A hollow laugh slipped past my lips, my voice hoarse and raw. "So… our marriage is a mistake now?"

"If that’s the case, let’s cancel the wedding."

For the first time, Elliot faltered. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes.

But then, Elliot let out a cold, humorless laugh. His expression twisted into one of pure contempt.

He stepped toward me, his fingers gripping my chin, forcing me to look up at him as he sneered. "Leah, you've got some nerve. Trying to use this wedding to control me now?"

He paused, his eyes narrowing. "But it looks like you've forgotten your place."

"Wasn't this wedding everything you ever dreamed of? Your greatest wish?"

"If you want to cancel it, fine. But don’t come crawling back to me when it all falls apart."

With a forceful slam, Elliot kicked the door open, leaving me in a deafening silence.

I stood alone in the emptiness of the house, the walls closing in.

A bitter laugh escaped me.

I’d cried so many times before, begged him for scraps of affection.

I’d loved him for as long as I could remember. Ten long years of chasing after him, thinking if I just tried hard enough, he’d see me.

But to him, I had always been a nuisance. Every bit of kindness he showed me felt like pity.

Even this marriage? It was probably just another form of charity in his eyes.

I had been the one arranging every detail for this wedding from the very beginning.

Elliot never once lifted a finger to help. Instead, he was too busy tending to Tessa’s delicate emotions.

At that moment, it hit me and I realized how truly foolish I had been.

Then, my phone rang, breaking the silence.

"Miss Dakota, your wedding ring and gown have arrived at the hotel. Wishing you a joyous wedding."

I froze.

It was only then that the weight of the moment sank in. Today was supposed to be the rehearsal.

Having already made up my mind to cancel the wedding, I knew I had to handle the hotel arrangements.

Without wasting a second, I jumped into my car and sped toward the banquet hall.

As I stepped inside, the venue was already alive with the glow of wedding decorations, the air thick with the kind of festive atmosphere that made it all feel sacred.

My gaze lifted to the stage at the front.

To my shock, Elliot was already there.

Dressed impeccably in a suit that seemed to have been tailored just for him, he stood like a prince from some long-forgotten fairy tale.

Beside him stood Tessa, clad in a wedding dress.