n between two immensely wealthy families, and the significance of the event drew relentless attentio

e moment she had sworn she would put an end to the engagement. Since then, her father had kept her under strict watch, fo

e had become her f

ing uncontrollably. In just a few minutes, she would be standing before

the entire marriage. At this very moment, he was probably convinced of t

tening her throat as she wondered how she

ction. The corseted gown cinched tightly at her wai

embroidery and shimmering stones. Her hair was arranged in

loved her... Nicole's eyes burned as she fought back tea

eside her father, her gaze lowered, her hands clasped aroun

suit, yet there was no warmth in his expression. Unlike the dreams she had once clung to, where the

d their union, followed by thunderous applause. Nicole remained visibly shaken, though mos

ces, and strangers offering congratulations and praise. Only when the crowd finally p

," Walter murmured as they danced alone in the ce

ace toward him, stunned, he

ontinued, his jaw tightening. "You manipulat

" Nicole's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes darting around the room until they m

happened at home. That was another unbreakable rule in their family. Even now, with marr

he knew her father would make

ews-her parents' pride-was forced into marrying the man she wanted?" Wal

, that was the story her father had spun f

as if the words themselves were stuck in her throat. Walter sto

ng from me as your husband," Walter muttered, his eyes cold and unyielding. Then he turned on his heel and walked away,

.

ars la

cheered, raising her wine glass

d softly, managing a small

inished your studies, you did it, and with honors, no l

let out a heavy sigh, her gaze lingering on t

eyes in clear exasperation. Nicole pressed her lips together, sadness flickering across

le murmured. "He

think of him that way... How long have you two been married now? Two years?" Nicole nodded. "And in all that time, what has t

ated," Nicole protested, her voice bare

tic and selfish. And when he isn't mistreating you, he's simply leaving you alone. What would you ev

. You don't understand..." Nicole turned away

a shot back. "Would you rather have kept hid

but

arriage-the rejection from your so-called husband-what did you expect today? You left for six

ile, he'd start to miss me, even just a little." Nicole's eyes drifted back to her phone. "Yesterday, I sent him a message to

Brenda finished, frustration clear in her voice. Nico

ve your love-not even a little. It's time to move on. Celebrate your graduation, focus on your career, on building a life for yourself.

ight-she'd made it. She had finished her specialization and

ell. As long as Olivia remained under his co

he would fight-she was determined to buy her mother's

n her mind, the phone on the counter s

at such a late hour. Together, they stared at the phone as the s