Part 2Ruined Lace: The Bride Who Walked Away

He tilted his head, letting out a dark chuckle at my pathetic state.

"Did you really think that just because you kissed up to my parents, you could control my life, Chloe? Keep dreaming! No matter how much you scheme, you will never hold a candle to Mia!"

Looking at the pure disgust in his eyes, I found it almost laughable.

Our engagement was an arrangement our families made when we were little kids.

He had never, ever said a word against it. Even when he started treating Mia better than he treated me, he never once brought up canceling the engagement.

It was the Sterling family that pushed for the wedding.

When Mia found out we were getting married, she threw a massive tantrum and went on a hunger strike, sending Carter and Nathan into a frenzy of heartbreak.

To coddle her, both of them actively avoided me.

During the very last phone call I had with Nathan, I asked him, "Nathan, do you actually want to marry me?"

He was silent for a long time. Then, Mia's tearful voice drifted through the receiver: "Nathan? Who are you talking to? Is it my sister?"

He panicked immediately. "God, you're so annoying! My family decided this years ago, why are you even asking? Stop calling me!"

Mr. Sterling had assured me not to worry, that he would handle the wedding arrangements, and that he would talk sense into Nathan.

Looking at Nathan now, it was obvious he had caught an earful from his father and came here specifically to humiliate me out of spite.

I let out a low, hollow laugh, taking the tissues from Carter's hand to wipe the remaining wine off my face.

"Chloe! Chloe, is your fiancé here yet? The officiant says it's time to line up! You... oh my god—your dress!"

My bridesmaid and best friend, Riley, came rushing in. When she saw the state of the dressing room, she almost passed out.

Her hazel eyes widened in sheer disbelief. She looked at me, then at the two men, instantly piecing it together.

"You two absolute scumbags! You're bullying Chloe again?!"

Before she could launch herself at Nathan and claw his face off, I quickly grabbed her arm.

Riley's dad worked for the Sterling Group.

It wasn't worth it. It was so not worth it.

But Nathan seemed to misunderstand my intervention. Seeing me shield him, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

Then, he softened his tone.

"I'll give you two choices. One, you walk down the aisle and finish this ceremony in that dirty dress."

"Two, you go apologize to Mia right now. Once you coax her into a good mood, I'll announce that the wedding is postponed and have someone rush-order you a new gown. Take your pick."

He offered the choices, but his face wore a provocative smirk, like he was just waiting for me to argue with him.

Riley was crying tears of pure anger, glaring at him like she wanted to eat him alive.

But I... from start to finish, I didn't look angry at all.

I raised my head and looked him dead in the eyes.

"No need, Nathan. My wedding dress—it was handmade for me by my mother right before she died. I highly doubt you could find a better designer than her."

Thud—

Behind me, Carter stumbled back, crashing into the vanity. I turned and met his utterly horrified eyes.

His lips were trembling, trying to form words, but nothing came out.

I ignored him and looked back at Nathan. "So, as for your two options—I reject them both."