Chapter 1

Grant postponed our engagement three times. First, because Vivian was in the hospital. Second, because she was feeling low. Third, because her concert mattered more than our future.

So I asked the man who’d always been there—Adrian Kessler.

“Are you interested in marrying me?” He said yes without hesitation.

We set the date for the same night as Vivian’s concert.

While Grant was clapping for her, I was walking down the aisle toward the only man who never made me wait.

He didn’t find out until he showed up to his own celebration dinner and found the restaurant empty. “Where is everyone?” he demanded. Someone laughed.

“Adrian and Nadia are getting engaged tonight. It’s streaming live.”

Grant stormed into my ceremony, screaming that I belonged to him.

Adrian knocked him down with one punch.

“You had three chances,” I told him. “You blew every one.”

Now Grant keeps sending me flowers, begging for another chance. But I’m wearing a pink diamond tiara designed just for me, standing beside a man who chose me first.

He postponed our engagement three times. I only needed one chance to marry the right man.

——————

Grant Whitmore called me two weeks before our engagement. “We need to push the engagement party back a month. Vivian’s comeback concert is that day, and I have to be there.”

“It’s just a postponement. It’s no big deal.”

That made three times he’d put our engagement off that year.

The first time, Vivian Crane was in the hospital with appendicitis, and he rushed off to be with her.

The second time, Vivian claimed she was feeling low, and he was so worried she’d fall into depression that he booked a flight right away.

It was the third time.

I simply said, “Okay.”

After hanging up, I turned to the man across the café table from me. Adrian Kessler had grown up two doors down from my family, and we’d been going over the East District plans together all afternoon. “Are you interested in marrying me?”

“Are you serious?” Adrian looked at me. “After all, you two have been together for many years.”

I raised an eyebrow. “He had three chances to go through with the engagement, and he blew every one. Maybe I’m not that important to him.”

“If he doesn’t love me, there’s no point in holding on. He can have the love of his life, and I’ll find mine.”

Adrian quickly stood up and reached out to me. “Then it’s settled. I’ll take care of the details of the engagement. You don’t have to worry about it.

“I promise that no engagement ceremony in Westbrook will be more extravagant than this one.”

I looked at him. He wore a custom suit that flattered his tall figure. He was handsome—the kind of man every woman in my circle dreamed of being with.

What mattered most was the sincerity and determination in his eyes when he looked at me. It was something Grant Whitmore had never shown.

“Okay.” I smiled as I took his hand.

I went back to Grant’s place and cleared out my room. I was almost out the door when he walked in.

When he saw me, he immediately frowned. “What’s this? Running away again? I only pushed the engagement back a month. Why are you acting like it’s the end of the world? You’re too old for this.”

I answered calmly, “I just have a business trip.”

His brow relaxed. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“There was a last-minute work issue. You’re busy too, so I didn’t want to bother you.”

He nodded. “By the way, Vivian may stay here for a few days. She just got back and hasn’t found a place yet.”

He said it like it was nothing.

“Got it.” I pulled my suitcase toward the door, my expression blank. “I don’t mind. Let the butler take care of it. She can stay wherever she likes.”

He was briefly stunned before grabbing my arm. “You… When will you be back?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll let you know when I know.”

Feeling relieved, he let go of my arm and turned to text Vivian Crane. He did not even ask where I was going on my business trip.

I moved back into my own house. The next day, I saw a photo of Grant picking up Vivian at the airport on an entertainment news site.

In the photo, Grant was holding an umbrella for Vivian. He did not even notice his shoulders getting soaked as he tried to keep her dry.

The bold headline read [Grant Whitmore Brings His Childhood Sweetheart Home], and the comments were full of praise.

[A real-life fairy tale.]

[I can’t handle how romantic this is.]

[Childhood sweethearts! They make such a perfect couple.]

There were a few questions as well.

[I thought Grant was getting engaged?]

[What will his future fiancée think about this?]

But those comments got buried by the others.

I scoffed, turned off my phone, and answered a call from Adrian.

“The engagement dresses and jewelry are ready. Do you have time to try them today?”

I was surprised. “Already?”

We had only decided to get engaged yesterday, and this morning, the outfits were already here. I didn’t know what to say. I was touched that he had arranged everything so quickly.

In contrast, I had handled all the preparations for my engagement to Grant on my own.

All he’d ever contributed was a few impatient remarks. He had never thought about how exhausted I might feel.

Adrian had already shown me what a real fiancé should be like.

When he picked me up, I found out he had hired an entire design team.

“So you’re the bride?”

A senior designer with blonde hair smiled as she looked me over. “No wonder Mr. Kessler was rushing. You’re stunning.”

Before I could even feel awkward, they were handing me dress after dress.

“Mr. Kessler gave us your measurements. Let’s see how they fit.”

I twirled around in the dress, surprised to find it fit perfectly.

I felt my ears burn with embarrassment. I softly asked Adrian, “How did you know?”

He gave me an innocent smile. “I asked your mom.”