The sun shone through the tall windows of Olivia's penthouse, casting a warm glow over the modern interior. Olivia stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting the sleek blue dress she had chosen for the day. Today was supposed to be about wedding shopping—an activity she had never pictured herself doing, especially not with Ethan. But here she was, preparing for a day that would bring them closer to their wedding.
It wasn't a love match—at least not yet. But in the weeks leading up to this moment, something had started to change between her and Ethan. The tension was still there, but there were glimmers of something deeper, something softer. She had even caught herself wondering if, against all odds, they might actually make a real relationship out of this merger.
As she gathered her things, her phone buzzed with a message. Olivia smiled when she saw Ethan's name.
Ethan: Ready to shop?
Olivia: As ready as I'll ever be. Meet you in 30.
But as she was about to slip her phone into her bag, another message popped up. This time, it was from an unknown number.
Unknown: Stay away from him. He's not yours.
Olivia frowned, the sudden chill making her stomach twist. She couldn't help but feel a sense of dread, but she brushed it off. If someone was trying to mess with her, they'd picked the wrong day. Olivia wasn't about to let anyone ruin her focus, not when she had a wedding to plan and a future to build.
Meanwhile, Ethan was pacing his family's lavish estate, clearly uncomfortable. He didn't mind wedding shopping—it was the constant tension in his home that bothered him. Ever since he'd informed his parents about his upcoming marriage to Olivia, there had been nothing but cold stares and clipped conversations. His mother, Martha Pierce, had made it no secret that she disapproved of Olivia.
Martha believed Olivia was too bold, too independent. She wasn't the delicate, conservative type Martha had envisioned for her son. Ethan could almost hear the disappointment in his mother's voice every time Olivia's name came up. Today was no different.
Martha entered the drawing room, her expression stern. "Ethan, darling," she began, her tone soft but lined with steel, "there's something you should know. It's considered terribly bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony. Surely you wouldn't want to tempt fate by shopping together, would you?"
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew his mother's words were more than superstition. She was trying to drive a wedge between him and Olivia. "Mom, that's just an old saying. It doesn't mean anything."
Martha shook her head, her lips tightening into a firm line. "It's tradition, Ethan. And tradition means a lot to this family. Besides, Jenna is much more suited to accompany you for wedding shopping today. She knows your taste, and you two have always been close."
At the mention of Jenna, Ethan stiffened. Jenna was a family friend, someone his mother had pushed toward him for years. She was beautiful, charming, and everything Martha approved of. But Jenna had also made it clear that her feelings for Ethan went far beyond friendship. And now, with the wedding looming, Ethan had no doubt that Jenna saw this as her last chance to win him over.
"Mom," Ethan began, his voice strained, "Olivia is my fiancée. I should be doing this with her, not Jenna."
Martha's gaze didn't waver. "It's bad luck, Ethan. Trust me on this. You wouldn't want to start your marriage off on the wrong foot, would you? Just one day, and then you'll have Olivia all to yourself."
Ethan opened his mouth to protest, but his mother's expression was unwavering. Reluctantly, he gave in. "Fine," he muttered, "I'll go with Jenna. But this is the last time."
Martha smiled, triumphant. "Of course, darling. You're making the right choice."
Within the hour, Ethan found himself in Jenna's car, heading to the city. Jenna, with her perfect smile and flawless appearance, was all too pleased with the arrangement. Her hand lingered too long on Ethan's arm as she chatted away about wedding decor and floral arrangements, as if she were the one getting married.
Ethan's mind, however, was far from the conversation. He was thinking of Olivia, how disappointed she would be when she found out that he wasn't coming. He shot her a quick text, explaining his mother's insistence on tradition.
Ethan: Sorry, my mom's superstition got in the way. We'll shop together soon, I promise.
He didn't receive a reply.
They arrived at a luxury bridal boutique, where Jenna wasted no time in fawning over dresses and accessories. Ethan watched with growing discomfort as Jenna acted as though she were picking out things for her own wedding.
"Don't you think this one would look stunning on me?" Jenna asked with a coy smile, holding up a glittering gown.
Ethan forced a smile but said nothing, his mind elsewhere. As the day dragged on, he grew increasingly exhausted. It wasn't just the endless chatter—it was the constant unease, the feeling that something wasn't right.
At some point, Jenna suggested they stop for coffee at a high-end café nearby. Ethan agreed, hoping a short break would make the day go by faster.
Sitting at the café, Jenna excused herself to use the restroom. When she returned, she handed Ethan a cup of coffee with a sweet smile.
"Here you go, Ethan. Your favorite."
Ethan took a sip, but almost immediately, something felt off. His vision blurred, and the sounds around him started to muffle. He blinked, trying to clear his head, but the world around him swayed.
"Jenna... what's happening?" he mumbled, his voice thick and sluggish.
Jenna's smile never faltered. "You just need to relax, Ethan. I'll take care of everything."
Before Ethan could process what was happening, darkness overtook him.
When Ethan woke, the world felt distant. His head pounded, and the soft lighting in the hotel room didn't help his disorientation. He groaned, trying to sit up, but his limbs felt heavy.
Jenna was sitting in the corner of the room, her legs crossed elegantly as she scrolled through her phone. She glanced up when she noticed him stirring.
"Morning, sleepyhead," she cooed. "You had quite the night."
Ethan's heart sank as the memories of the previous day rushed back to him. "Jenna... what did you do?"
She walked over to him, sitting on the edge of the bed, her hand lightly grazing his arm. "You needed to rest. And we had such a good time last night. But don't worry, I've already sent a message to Olivia. She knows where you were... with me."
Ethan's blood ran cold. "You're lying."
Jenna smiled, her expression innocent but her eyes dark with triumph. "Am I? Go ahead, check your phone. She thinks you and I had quite the fun night together."
Ethan grabbed his phone from the bedside table, dread filling him as he saw the missed messages from Olivia.
The damage had already been done.