No More Loving in Vain

Darius turned to me and said helplessly, "Natalia, stop being so childish. I've already agreed to this marriage for our families' sake. As long as you stop picking on Celeste, I'll take you seriously—even if I don't love you."

I froze. I hadn't expected him to still be in the dark. The marriage arrangement had already been switched to Celeste, another woman from the Blackwood family.

Darius continued, "I know I've been busy with Celeste recently, and you got jealous. That was why you were so upset. But after a few more days, I won't see her again."

I listened without saying a word. It finally dawned on me why he had no idea the marriage arrangement had changed.

He'd probably been so focused on taking care of Celeste that he hadn't even attended the family meetings. He cared for her far more than he ever had for me.

I should have known, though. After all, Darius treated me well out of obligation, while his love for Celeste was real.

I shook off my thoughts and smiled wryly. "Actually… you should continue seeing her."

"Natalia, you always say the opposite of what you mean. When will you ever just be honest?" he replied, assuming I was having another childish fit.

Suddenly, his phone rang. A faint smile curved his lips as he stepped aside and called Celeste's name softly.

I curled my fingers, my chest tightening sharply while I listened to Darius speak to her.

When the call ended, he turned to leave. But before walking away, he patted my head helplessly.

"Forget it, and get some rest. Don't cause any more trouble. I'll pick you up in three days to try on your wedding dress."

I didn't respond. Instead, I stared at him blankly, as if trying to memorize every detail of his face.

Seeing me like that made his heart clench.

Darius felt I was different somehow. "Natalia, what's wrong?"

I shook my head, suppressing the bitterness welling inside me. "Nothing. I just thought you'd be happy," I answered with a faint smile.

Darius let out a resigned chuckle. "As long as you don't cause trouble, I suppose I'll be happy."

"You will," I thought.

After watching him leave, I glanced at my plane ticket to New Verden. Only 48 hours remained until I boarded the flight.

…

Three days later, Darius drove to the bridal shop, a hint of excitement stirring in him.

At first, he had expected to feel awkward accompanying me through all those things couples did. But now, he found himself eager to see me in a wedding gown.

Even thoughts of the wedding and life afterward began to creep into his mind. Catching his reflection in the rearview mirror, he realized he was smiling.

Darius paused. He wondered why he was smiling like that. Could it be that he was in love with me?

But he had always seen me as nothing more than a sister.

A strange flutter gripped his chest, mingled with confusion. Without hesitation, he pressed harder on the accelerator.

He needed to see me as soon as possible. Perhaps he would get the answers he was looking for then.

…

When Darius arrived at the bridal shop, the staff told me that the Blackwood family's daughter was already trying on wedding gowns.

He sank into a chair in the lounge and anxiously waited for me.

Five minutes later, a figure in white stepped out of the changing room.

Darius rose instinctively. However, the moment he saw her, his expression shifted. "How is it you? Where's Natalia?"