Chapter 1

According to the rules of the wealthy Ashford family, the heir Lucas Ashford's fiancée must be determined through a "blind selection" at the family gala.

I was deeply in love with Lucas. I went to great lengths to get my name into his selection box.

But for seven years in a row, he drew nothing but blank slips.

Until just before the eighth-year gala began.

I overheard his mother questioning him:

"Lucas, don't you really like Serena? Why have you been swapping out the slips with her name for blank ones for seven years straight?"

"Doesn't it hurt you to watch her cry in disappointment every year?"

Lucas chuckled softly.

"Of course it hurts. But Bianca just got back from abroad. She's emotionally unstable. I promised to stay by her side through her treatment for seven years."

"Besides, that fool won't marry anyone but me. Next year, I'll definitely give her a grand proposal."

With that, he tossed the slip bearing my name into the shredder.

And in that instant, I let go too.

After all, my grandfather had said that if I wasn't chosen again this year, he would arrange a different match for me.