A World of Beauty Behind Me

Mike Maxwell was famously devoted to his wife, a fact well-known in their circle. For me, he’d turned down a family-arranged marriage and doted on me for three years straight. But then, at his bachelor party, just before our wedding, his first love, the one who got away, asked him, “If I crashed your wedding and asked you to leave with me, would you?” And he, utterly serious, replied, “Yes.” Swallowing my tears, I messaged my best friend, Lexie Thorne, a billionaire heiress. “Can you get me out of here, like, now?” Seven minutes later, Lexie’s car screeched to a halt, tires practically smoking. “I told you, with your looks and personality, you should marry into old money and live the good life. My brother is gorgeous and refined, and my dad is still quite charming. Pick one!” 1 The wedding was just around the corner, and Mike’s best friends had thrown him a wild bachelor party. Everyone in his close-knit group knew how much Mike adored me. If I wasn’t with him, he’d inevitably rush home before ten, regardless of whether anyone else was having fun. So, this time, they’d enthusiastically invited me along. But the moment I stepped inside, I felt an odd tension in the air. Everyone greeted me warmly, yet kept subtly glancing at Mike, shooting him meaningful looks. I had no idea what was going on. Once everyone was seated, a short-haired girl finally arrived, a little late. “Sorry, traffic was a nightmare!” She was tall and slender, her voice clear and cheerful. Mike, beside me, immediately froze. It was the first time I’d ever seen someone’s face betray the precise moment their heart skipped a beat. The girl extended her hand to me, a friendly smile on her face. “You must be the bride-to-be! Nice to meet you, I’m Summer Reed!” The name hit me like a splash of cold water. Suddenly, everything clicked. This was Mike’s first love, the one he’d been infatuated with for five years. They said back then, before he became the composed man he was now, he pursued her relentlessly. Ten thousand roses beneath her window, a hundred feet of fireworks on the beach. His entire youth had revolved around her. But three years ago, she’d decisively followed another guy abroad for college. That’s when I met Mike. At that bar, Mike walked toward me through the hazy lights. I’d only had half a drink, yet I felt utterly intoxicated, practically begging my friends for information about him. When they nudged me in front of him, my tongue tied itself in knots. “I’m Primrose Day. Mr. Maxwell, may I ask your first name?” Laughter erupted around us. Mike, whose brow had been furrowed for months, finally relaxed into a smile. After we got together, Mike poured all his tenderness into me. He remembered every single thing I liked and disliked. No matter how late I worked, he insisted on picking me up himself. Every holiday brought a thoughtful gift from him. He posted about me constantly on his social media, introducing me to every friend and family member. Even his friends started to get jealous. “You’re really benefiting from someone else’s hard work, Primrose. Mike chased the toughest girl, perfected his emotional intelligence, and now you’re reaping the rewards.” Those comments never bothered me. Because they always added that, in looks and personality, I was completely different from that girl. I wasn't a replacement. More importantly, I felt Mike’s love. After three years of passionate romance, he’d proposed to me with unwavering certainty. I thought our love was finally blossoming into happily ever after. But then, reality delivered a brutal punch. 2 Summer casually settled into the seat beside me. She pulled a bottle of perfume from her purse and offered it to me. “A wedding gift. This scent is incredibly sophisticated; I’ve worn it for seven or eight years.” She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. I had to admit, she was graceful and charming. Even her wedding gift was for me, not Mike. I accepted it and thanked her. Then she pulled out her phone to add me on social media. “If anyone ever gives you trouble, remember to tell me. Even though Mike and I grew up together, I’m not playing the ‘family’ card. I’ll always have your back!” The friends around us applauded. “Still our fearless leader, Summer! Always so sharp!” Summer paused, then looked past me at Mike, who sat on my other side. “Hey, what’s up with you? Three years and you’ve become a man of so few words?” The others were drinking, gossiping, their eyes glued to the three of us, desperate not to miss any juicy drama. Mike’s ears visibly flushed. He couldn’t even bring himself to turn and look at her. He just held his drink, trying for a lighthearted tone. “Not few words, just… we’re strangers now. Don’t know what to say.” Summer laughed. “Is that my fault for not keeping in touch these past three years?” She raised her glass to him. “Then let’s keep in touch more often from now on?” Mike glanced at me. “My wife keeps me on a tight leash. If you want to connect with me, you’ll have to go through her first.” They exchanged smiles, a silent truce in the air, then clinked their glasses together. Everything was out in the open, no hidden meanings, just straightforward. But for some reason, sitting between them, my chest felt heavy. Maybe it was because, after three years together, I understood Mike’s body language intimately. Tonight, he was incredibly nervous. Drinks flowed, songs were sung, and games were played. As the party wound down, everyone was a little tipsy. Mike lost a round of ‘truth or dare’ to Summer and chose ‘truth’. Summer, who’d been impeccably composed all night, suddenly indulged in a moment of playful mischief. She tilted her head, a tipsy, coquettish glint in her eyes, and asked Mike: “If I showed up at your wedding to stop it, would you leave with me?” The question electrified the already boisterous crowd. “Oh, finally! You two aren’t pretending anymore!” “Yeah, that’s more like it!” “Tell us! Would you go with her?” Mike’s eyes were bloodshot from drinking. He looked at her, emotions swirling within him. Then, with unnerving sincerity, he replied, “Yes.” The crowd erupted. “No way! I knew it!” “Crash the wedding! Crash the wedding! Crash the wedding!” The cheers drew everyone’s attention. I sat between them, feeling my breath catch in my throat, my hands trembling. I didn't know how to handle the awkwardness. Mumbling an excuse about the restroom, I fled the scene. Holding back tears, I sent Lexie a message: “Can you get me out of here, like, now?” Lexie’s call came immediately. “What happened? Are those jerks bothering you?” “No, just… don’t ask right now. Can you just come pick me up?” I felt on the verge of tears. Lexie’s voice sharpened with urgency, loud as a battle cry. “You wait right there, I’m coming! Ten minutes! No, seven minutes!” “It’s not that urgent, drive safely.” “Don’t tell me what to do!” 3 Seven minutes later, Lexie tore through the streets in her Bugatti, tires practically spitting sparks. The moment I saw her, my composure shattered, tears welling in my eyes. Lexie gripped my hand, her anger barely contained. “What did you jerks do to her?! Mike, are you blind? Can’t you see how upset she is?” Lexie, a billionaire heiress, was fiercely protective and commanded a powerful presence. Her arrival immediately silenced the entire group. Her gaze fell on Summer, instantly turning sharp. “Well, well, if it isn’t you.” Summer stood up and took my arm, a falsely sweet smile on her face. “We were just playing a game. Why are you getting so upset? I’m usually so blunt, this is my first time hanging out with such a delicate girl. I must have misjudged the situation, my bad.” Lexie yanked me behind her. “Don’t touch her! You’re not blunt, you’re just playing dumb!” By now, Mike had sobered up a bit. He rubbed his temples, stood up, and said, “Primrose is tired. I should take her home.” Lexie sneered. “I’m here now, you think we need you? Just keep playing dead.” Everyone stood awkwardly, watching Lexie gather my things. She muttered complaints as she did. “I told you ages ago, with your looks and personality, you should marry into old money and live the good life. But no, you had to go suffer with some nouveau riche. That kind of crowd, all backstabbing and fake, is no place for someone as innocent as you.” Mike’s family also had assets in the high nine figures. Nouveau riche with nine figures… quite a niche insult. But coming from Lexie, no one dared to argue. Lexie finished packing, picked up my bag, and spotted the exquisitely packaged perfume inside. Without a word, she pulled it out and tossed it on the floor. “What outdated garbage. Can’t believe you’d give this as a gift.” The bottle rolled across the floor, coming to a stop by Summer’s feet. Summer’s face fell. Lexie grabbed my hand and headed for the exit. Mike followed, catching me at the door. “Primrose, don’t be angry. In that atmosphere, with her suddenly asking that question, my mind went blank.” I looked into Mike’s earnest eyes and suddenly felt all my strength drain away. “You mean to say, it was your gut reaction, that you truly wanted to be with her?” “Of course not! Primrose, it was just a game. If I’d said no, she would’ve been humiliated in front of our friends.” “You’d rather trample my dignity to protect her feelings?” “I just gave her a polite answer; I’m offering you marriage.” I pulled away from him, a bitter laugh escaping me. “So, I’m the one who profited? Mike, three years together, and I never realized you’re such a master of playing both sides.” Just then, Lexie pulled up, honking impatiently. Mike tried to grab me again. “Let me take you home. We can talk properly on the way.” Lexie frowned. “If you’re so free, why don’t you drive your electric Bentley around as an Uber for a bit and clear your head?” Mike choked. His green-plated Bentley had never felt so humiliating. I opened the car door and slid inside. Looking back at Mike, I said, “Our wedding, let’s call it off. We both need to seriously reconsider things.” 4 On the drive home, I scrolled through my social media feed. I found two posts from Summer. The first: She really isn’t anything like me. But don’t you think that just makes it all the more obvious? The second: If you spent these three years trying to prove I was wrong to leave you, then… you succeeded. The emotions I’d held in all night finally broke free. I sobbed uncontrollably, mourning the three years of genuine affection I’d poured into Mike. I’d believed his unwavering devotion stemmed from love. Instead, it was just a performance for her. I was merely a pawn in their elaborate game. Lexie, being a straightforward person, wasn’t one for comforting words. She preferred direct solutions. “Stop crying. There are plenty of other men out there. Just find a new one. My brother is gorgeous and refined, and my dad is still quite charming. Pick one!” I cried until I was spent, then her words made me laugh. “Lexie, am I useless? Even now, you’re the one who has to stand up for me.” Lexie patted my head. “What foolishness are you talking about? Everyone’s different. My mom passed away early, leaving just us three, and we’re all a little… eccentric when it comes to expressing affection. I was rebellious as a kid and caused a lot of headaches, so I rarely got to be useful. But you, you’re naturally kind, a true angel. Every day with you is a breath of fresh air. And you’re the gentlest doctor with needles in the whole city. When I was hospitalized, I never would have made it through without you by my side, patiently comforting me every day.” Her words were soothing, rebuilding my shattered self-esteem. Lexie said, “Seriously, are you really not considering marrying into my family?” She’d said this many times. Lexie and I met when she was hospitalized. The chief physician was her attending doctor, and I was the assistant. But because I spoke softly and was gentle with injections, Lexie, being impulsive, insisted I become her attending physician. From then on, we formed a deep bond. I was already dating Mike at the time, and Lexie regretted it daily, practically slapping her thigh. “Why didn’t I get sick a few months earlier! Back then, you were single, and there was still hope I could bring you home as my sister-in-law!” The innocent bystander, Lexie’s older brother, Vincent Thorne—who had specifically returned from his vacation abroad to visit her—had his face turn black every time he heard it. Because of her relentless nagging, Vincent and I had a frosty relationship from the start. Whenever we met by chance, I’d awkwardly look down, and he’d awkwardly look away, both of us pretending not to see each other. Not long ago, Vincent returned from his studies abroad and joined our hospital. He even worked in the office right next to mine. The arrival of this cool, reserved, and utterly handsome doctor caused a stir throughout the hospital. Young women would find excuses to walk past his office multiple times a day. Even sick leave requests dropped. As for me, I had to hold my bladder during shifts, fearing I’d run into him too often in the hallway. Seeing my silence, Lexie became excited. “Your quiet means you’re seriously considering it, right? Have you decided? My brother or my dad?” My mouth twitched. “If those are the only two options, I’d rather pick your dad.” Lexie grew even more thrilled. “Great! I actually thought so too! My dad is older, so he’ll pass on sooner, and you can inherit his fortune early. Then we can hire male models every day! My brother won’t do; he’s got a super regular, healthy lifestyle, in peak condition. I’m afraid you wouldn’t outlive him.” Me: “…”