Chapter 2

Lucas's face darkened. His friends shifted uncomfortably.

After a brief silence, they all chimed in again.

"Diana, at the end of the day, you obviously still care about Lucas!"

"It's not like we caused any real harm—why are you so worked up?"

"Lucas just wanted to test you. You're always so clingy—everyone was just having a bit of fun!"

One of the girls sidled closer to Lucas and murmured, "Lucas, Diana's got quite the temper."

I looked at Lucas.

"So cancelling the appointment, making me a laughingstock—that was all your idea?"

He nodded, utterly indifferent.

"Yeah."

"You've been confirming wedding details with me every single day. It was stressing me out."

"I just wanted you to understand—even after we're married, you can't make me your whole world. It's exhausting for both of us."

By the end, he'd already looked away.

I smiled bitterly. Suddenly, the past three years felt absurd.

"Don't worry. I won't be paying attention to you anymore."

Lucas's brow twitched at that.

His friends immediately jumped in to back him up.

"Exactly, Diana. I know you've been scouting wedding venues, but going back and forth on the dress design and the invitation wording—you really are too eager to marry Lucas."

"He was just joking. You're way too petty."

Lucas nodded, his lazy smile restored.

"You really need to fix that about yourself. If your reactions weren't so entertaining, we wouldn't keep messing with you."

"And honestly—handle the wedding stuff on your own. Stop bothering me with every little thing."

I lowered my eyes. Every time they'd pranked me over these three years, Lucas would hold me afterward and comfort me.

He'd say his friends meant no harm. That they joked around with me because they didn't see me as an outsider.

I thought it was because he cared. Now I understood—the comfort was just to set me up for the next time.

I looked at this group of people and spoke coldly.

"The only reason you dare treat me like this is because you know Lucas doesn't actually care about me."

No one answered.

The smile slid off Lucas's face.

Only Cindy, my best friend, seemed to sense the shift in me. She tugged timidly at my sleeve.

"Diana, I'm sorry. I thought you wouldn't mind..."

"They said they'd rebook right away—that it wouldn't cause any real problems."

"Lucas said you'd definitely get the license in the end. That's the only reason I went along with it."

I brushed her hand away.

"I heard your apology. But I don't forgive you."

Cindy went pale.

My phone screen lit up.

Edward had shared his live location.

"I've left the estate. Nine minutes out."

I sat back down in the waiting area.