Chapter 3

Simone took a deep breath, suppressing the ache in her chest, and stood up to leave. But a pair of large hands trapped her in place.

"Simone, why didn’t you wait for me? Are you in a bad mood today? How about I take you to try on the wedding dress? The custom dress is ready. Let’s see if you like it. If not, I’ll have them make the changes."

Tom pulled her into his arms, gently ruffling her hair with a doting smile.

"I don’t want to go. You can decide about the wedding dress yourself."

On the day of the wedding, she would be gone. Naturally, she wouldn’t be wearing a wedding dress at the ceremony.

What the dress looked like didn’t matter to her anymore.

Tom seemed to sense her indifference and gestured cautiously, his expression uncertain.

"Simone, why does it feel like you’re not excited about our wedding? Do you not want to marry me anymore?"

Simone looked at the man whose eyes were filled with fear and wanted to tell him the truth.

Yes, I don’t want to marry you anymore.

You’ve already cheated. You trampled our love into the dirt. You made me lose all hope for this marriage.

What right do you have to question me now?

But she didn’t plan to reveal the truth just yet.

At the bridal boutique, as soon as Simone and Tom stepped inside, the staff pulled back a curtain to reveal the wedding dress that had been prepared in advance.

"Miss Watson, the wedding dress Mr. Francis custom-ordered from France is ready. Please let us know if any adjustments are needed."

As soon as the words were spoken, someone stepped forward to translate them into sign language.

The staff, seeing the scene, whispered enviously.

"Mr. Francis, you love your fiancée so much. You even hired a sign language interpreter just for her."

"That’s not all. Look at this dress. The centerpiece diamond was auctioned by Mr. Francis at Sotheby’s. He insisted the designer embed it into the gown."

"Mr. Francis even paid a fortune to book the designer’s entire year, so they could focus solely on this one dress."

The staff’s admiration brought a proud smile to Tom’s lips. He stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Simone’s waist.

"Good girl, do you like it?"

The dress featured a pink diamond the size of a pigeon’s egg at its center. The five-meter-long train was adorned with countless small diamonds, sparkling brilliantly under the lights.

Simone gently touched the fabric of the dress.

There was no denying that this wedding dress matched her preferences perfectly.

She had mentioned many times before how much she loved pink and loved dresses with long trains.

Tom had remembered every detail, creating the perfect gown.

But no matter how beautiful the dress was or how dazzling the diamonds, they couldn’t mend the cracks in her heart.

"Simone, look closely at the diamond’s center. It’s engraved with ‘S&T forever.’"

Tom’s voice was full of pride. "A diamond is forever, and so is my love for you. That’s why I engraved our initials. It represents my eternal love."

Simone instinctively looked at the diamond. Sure enough, the letters were engraved at its core.

She turned and met Tom’s gaze, filled with affection. Her heart trembled as she softly asked,

"Will your love for me really last forever?"

Tom, panicked, immediately gestured frantically, as if afraid of her misunderstanding.

"I will love you forever, Simone. For this life and the next, I’ll never betray you. If I break this promise, may I be struck by lightning."

Such heartfelt words couldn’t warm a heart that had already turned cold.

He had already broken his promises, yet here he was, performing for her. Wasn’t he tired?

Simone turned her face away, unwilling to look at his hypocritical expression.

Tom seemed ready to say more, but his phone suddenly rang.

His face changed slightly as he stepped aside to take the call, avoiding the others.

When he returned, his expression carried a trace of apology.

"Simone, something urgent came up at the office. I need to head back. You can try on the dress without me. Let them know if any changes are needed. Once you’re done, I’ll have the driver take you home."

After signing his explanation, he didn’t even have time to hug her goodbye as he normally would. Instead, he hurried out the door, leaving only his retreating figure behind.

The moment he left, the staff erupted in excitement.

"Oh my god, that was so touching! Mr. Francis’s confession almost made me cry."

"Even when he’s rushing off to work, he’s still so thoughtful with his instructions for Miss Watson. What a perfect man!"

Simone only felt a deep sense of irony.

Tom had never left her alone for work before.

Besides, after taking that call, his eyes had clearly been tinged with desire.

How could it be a work emergency?

He was probably rushing off to meet his mistress, Belinda.

Simone curved her lips into a faint smile and turned to leave.

The staff quickly stopped her.

"Miss Watson, you haven’t tried on the dress yet."

Simone shook her head calmly.

"There’s no need."

After all, on the wedding day, there would only be the “corpse” of a bride. The dress wouldn’t be needed.