Shameless."

For five years, Julia had carried the title of Nathan's fiancée.

At that time, Nathan hadn't taken control of the Harvey family yet. His mother's expectations still held him in place, and his overbearing cousin constantly pressed down on him.

Only by gaining the Sutton family's backing could Nathan truly secure his place as the successor.

Fortunately for Nathan, Julia cared only about the authority he held within the Harvey family. She showed no urgency to rush into marriage, and he was more than willing to let the matter drift.

As a result, the wedding kept getting delayed. One year turned into another until five years had quietly passed.

If Rosalyn had never shown up again, Nathan's life would've continued along the path that had already been laid out for him.

Yet, the last thing Nathan expected was to run into Rosalyn at the bridal boutique the very next day.

"I want that dress," Julia said. Her eyes swept briefly over Rosalyn before settling on the wedding gown Andrew was holding.

Rosalyn lowered her gaze slightly. She recognized the woman as the Sutton family's daughter and Nathan's fiancée, also the reason she and Nathan had parted ways five years ago.

Five years ago, Rosalyn had envied Julia. But now, upon seeing her again, that old feeling had vanished.

"It's fine," Rosalyn said gently as she tugged at Andrew's sleeve. "We can just look for a different one."

Andrew responded, "Why should we? Just because she wants it, that means we have to give it up?"

Rosalyn paused, unsure what he truly meant. "It's only a wedding dress. I'm the one who'll wear it, and I really don't mind. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"

A trace of irritation crossed Andrew's face.

Hoping to calm things down, Rosalyn spoke with quiet patience. "I'm serious. It really doesn't matter."

Before the situation could grow tense, the sales assistant quickly stepped forward with another dress. "The two gowns are almost the same. The only difference is the neckline. Once they're worn, they look nearly identical. Both of you could try them on."

Feeling awkward, Rosalyn took the dress and walked toward the fitting room.

Moments after she slipped out of her clothes, she realized something was missing. A few accessories hadn't been brought in with her. She quickly sent Andrew a message, asking him to let the sales assistant deliver them.

Not long afterward, someone knocked on the door. Rosalyn opened it without thinking. The next instant, Nathan stepped inside, bringing a rush of cold air with him.

"This is a bridal shop," Rosalyn said in a hushed voice, her brows knitting together. "The fitting rooms might not have cameras, but the hallway outside definitely does."

"You told me you would be honest with Andrew. Yet here you are, trying on a wedding dress. Tell me. Does he know anything about what happened between us?" Nathan's voice was cold, his usually emotionless eyes now holding a trace of anger.

"It's not like what you think... I just haven't found the chance to tell him yet."

Before she could say anything else, another knock sounded against the door.

Andrew's voice came from the other side. "I brought the hair accessories."

The handle began to turn.

Rosalyn opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her eyes widened as she stared at Nathan, who still stood close against her.

Instead of stepping away, Nathan turned his back to her. One hand rested on the door handle while he looked over his shoulder with a faint, provoking smile.

He had always been skilled at pushing her patience to the limit.

"Wait!" Rosalyn blurted out, closing the door without hesitation.

The dull thud was like a needle, piercing the fragile facade they maintained.

"Rosalyn?" Andrew pushed from outside. "Is everything alright in there?"

"I'm fine," she answered quickly, her breathing uneven. "Just... still putting the dress on."

A laugh came from the other side of the door. "Why so shy?"

Andrew's tone was mild, lacking warmth or any particular emotion, but it made Rosalyn feel strangely uneasy. That sensation grew stronger when she lifted her gaze and saw Nathan's face.

Moments earlier, he had worn a smirk, but now, it had vanished. His eyes held a dark glint that was unsettling.

Rosalyn bit down on her teeth and pulled the door open just enough to slip out.

The zipper on the back of her dress still hung loose. She turned around and lowered her head slightly. "Andrew, could you help me zip this up?"

Andrew agreed and stepped forward without hesitation. Yet, his eyes slowly shifted away from her back and toward the dressing room she'd just stepped out of.

The door was slightly ajar. Through the narrow opening, a faint shadow seemed to move inside.

Andrew slowed his actions. His breathing became quiet as he held himself still.

"Is it finished?" Rosalyn asked. Anxiety pushed her to leave as soon as possible.

"It's done." Andrew pulled the zipper up in one swift motion, almost catching Rosalyn's skin.

Rosalyn flinched slightly but kept silent. After a glance at her reflection in the mirror, she spoke. "Andrew, this dress feels a little tight on me. Let's look for another one, shall we?"

Instead of answering, Andrew turned his gaze toward another fitting room nearby. At that moment, the door opened.

Julia stepped out wearing a wedding dress that looked almost identical to Rosalyn's.

In Andrew's eyes, Julia was undeniably attractive. Still, when she stood beside Rosalyn, her presence seemed to fade slightly.

Andrew suddenly reached for Rosalyn's hand and held it up while looking at the dress on her. "Does it feel a little tight? Maybe you should cut back on food before the wedding. I'll join you on a diet."

He seemed extremely pleased with the wedding dress on Rosalyn.

Rosalyn's brows tightened for a brief moment. When she lifted her head, her gaze met Julia's across the room.

Julia carried herself with a cool and distant air. Her expression revealed almost nothing. Her eyes slowly swept through the room before landing on Rosalyn.

Even though Rosalyn looked more striking in comparison, Julia didn't show the slightest embarrassment. Instead, she lifted her brow with a trace of disdain. "Have you seen my fiancé anywhere?"

Rosalyn pressed her lips together and shook her head quietly.

Before the silence could settle, Andrew spoke up. "I actually saw Mr. Harvey here earlier. I thought he came to find you."

"Oh..." Julia's gaze shifted back to Rosalyn, this time studying her more closely. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

The memory of the previous night surfaced in Julia's mind. The lighting in that hotel room had been dim. She hadn't bothered to look closely at the woman tangled up with Nathan in the photos at the time. But now, as she stared at Rosalyn, recognition dawned. The woman who had been involved with her fiancé last night was the same woman currently trying on a wedding dress that looked almost like hers.

Andrew let out an easy laugh. "Mrs. Harvey, this is my fiancée, Rosalyn. She used to stay in Okemont for a while to study dance. Maybe you crossed paths back then."

A cold laugh slipped from Julia's lips. She clearly had no interest in hearing about the lives of ordinary people. "Nathan and I haven't held our wedding yet," she said flatly. "Just call me Miss Sutton."

After that, Julia turned slightly and gestured toward the sales assistant nearby. "Bring me my handbag."

Within a few brief exchanges, Julia had already taken out her phone and called Nathan.

The call connected, yet the line remained silent.

A faint crease appeared between Julia's brows. She didn't complain about the missed call. Instead, she looked toward the sales assistant and said flatly, "This dress doesn't suit me. I don't want it."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked straight into the dressing room.

Andrew leaned to Rosalyn and murmured, "Honestly, you look far better in that dress than she does. To me, you're the most beautiful one here."

His words should have comforted her, yet Rosalyn felt something tighten in her throat.

During the drive home, regret crept in. Rosalyn wished she had told Andrew about her past from the beginning. If she had, she wouldn't feel this uneasy now.

Meanwhile, Andrew seemed to be in good spirits. He chatted happily about their future wedding and occasionally reached over to hold her hand with warmth.

"Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you," Andrew said suddenly. "The contract has been finalized. Harvey Group will send the first payment soon." He lifted two fingers with a smile. "Twenty million. That amount is enough to help my company get through this crisis. It's a huge relief for us. But there's an supplementary agreement to sign."

The words made her heart sink. "Supplementary agreement?"

Three years spent beside Nathan had shown her exactly how he handled business. Could this supplementary agreement hide some kind of trap?

"Don't worry. I've already looked through it carefully. It's just a normal risk control clause. Nothing unusual," he said reassuringly.

Rosalyn opened her mouth as if to respond. Before she could speak, Andrew leaned in and kissed her without warning.

Normally, she would have responded. But this time, her lips stayed tense.

A shiver ran through her body. She quickly pulled away and wriggled out of Andrew's arms. Nathan's smug smile suddenly appeared in her mind.

Feeling uneasy, Rosalyn lowered her eyes and spoke quietly. "Andrew, I'm a little tired."

"Sorry for not being considerate enough. After all that trying on the wedding dress, you really need a rest." He didn't mind her rejection.

Once home, Rosalyn almost fell asleep immediately and didn't wake until the afternoon had passed.

When she finally reached for her phone, several messages from her friend Eleanor Collins appeared on the screen.

"That jerk just announced the wedding news."

"Isn't he worried about karma after showing off like that?"

"If he comes bothering you again, just send him the photos and remind him he's already taken."

Rosalyn opened the newly released pictures. Seeing them made her mind feel slightly clearer. Nathan and Julia stood together in the photos like a perfect match. Their families were equal in status, and their appearances suited each other. When their wedding day arrived, there was no doubt the entire city would be talking about them.

What Rosalyn couldn't understand was this. Nathan already had everything. So why did he still insist on dragging her back into his life?

A sharp headache throbbed in her temples. After staring at the messages for a while, she quietly deleted the entire chat.

The following morning, Rosalyn went to the TV station for an appointment.

A group of children from an arts institution in her hometown had come to Okemont to participate in a dance competition.

The organizer of the event invited Rosalyn to serve as an honorary guidance counselor during the final round.

After watching the children perform at the TV station, Rosalyn eventually agreed.

She had just stepped outside the building when her phone rang. Nathan's name appeared on the screen.

Remembering the wedding announcement released the night before, Rosalyn hoped he had finally decided to leave her alone. With a hint of nervousness, she answered the call.

Nathan's voice came through the phone instantly. "Tomorrow night, there's a banquet celebrating your fiancé's project with the Harvey Group. If you don't confess to him before the banquet starts, then everyone attending will hear about your past."

Rosalyn's thoughts scattered, and she stepped into the street without noticing the traffic. A car screeched to a stop inches from her.

The driver leaned out the window and shouted angrily, "Are you trying to die out here?"

Rosalyn barely reacted. Her eyes stayed unfocused as she raised the phone in her trembling hand. "I already told you I'd handle it. Stop pushing me!"

Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call and moved away slowly, as though every step weighed heavily on her.

The phone started ringing again.

A surge of anger rose in her chest as she assumed it was Nathan again. She glanced at the screen, only to see Andrew's name.

The moment she answered, his excited voice burst through the line. "You won't believe it. Mr. Harvey says he's impressed with our company. He wants to celebrate the partnership by hosting a ball. You have to come with me. This deal wouldn't have gone through so smoothly without you."

Her brows tightened slightly. "I didn't do anything helpful."

Unease left her throat dry.

"That's not true. You've brought me only luck since we became an item. You're the one who made this happen. I'm sending some money right now. Ask Eleanor to help you pick a dress for the ball."

Rosalyn didn't even notice when the call ended. Her thoughts churned in complete confusion. Deep down, she felt herself at fault and owed him an apology.