Chapter 1 The Bride He Never Deserved

The next morning, Silver Hollow was dressed for a wedding.

Lanterns hung from every porch. Drums echoed through the streets. Nearly everyone in town had gathered along the cobblestone road, crowding both sides as they waited to see whether this would finally be the year I became a bride.

Before long, Logan arrived with a polished wooden tray in his hands. A velvet cloth covered the tray.

The village chief stepped forward with his cane and cleared his throat. "It is time to inspect the bridal silver."

The velvet cloth was lifted. Beneath it lay a stunning silver crown.

Ninety-nine tiny silver bells were arranged across the crown in delicate layers, catching the morning light until they shimmered so brightly that no one could look away.

My younger sister, Lily Jones, covered her mouth. Her eyes turned red at once. "All seven pieces are here," she whispered. "Julia, you can finally get married."

A wave of admiration spread through the crowd.

"I have not seen a silver crown that beautiful in decades. Logan really spent a fortune this time."

"Julia's seven years of waiting weren't wasted after all."

Lily nudged my shoulder and urged me forward. "Julia, go accept your bridal set."

I stood where I was and did not move.

Sure enough, in the next moment, Logan lifted the silver crown from the tray and walked toward Abbie Gardner, who stood on the other side of the crowd.

Under everyone's stunned gaze, he placed the crown on her head.

"Logan, have you lost your mind?" Lily rushed forward and grabbed his sleeve. "That is my sister's wedding crown. Why are you putting it on Abbie?"

Logan pulled his arm free and answered as if he had done nothing wrong. "Abbie saved my life once. We have been through life and death together. She only wanted a silver crown. Why shouldn't I give her one?"

Lily trembled with anger and demanded, "What about Julia? She has waited for you for six years."

Everyone turned to look at me.

They were all waiting for me, the famous firecracker of Silver Hollow, to rush forward, cry, scream, and make a scene.

However, I only stood there quietly and looked at Abbie.

She had clearly dressed for this moment. She wore a brand-new embroidered dress, and every part of her was covered in silver ornaments. With the silver crown now on her head, her bridal set was complete.

Then, I looked down at myself.

My wedding dress had been worn and washed too many times over the years. The colors that had once been bright had faded into something pale and tired. I wore no jewelry at all. There was not even a single piece of silver on me.

Anyone who did not know better would have thought Abbie was the bride.

I drew in a slow breath and looked at the man I had waited seven years for.

"Are you sure you want to give her the silver crown?" I asked. "Without it, my bridal set is no longer complete."

Logan nodded without the slightest hesitation. His tone was careless, almost bored. "It is just one silver crown. Wait a little longer. Next year, I will make it up to you with one that is even better and more beautiful."

I shook my head softly. "That will not be necessary. I am still getting married today."

The moment I said that, the crowd burst into whispers.

"Julia must be terrified of waiting any longer. She is willing to marry even without a complete bridal set."

"Logan really knows how to handle her. He has finally tamed that temper of hers."

"Seven years is a long time. Even the wildest horse learns to lower its head eventually."

The corner of Logan's mouth lifted. He could not hide the satisfaction on his face.

Abbie rolled her eyes and raised her voice on purpose. "A twenty-eight-year-old spinster is not worth much. At her age, she'd probably marry anyone who would take her."

Logan gave a light cough, but the smugness in his voice was impossible to miss. "Since you are so eager to marry me, the wedding will continue as planned."

I looked at him coldly. "I said I was getting married, but I never said I was marrying you."

Logan only thought I was saying it to protect my pride. He did not take me seriously at all.

"Enough," he said. "Stop being difficult. The wedding will go on as planned. Whatever I owe you, I will make up for it after we are married."

After that, he walked away surrounded by his friends, looking pleased with himself.

I watched his back disappear into the crowd.

The obsession I had carried for seven years finally scattered like smoke in the wind.