Chapter 3

I tilted my head back and downed glass after glass of wine. I had poured my heart into decorating every corner of this hall, all so Jeremy could have the most beautiful memory of his life. I had pictured him countless times in a suit, wondering what he would look like as he walked down the aisle. Never once did I imagine he would cruelly destroy it all the day before. I tightened my grip around the wine glass when suddenly, my phone buzzed with an urgent ring. "Vera, Jerry fell into the lake in the backyard! You—" Hearing what Tara said, I instinctively stood up and hurried toward the backyard. After all, Jeremy had once saved my life. While I searched frantically for him, I heard Tara's voice not far away. "Jerry, I wasn't fortunate enough to marry you in this lifetime. But in the next one, promise me you'll marry me first." I followed the sound, and with one glance, I was frozen stiff. Tara was leaning against Jeremy's chest, her voice dripping with affection. "Jerry, I really love you—so much more than Vera ever could." Jeremy's eyes reddened, tears spilling as his voice choked with emotion. "I'm sorry, Tara. If only I had waited for your return." Tara's eyes flickered deliberately toward my hiding place. During the brief moment our eyes met, I caught the provocation in hers. Then, she pressed a brazen kiss to Jeremy's lips. "Jerry, can you at least let me be the first to wear your ring today? Even if we're not truly wed, I'll have no regrets if I can have you, just for this moment." Jeremy nodded without hesitation, clutching her hand as he sobbed uncontrollably. "Yes, I will." He pulled out two rings, and my vision contracted in shock. Those were the wedding rings I had commissioned in a faraway country just for the two of us. It had taken several master jewelers an entire year to craft them, and they were the only pair in existence. No one understood their significance more than Jeremy. How could he put them on her? Without thinking, I lunged forward and ripped the wedding ring from Tara's finger. She fell to the ground with a shrill cry. "Vera, I know you're angry at me for taking Jerry's virginity. You can hit me, scold me, or do whatever you want, but please don't be mad at Jerry." Tara had barely finished her sentence when Jeremy kicked me hard. "Vera Graves! If you're angry, take it out on me! I was the one who insisted on giving her my virginity and the ring. Besides, didn't Tara already say you could have my virginity first? You're the one who didn't want it!" My body slammed against a stone behind me, and I curled into a ball from the pain. Even breathing felt like a luxury. But all Jeremy did was look down at me with cold disdain. "You could tolerate me sleeping with her, so why can't you do the same over a stupid ring? I'll just buy you a thousand more! I've got money to burn!" I scoffed. Money? I was the heir to the mafia. Wealth, power, status—there was nothing I lacked. No one had ever dared flaunt their fortune before me. If it weren't for the mafia resources I had secretly funneled to support him, his company would have never reached its current heights. I had planned to tell him everything on the night of our wedding. But I never expected him to give me such a big surprise right before. Tara clung to Jeremy, putting on a pitiful act. "Vera, this all started from my foolish fantasies. I'll leave right now. I swear I won't ruin your wedding." Jeremy shot me another glare before sliding the ring I had fought for back onto her finger. "Don't mind her! She's learned to push her luck because I've spoiled her far too much." I glanced coldly at their clasped hands and spat out icily. "Jeremy, since this is what you want, I'll grant it." With that, I forced myself up despite the searing pain in my back and staggered toward the rear exit of the wedding hall. "Vera, this wedding isn't over! Where are you going?" Jeremy's arrogant voice rang out behind me. I didn't look back. My steps only grew more determined. "There is no more wedding, Jeremy. It's over between us!"