Chapter 2

Hearing this, the girl also let out a delicate laugh.

"Ethan, is that any way to talk to a girl?"

"After all this time, you're still such a typical guy!"

Even if I were an idiot, I could guess that this girl and Ethan had an unusual relationship.

They might even be exes.

But even if I couldn't recognize his ex, couldn't Ethan?

From selecting the makeup artist to the trial runs to the final booking, Ethan had been with me the whole time.

And he'd never mentioned this. Was he trying to give his ex a job opportunity, or were old feelings still lingering?

I didn't want to dig deeper and upset myself needlessly.

I grabbed my makeup remover, went straight into the bathroom, and washed my face clean.

Then I called my parents and told them I needed to reconsider the wedding.

If I went through with today, I'd regret it.

We hadn't registered our marriage anyway.

I didn't avoid the two of them when making the call. Ethan heard everything loud and clear.

His face darkened almost instantly.

His previously calm expression turned stormy.

He was about to speak when a pair of soft hands pulled him back.

The girl wrapped her arms gently around Ethan's waist from behind.

"Ethan! If Miss Olivia doesn't want to marry you, I will!"

"Propose to me!"

"You promised before that you'd only marry me~"

Then, right in front of me, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed Ethan on the lips.

But I didn't miss the greedy look in her eyes when she stared at the expensive jewelry on the table.

At her words, Ethan froze. He turned his head slightly, his eyes conflicted.

When he spoke again, there was a hint of guilt and excitement in his voice that even he didn't seem to notice.

He looked at me.

"Let Mandy take your place at the wedding today and clean up your mess."

"You'll still be my wife. You can rest assured about that."

"Go downstairs and tell your parents. Don't make a scene that would embarrass everyone."

"Of course, you're also free to make a scene."

Ethan was confident I'd swallow my anger for my parents' sake.

He also knew that today's wedding had many of my parents' important business partners in attendance.

With that, he pulled Mandy toward the door.

I finally remembered her name. Mandy.

Mandy looked at me with triumph in her eyes.

She stared directly at me, silently curling her lips into a provocative smile.

As if she'd won the lottery.

Only then did I notice—beneath her mask, she'd already applied exquisite makeup.

Compared to the makeup on my face, it was night and day.

Even her hair was already styled in the design I'd chosen.

Oh, so this was all premeditated!

"Sorry, Miss Olivia, I don't want to leave myself with regrets!"

"If you want to report me to the shop, go ahead!"

Seeing her completely unbothered attitude made my anger spike.