Chapter 4: Gone

The ninth wedding began, but the guests had long since lost their anticipation. Most of them were scrolling through their phones, only waiting for the reception meal to start.

I had just replied to that message when Anton's assistant quietly came up to me. "Mr. Schreier wants you, Emilia."

Back in the dressing room, Lina had already changed into that gown. She was smiling and spinning in front of Anton. The moment I walked in, she quickly tucked that smile away and replaced it with an anguished expression.

Then she reached for my hand. "I'm really sorry, but the flower girls are stuck in traffic, and the wedding's starting soon. Can you help me hold my veil?"

I pulled my hand back and wiped it with a tissue. "It's your ninth wedding. What does it matter if there's no veil bearer?"

Anton frowned. "It doesn't matter how many times this has happened. A wedding should still be treated seriously. You wouldn't want something like this to happen to you."

I looked at him, and then I smiled. "Fine. As you wish."

Anton let out a breath of relief, and his frown finally eased.

"On one condition," I added.

"Name it? I'll do anything." For once, he smiled at me, looking as if I had finally become sensible.

I met his eyes and said, "I want to break up with you, Anton."

His smile froze. "What?"

A momentary silence followed, and then Lina's clear sobs shattered it. "This is all my fault. I ruined your relationship because some jerk dumped me!" She pretended to tear the gown away.

"Forget the wedding! You can have it! I'll just watch! No one wants me anyway!"

Anton grabbed her hand. "This isn't your fault." Then, he turned to me, his gaze cold. "She wouldn't be upset again if you hadn't brought it up. Apologize. Now."

"Sorry." I met Anton's eyes. This time, they were filled with surprise. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"Let's go. The wedding's starting. Everyone still has work after the reception." I walked around Lina and stood behind her. Then I lifted the end of her veil, my face expressionless.

Lina cast a furtive glance at me. Her eyes shifted around, probably already planning something again, but I no longer cared.

Nine fake weddings in exchange for finally seeing their true colors was a fair trade. The door slowly opened.

Lina walked ahead, her fifteen-foot veil trailing behind her. She was smiling as she approached Anton.

Apart from our mutual friends, barely any guests paid attention to us. I trailed behind Lina, holding her veil. When our friends saw the scene, their expressions turned strange.

After I handed Lina over to Anton, I turned to go back and get my bag. However, Lina suddenly stood on tiptoe and kissed Anton.

Our friends gasped. Anton's eyes widened, but he did not move. He let her kiss him.

I met Lina's smug look, yet not a single ripple stirred in my heart.

I simply turned and left.

The emcee stepped in to smooth things over. "Oh, what a loving couple. Here's to forever love."

Anton saw me leave, and his attention immediately wandered. The lines he had heard so many times before now grated harshly against his ears.

When it was time to exchange rings, someone gasped, "Whoa, is that an extended version of Rolls-Royce Phantom? And there's an entire fleet of Maybachs behind it."

"Man, these people are rich!"

"Is this a wedding convoy? That's incredible."

"I think I saw a girl getting into the car."

"Oh my gosh. That has to be the happiest bride in the world."

The guests craned their necks to get a closer look at the car. No one cared about the two people on the stage anymore.

Anton got frustrated. He had a Rolls-Royce too, so he could not understand why everyone was so excited.

"Anton, we should get changed," Lina said, looking up at him with sparkling eyes. "We still need to toast the guests later."

But Anton ignored her.

He took out his phone, seized by a sudden urge to call me. The call would not go through.

Frustrated, he massaged his temples. Then, he noticed that his longtime business rival had posted a new update.

"Thanks for refusing to marry her, Mr. Schreier."

The moment Anton saw the picture, his blood seemed to freeze. The woman smiling brightly beside his business rival was none other than me.

His mind buzzed. For a moment, even his heart seemed to stop.

In front of everyone, he flung Lina's arm away and charged toward the entrance.