When the Stars Fell into Dust

Everyone said Adrian Cole was destined to become the prized son-in-law of the Lane family.

Suitors crowded our gates, but Adrian took on the most dangerous mission just to marry me.

“Lila, Master Lane promised me—if I complete this mission, he’ll allow me to take you as my wife.”

Before leaving, Adrian pressed a kiss to my forehead.

I turned down all my pursuers and waited five whole years.

But when he finally returned, mission completed—

he walked in holding another woman, kneeling before my father.

“Master, the only woman I want to marry in this life is Stella.”

“And she’s pregnant.”

My father immediately pulled out a gun, pointing it at Adrian’s forehead, then glanced at me.

“Lila, tell me—should I kill him?”

The room fell into dead silence, everyone expecting bloodshed.

But I merely smiled, pushed aside my father’s gun, and said calmly to the girl:

“Congratulations, sister-in-law.”

Adrian stared at me warily, but I didn’t spare him a single glance.

Later, I picked a marriage alliance at random and agreed to marry.

On my wedding day, Adrian suddenly regained his memory. His eyes turned blood-red as he aimed a gun at Lucas Vaughn’s forehead, begging me in desperation:

“Lila, I remember everything now—don’t marry him.”

…

My father had taken in seven apprentices in his lifetime. Adrian was his last and most accomplished protégé—

and also the most handsome.

He was the one I’d secretly loved since childhood.

My father always said the man who married me had to prove his strength. That mission was his test.

As long as he returned alive,

the entire Lane estate would be given to me as dowry.

Five years later, I finally received word of Adrian’s return.

So thrilled I didn’t even put on shoes, I ran barefoot to greet him.

“Master, I’m not mistaken—the only one I want to marry is Stella. She cared for me when I was gravely injured. We love each other. She deserves to be my wife…”

I rushed into the hall, only to hear those words.

It felt as if my feet had rooted to the floor, unable to move.

The teacup slipped from my hand and shattered into pieces.

All eyes turned toward me, but mine were fixed only on Adrian.

Slowly, he turned to meet my gaze.

Once, his eyes would light up at the sight of me—

filled with warmth, like a gentle sea of stars.

Now, they were empty, shadowed with wariness.

“Lila Lane?”

I gave a bitter smile. “You clearly know me. How could you forget?”

“Showing up and making this kind of joke…”

I reached to flick his forehead, but he seized my hand, stiff and guarded.

For a moment, both of us froze.

That distance in his eyes—it wasn’t Adrian anymore.

Awkwardly, I pulled my hand back.

“They all say you’re my fiancée, but I’m sorry—”

Adrian’s lips tightened, his face paling.

“I don’t remember you.”

He pulled Stella protectively behind him.

“When I was injured, Stella was the one who nursed me back. We’ve been husband and wife in all but name. Master, even if you kill me today, the only woman I’ll marry is her.”

Adrian knelt heavily, banging his head three times against the floor to prove his resolve.

The hall froze in silence.

The other six apprentices shook their heads, some even gritting their teeth to plead with him.