The Spring She Grew Into

"Sean, I've made up my mind, I'm going to marry you!" Janice Douglas played with her left hand's fingertips absentmindedly, her eyes locked on the swinging door of the nearby private room. On the other end of the call, the man let out a low chuckle, warm yet laced with a cool, worldly detachment. "Ms. Douglas, are you sure about this? Marrying into our families is a one-way street, no U-turns." "I'm sure!" Janice did not even pause before she shot back, her voice slicing through any second thoughts. "Fine, I'll be back in ten days. Pick me up at the airport, and we'll head straight to make it official." Chapter 1 Sean was all about getting to the point: no fuss, no muss, just like he always was. The second she hung up, the room burst into cheers. Janice's eyes snapped up to see Adrian Smith down on one knee, a fiery bouquet of roses in one hand and a diamond ring in the other, looking all lovey-dovey at the girl in front of him. The girl was so moved by the gesture that she was almost crying, her hand over her mouth, nodding like crazy. The room's bright lights made the diamond sparkle so much that it was blinding. Janice could not have guessed it–not in a million years–that the guy who had been all sweet talk on the phone half an hour ago, saying he would be back soon, was then, right under her nose, proposing to someone else. Back when she was eight, Adrian's family moved in next door. The first time they met, he gave her a shy smile and a piece of candy, calling her "Janey" in his crisp little voice. Ever since then, she had her very own shadow. Adrian was always there, carrying her books to school or jumping to her defense whenever she was upset. Over time, the name "Addy" had become a part of her, growing deep within her heart. She aced the SATs, outscoring Adrian by a mile, but without a second thought, she chose the same colleges he did. She was not a fan of the dry northern climate, but the thought of being in the same city, in the same university as him, made it all seem worth it. Their college days were a montage of sweet moments shared across the campus. On a moonlit night at the playground, he wrapped her in his arms and promised her forever. Her heart brimmed with dreams of what was to come. When Adrian decided to go abroad for further studies after graduation, it broke her heart, but she supported him all the way. For the next two years, she juggled her job with caring for his mother, who struggled with anxiety. She spent every weekend with the elderly lady, helping her through appointments with the psychologist, never once complaining. Her friends teased her, saying she was saying she was a de facto daughter-in-law already. She would just smile, keeping to herself the belief that her sixteen-year bond with Adrian was stronger than any marriage certificate. She would stay up into the wee hours for their video chats, cherishing those precious ten minutes. If he so much as hinted at feeling under the weather during a call, she would be on the next flight out, ready to cross oceans to be by his side. After two years, her wall was plastered with a patchwork of flight stubs, a testament to her travels. A week ago, Adrian shared his graduation picture online, announcing, [Graduated at last, time to head back and tie the knot! Let's graduate our love too!] Her heart soared, thinking their happily ever after was just around the corner. Their college friends flooded Janice's inbox with congratulations, telling her that her patience had finally paid off, like the clearing skies revealing the moon. However, it was crystal clear that the one he dreamed of marrying was never her. In the VIP room, applause and cheers ebbed and flowed like waves. "Adrian, you're something else! We all bet you'd end up with Janice. Who knew you had such a secret up your sleeve?" someone joked with a chuckle. Adrian just laughed it off: "Janice? I was over her ages ago. If she hadn't made that big scene, proposing to me at her graduation, I wouldn't have had to skip the country. "Actually, I owe her one for pushing me away. That's how I bumped into Yvette, the real deal, the one I'm ready to spend forever with." "But Janice has been by your side for years, and she's put in so much..." someone piped up, feeling sorry for Janice. "And? We were never married; it was all mutual. I treated her well, always made sure she was happy. She didn't lose anything." Adrian's flippant remarks sent the crowd into fits of laughter. Once the laughter died down, he added, with a laid-back tone: "In ten days, when the Smiths and the Douglases seal the deal on their joint venture, I'll be free to tie the knot with Yvette. But until then, zip it, guys. Not a peep to Janice, got it?" Janice's world spun, her perfectly polished nails digging into her palm. Swallowing her tears, she turned and hurried back to her own VIP room. There, her coworkers noticed her ashen face and grew concerned. "Janice, you okay? You look a little off since you hit the restroom." Janice inhaled deeply, mustering a dazzling smile. "Guess what, guys? I'm tying the knot in ten days! I'd love for you all to be there and cheering me on. But hey, I'm all about the low-key life, so let's keep this on the down-low, alright?" If he was ready to start a new chapter with someone else, she was more than ready to turn the page, too. In ten days, he would be a married man, and she would be a married woman. Just like that, their stories would be worlds apart. Chapter 2 Adrian swung the door open the next day to find Janice surrounded by boxes, packing up her life. They had shared that room, and everything in it, for four years since their college days. From the bulky couch to the tiny vase on the shelf, they had picked out each piece together. Even while he was away for two years, she had not been able to part with any of it. At this moment, sorting through the memories and the mess was a bigger job than she had expected. Janice did not run up to greet him like she used to, and Adrian's smile quickly turned into a scowl. He dropped his suitcase with a thud. "Too much trouble to pick me up from the airport, and now you can't even help me with my bags?" Janice nearly rolled her eyes. She used to camp out at the airport three hours early, treating his return like a royal visit. This time, after what happened? Things were different. Her nails dug into her palms as she shoved another photo frame into a box. This time, he had told her not to bother with the airport, because he was too busy proposing to another woman. The sight of the red scratch behind Adrian's ear was like a needle to Janice's heart. "I'm busy," she said, her voice as cool as the air between them. Adrian's gaze swept over the half-empty room, a smirk playing on his lips. "Wow, did you clean the place up just for me?" He had clearly forgotten the girl who once could not twist open a water bottle, then scrubbed his dirty socks clean without a second thought. He reached out to pull her close, but the sickly-sweet smell of his perfume made Janice's face scrunch up in disgust. "Why do you reek of women's perfume?" She turned away, her voice icy. A flicker of discomfort crossed Adrian's face. "On the flight back, I was stuck next to this lady who went overboard with her perfume. I was beside her for over ten hours, and the scent nearly knocked me out. Must've clung to me." His explanation was riddled with holes. He always flew solo in first-class, and that perfume? It was the latest craze last month, with every girl on Facebook flaunting their samples. No way an older lady would wear that. "You're just being petty and jealous!" Adrian wrapped his arms around her, his smile loaded with unspoken words: "Why don't I let you do a full-body check right now?" "Don't you dare touch me!" Janice shoved him away without a second thought. Before, she might have playfully punched him for being a tease, but after he had been with another woman, his touch repulsed her. Adrian's eyes bulged, his patience snapping. "All this over a whiff of perfume? You're making a scene? I've been on a plane for hours, I'm exhausted!" Janice did not have the energy to call out his lies, so she made up an excuse. "I've been slammed with work, not feeling great." Dark circles marred her face from a sleepless night, her appearance worn and weary. Adrian finally noticed Janice's pallor and reached out to feel her forehead. "You look awful. Caught a cold? I'll carry you to bed." However, before he could act, his phone blared to life. Janice caught a glimpse of the screen and spotted that name–Yvette Ellis. Adrian scrambled to the balcony, his voice a hushed whisper as he tried to soothe someone through the phone. "Missing your own bed, can't sleep? "I wouldn't dream of it. I won't lay a finger on her! "Okay, okay, I'm on my way to you, sweetheart." Janice watched his shadow stretch out in the moonlight and was hit by a wave of nostalgia. She remembered how, in the early days of living together, he kissed her forehead every morning and murmured, "Good morning, sweetheart." Once Adrian ended the call, he snatched his jacket and bolted, "Some trouble at work, and I've got to check it out. You get some rest, don't wait up." The door banged shut, and Janice, alone in the quiet room, let out a laugh. She pulled out her phone and picked out a few pictures of men's suits, sending them his way. [Which one of these suits do you like?] He texted back immediately, [Any of them, my suit just needs to go with your wedding dress.] [Fine.] Chapter 3 That night, Adrian texted that he was swamped with work and would not make it back. For the next three days, he was like a ghost–no word from him at all. However, on Yvette's social media, Janice saw pictures of a beach at midnight, brilliant fireworks, and hands clasped tight under the old oak tree in a churchyard. The captions were all floating in a cloud of pink. [He said, "Romance is mine," and I am forever her.] Janice scoffed as she looked at the screen, then shot off a message to her realtor. [List the house, now.] Later that night, Adrian called to say they should go to a friend's birthday party together. Janice was not in the mood. Adrian's voice was laced with impatience. "Jayden's been on about how we haven't hung out in ages, so he made me invite you. "Don't waste time. I'll be there in ten minutes to pick you up." The call ended with a sharp click, leaving Janice staring at her phone, fuming. As she reached to open the passenger door, a wave of sweetness hit her. Yvette was there, beaming up at her. "Hey there, Janice." Janice knew Yvette all too well. She would run into her plenty during her visits to see Adrian overseas. The girl was always batting those doe eyes, sweetly calling her "sister" and vowing to "keep an eye on your brother-in-law" for her. It seemed her version of keeping an eye on him was to keep him right in her bed. "Oops, sorry, Janice. I got carsick, so I snagged the front seat," said Yvette, comfortably lounging and twirling the seatbelt around her finger. "Adrian saved it just for me." Adrian coughed slightly. "Yvette's my assistant now. It made sense to give her a ride." The moment the car door shut, Yvette, like she owned the place, dug out a pack of gum and waved it at Janice. "Chewing gum? This brand's the only thing that helps with my motion sickness. Good thing Adrian remembered to stock up for me." She inhaled deeply, her nose wrinkling theatrically. "Ah, new perfume! The last one was so overpowering, I couldn't stop sneezing. Adrian's such a sweetheart, swapping it out on the sly." Her finger then darted to a trinket in the car, and she squealed with delight. "Wow, this little trinket looks so familiar. Oh my gosh! Isn't this the super-rare blind box figure I was obsessed with? The one that's like finding a needle in a haystack? How many boxes did you go through to find it?" Yvette's shrieks were like a barrage of tiny darts, each one piercing Janice's heart. Janice glanced up and caught sight of Adrian in the rearview mirror, his lips curled into a fond, indulgent smile as he drove. She realized that the man she had always taken such great care of could be just as thoughtful in return. She turned away, pretending to be lost in the deep night outside the window, and stealthily wiped away a tear that had dared to escape. In the passenger seat, Yvette caught Janice's eye in the mirror, and her smile grew even wider. When they walked into the private room, their old friends immediately started ribbing them. "Look who's here! The soon-to-be-wedded couple has graced us with their presence!" "So, Adrian, when's the big day? You've got to let us know so we can get our gifts ready!" Janice paused, looking over at Adrian. However, he was busy giving Yvette a nervous glance, her expression souring, and quickly diverted the conversation. "Let's talk about that later. Tonight's all about celebrating Jayden. Let's make sure he's the one we're toasting to the ground." Adrian's buddies, the same ones who had been at his proposal, jumped in to lighten the mood. "Right, right, let's make a deal–whoever hits the floor first tonight is footing the bill!" Janice's gaze fell, and she quietly slipped into a corner to sit down. Adrian, after getting Yvette settled, instinctively draped his jacket over her legs. It was only after this gesture that he caught a glimpse of Janice, sitting alone, and could not help but feel a twinge of guilt. Adrian leaned in a bit closer to Janice, trying to clear the air with a few words. Janice, who was usually glued to his side, was staring down at her phone, not even bothering to look up at him. Adrian was taken aback and could not help but peek at her phone, only to find a shopping page full of wedding dresses staring back at him. A smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned back, settling into the chair with a cool, dismissive ease. Chapter 4 At the dinner table, someone suggested a round of King's Cup, a classic card-based drinking game. Janice lost the first round, and her penalty was three stiff drinks. The moment the glasses hit the table, Adrian instinctively reached to grab the one in front of her, but a buddy next to him blocked his move, grinning cheekily, "I get that you two are tight, but you can't mess with the drinking game rules. If you cover for her, the drinks double. That's six shots, Adrian. Think about it!" Adrian winced at the thought. Yvette, with her hands propping up her chin, gave Janice a sideways glance. "Janice, you're not a schoolgirl like me. You've been rocking the business scene for years, so this drinking game is old hat for you, right? Three little shots should be a breeze." Yvette's challenging look was like a punch to Janice's gut. Janice shot a look at Adrian, who was chuckling nearby, and felt a wave of irritation flood through her. Without a word, she snatched up her glass and downed the drink in one go. The fiery liquid scorched its way down her throat, searing her stomach, but she gritted her teeth and powered through all three shots. Yvette was the loser in the second round. She looked at the full glasses before her, lips pursed in a pout, and kept shooting hopeful glances at Adrian. Adrian did not hesitate this time. He grabbed his glass and knocked back six shots: "Yvette's my junior, and she really can't handle her liquor." The room burst into applause and cheers. There were some curious looks being exchanged, eyes darting between Yvette and Janice. After setting his glass down, Adrian sneakily reached for Janice's hand under the table, but she snatched it away. Adrian leaned in, trying to say something, but Yvette's sweet voice cut him off. "Adrian, please check my eye. I think a bug flew into it!" After one too many rounds of King's Cup, Janice's head was spinning. She lowered it to the table, trying to steady herself. However, the moment she did, she felt the table shaking in a steady rhythm. Peeking underneath, she caught Adrian's foot stroking Yvette's leg. When she looked up, Yvette was blushing and nestled in Adrian's arms, playfully pushing him away. "Stop it, don't..." Adrian smirked devilishly, whispering in her ear, and Yvette's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. Janice's stomach churned, and she could not hold back the wave of nausea. She bolted for the bathroom. After throwing up until there was nothing left, Janice stood up, leaning on the toilet for support. She stood silently, leaning against the stall door for what felt like forever, her legs going numb. Just as she was about to leave, she heard the bathroom door lock, and then Yvette's sugary voice floated through the air. "Hubby, when are you going to tell everyone about us? They all think Janice is your wife!" "Feeling a little green-eyed?" Adrian's voice was muffled, like he was speaking into a pillow. "Hold your horses. Once this new project kicks off in ten days, we're getting hitched right on schedule!" "But I'm freaking out here. You're not going public with us, and you're shacking up with her. What if you bail on me and marry her instead? She's gorgeous, and her family's got more clout than mine." Yvette's voice wavered with tears, the hurt clear in her tone. Adrian let out a derisive laugh. "If I wanted to marry her, I would've said 'yes' when she got down on one knee two years ago. Why would I have traveled the world with you? "I've been over her for ages. Four years of sleeping together, and I'm bored of her face. Now, I only get that spark with you. Don't believe me? Check for yourself." "Cut it out! Hey, stop that! What if someone catches us..." "Don't sweat it, the door's locked." Adrian's voice turned deeper, more intense. Before long, Yvette's breaths came in quick gasps. The rising and falling of their whispers pierced Janice's ears from behind the partition, slicing through her heart, leaving her bleeding inside. Back in college, after each close moment, she would rest her head on his chest, dreamily sketching out her ideal wedding, and he would brush her off with a curt "Not yet." Two years back, at their graduation, she had gathered her courage and proposed to him on bended knee, only to be told to wait until his studies were over. She had flown out to see him countless times since, always asking about setting a date, but he would dodge with excuse after excuse. She had convinced herself that Adrian was just being a typical guy, scared of settling down. It seemed he was not scared of marriage–just of marrying her. Janice's world crumbled around her. She was itching to burst out and give that cheating pair a piece of her mind. Why did they have to do that to her? However, her anger was so overwhelming that she could not even breathe properly. Her body went limp, and she collapsed against the stall wall, paralyzed and silent. Time lost meaning until the noise outside finally stopped. Janice gathered every ounce of her remaining strength to push the stall door open. The bathroom had a faint, lingering seminal odor. The mirror over the sink was marked with two large and two small handprints, a stark reminder of the ordeal she had just endured. Janice's stomach churned, and she clamped a hand over her mouth as she stumbled out of the club. At that moment, she felt a surge of relief. Only seven more days, and she would be free from him, ready to marry someone else... Chapter 5 Janice hailed a cab back to her place and stood under the shower, letting the water cascade over her, washing away the night. She did not leave the shower until her skin was pruney from the water's embrace. Stepping into the living room, she found Adrian sprawled on the couch, stinking of booze. He squinted at her arrival. "My head's throbbing. Get me a lemon soda, will you?" She used to cater to his drunken whims, nursing him with lemon soda, a warm wash, and fresh pajamas until he was snug in bed. Not this time. Janice walked past him, heading for her room. Adrian caught up and wrapped his arms around her, his breath hot on her neck. "Why the silent treatment? You're not jealous, are you? "You've met Yvette. She's a sheltered schoolgirl, timid and not as competent as you. When I take her out, I have to pay extra attention to her, right?" Janice forced a smile, but it did not quite reach her eyes. A bitter taste lingered in her mouth. Why was it that the shy ones always got a pass, someone to say 'no more' when the drinks came around? Was she just cursed with an iron stomach? When he had jetted off overseas without so much as a goodbye, she was the one left to juggle the family businesses, toasting and schmoozing until her stomach was raw. Did anyone ever spare a thought for how green she was, fresh out of college? The weight of all that unfairness and exhaustion hit her hard, and tears welled up in Janice's eyes. Adrian noticed, and something in him seemed to soften. He wiped her tears away and pulled out a jewelry box with a pair of diamond earrings that sparkled like tiny stars. He tenderly spoke, "Check these out; the latest from your favorite designer. Do you like it? "Our families' big project is about to kick off. Just nudge your dad to sign off on it, okay? Once we nail this, I've got an even bigger surprise for you!" He was all hopeful eyes, expecting her to light up like she used to. Back in the day, she would have danced around in joy over a rusty penny if it came from him. However, staring at earrings that were a dead ringer for the wedding band he slipped on Yvette's finger, they might as well have been thorns. She did not reach for them, just held Adrian's gaze steady. "This isn't just any collection, is it? It's got wedding bands too, right?" Adrian's face closed off, and he looked away, his voice tinged with annoyance. "You're starting this again. I'm swamped with the company, no time to even think about marriage. "And hey, we're good, aren't we? Even without the rings and vows. So let's not rock the boat, not now," he said, his frown deepening, his eyes darting away, clearly done with the conversation. Adrian had popped the question, and they had even set a date. However, he was saying he was not feeling the whole marriage thing? Janice let out a derisive laugh and shoved the diamond earrings Adrian was trying to give her. "Forget the wedding, then. Just don't come crying to me later." The earrings disappeared into the plush carpet. Adrian's face turned stormy with anger. "Janice, are you kidding me right now? "All you do is dream up new ways to hassle me about getting hitched. Six years of non-stop nagging, and my ears are practically numb. Can't you just give me a moment's peace?" The more he ranted, the hotter his anger flared. In a fit of rage, he grabbed a vase from the table and hurled it to the ground. "I'm swamped with work, trying to keep the company afloat. Don't you see that? Our families' joint venture is stuck in the mud, and you're not lifting a finger to help. Instead, you sulk and play the jealousy card, expecting me to sweet-talk you! "You've let me down big time!" The vase exploded on impact, shards flying everywhere. One sliver zipped through the air and sliced a delicate line across Janice's neck. That vase was a memory, a piece of their history. They had made it together at a pottery shop the morning after their first night. His hands had guided hers through the cool, wet clay, his warmth seeping into her skin, her cheeks flushing with a mix of shyness and excitement. He had whispered to her, "We'll mold the clay together, intertwine our efforts. It'll be a symbol–you and me, forever entwined." Then, Janice pressed her hand to her neck, blood welling up between her fingers. However, the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in her heart as she watched the fragments of their love scattered across the floor. Adrian, suddenly aware of what he had done, stepped forward, his anger dissolving into concern. However, before he could reach her, the doorbell chimed. Chapter 6 Yvette was at the door. She lingered at the door, looking like she was about to cry. "Adrian, the electricity in my apartment shorted out, and the power strip just blew up. I..." Before she could get it all out, Adrian was already by her side, concern etched on his face. "Are you burned?" "No, I was just making some coffee when I got startled. My hand shook, and I spilled the boiling water on myself." Tears welled up in Yvette's eyes as she showed him the red mark the size of a coin on the back of her hand. Adrian's heart clenched at the sight, and he gently took her hand. "Does it hurt? Come on in, I'll get you some burn cream," he said, making room for Yvette to step inside. "It's fine, it's not that bad anymore," Yvette insisted, but her eyes darted to Janice, who was standing nearby. She hesitated, as if she wanted to pull her hand back. "I was just so scared, and I didn't know what to do, so I ran over here to you. "Adrian, could you find someone to fix it?" Adrian did not release her hand. Instead, he drew her further inside, his voice resolute, "No way! It's too risky to let you stay there by yourself." "Here's the plan: I'll look for a new place for you tomorrow. Until then, you can crash here." Yvette glanced at Janice, a flicker of triumph in her eyes that she could not quite hide. "Is it okay if I stay? I don't want to be in the way, Janice." Janice felt a pang in her chest as memories flooded in. The first time Adrian had come back, that woman had conveniently made a call to whisk him away. The second time, she did not even wait. She just showed up at the door, ready to move in and keep an eye on things. Then she had the nerve to ask if she was a disturbance? Janice just stared at Yvette, her face a mask of calm. Yvette arched an eyebrow, holding Janice's gaze with a defiant spark in her eyes. It was like there were invisible fireworks crackling between them. "Just chill out and get comfy!" Adrian cut in, not waiting for a reply, and nudged Janice. "Stop zoning out. Didn't you see Yvette's hand? It's all red from the burn. Go grab some burn cream, now!" Caught off balance, Janice tripped and crashed to the floor, landing in a mess of broken porcelain. Sharp shards dug into her knees, and blood started to flow like a mini river. Adrian, though, was all focused on Yvette, gently pressing ice against her hand. He never looked Janice's way. Janice gritted her teeth, pushed herself off the ground, and hobbled to the door. Adrian's voice trailed after her. "Hey, where are you off to? Going to grab some Band-Aids? Don't forget to pick up a fresh tube of burn cream. The one we've got opened might not work as well." Janice did not look back, just slammed the door shut, his voice cut off mid-sentence. "Is she ticked off? Is this going to mess up your plan?" Yvette peeked up at Adrian, her words tripping over each other. "Adrian, I swear it wasn't on purpose, I..." Adrian's eyes landed on the bloodied porcelain, his forehead creasing. He turned to see Yvette's tear-filled eyes and pulled her into a comforting hug, whispering, "Don't sweat it about her. She'll cool off in no time. I'll sweet-talk her later; she'll come around. "Let's see how your hand's doing. We don't want any scars, do we?" .. In the sterile white of the hospital room, a nurse gently removed the tiny shards of porcelain from Janice's knee. She looked up, concerned about etching her features. "How did these get so deep? This wound won't heal nicely at all, and it's going to scar." The sting of antiseptic on her raw skin made Janice suck in a sharp breath. That was when her phone buzzed to life. Fishing it out from her bag, Janice saw it was a text from Yvette. [Janice, Adrian was digging for some burn cream and found this. He said it's useless now, tossed it in the trash!] A picture followed the message. It was a clean bedsheet, just a crumpled mess, thrown carelessly on a trash heap littered with fruit peels and leftover soup. The once-hidden, dark spots of blood, shaped like plum blossoms, were barely visible. Janice's world shattered in an instant, and the tears she had been holding back surged forward like a dam bursting. That bedsheet was a memory of her first night with Adrian. She had meant to wash it, but Adrian had taken it from her, promising to keep it for a special occasion. "I have you now," he had said, "but I owe you a proper wedding. We'll use it again on our wedding night to make things perfect." There was, marrying someone else, tossing away their past as easily as throwing out an old pair of shoes. Janice could not stop the tears; they poured out uncontrollably. The nurse was flustered. "Did I hurt you? Oh, please don't cry. I'll try to be more gentle, okay?" Chapter 7 Janice did not waste any time. She moved straight back into her parents' home. The Douglas family had never been fond of Adrian and his carefree life overseas, believing he had just been a two-year detour for their beloved daughter. They had been on Janice's case to dump him for ages. Because of that, she had had more than her fair share of arguments with them. The Douglas family was buzzing with excitement. Their daughter Janice had finally seen the light, ditching Adrian and even agreeing to marry into the prestigious Graham family. They were all smiles as they dove into planning the big day. "How about the Kingsley Hotel for the venue? Their weddings are the talk of Luminous City," suggested Janice's mom, Natalie Yates, as she affectionately ruffled her daughter's soft hair. "You've dreamed of a wedding there since you were a little girl, and now, just like that, my baby girl is all grown up and ready to start her own life." Janice had always been eager to grow up, especially since Adrian came into her life. She imagined herself in a stunning white gown, walking down the aisle of the city's most opulent hotel, feeling like a princess on her way to meet him. Yet, she was about to marry someone else in that very hotel, not Adrian. Her dad, Paul Douglas, could not stop grinning. "Perfect! The Grahams are the cream of the crop in Jubilee City. Only the best for them. That being said, will two hundred seats do?" Janice shook her head. "Sean and I want to keep it low-key. No need for a big crowd, just family." Paul paused, then agreed with a nod. "Marrying into the Grahams is a big deal for us. I didn't expect you to say yes so fast. We haven't even started the PR work. A big to-do doesn't seem right. We'll do it your way." Natalie was all smiles, tugging Janice along to pick out the perfect flowers for the wedding. She held up a bunch of roses, vibrant and fresh, and waved them in front of Janice. "Baby girl, check out these roses. They scream celebration, don't they?" Janice was about to respond when her phone buzzed out of the blue. She glanced at the screen, saw a number she did not recognize, and hit 'ignore'. However, the phone rang again almost immediately. Janice ignored the call once more and blocked the number without hesitation. Alas, another call came through, this time from a different number, persistent as ever. Janice sighed and retreated to her room to take the call. "Janice, isn't it time to stop the silent treatment? If I don't call you, are you just never coming back? You're too old for these runaway stunts!" Adrian's voice came through, laced with irritation. "And you blocked me? Really?" He was clearly annoyed. "All this because Yvette crashed at our place for one night? You're jealous over that? She was terrified, alone at night. Was I supposed to leave her out on the streets?" Janice cut him off with a frosty, "What do you want?" Adrian was taken aback. Janice had never been that icy with him before, and it threw him off. "If there's nothing important, I'm hanging up." "Wait!" He cleared his throat, trying to sound gentler. "Look, it's been three days. Aren't you over it yet? I've got everything set up for the project, just waiting on your dad's confirmation. You're home now, so maybe you could–you know–charm him into signing off on it sooner?" He had finally gotten to the point. As usual, it was all about the project. Janice brushed off his comment and switched gears. "Hey, your mom's meds are probably almost out, and it's about time for her monthly check-up. Make sure you take her, okay? I'll text you her shrink's number later." Sean's mom, Teresa Harris, had been through the wringer. Marvin Smith, her husband, had been messing around, and it hit Teresa hard. She got slammed with some heavy-duty anxiety, and for a while, she could not even handle day-to-day stuff. Janice had been her rock, though, spending tons of time making sure Teresa got to her therapy sessions and stayed on top of her meds. Teresa was not exactly up for socializing, but she was a lot more even-keeled those days and could take care of herself. The last thing Janice wanted was for her drama with Adrian to mess with Teresa's progress. Teresa had been decent to her, and Janice was not about to go cold-hearted on her then. Adrian's voice was all lazy and nonchalant. "You know the drill with my mom's issues better than I do. You've got this, right?" That was the last straw for Janice. The guy was about to tie the knot with someone else and still had the nerve to lean on her? She must have been out of her mind to fall for a dude like that! "I've got my own stuff to deal with!" Janice snapped back and cut the call, no second thoughts. Chapter 8 Janice was not just making up excuses. She and Sean had to throw their wedding together super fast, and there was a whole bunch of stuff they did not have time to sort out, like the dream dress. No chance to get some fancy designer to whip up something special. However, luck was on her side. There was this big 'Wedding & Romance' auction going down in Luminous City tomorrow, and the showstopper? A drop-dead gorgeous gown by some world-class designer, the kind that every girl fantasized about, and it was worth a fortune. Janice was about to get hitched, and even though her groom was not Adrian, the guy she had been pining for all those years, she was not about to phone in on her big day. She had her heart set on snagging that dreamy wedding gown at the auction. As she strutted up to the auction house, she ran smack into Yvette. Yvette's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw Janice. "What are you doing here?" she gasped. Janice just brushed past her, heading for the action inside. However, Yvette clung on like a bad rash, blocking Janice's way. "Janice, this auction's all about wedding gear. You don't need any of this stuff. Why crash the party?" Janice paused, giving Yvette a level look. "Oh, I don't need it, but you do?" "Absolutely!" Yvette flashed her ten-carat diamond ring, clapping a hand over her mouth as she cackled like a proud chicken. "Bet you didn't know, Janice, but I'm tying the knot!" She flaunted her bling in Janice's face. "See this rock? My fiance popped the question with it: ten whole carats, set me back 4.5 million bucks. Gorgeous, right? "He's even booked the swanky Kingsley Hotel for the wedding bash, and we're flying in the flowers by private jet. "To be honest, I couldn't care less about all that jazz, but he's so worried about spoiling me. So here I am, ready to splurge on whatever catches my eye." Janice did not give Yvette the green-eyed look she was fishing for. Instead, she just cracked a small smile. "Really? What a coincidence. I'm getting married too." "No way! He's supposed to be marrying–" "Yvette!" Adrian's voice cut through the air like a knife, slicing off Yvette's words mid-sentence. He stormed forward, planting himself firmly between the two women, his gaze drilling into Janice with a fury he could not contain. "You skipped out on taking my mom to the hospital for this auction? When did you start losing sight of what really matters? "You ignore your responsibilities and tail me here instead. What's your game, Janice?" Janice looked up at the man who had been the king of her heart for 16 years, the one she had followed around like a shadow, dreaming of the day she would become his wife. At this point, his face seemed alien to her, nothing like the sharp, sunny guy she had held in her memories. In a heartbeat, 16 years of tangled emotions evaporated into thin air. Janice met his eyes, her voice ice-cold. "Adrian, you're well aware she's your mother. My being here is none of your business." "How can you say that? Are you trying to blackmail me into marrying you by snapping up all this stuff? Let me tell you–" Adrian was cut off mid-rant. Janice shoved past him and strode into the auction hall without a backward glance. Adrian made to follow, but Yvette, tears streaming down her face, grabbed his sleeve, her voice trembling, "Who are you really marrying? Why did she just say she's getting married, too? "You promised to marry me at Kingsley Hotel. Was that all just a lie? Is she the one you're actually going to marry there?" Yvette's eyes were swollen from crying. Adrian's heart shattered at the sight of her distress. Adrian quickly took Yvette's hand, his voice a hushed urgency as he promised, "You're the only bride for me, Yvette, always. "That girl's got it bad for me, chasing me down even to the auction to spill her heart out. Her talk of marriage is just a fantasy. "We're just waiting for the deal to close, right? We were supposed to sign tomorrow, but there's been no word. Don't worry, the moment her dad signs on the dotted line, we're getting hitched!" "No way!" Yvette's lips formed a pout. "Wait, wait, wait, how long is that going to be? You've got the hotel booked already. Let's just go through with the wedding tomorrow, or we're done!" Adrian wavered. Yvette stomped her foot and spun around to leave. He could easily pull off a small wedding. On the big day, he would just throw out a business trip excuse. Janice would never question him; she would be none the wiser. With that thought, Adrian grabbed Yvette's arm, a determined edge to his voice. "Alright! Your wish is my command. We'll get married tomorrow." Yvette halted, her sobs turning into a grin, "So, I can bid on anything I want later at the auction, right? Especially that wedding dress. I've been dreaming of wearing it to marry you." "Buy, buy, buy, whatever you want, Your Highness!" Yvette's laugh was filled with triumph. Chapter 9 At the auction, Yvette was quick on the draw, raising her paddle right after Janice. Round after round, Yvette outbid Janice for every item she wanted. Yvette met Janice's questioning look with a curl of her red lips and a laugh that was both wild and proud. "Sorry, Janice. I'm getting married, and I need all these things." Adrian chimed in, trying to cool things down. "Come on, let it go. Girls love their sparkles and frills; no need to make a big deal out of it." Janice just flashed a subtle smile and looked away. She had her eyes on the prize all along, the show-stopping wedding gown at the end of the auction. The other items? She was just there for the thrill of the game. If Yvette wanted a bidding war, Janice was game to play along and drive up the stakes. So, with each new item up for grabs, Janice was right there, paddle in the air. Yvette was not about to back down. The two went back and forth, and before long, Yvette had snagged those pieces at prices that were through the roof, way more than they were worth. The crowd was buzzing, throwing Yvette looks that were a mix of awe and something else. Yvette was basking in the limelight, head held high, loving every second of it. Adrian just leaned back, the picture of resignation, but his eyes told a different story: they were practically glowing with affection. Finally, the moment of truth: the grand finale. The international designer's crowning achievement in bridal fashion was rolled out. Yvette could not wait. Before Janice could even blink, Yvette's paddle shot up. "4.5 million dollars!" she called out. Janice took her time, then lifted her paddle with ease. "7.5 million dollars." Yvette spun around, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Janice, I need this dress for my wedding. You're not even getting married right now, so why not step aside for me?" Janice just smiled, unfazed, and up went her paddle again. "10.5 million dollars." The auctioneer was thrilled, hammer poised and voice soaring: "Ms. Douglas has gone up to 10.5 million dollars! Do I hear any advance on 10.5 million dollars? Going once for 10.5 million dollars!" "You!" Yvette was seething, her face a picture of fury as she shot her bidding paddle into the air: "12 million dollars!" Her glare at Janice was venomous. "That dress is mine. You're not even close to getting married, so why waste your time?" Janice was the picture of calm, barely batting an eyelid as she lifted her paddle. "15 million dollars." Then, Adrian was on edge, his grip on Janice's arm like a vice. He hissed, "Are you out of your mind? I get that you're eager to tie the knot, but does it have to be this blatant?" Janice's smile was cryptic, her reply smooth as silk. "Some things money can't buy, and I'm using my own cash. How is that any of your concern?" Adrian was speechless. Yvette, fuming and stamping her foot, declared, "Alright, you want a showdown? Let's see who comes out on top!" With that, she thrust her paddle up. "22.5 million dollars!" The crowd gasped in disbelief. The auctioneer, grinning from ear to ear, announced, "We have 22.5 million dollars from the lady here! Any further bids for 22.5 million dollars?" Janice, cool as ever, switched her paddle to the other hand and raised it. "30 million dollars." Yvette was hot on the heels with a shout, "33 million bucks!" Janice was right on her tail, not giving an inch. "37.5 million!" ... The whole room was electric, all eyes glued to the fierce bidding war between the two. Yvette had just upped the ante to a cool 60 million when Janice looked ready to counter. That was when Adrian lost his cool. He snatched Janice up and hauled her out of the room. "Janice, are you done playing games? "Bidding a wedding dress up to 60 million? What's going through your head? You think if you drop a million on this dress, I'll be forced to marry you? "You know, your little stunts are getting old! Marriage, marriage, marriage–is that all you can think about? How did I ever miss that you were this clueless?" "Let me go!" Janice was not having any of his rants. She wriggled and fought with all her might, her mind racing back to the auction. She had to win that dress, or she would be left with nothing for her wedding the next day! However, Adrian was unyielding, gripping her so tight that her soft wrist started to show a ring of red. Back in the fray, Yvette's bid sign did not waver. The auctioneer was ready, hammer in hand. "60 million, going once, 60 million, going twice, 60 million..." Yvette's smirk grew as the hammer hovered. Then, out of nowhere, an assistant in a slick black suit stepped up, his voice cutting through the tension: "Bid confirmed!" "The wedding dress? Snagged by Graham Group's hotshot CEO!" The room went dead quiet. Everyone there was a big deal in Luminous City, but next to Jubilee City's elite Graham Group, they were nothing. Competing with them? Forget about it. The auctioneer's gavel hit the block with a solid 'bang'. "Sold!" Yvette's smile crumbled. She snatched up her purse and stormed out, shouldering past Janice with a hissed, "You did this!" Adrian shot Janice a dirty look and snapped, "Nice job causing trouble!" before chasing after Yvette. Before Janice could even blink, her phone chimed with two new texts. [Whatever you want, consider it done.] [Can't wait to see you tomorrow, my bride!] Her mood did a 180, and a blush crept up her cheeks. Chapter 10 Later that night, Adrian was on the phone again, chewing Janice out for being headstrong, not backing down, and blowing cash as though it grew on trees. Janice's patience was wearing thin, especially with her wedding makeup trial still on the to-do list. She chucked her phone aside, leaving Adrian to talk to thin air. Once Adrian had finished his tirade, he tried to sound all generous, clearing his throat. "Fine, I'll let it slide this time. Just think about what you've done. "Oh, and hey, I'm heading out of town tomorrow. No signal on the plane, so don't bother calling." Janice gave a wry smile and murmured a compliant, "Okay." On the other end, Adrian paused, taken aback. Lately, Janice had been giving him the silent shoulder, often clashing with him. So her sudden return to her old, gentle self threw him for a loop. After a long silence, he finally stammered, "You're not curious about...where I'm heading for my business trip?" Janice let out a soft laugh. Once upon a time, her love for him meant she hung on his every word, every little detail. However, she would be someone else's bride by the next day. His whereabouts? Irrelevant to her then. "You're the one who said I shouldn't pry into your work stuff, right?" she replied, her voice feather-light. Adrian was at a loss for words. Since he had been wrapped up with Yvette, he had often fobbed Janice off with the excuse of work. When Janice tried to dig deeper, he would snap at her to back off. Adrian figured she must be throwing a fit out of jealousy. With that thought, he let out a relieved sigh and cooed, "I'll be back before you know it. Just wait for me at home, and I'll treat you to that diamond ring you've been dreaming of." The call ended, and Janice's laughter was tinged with tears. The diamond ring she had wanted so badly? Perhaps in his eyes, she was just someone he could mistreat and then smooth things over with a token apology. She dabbed at the tears and gazed at her reflection. Crowned and clad in a wedding gown that sparkled with diamonds, she looked every bit the proud princess. Too bad she had no more use for his diamond ring. 'Adrian. Starting tomorrow, you'll have your lovely wife. I have my loyal sidekick. 'We're done for good once we part ways in this world or the next,' she mused.