Running Away from Marriage, Leaving Deception Behind

As soon as she stepped onto the first floor, Hazel saw them in her bridal suite, locked in a tight embrace, whispering words that only lovers could share.

Her chest tightened, but she forced herself to turn on the surveillance camera, piecing together the scattered fragments to reveal the truth.

It turned out that while she had been blissfully unaware, Ambrose and Scarlett had shared a scandalous past.

Eight years ago, in a bid to shed the label of a privileged heir, Ambrose had ventured into entrepreneurship. But his ambitions crumbled, and he teetered on the edge of ruin.

At his lowest, he crossed paths with Scarlett in a rundown youth hostel. Within a month, Scarlett had replaced Hazel, his childhood sweetheart. She carved herself into the most pivotal role in Ambrose’s heart.

But because the Wright family would never accept a daughter-in-law from such humble beginnings, Ambrose settled for Hazel, all the while secretly cherishing Scarlett in his heart.

She believed their bond, built from childhood, was fate’s design. In truth, she was nothing more than a stand-in, chosen out of convenience.

Her feet, raw and bleeding, mirrored the shattered fragments of her heart. The imprint of his slap, like a searing brand of humiliation, destroyed decades of trust and devotion.

A resolute fire ignited within her; she would let go of the man she had clung to for over a decade.

But this wedding wasn’t just an event; it was her dream, a vision of love and promise she had nurtured for years. It had been her lifeline during her darkest days, the glimmer of hope that kept her moving forward.

She refused to let the wedding she had meticulously crafted become a prize for the very people who had betrayed her.

So, Hazel decided that this wedding would mark the final chapter of her decade-long devotion. It would be her last act of closure before severing ties with both her biased family and the unfaithful man she had once loved.

After pouring out her emotions, she took a deep breath, pulled out her phone, and booked a flight for seven days later.

The screen blinked as the purchase went through, but it quickly switched back to the surveillance footage.

Perhaps it was fate, or maybe just cruel irony, but Hazel caught the tail end of Ambrose’s confession from years past.

"I regret it," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "When I was young and foolish, I mistook sand for pearls. If you’re willing to return, I’d call off this wedding for you."

He sighed, his voice softening. "Even if you refuse, I’ll still treat Hazel kindly since she reminds me of you."

Even though she had already made up her mind, even though she had seen the betrayal with her own eyes, hearing those words made Hazel’s heart quiver in a way she hadn’t expected.

Looking down at the screen, Hazel saw the love between them spill out as if it were too much to contain.

Scarlett seemed tipsy, her words slow and slurred, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she languidly sprawled across the sofa.

Ambrose, the same man who had scolded Hazel for drinking, now willingly cooked hangover soup for Scarlett, carefully feeding her spoonful by spoonful.

Scarlett turned her head away, a petulant kick directed at Ambrose.

"Who wants to marry you?"

Ambrose didn’t show any sign of anger. Instead, he reached for her foot, gently massaging it with a tenderness that made Hazel’s chest tighten.

Scarlett smiled contentedly.

"I know you can’t marry me because of your status. And I know you’ve never forgotten me."

"This bridal suite is decorated just the way I like it. The wedding ring you chose is based on my preferences. Even the high heels she’s wearing... those were the ones I didn’t want."

As she spoke, Scarlett rested her head gently against Ambrose’s chest.

"It doesn’t matter," she murmured, her voice low and soothing. "I don’t care about titles. As long as the person in your heart is always me, I’m satisfied. I will never leave you again. I’m willing to stay by your side in another capacity."

Hazel’s grip tightened around her phone, her fingers trembling.

Her heart felt as if it were being torn apart, piece by piece.

The most painful part? Even though she had already uncovered the truth, a tiny flicker of hope still lingered in Hazel’s chest, a desperate hope that Ambrose would draw the line at the very last moment.