Chapter 1

“The victim's family refuses to settle, Xa.”

The words hit Alexa like a crushing blow.

Her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed onto the edge of the sofa, every ounce of strength draining from her body. Just like that, her dream of becoming a doctor's wife shattered without warning.

“But Robert's a doctor, Dad. There has to be some leniency, right? His family is willing to take responsibility for the victim's family—”

Mr. Lucas let out a heavy sigh.

“They are. Robert's family offered to cover all the living expenses for the victim's children. They even promised to provide his wife with enough capital to start a business. But the victim's family refused, Xa. They don't want a settlement. So the police have officially named Robert as a suspect, and he'll be sent to prison. How long he'll serve... that'll be up to the court.”

“Oh, God... how did this happen...?”

Alexa buried her face in her hands.

Tears slowly seeped through her fingers while painful sobs shook her shoulders. Every breath she took felt like it was squeezing the air from her lungs.

“So... what are we supposed to do now, Dad? The wedding invitations have already been sent out. The whole family is coming tomorrow to help with the preparations. Even the neighbors have agreed to help cook for the reception. We can't just cancel everything overnight... can we?”

Mrs. Nancy, who had been silently thinking the entire time, finally spoke. Panic was written all over her face. She was still a beautiful woman despite being in her forties, but the worry etched across her features was impossible to hide.

Mr. Lucas fell silent, searching desperately for a solution that might ease both his eldest daughter's heart and his wife's fears.

The wedding had to go on.

No matter what happened.

He refused to let the family's reputation be ruined because his daughter's wedding had fallen apart.

Just as he was drawing another blank, the doorbell rang.

The housekeeper, who had only moments ago served tea to the family, hurried toward the front door and opened it.

“Excuse me—”

Everyone turned toward the entrance. Alexa quickly lowered her hands and wiped away her tears. A sudden wave of embarrassment washed over her. She didn't want whoever had arrived to see her crying.

“Chandra? When did you get back? I thought you were still in your hometown. Wasn't your uncle getting married?” Mrs. Nancy blurted out one question after another, clearly surprised to see her daughter's childhood friend.

The young man smiled.

“I just got back today, Auntie. Uncle Edwin's wedding was yesterday, so I decided to head home early. Dad, Mom, and my younger siblings will probably be back the day after tomorrow.”

“I see...” Mrs. Nancy murmured softly, forcing a smile despite the panic threatening to show on her face.

She couldn't let her daughter's friend see what was really going on.

This was a family matter. Not everyone needed to know the truth.

“So why'd you come back early, Chan?” Mr. Lucas asked, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere so Chandra wouldn't focus on Alexa. At the same time, he shot subtle glances toward his eldest daughter, silently urging her to retreat to her room.

Unfortunately, Alexa's mind was far too overwhelmed to notice her father's silent signal.

Then—

“Of course I came back early, Uncle. Alexa's getting married the day after tomorrow, isn't she? How could her best friend since childhood not be here? I even want to be one of the groomsmen.”

Chandra chuckled.

The laugh lasted only a couple of seconds.

The instant he got a good look at Alexa's face, his smile disappeared.

“Huh? Xa... what's wrong?” His brows knitted together. “Have you been crying?”

Alexa slowly shook her head, forcing a smile that hurt far more than it comforted.

“I'm okay, Chan. It's just... I'm about to leave my single life behind. Things got a little emotional spending time with my family.”

The moment they heard that, both Mrs. Nancy and Mr. Lucas fell silent.

They looked at their daughter with eyes full of emotions neither of them could put into words. Watching her pretend to be strong in front of her closest friend only made their hearts ache even more.

Chandra, however, frowned.

She had never been good at lying to him.

After all, they'd grown up together, sharing every mischievous childhood adventure side by side. Even though Chandra was two years older than Alexa, they'd always been inseparable, just like children of the same age.

“Are you sure, Xa?” he asked, narrowing his eyes as he studied her. “You're not lying to me?”

Alexa nodded immediately.

“I am. Seriously, let's not talk about it anymore. By the way, have you eaten yet? If not, go inside and grab something. Mom made beef rib soup—”

Before Chandra could respond, the front door swung open again.

This time it was shoved open so abruptly that everyone instinctively turned toward it.

“Uncle! Auntie!” a voice called out breathlessly. “Mom just told me the police took Dr. Robert away. That's not true... is it? Mom has to be wrong, right?”

Elvan, Alexa's younger cousin, stared at his uncle and aunt in disbelief. He was breathing hard, as though he'd sprinted all the way there.

Alexa's eyes widened as the crushing weight in her chest returned all over again.

Mr. Lucas and Mrs. Nancy let out long, weary sighs.

As for Chandra...

He stood frozen in utter shock.

“What? The police arrested Dr. Robert?”

His eyes darted from one face to another, desperately searching for answers. Finally, his gaze settled on Alexa, silently demanding an explanation.

“You just found out too, Chandra?” Elvan asked, staring at him in surprise.

Chandra gave a slow nod.

“I only knew Alexa was supposed to marry Dr. Robert the day after tomorrow.”

Elvan sighed before turning back to his uncle and aunt.

“Uncle... Auntie... can you please tell me what happened?”

Mr. Lucas and Mrs. Nancy exchanged uneasy glances before looking at their daughter. Fresh tears shimmered in Alexa's eyes. She gave the slightest shake of her head, silently pleading with them not to reveal the truth.

But sooner or later, everyone would find out.

In the end, Mr. Lucas decided there was no point hiding it anymore.

“It was an accident, Elvan,” he said quietly. “Robert... accidentally hit someone with his car, and the victim didn't survive.”