For seven years, Hulda was a wife in name only. Her husband Herbert never brought her to public events, never introduced her to his world, never treated her as anything more than a shadow. He married his student in a ceremony Hulda wasn't invited to. Her mother-in-law Valery attended and made sure Hulda knew she didn't belong. When she was told to apologize—for what, she didn't even know—and her own son told her he didn't want her as a mother anymore, Hulda finally understood. She had been holding onto a family that had already let her go. So she let them go too. She quit being a wife. She quit being a mother. She walked away from the roles that had defined her for seven years and decided to find out who she was without them. Herbert was certain she would come back. After all, she had once climbed into his bed to marry him—how could she survive without him? He had no idea that the wife he dismissed was a genius in the academic world, someone who could choke his company's supply chain with a single paper. But by the time he realized the truth, it was too late. Hulda was already surrounded by men who saw her worth. And one of them—Caspian, a man who bent the world to his will—had already claimed every inch of her attention. As Hulda's hidden identities began to surface, another secret emerged. The "fake heiress" everyone pitied? She was the only true heir to a dynasty that dwarfed them all. Her ex-husband fell to his knees. "I regret everything. Let's remarry." Hulda looked at him like he was garbage on her shoe. "Get lost." Her son came next. "Mom, don't you want me anymore?" She didn't flinch. "Sorry, but you're not my son." Then Caspian stepped in, his arm sliding around her waist. "Darling, how about we make one of our own?" Hulda laughed. "You're still on probation."

Chapter 1"Hello, is this Mrs. Jewell? I'm Peterson from the wedding planning agency. I have a few details regarding the ceremony timeline that I need to confirm with you."Hulda's hand paused as she stirred her food. She was in a good mood today, so she smiled and replied, "I am Mrs. Jewell, but my husband and I have been married for seven years. We don't have any plans to host a wedding anytime soon."The caller hesitated for a moment before clarifying, "Did I dial the wrong number? Are you Mr. Herbert Jewell's bride-to-be, Ms. Sylvie Sinclair?"Clatter...The silverware slipped from Hulda's fingers and hit the floor. Her ears rang violently at his words."Hello? Are you still there? Are you Ms. Sylvie Sinclair?"Hulda's face drained of color. "I... I'm not...""My apologies, I must have dialed the wrong number."After a quick apology, the man abruptly hung up.Hulda couldn't calm her racing heart, because her husband's name was indeed Herbert Jewell. She had married him at twenty-one. They had been legally married for seven years and shared a six-year-old son.And the name Sylvie Sinclair was far from unfamiliar. She was Herbert's former student, currently working in his company's lab. She had heard the name fall from her husband's lips countless times, always wrapped in glowing praise.Hulda didn't believe for a second that this call had reached her by sheer coincidence. Besides, the caller had accurately paired Herbert and Sylvie's names together.By ten o'clock that night, Hulda sat utterly alone on the sofa in her sprawling living room, waiting for Herbert. She had called him several times, but every call went unanswered.Finally, just before eleven, he called her back.Before she could even breathe a word, his cold, deep voice cut through the receiver, dripping with obvious impatience. "I'm busy. Can you try being reasonable for once?"Hulda's chest tightened. She didn't know exactly when she had devolved into the "unreasonable" wife in her husband's eyes."Are you coming home tonight?" she asked softly."No. I have a business trip this weekend. I'm crashing at the office tonight.""Do you need me to..."She was just about to ask if he needed her to pack a bag and drop it off when a woman's voice chimed in from the background, not too loud but perfectly clear."Mr. Jewell, hurry up, the wedding planner is waiting...""Alright, I have to go. I'm swamped right now, so don't bother me with trivial matters from home."Herbert hung up before she could even hear the rest of the woman's sentence.But despite the abrupt end, the words 'wedding planner' echoed loud and clear in her mind.A bone-deep chill crept from the bottom of her heart, spreading to every extremity of her body....By the time the morning sun broke across the sky, Hulda was already sitting on a bus headed to the neighboring town.She hadn't slept a wink. Her eyes were red and swollen, her complexion haggard as she stared blankly out the window.After a night of agonizing over every possible scenario, she had decided to see the truth of this supposed wedding for herself.She had called the agency back from a different number, pretending to be a guest needing directions. The staff hadn't thought twice before giving her the venue's address.As she stared off into space, a call from someone she hadn't spoken to in ages lit up her phone.Hulda stared at the caller ID for several seconds before answering."Hello, Brandon," she greeted, her voice terribly hoarse and her throat dry."Hulda! It's so great to hear your voice," he said, sounding genuinely thrilled. "You probably know why I'm calling, so I won't beat around the bush. The institute desperately needs you right now. If you come back, I'll give you the position of R&D Center Director. What do you say?"Hulda was not in the right headspace. Her tone was flat. "You and Dr. Atherton have everything under control there. Me coming back wouldn't make much of a difference."The man on the other end grew anxious. "What do you mean it wouldn't make a difference? You single-handedly founded the Quantum Crystal Laboratory. You know better than anyone what this research means to the field. Besides, that director seat has always been yours. If you hadn't stepped down seven years ago... Ugh, I'm just keeping it warm for you. You don't expect me to babysit it forever, do you?"Hulda's mind was a chaotic mess. Running on zero sleep, she simply couldn't process or commit to anything right now."Brandon, let me think about it."The town wasn't large, and Hulda easily located the hotel hosting the wedding. It was the only upscale venue in the area.In the lobby, a massive portrait of the bride and groom was prominently displayed.In the photo, the bride looked sweet and radiant, her beaming smile a testament to how happy and deeply in love she was with her groom.Hulda's gaze drifted from the bride to the groom. Seeing the exact face of her husband, Herbert, staring back at her was a violent stab to her eyes."Who are you?"A middle-aged couple approached. The man eyed Hulda with suspicion. "You've been staring at my daughter and son-in-law's photo for a while. Are you here for the wedding?"Daughter and son-in-law?So these were Sylvie's parents."I'm looking for Herbert. I am his...""Oh, you must be one of his relatives!"Dante Sinclair interrupted her, assuming she was from the groom's side of the family.Technically, he wasn't wrong. But she wasn't just some distant relative; she was his legal, wedded wife."Yes," Hulda nodded.Their faces instantly lit up with welcoming smiles. Elinor, Sylvie's mother, affectionately linked her arm through Hulda's. "Why are you arriving so late? Come on, let's hurry. The ceremony is about to start."Hulda numbly allowed Dante and Elinor to guide her toward the banquet hall.All the way there, Elinor couldn't stop bragging. "Let me tell you, we absolutely adore our son-in-law. Not only is he incredibly handsome, but he's highly educated and comes from a wonderful family. He's practically flawless. I couldn't be happier that our Sylvie is marrying him."Hulda stared blankly at Elinor's deeply lined, beaming face. It was obvious the woman was overjoyed. "Does he treat her well?""Oh, exceptionally well! And not just her, he's been a godsend to our whole family." Dante chimed in, unable to hide his pride. "Just recently, he helped Sylvie's brother secure a fantastic job. He even paid to have our house built and furnished it entirely with imported pieces.""Last month when my stomach was acting up, Sylvie was worried about the local clinic, so Herbert pulled some strings to get me into a top hospital in the city. He ran around taking care of everything for her—got me a private VIP suite and even had the chief of medicine personally examine me," Elinor added."Don't remind me. It turned out you just had some bad food, but you acted like you were dying," Dante grumbled at his wife, though he still looked awfully smug.Hulda's arm stiffened under Elinor's grip.Just last month, she underwent thyroid tumor removal surgery, which required a direct family member's signature and presence. She had told Herbert well in advance, and he had promised to clear his schedule for her.Yet, on the day of the surgery, he never showed up. He rejected her calls, or they simply rang out.In the end, Hulda forged ahead and signed the paperwork herself. During her three-day hospital recovery, she had to rely entirely on a temporary nurse hired by the ward.When she confronted Herbert afterward about his absence, he brushed her off, claiming he was busy accompanying a very important elder for medical treatment.When she pressed him, he lost his temper. "Can you try being reasonable for once, Hulda? It was just a minor thyroid surgery, you weren't going to die! Don't you know how swamped I am with work? It's not like I didn't give you money for a nurse!"Looking at the glowing faces of Sylvie's parents, a suffocating, dense ache spread through Hulda's chest. So, the 'important elder' he was busy taking care of that day was actually Sylvie's mother...They were about to say more, but a staff member from the wedding agency rushed over, ushering them inside.The ceremony was starting.Hulda arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall. It was her first time laying eyes on Sylvie Sinclair in person. Until now, everything she knew about the girl had been fed to her through Herbert.Details like how Sylvie came from a struggling family, how she had a tireless work ethic, and how she was the most educated girl from her small town.Details like how brilliant she was, the smartest student Herbert had ever mentored.Details like how pure, upbeat, and resilient she was, blooming against all odds like a sunflower reaching for the light.Now, watching her stand at the doors waiting for her entrance, Hulda had to admit she was strikingly beautiful. Wrapped in an elegant white wedding gown, she radiated the nervous, blushing glow of a true bride."What do I do... it's almost time. I'm so nervous. What if I trip and fall? I only ever wear sneakers, I'm totally not used to heels..."The agency staff flanked her, cheering her on with warm smiles. "Don't be nervous. Your bridesmaids and our team are right here. We won't let you fall. Just focus on being a beautiful bride!"Sylvie lightly gripped the fabric of her skirt, laughing shyly. "Do I look beautiful?""Stunning! You're the most beautiful woman in the world today!" the staff replied enthusiastically.This was the exact scene Hulda walked into. Her eyes flickered, a bitter sting rising in her throat.Once upon a time, she had also nervously looked forward to her wedding with Herbert.But back then, he had looked at her with a dead-serious expression and said, "This is a critical year for me to get my tenure, and the company is just getting off the ground. I simply don't have the time to throw a wedding."At twenty-one, she had been understanding of twenty-six-year-old Herbert's ambitions. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that seven years later, at twenty-eight, she would be attending her own husband's wedding to another woman.Sylvie noticed Hulda. Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second before blooming into an even brighter, more welcoming grin. "Welcome to our wedding!"In that split second, Hulda desperately wanted to scream, "Do you know he already has a wife?"But before she could utter a single word, the MC's booming voice echoed from inside the hall. "Please welcome the bride!"As the announcement concluded, the grand doors slowly swung open.Sylvie instantly straightened her posture. Flanked by her bridesmaids and the wedding staff, she floated into the hall like a vision.Hulda stood frozen, watching her glide inside. Her calm eyes tracked Sylvie's figure as it disappeared into the venue.The hall wasn't massive, but it was decorated like a fairytale. The seats were packed. Hulda scanned the room and saw only unfamiliar faces; it was likely entirely Sylvie's family and friends.As the bride made her entrance, the house lights dimmed, leaving only a brilliant spotlight tracking the couple at the altar.Before the staff could pull the doors shut, Hulda stepped quietly into the room. She stood in the shadows at the back, wearing the same polite smile as the rest of the guests, her eyes glued to the stage.In that moment, she finally got a crystal-clear look at Herbert.The man she had shared a bed and built a life with for seven long years was standing up there in a sharp, tailored white tuxedo, solemnly receiving his new bride from her father."I'm entrusting my daughter to you. You make sure you take good care of her," Dante said with a warm smile."I will," Herbert replied, his incredibly rich, soothing voice ringing with unwavering conviction.Then, he firmly grasped Sylvie's hand. Seeing her eyes well up with happy tears, he gently raised his free hand and wiped a stray teardrop from her cheek.What a picturesque scene!What a flawless, breathtaking couple!Standing in the dark, Hulda could clearly hear the swooning sighs and envious whispers of the women around her. But her gaze was locked onto their joined hands.She couldn't even remember the last time Herbert had held her hand.Come to think of it, he had never held her hand in public. Just as he had never publicly acknowledged her as his wife.And over the past seven years, she had somehow remained completely blind to it. She had always rationalized that he was just reserved, introverted, and naturally stoic, so she had molded herself to accommodate his temperament.But looking at him now, she realized that wasn't true at all. Herbert was perfectly capable of displaying affection. He possessed a deeply tender and attentive side.Hulda took a slow, trembling breath, but she couldn't exhale the crushing, suffocating weight sitting heavy on her chest.Chapter 2"Hello, is this Mrs. Jewell? I'm Peterson from the wedding planning agency. I have a few details regarding the ceremony timeline that I need to confirm with you."Hulda's hand paused as she stirred her food. She was in a good mood today, so she smiled and replied, "I am Mrs. Jewell, but my husband and I have been married for seven years. We don't have any plans to host a wedding anytime soon."The caller hesitated for a moment before clarifying, "Did I dial the wrong number? Are you Mr. Herbert Jewell's bride-to-be, Ms. Sylvie Sinclair?"Clatter...The silverware slipped from Hulda's fingers and hit the floor. Her ears rang violently at his words."Hello? Are you still there? Are you Ms. Sylvie Sinclair?"Hulda's face drained of color. "I... I'm not...""My apologies, I must have dialed the wrong number."After a quick apology, the man abruptly hung up.Hulda couldn't calm her racing heart, because her husband's name was indeed Herbert Jewell. She had married him at twenty-one. They had been legally married for seven years and shared a six-year-old son.And the name Sylvie Sinclair was far from unfamiliar. She was Herbert's former student, currently working in his company's lab. She had heard the name fall from her husband's lips countless times, always wrapped in glowing praise.Hulda didn't believe for a second that this call had reached her by sheer coincidence. Besides, the caller had accurately paired Herbert and Sylvie's names together.By ten o'clock that night, Hulda sat utterly alone on the sofa in her sprawling living room, waiting for Herbert. She had called him several times, but every call went unanswered.Finally, just before eleven, he called her back.Before she could even breathe a word, his cold, deep voice cut through the receiver, dripping with obvious impatience. "I'm busy. Can you try being reasonable for once?"Hulda's chest tightened. She didn't know exactly when she had devolved into the "unreasonable" wife in her husband's eyes."Are you coming home tonight?" she asked softly."No. I have a business trip this weekend. I'm crashing at the office tonight.""Do you need me to..."She was just about to ask if he needed her to pack a bag and drop it off when a woman's voice chimed in from the background, not too loud but perfectly clear."Mr. Jewell, hurry up, the wedding planner is waiting...""Alright, I have to go. I'm swamped right now, so don't bother me with trivial matters from home."Herbert hung up before she could even hear the rest of the woman's sentence.But despite the abrupt end, the words 'wedding planner' echoed loud and clear in her mind.A bone-deep chill crept from the bottom of her heart, spreading to every extremity of her body....By the time the morning sun broke across the sky, Hulda was already sitting on a bus headed to the neighboring town.She hadn't slept a wink. Her eyes were red and swollen, her complexion haggard as she stared blankly out the window.After a night of agonizing over every possible scenario, she had decided to see the truth of this supposed wedding for herself.She had called the agency back from a different number, pretending to be a guest needing directions. The staff hadn't thought twice before giving her the venue's address.As she stared off into space, a call from someone she hadn't spoken to in ages lit up her phone.Hulda stared at the caller ID for several seconds before answering."Hello, Brandon," she greeted, her voice terribly hoarse and her throat dry."Hulda! It's so great to hear your voice," he said, sounding genuinely thrilled. "You probably know why I'm calling, so I won't beat around the bush. The institute desperately needs you right now. If you come back, I'll give you the position of R&D Center Director. What do you say?"Hulda was not in the right headspace. Her tone was flat. "You and Dr. Atherton have everything under control there. Me coming back wouldn't make much of a difference."The man on the other end grew anxious. "What do you mean it wouldn't make a difference? You single-handedly founded the Quantum Crystal Laboratory. You know better than anyone what this research means to the field. Besides, that director seat has always been yours. If you hadn't stepped down seven years ago... Ugh, I'm just keeping it warm for you. You don't expect me to babysit it forever, do you?"Hulda's mind was a chaotic mess. Running on zero sleep, she simply couldn't process or commit to anything right now."Brandon, let me think about it."The town wasn't large, and Hulda easily located the hotel hosting the wedding. It was the only upscale venue in the area.In the lobby, a massive portrait of the bride and groom was prominently displayed.In the photo, the bride looked sweet and radiant, her beaming smile a testament to how happy and deeply in love she was with her groom.Hulda's gaze drifted from the bride to the groom. Seeing the exact face of her husband, Herbert, staring back at her was a violent stab to her eyes."Who are you?"A middle-aged couple approached. The man eyed Hulda with suspicion. "You've been staring at my daughter and son-in-law's photo for a while. Are you here for the wedding?"Daughter and son-in-law?So these were Sylvie's parents."I'm looking for Herbert. I am his...""Oh, you must be one of his relatives!"Dante Sinclair interrupted her, assuming she was from the groom's side of the family.Technically, he wasn't wrong. But she wasn't just some distant relative; she was his legal, wedded wife."Yes," Hulda nodded.Their faces instantly lit up with welcoming smiles. Elinor, Sylvie's mother, affectionately linked her arm through Hulda's. "Why are you arriving so late? Come on, let's hurry. The ceremony is about to start."Hulda numbly allowed Dante and Elinor to guide her toward the banquet hall.All the way there, Elinor couldn't stop bragging. "Let me tell you, we absolutely adore our son-in-law. Not only is he incredibly handsome, but he's highly educated and comes from a wonderful family. He's practically flawless. I couldn't be happier that our Sylvie is marrying him."Hulda stared blankly at Elinor's deeply lined, beaming face. It was obvious the woman was overjoyed. "Does he treat her well?""Oh, exceptionally well! And not just her, he's been a godsend to our whole family." Dante chimed in, unable to hide his pride. "Just recently, he helped Sylvie's brother secure a fantastic job. He even paid to have our house built and furnished it entirely with imported pieces.""Last month when my stomach was acting up, Sylvie was worried about the local clinic, so Herbert pulled some strings to get me into a top hospital in the city. He ran around taking care of everything for her—got me a private VIP suite and even had the chief of medicine personally examine me," Elinor added."Don't remind me. It turned out you just had some bad food, but you acted like you were dying," Dante grumbled at his wife, though he still looked awfully smug.Hulda's arm stiffened under Elinor's grip.Just last month, she underwent thyroid tumor removal surgery, which required a direct family member's signature and presence. She had told Herbert well in advance, and he had promised to clear his schedule for her.Yet, on the day of the surgery, he never showed up. He rejected her calls, or they simply rang out.In the end, Hulda forged ahead and signed the paperwork herself. During her three-day hospital recovery, she had to rely entirely on a temporary nurse hired by the ward.When she confronted Herbert afterward about his absence, he brushed her off, claiming he was busy accompanying a very important elder for medical treatment.When she pressed him, he lost his temper. "Can you try being reasonable for once, Hulda? It was just a minor thyroid surgery, you weren't going to die! Don't you know how swamped I am with work? It's not like I didn't give you money for a nurse!"Looking at the glowing faces of Sylvie's parents, a suffocating, dense ache spread through Hulda's chest. So, the 'important elder' he was busy taking care of that day was actually Sylvie's mother...They were about to say more, but a staff member from the wedding agency rushed over, ushering them inside.The ceremony was starting.Hulda arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall. It was her first time laying eyes on Sylvie Sinclair in person. Until now, everything she knew about the girl had been fed to her through Herbert.Details like how Sylvie came from a struggling family, how she had a tireless work ethic, and how she was the most educated girl from her small town.Details like how brilliant she was, the smartest student Herbert had ever mentored.Details like how pure, upbeat, and resilient she was, blooming against all odds like a sunflower reaching for the light.Now, watching her stand at the doors waiting for her entrance, Hulda had to admit she was strikingly beautiful. Wrapped in an elegant white wedding gown, she radiated the nervous, blushing glow of a true bride."What do I do... it's almost time. I'm so nervous. What if I trip and fall? I only ever wear sneakers, I'm totally not used to heels..."The agency staff flanked her, cheering her on with warm smiles. "Don't be nervous. Your bridesmaids and our team are right here. We won't let you fall. Just focus on being a beautiful bride!"Sylvie lightly gripped the fabric of her skirt, laughing shyly. "Do I look beautiful?""Stunning! You're the most beautiful woman in the world today!" the staff replied enthusiastically.This was the exact scene Hulda walked into. Her eyes flickered, a bitter sting rising in her throat.Once upon a time, she had also nervously looked forward to her wedding with Herbert.But back then, he had looked at her with a dead-serious expression and said, "This is a critical year for me to get my tenure, and the company is just getting off the ground. I simply don't have the time to throw a wedding."At twenty-one, she had been understanding of twenty-six-year-old Herbert's ambitions. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that seven years later, at twenty-eight, she would be attending her own husband's wedding to another woman.Sylvie noticed Hulda. Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second before blooming into an even brighter, more welcoming grin. "Welcome to our wedding!"In that split second, Hulda desperately wanted to scream, "Do you know he already has a wife?"But before she could utter a single word, the MC's booming voice echoed from inside the hall. "Please welcome the bride!"As the announcement concluded, the grand doors slowly swung open.Sylvie instantly straightened her posture. Flanked by her bridesmaids and the wedding staff, she floated into the hall like a vision.Hulda stood frozen, watching her glide inside. Her calm eyes tracked Sylvie's figure as it disappeared into the venue.The hall wasn't massive, but it was decorated like a fairytale. The seats were packed. Hulda scanned the room and saw only unfamiliar faces; it was likely entirely Sylvie's family and friends.As the bride made her entrance, the house lights dimmed, leaving only a brilliant spotlight tracking the couple at the altar.Before the staff could pull the doors shut, Hulda stepped quietly into the room. She stood in the shadows at the back, wearing the same polite smile as the rest of the guests, her eyes glued to the stage.In that moment, she finally got a crystal-clear look at Herbert.The man she had shared a bed and built a life with for seven long years was standing up there in a sharp, tailored white tuxedo, solemnly receiving his new bride from her father."I'm entrusting my daughter to you. You make sure you take good care of her," Dante said with a warm smile."I will," Herbert replied, his incredibly rich, soothing voice ringing with unwavering conviction.Then, he firmly grasped Sylvie's hand. Seeing her eyes well up with happy tears, he gently raised his free hand and wiped a stray teardrop from her cheek.What a picturesque scene!What a flawless, breathtaking couple!Standing in the dark, Hulda could clearly hear the swooning sighs and envious whispers of the women around her. But her gaze was locked onto their joined hands.She couldn't even remember the last time Herbert had held her hand.Come to think of it, he had never held her hand in public. Just as he had never publicly acknowledged her as his wife.And over the past seven years, she had somehow remained completely blind to it. She had always rationalized that he was just reserved, introverted, and naturally stoic, so she had molded herself to accommodate his temperament.But looking at him now, she realized that wasn't true at all. Herbert was perfectly capable of displaying affection. He possessed a deeply tender and attentive side.Hulda took a slow, trembling breath, but she couldn't exhale the crushing, suffocating weight sitting heavy on her chest.Chapter 3"Hello, is this Mrs. Jewell? I'm Peterson from the wedding planning agency. I have a few details regarding the ceremony timeline that I need to confirm with you."Hulda's hand paused as she stirred her food. She was in a good mood today, so she smiled and replied, "I am Mrs. Jewell, but my husband and I have been married for seven years. We don't have any plans to host a wedding anytime soon."The caller hesitated for a moment before clarifying, "Did I dial the wrong number? Are you Mr. Herbert Jewell's bride-to-be, Ms. Sylvie Sinclair?"Clatter...The silverware slipped from Hulda's fingers and hit the floor. Her ears rang violently at his words."Hello? Are you still there? Are you Ms. Sylvie Sinclair?"Hulda's face drained of color. "I... I'm not...""My apologies, I must have dialed the wrong number."After a quick apology, the man abruptly hung up.Hulda couldn't calm her racing heart, because her husband's name was indeed Herbert Jewell. She had married him at twenty-one. They had been legally married for seven years and shared a six-year-old son.And the name Sylvie Sinclair was far from unfamiliar. She was Herbert's former student, currently working in his company's lab. She had heard the name fall from her husband's lips countless times, always wrapped in glowing praise.Hulda didn't believe for a second that this call had reached her by sheer coincidence. Besides, the caller had accurately paired Herbert and Sylvie's names together.By ten o'clock that night, Hulda sat utterly alone on the sofa in her sprawling living room, waiting for Herbert. She had called him several times, but every call went unanswered.Finally, just before eleven, he called her back.Before she could even breathe a word, his cold, deep voice cut through the receiver, dripping with obvious impatience. "I'm busy. Can you try being reasonable for once?"Hulda's chest tightened. She didn't know exactly when she had devolved into the "unreasonable" wife in her husband's eyes."Are you coming home tonight?" she asked softly."No. I have a business trip this weekend. I'm crashing at the office tonight.""Do you need me to..."She was just about to ask if he needed her to pack a bag and drop it off when a woman's voice chimed in from the background, not too loud but perfectly clear."Mr. Jewell, hurry up, the wedding planner is waiting...""Alright, I have to go. I'm swamped right now, so don't bother me with trivial matters from home."Herbert hung up before she could even hear the rest of the woman's sentence.But despite the abrupt end, the words 'wedding planner' echoed loud and clear in her mind.A bone-deep chill crept from the bottom of her heart, spreading to every extremity of her body....By the time the morning sun broke across the sky, Hulda was already sitting on a bus headed to the neighboring town.She hadn't slept a wink. Her eyes were red and swollen, her complexion haggard as she stared blankly out the window.After a night of agonizing over every possible scenario, she had decided to see the truth of this supposed wedding for herself.She had called the agency back from a different number, pretending to be a guest needing directions. The staff hadn't thought twice before giving her the venue's address.As she stared off into space, a call from someone she hadn't spoken to in ages lit up her phone.Hulda stared at the caller ID for several seconds before answering."Hello, Brandon," she greeted, her voice terribly hoarse and her throat dry."Hulda! It's so great to hear your voice," he said, sounding genuinely thrilled. "You probably know why I'm calling, so I won't beat around the bush. The institute desperately needs you right now. If you come back, I'll give you the position of R&D Center Director. What do you say?"Hulda was not in the right headspace. Her tone was flat. "You and Dr. Atherton have everything under control there. Me coming back wouldn't make much of a difference."The man on the other end grew anxious. "What do you mean it wouldn't make a difference? You single-handedly founded the Quantum Crystal Laboratory. You know better than anyone what this research means to the field. Besides, that director seat has always been yours. If you hadn't stepped down seven years ago... Ugh, I'm just keeping it warm for you. You don't expect me to babysit it forever, do you?"Hulda's mind was a chaotic mess. Running on zero sleep, she simply couldn't process or commit to anything right now."Brandon, let me think about it."The town wasn't large, and Hulda easily located the hotel hosting the wedding. It was the only upscale venue in the area.In the lobby, a massive portrait of the bride and groom was prominently displayed.In the photo, the bride looked sweet and radiant, her beaming smile a testament to how happy and deeply in love she was with her groom.Hulda's gaze drifted from the bride to the groom. Seeing the exact face of her husband, Herbert, staring back at her was a violent stab to her eyes."Who are you?"A middle-aged couple approached. The man eyed Hulda with suspicion. "You've been staring at my daughter and son-in-law's photo for a while. Are you here for the wedding?"Daughter and son-in-law?So these were Sylvie's parents."I'm looking for Herbert. I am his...""Oh, you must be one of his relatives!"Dante Sinclair interrupted her, assuming she was from the groom's side of the family.Technically, he wasn't wrong. But she wasn't just some distant relative; she was his legal, wedded wife."Yes," Hulda nodded.Their faces instantly lit up with welcoming smiles. Elinor, Sylvie's mother, affectionately linked her arm through Hulda's. "Why are you arriving so late? Come on, let's hurry. The ceremony is about to start."Hulda numbly allowed Dante and Elinor to guide her toward the banquet hall.All the way there, Elinor couldn't stop bragging. "Let me tell you, we absolutely adore our son-in-law. Not only is he incredibly handsome, but he's highly educated and comes from a wonderful family. He's practically flawless. I couldn't be happier that our Sylvie is marrying him."Hulda stared blankly at Elinor's deeply lined, beaming face. It was obvious the woman was overjoyed. "Does he treat her well?""Oh, exceptionally well! And not just her, he's been a godsend to our whole family." Dante chimed in, unable to hide his pride. "Just recently, he helped Sylvie's brother secure a fantastic job. He even paid to have our house built and furnished it entirely with imported pieces.""Last month when my stomach was acting up, Sylvie was worried about the local clinic, so Herbert pulled some strings to get me into a top hospital in the city. He ran around taking care of everything for her—got me a private VIP suite and even had the chief of medicine personally examine me," Elinor added."Don't remind me. It turned out you just had some bad food, but you acted like you were dying," Dante grumbled at his wife, though he still looked awfully smug.Hulda's arm stiffened under Elinor's grip.Just last month, she underwent thyroid tumor removal surgery, which required a direct family member's signature and presence. She had told Herbert well in advance, and he had promised to clear his schedule for her.Yet, on the day of the surgery, he never showed up. He rejected her calls, or they simply rang out.In the end, Hulda forged ahead and signed the paperwork herself. During her three-day hospital recovery, she had to rely entirely on a temporary nurse hired by the ward.When she confronted Herbert afterward about his absence, he brushed her off, claiming he was busy accompanying a very important elder for medical treatment.When she pressed him, he lost his temper. "Can you try being reasonable for once, Hulda? It was just a minor thyroid surgery, you weren't going to die! Don't you know how swamped I am with work? It's not like I didn't give you money for a nurse!"Looking at the glowing faces of Sylvie's parents, a suffocating, dense ache spread through Hulda's chest. So, the 'important elder' he was busy taking care of that day was actually Sylvie's mother...They were about to say more, but a staff member from the wedding agency rushed over, ushering them inside.The ceremony was starting.Hulda arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall. It was her first time laying eyes on Sylvie Sinclair in person. Until now, everything she knew about the girl had been fed to her through Herbert.Details like how Sylvie came from a struggling family, how she had a tireless work ethic, and how she was the most educated girl from her small town.Details like how brilliant she was, the smartest student Herbert had ever mentored.Details like how pure, upbeat, and resilient she was, blooming against all odds like a sunflower reaching for the light.Now, watching her stand at the doors waiting for her entrance, Hulda had to admit she was strikingly beautiful. Wrapped in an elegant white wedding gown, she radiated the nervous, blushing glow of a true bride."What do I do... it's almost time. I'm so nervous. What if I trip and fall? I only ever wear sneakers, I'm totally not used to heels..."The agency staff flanked her, cheering her on with warm smiles. "Don't be nervous. Your bridesmaids and our team are right here. We won't let you fall. Just focus on being a beautiful bride!"Sylvie lightly gripped the fabric of her skirt, laughing shyly. "Do I look beautiful?""Stunning! You're the most beautiful woman in the world today!" the staff replied enthusiastically.This was the exact scene Hulda walked into. Her eyes flickered, a bitter sting rising in her throat.Once upon a time, she had also nervously looked forward to her wedding with Herbert.But back then, he had looked at her with a dead-serious expression and said, "This is a critical year for me to get my tenure, and the company is just getting off the ground. I simply don't have the time to throw a wedding."At twenty-one, she had been understanding of twenty-six-year-old Herbert's ambitions. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that seven years later, at twenty-eight, she would be attending her own husband's wedding to another woman.Sylvie noticed Hulda. Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second before blooming into an even brighter, more welcoming grin. "Welcome to our wedding!"In that split second, Hulda desperately wanted to scream, "Do you know he already has a wife?"But before she could utter a single word, the MC's booming voice echoed from inside the hall. "Please welcome the bride!"As the announcement concluded, the grand doors slowly swung open.Sylvie instantly straightened her posture. Flanked by her bridesmaids and the wedding staff, she floated into the hall like a vision.Hulda stood frozen, watching her glide inside. Her calm eyes tracked Sylvie's figure as it disappeared into the venue.The hall wasn't massive, but it was decorated like a fairytale. The seats were packed. Hulda scanned the room and saw only unfamiliar faces; it was likely entirely Sylvie's family and friends.As the bride made her entrance, the house lights dimmed, leaving only a brilliant spotlight tracking the couple at the altar.Before the staff could pull the doors shut, Hulda stepped quietly into the room. She stood in the shadows at the back, wearing the same polite smile as the rest of the guests, her eyes glued to the stage.In that moment, she finally got a crystal-clear look at Herbert.The man she had shared a bed and built a life with for seven long years was standing up there in a sharp, tailored white tuxedo, solemnly receiving his new bride from her father."I'm entrusting my daughter to you. You make sure you take good care of her," Dante said with a warm smile."I will," Herbert replied, his incredibly rich, soothing voice ringing with unwavering conviction.Then, he firmly grasped Sylvie's hand. Seeing her eyes well up with happy tears, he gently raised his free hand and wiped a stray teardrop from her cheek.What a picturesque scene!What a flawless, breathtaking couple!Standing in the dark, Hulda could clearly hear the swooning sighs and envious whispers of the women around her. But her gaze was locked onto their joined hands.She couldn't even remember the last time Herbert had held her hand.Come to think of it, he had never held her hand in public. Just as he had never publicly acknowledged her as his wife.And over the past seven years, she had somehow remained completely blind to it. She had always rationalized that he was just reserved, introverted, and naturally stoic, so she had molded herself to accommodate his temperament.But looking at him now, she realized that wasn't true at all. Herbert was perfectly capable of displaying affection. He possessed a deeply tender and attentive side.Hulda took a slow, trembling breath, but she couldn't exhale the crushing, suffocating weight sitting heavy on her chest.