I remained silent. Gilbert looked at me, looking a little nervous and awkward as he tried to explain, "If you don't think it's okay, then I can…"

I cut him off. "No, it's fine. Go ahead. I'm looking forward to… a happy future ahead."

…

The next day, I arrived at the wedding planning company as scheduled to finalize the last wedding details.

By the agreed-upon time, Gilbert still hadn't shown up.

One of the staff members looked a little puzzled and asked, "Shall we wait for Mr. Hughes to join us?"

I smiled faintly and answered, "No need to wait.

After all, this wedding had been a one-woman show from the very beginning.

Just then, he finally rushed in.

I caught a glimpse of the red marks still lingering on his neck, clear evidence of the passionate night he spent with Cheryl.

Gilbert noticed my gaze and instinctively raised a hand to cover it, letting out a light, awkward cough.

The staff was waiting for his confirmation on the banquet dishes. Without thinking, he instructed, "Go with the most expensive set. Get the best lobsters and shrimps. Jen deserves only the best."

The staff looked at me with envy and raised his head, saying, "Mr. Hughes must really love you to pick only the finest."

I only felt a wave of bitterness. "Don't take the most expensive one."

He gently interrupted, "Let's not save money. This is our wedding."

"No." I paused for a moment, then added softly, "I'm allergic to seafood."

Gilbert froze for a moment. Then, he apologized awkwardly. "Sorry, I just thought…"

I shook my head and hid my emotions. "It's fine."

Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and his eyes lit up as he answered. His voice softened as he asked, "Cheryl? What do you want for lunch? How about Aroma?"

There was an urgency and warmth in his voice that made it hard for me to breathe.

I lowered my gaze, suppressing the sharp pain in my chest.

Suddenly, he paused and reminded her anxiously, "Right, don't order their desserts. You're allergic to mango."

When the call ended, Gilbert seemed to realize something and explained softly, "Cheryl used to come over for meals a lot. That's how I know."

I opened my mouth, but no words came. I could only force down the bitterness in my heart and nod without asking any further. He looked visibly relieved.

Moments later, Cheryl actually showed up.

She had a faint smile and spoke cheerfully, "Gilbert, Jennifer, I wanted to surprise you, so I came by. Let's have lunch together later. You don't mind, do you?"

She looked at me with a smile, as if she genuinely cared about how I felt.

However, I clearly saw the pride and provocation in her eyes.

It seemed like she knew this wedding was nothing but an empty performance that Gilbert was putting on for my sake.

Her appearance here was simply so she could enjoy the spectacle of my humiliation firsthand.

I smiled calmly. "Of course. I wouldn't mind it."

The staff, unaware of the tension, continued asking about the details.

Yet, every time, Cheryl would interrupt before I could answer. "Use the freesia for the flowers. They're elegant and simple. Cool tones work best for the color scheme."

She had said that casually, as if she were organizing her own wedding, and I was just an observer.

Gilbert didn't utter a single word of objection the whole time. In fact, he smiled approvingly and went along with every decision she made.

The two of them sang the same tune, looking like they were in perfect harmony.

The staff looked a little awkward and glanced at me, hesitating on whether to proceed.

I took a deep breath and cut Cheryl off. "Ms. Manning, this is my wedding. If you have your own design preferences, feel free to choose them at your own wedding."

I gave a faint, mocking smile. "Or are you hoping I'll hand this one over to you?"

Cheryl's expression darkened slightly, but she quickly composed herself. She flashed an innocent smile, "I'm so sorry. I might have been too straightforward. I didn't mean to offend you, and I hope you won't take it the wrong way."

The way she said it made it seem like I was the petty one.

And of course, Gilbert rushed to defend her, even chiding me slightly, "Jennifer, Cheryl doesn't mean it that way. Don't misunderstand her."

A surge of bitterness and fury rose in my heart, nearly forcing me to cry.

There was no way he couldn't see Cheryl's provocations. He simply chose to ignore them.

With just one excuse from her, she easily earned his defense. Meanwhile, whatever I did was nothing but an irrational tantrum.

The eight years of love we shared had been wiped out in an instant in front of Cheryl.

Gilbert must have sensed that I was upset. Forcing out a smile, he said, "I'll go with you tomorrow to pick up the custom-made wedding dress."

I wanted to refuse him, but he insisted.

…

However, when we arrived at the bridal boutique the next day, what we saw made my heart stop.

Cheryl was standing in front of the mirror, wearing my wedding dress.

She looked at me innocently and smugly, "Jen, I didn't realize our body shapes were so similar. But it's a bit tight around the chest. I feel like it's about to tear."

She looked down dramatically at the straining fabric and feigned guilt. "Sorry, Jennifer. Why don't I buy you a new one?"

My expression darkened as rage surged through me.

Gilbert saw my expression and stepped in before I could speak. He frowned and said to her, "Cheryl, take it off."

Then, he turned to me and tried to smooth things over. "Don't be mad. She just wanted to surprise you and help you try on the dress. She said she wanted to be your bridesmaid, which is why I gave her the address."

I looked at him coldly, feeling my heart sink. Then, I let out a mocking laugh. "She wants to be my bridesmaid? That's why she wore my wedding dress?"

With a sigh, Gilbert replied helplessly, "She's just being childish. Don't take it seriously."

I stared at him and sneered. "Childish? Gilbert, she's older than I am."

He froze, clearly thrown off by that. Even his forced smile faltered.

At that moment, Cheryl walked out with her carefully staged apology. "I'm sorry, Jen. I just really like that dress. That's why I couldn't stop myself from trying it on. Please don't hold it against me."

I gave her a cold glance and didn't bother to respond.

The boutique staff sensed the tension and wisely brought me a new gown.

I took it and turned to the changing room, ready to put it on, only for Cheryl to follow me inside.

I stared at her and asked, "What are you trying to do?"

She smiled as her eyes gleamed with triumph. "Do you really think Gilbert's marrying you out of love?"

Her words enraged me as I shot back, "So what? No matter how much tantrum you throw, I'm still the bride the day after tomorrow. If you're so amazing, go ahead and get him to cancel the wedding."

Cheryl's smile froze. Anger flashed across her face as she retorted with biting sarcasm, "He's only marrying you out of pity."

I looked at her with contempt.

As something vicious flickered in her eyes, her expression suddenly changed. Then, she raised her hand.

I thought she was going to hit me, but to my shock, she slapped herself hard before crying out, "Jen, what are you doing?"

Before she even finished speaking, Gilbert burst in. "Cheryl, what happened?"

Cheryl covered her face and pretended to leave, but he grabbed her by the arm.

He pulled her hand away and saw the bright red handprint on her cheek. His expression darkened as he immediately glared coldly at me.

Before I could even explain myself, Cheryl mentioned in a low voice, "Don't blame her. It was my fault. I ruined her wedding dress, and she slapped me in anger. It's understandable."

Rage flared in Gilbert's eyes as he almost growled at me. "Why did you hit her over such a tiny matter? Apologize to Cheryl right now!"

I laughed in a cold manner. "Do you really believe her that much?"

He shook his head and answered coldly in disappointment, "I used to think you were just naive, but I never expected you to be so unreasonable."

I stood in place, and his tone turned harsher as he threatened, "If you don't apologize, the wedding's off."

Staring at him, I felt my heart turn icy as I asked slowly, "Are you using the wedding to threaten me?"

Gilbert sneered as his lips curled up in mockery. "Figure it out yourself. The invitations have been sent. If I don't show up, it's your family that will be humiliated."

I glanced at Cheryl. That victorious glint in her eyes couldn't be hidden, no matter how pitiful she tried to look.

Before I could say anything else, she suddenly swayed, pretending to faint.

Gilbert immediately rushed to catch her in his arms. "We can talk about the wedding again when you're ready to apologize to her.

From that day on, he texted me daily. "Have you realized what you have done wrong yet?"

I simply turned off my phone and never replied.

…

On the wedding day, I sat alone in the waiting room. Through the closed door, I vaguely heard one of Gilbert's friends calling him. "Dude, why aren't you here yet?"

"What? Did Jennifer talk you guys into this?" Gilbert replied. "Has she admitted that she's in the wrong yet?"

I sneered. He was still so full of himself.

"No. I mean, just hurry up and get here. It's hard to explain."

Moments later, the door to the waiting room was flung open. Gilbert stormed in furiously. "Well, Jennifer, who's this random guy you found to help you put on this little act?"

Before he could finish, a deep, husky voice cut him off. There was a calm but commanding chill to the voice. "Gilbert, what are you doing?"

Gilbert froze and slowly turned his head.

Standing behind him was a tall, broad-shouldered man in a perfectly tailored suit. His sharp features, composed expression, and powerful presence made the entire room fall silent.

Gilbert was stunned as he shouted in shock, "Uncle Edward? What are you doing here?"

I walked over and took the man's arm. "Well, since we're all here, let me introduce him. This is my husband. Meet today's groom, Edward Hughes."