Chapter 1

The night before the wedding, my fiancé's foster sister posted a video on Snapchat.

In the video, Ethan—who's always been such a germaphobe—was kneeling on the floor, using my wedding veil to wipe her feet.

"Even though he's about to become someone else's husband, he'll always take care of his little sister."

I went to pick up drunk Ethan, and Mia insisted on coming home with us.

While I was washing up, she deliberately threw my wedding ring down the drain.

I didn't get angry.

Ethan noticed something was off about me, but his face showed only relief.

"Vivian, you're finally learning to be tolerant of my sister."

I didn't respond.

I just smiled and voluntarily gave up the bedroom to Mia, who was demanding to sleep with Ethan.

He had no idea that the good days for the Hayes family were about to end.

Why would I care about this boundary-crossing sibling relationship anymore?

The next day, only ten minutes remained until the wedding ceremony.

The officiant had already come to urge us three times, but the groom Ethan was nowhere to be seen.

My bridesmaid burst through the door, gasping for breath.

"Vivian, stop waiting!"

"I heard that on the way here, Mia got a stomachache, and Ethan turned the wedding car around and carried her straight to the hospital!"

I called Ethan. The phone rang for a long time before someone picked up.

The first sound I heard was Mia's coughing.

"Ethan, go back! Vivian's wedding can't happen without you. I can manage alone at the hospital."

Ethan's voice was full of anxiety and heartache.

"Don't talk nonsense. You're breaking out in cold sweats from the pain—how can I leave?"

Then he spoke into the phone, his tone laced with irritation.

"Vivian, Mia's in really bad shape. I can't leave."

"Go calm down the guests and tell them the wedding will start a bit late."

Hearing his self-righteous tone, I found it laughable.

"Ethan, this is a wedding. Can a wedding just 'start a bit late'?"

"Vivian! Is the wedding more important than someone's life in your mind?"

Ethan snapped impatiently and hung up directly.

I stood up and walked toward the banquet hall.

The originally noisy hall instantly fell silent, dissolving into whispers.

Ethan's parents approached with embarrassed expressions.

Mrs. Hayes grabbed my hand and lowered her voice.

"Vivian dear, Ethan went to handle an emergency. Why don't you just hold the wedding by yourself?"

"Both our families care about our reputation. Don't waste any more time—the guests are waiting."

I coldly pulled my hand away.

At that moment, my bridesmaid shoved her phone in front of my face, trembling with rage.

"Vivian, look at what Mia posted on Snapchat!"

On the screen was Mia's freshly updated status.

In the picture, Ethan sat by the hospital bed, tightly holding her hand.

The caption read: "Even if the whole world is waiting for him to get married, he'll still stop for me."

I walked straight onto the stage and took the microphone from the officiant.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this wedding."

"Unfortunately, the groom has someone more important to be with today."

"Therefore, the wedding is canceled. Please enjoy the food and drinks."

After speaking, I ignored the ashen faces of the Hayes parents, casually tossed the microphone aside, lifted my wedding dress, and walked out of the banquet hall without looking back.

I returned to the new house Ethan and I had prepared and began packing my things.

The door was suddenly pushed open.

Ethan rushed in and slammed his hand down on my suitcase.

"Vivian, have you made enough of a scene!"

"Didn't I tell you to calm the guests at the venue? You publicly announced the wedding cancellation—where does that leave my parents' dignity!"