After calling a cab and walking out of the house covered to avoid anyone finding out, the drive to the venue felt strangely quiet.
Clara sat beside me in the back seat of the car, fidgeting nervously with the strap of her purse while glancing at me every few seconds.
"You can still turn around", she said for the fifth time.
I looked out the window calmly as the city passed by.
"No", I replied with a serious voice.
Clara groaned softly.
"Seraphina, this is insane. Do you know how powerful Dominic Blackwood is? Canceling a normal wedding is one thing. Canceling his wedding is another".
"I know".
"That man can ruin people's lives".
I almost laughed. If only she knew how accurate that statement was.
Dominic Blackwood had ruined mine once already.
The car stopped at a red
light. Across the street, a giant digital billboard displayed the headline everyone in the city was talking about.
BLACKWOOD–VALE WEDDING OF THE YEAR
Below it was a photo of Dominic and me from the engagement announcement.
He looked exactly the same as I remembered.
Tall. Sharp—featured. Cold.
Even in the picture, his expression was calm and unreadable.
Beside him, I looked happy.
My eyes sparkled with hope.
That girl in the photo believed she was about to marry the man she loved.
She had no idea what was waiting for her.
The light turned green, and the car moved again.
Clara leaned closer to me.
"Last chance", she whispered.
"You can walk in there, get married, and everything will be fine".
'Everything will be fine'.
I had believed that once.
But I knew better now.
Everything would not be fine.
Instead everything would be lonely. Painful. Empty.
I shook my head slightly.
"No".
Clara sighed dramatically and leaned back in her seat.
"Well.... at least warn me before the chaos starts so I can run".
Despite everything, a faint smile touched my lips.
"You won't need to run".
"Oh yes, I will", she said sarcastically will rolling her eyes.
Ten minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the venue.
The Grand Aurora Hotel.
One of the most luxurious locations in the city.
The entrance was covered in white roses and silver decorations, creating a breathtaking scene that looked like something from a fairytale. Dozens of expensive cars filled the parking area.
Security guards stood near the entrance.
Guests wearing elegant suits and gowns moved in and out of the building.
Everything looked perfect.
Exactly like it had in my previous life.
Clara stared through the window.
"...Wow".
I opened the car door.
"Stay here if you want".
Her head snapped toward me.
"Are you kidding?"
She hurried out of the car after me.
"If this wedding explodes, I want front–row seats".
The moment I stepped onto the walkway leading to the hotel, several people turned to look at me. Their eyes widened, in which I realized why immediately.
I wasn't wearing a wedding dress. Instead, I was dressed in a simple cream-colored blouse and black trousers.
Definitely not bridal attire.
Clara whispered beside me, "They're staring".
"I noticed".
We walked toward the entrance. A young staff member approached us nervously.
"Miss Vale?"
"Yes".
"You should be inside preparing for the ceremony".
"I know".
He looked confused.
"Do you need assistance?"
"Yes", I replied calmly.
"I'm here to see Dominic Blackwood".
The staff member blinked in surprise.
"The groom?"
"Yes".
"....Now?"
"Yes".
He hesitated.
"I will inform his assistant".
"That would be helpful".
A few minutes later, a tall man in a dark suit approached us quickly.
I recognized him instantly.
Lucas Grant.
Dominic's personal assistant.
He looked exactly the same as he had five years ago.
Efficient. Professional.
Slightly intimidating.
When his eyes landed on me, they widened slightly.
"Miss Vale".
"Lucas".
His gaze briefly moved over my outfit.
"You're not dressed for the ceremony".
"That's because I'm not attending it", I replied.
He froze.
"..I beg your pardon?"
"I need to speak with Dominic".
His expression became serious.
"The ceremony begins in less than thirty minutes".
"Then we shouldn't waste time".
Lucas studied my face carefully. Something in my expression must have convinced him that this wasn't a joke.
"Wait here", he said quietly.
He disappeared through the hotel doors.
Clara slowly turned to me.
"Okay", she whispered.
"I'm officially terrified".
I folded my arms calmly.
Five minutes passed.
Then the doors opened again.
Lucas returned. His expression was even more serious now.
"Mr. Blackwood will see you".
Clara grabbed my arm.
"Good luck", she murmured.
"Thanks".
I followed Lucas into the hotel. The lobby was filled with guests.
Conversations stopped as soon as people noticed me.
Whispers spread quickly.
"Isn't that the bride?"
"Why isn't she in her dress?"
"What's going on?"
I ignored them.
Lucas led me down a long hallway until we reached a private lounge. He stopped in front of the door.
"Mr. Blackwood is inside".
He opened it.
"Go in".
I stepped inside the room.
The door closed quietly behind me.
Dominic Blackwood stood near the large window overlooking the city. Even without turning around, I recognized him immediately.
Tall. Broad shoulders.
Perfect posture.
His black suit fit him flawlessly.
He looked exactly the same as the man from my memories.
Untouchable. Powerful. Cold.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then he turned and our eyes met.
His gaze was sharp and calm as always. Dark eyes that revealed almost nothing.
But I noticed something interesting.
A faint flicker of surprise crossed his face when he saw my clothes.
"You're not dressed for the wedding", he said.
His voice was deep and steady.
Just like I remembered.
"I know"
Silence filled the room.
Dominic studied me carefully.
"What's wrong?"
In my previous life, that simple question would have made my heart race.
Now it meant nothing.
I walked further into the room.
"We need to talk".
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"About?"
"About the wedding".
Dominic straightened slightly.
"There's nothing to discuss".
"There is".
Another brief silence passed.
Finally, he spoke again.
"Make it quick".
Dominic Blackwood never wasted time, even if he sees his soon–to–be wife dress in her normal rather than a wedding dress.
I took a slow breath.
In my previous life, I had spent years trying to impress this man. Trying to make him look at me with even a little warmth.
Now I realized something strange. Standing in front of him like this...
I felt nothing.
No love. No nervousness.
Just clarity.
"I'm canceling the wedding", I said calmly.
The words hung in the air.
Dominic didn't react immediately. For a moment, he simply stared at me.
Then his brows lowered slightly.
"…What?"
"I'm not marrying you".
His eyes narrowed.
"You're joking".
"I'm not".
The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.
Dominic took a slow step toward me. His presence was intimidating.
Most people would probably feel pressured under his gaze. But I had already faced worse.
"You do realize what you're saying", he said coldly.
"Yes".
"The ceremony starts in twenty–five minutes".
"I know".
"The guests are already here".
"I know".
"Both our families are involved".
"I know".
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Then explain".
I met his gaze calmly.
"I don't want to marry you".
Dominic stared at me like he was seeing a stranger.
"You've wanted this marriage for years".
"Not anymore".
His voice grew colder.
"Why?"
The question was simple.
But the answer was complicated.
'Because you love Vanessa. Because you will never love me. Because this marriage will destroy me'.
But instead, I gave him a much simpler answer.
"Because I deserve better".
For the first time, something flickered in Dominic's eyes.
Not anger like something closer to confusion.
"Better?" he repeated.
"Yes".
Silence stretched between us.
Then Dominic let out a quiet, humorless laugh.
"You came here to say that?"
"Yes".
"And you think you can walk away from this wedding?"
"Yes".
His gaze hardened.
"You are making a mistake".
Maybe. But it would still be a better mistake than marrying him again.
Dominic took another step closer.
"You understand the consequences of humiliating the Blackwood family".
I held his gaze without flinching.
"Yes".
Another long silence followed.
Then Dominic spoke again.
But this time, his voice was quieter.
More dangerous.
"Seraphina".
"Yes?"
His dark eyes locked onto mine.
"If you dare walk out of this wedding.."
He paused slightly.
"...there will be no turning back".
Good, because I had no intention of coming back.
I gave him a small, calm smile.
"That's exactly what I want".
And with that–
I turned and walked toward the door.