Years of Love Reduced to Nothing

On my wedding day, I stumbled upon my fiancé passionately kissing my best friend, Sunny Tucker, in the dressing room.

Before I could do anything, my childhood sweetheart from so many years ago suddenly burst in, berated them furiously and then confessed his love in front of everyone.

Eventually, I fell in love with him. He treated me with kindness and devotion which my ex had never done. I was blissfully happy until a few days before our marriage registration. My childhood sweetheart hosted a party and invited his friends. That night I overheard his conversation with his friends that shook my world.

“Sebastian North,” one of his friends asked. “Are you sure you want to marry Cassie Sanders? Don’t you love Sunny? You have been in love with her for half part of your life.”

The drunk Sebastian said bitterly, “I’ll do everything for Sunny’s happiness even if I have to betray the entire world.”

I froze in place for a long time, unable to believe that all the years of affection that he show was just an act.

I immediately made a call to my aunt who life abroad and said, “I’ve decided to move to New Zealand.” Then I sent a message to Sunny. [Hi, Sunny. Do you know the couple suit that Sebastian and I booked? Well, you can consider it as a gift for you and Sebastian to enjoy.”]

——

After work, I immediately headed to the club that Sebastian had reserved for his bachelor party tonight. Just as I reached the private room and was about to open the door, I heard Sebastian’s friend mention my name.

“Sebastian,” the voice said. “Are you really going to marry Carrie? After all, you have been in love with Sunny for half of your life.”

Then he added, “Do you think I don’t know that the world-renowned diamond ring that you designed was actually shaped according to the birthmark on Sunny’s body?”

When I was stood rooted in place, I heard Sebastian’s drunken voice, “I’ll do anything for Sunny. I’ll not mind that in order to do that I have to betray the whole world.”

Then he continued, “Although the one on her side isn’t me, I wish that she’ll always be the happiest little princess.”

When I heard this, I was so shocked that I was rooted to the ground. The lively sounds of the club faded into the distance as I felt myself falling into a bottomless abyss.

One of Sebastian’s friends who had just returned from the restroom, saw me standing there. His expression was one of awkwardness and guilt. That was when I realized the truth that everyone around Sebastian knew about it, I was the only one who was kept in the dark.

From inside the room, their conversation continued.

“You’ve sacrificed so much for Sunny. What if Carrie finds out?” one of them asked.

“Well, you’d better keep your mouth shut then,” Sebastian snapped. “Carrie must never know about this.”

I shot a cold glare at Sebastian’s friend, who quickly nodded as if signaling that he would keep quiet.

Despite the club’s warmth, I felt as though I had fallen into an icy pit. I decided not to enter the private room. Instead, I turned around and went to the parking lot.

At the parking lot, I sent a message to Sebastian. [I’m feeling awful because of period sickness. I’m skipping the party and heading home.]

After I sent it, I drove my car and returned home. The night was dark as I drove. While waiting at a red light, I stared at a couple crossing the street, lost in thought. Memories of three years ago flooded back in my mind. At that time, I was about to get married to Kevin Decker but he cheated on me and had an affair with Sunny.

I remembered at that time I was too shaken to move. I could not move until Sunny smirked at me with defiance. Suddenly, Sebastian burst out of the crowd and scolded them with a loud voice. Then amid the commotion, Sebastian could not hold back his feeling anymore and knelt down on one his knee to confess to me in front of the public eyes. He had proclaimed that his love for me was no less than Kevin’s and he had loved me for ten years.

When had that love soured into something so twisted?

The light turned green and I was about to drive when Sebastian replied to my message. [I’ll come home right away to massage your stomach.]

Over the past two years in our relationship, Sebastian had been spoiling me. As long I said something, he would put aside everything and immediately show up in front of me. His act was so believable that I believed I finally found the right man.

Later that night, as I drifted into sleep, the faint scent of brown sugar wafted into the room. When I opened my eyes, I saw Sebastian placing a steaming cup of brown sugar tea on the bedside table.

“Does this feel better?” Sebastian asked softly, his hands gently massaging my abdomen.

“Thank you. It’s so much better,” I replied with a politeness that caught him off guard.

He froze for a moment, then ruffled my hair with a laugh. “Silly girl, we’re about to get married. No need to be so formal.”

I forced a mirthless smile as I mused. There won’t be any future for us, Sebastian.

That night, sleep seemed to abandon me. So, I got up and wandered to the balcony. As I passed Sebastian’s study, I noticed a faint light spilling out from the cracked door.

Curious, I opened the door. On the desk was the prototype of “Endless Sunshine,” the diamond ring Sebastian had designed for me.

The ring was set to release on the day we registered our marriage. It was the symbolism of the hope that Sebastian dan my love would be as radiant and beautiful as a sunny day.

Everyone in Alegre City could not wait to see the new release item from Charm Jewelry.

However, in retrospect, the jewelry that he had designed for me, such as, “Admiring the Sun”, “Love’s Sunshine”, “Radiant Sun” and so on, were all born subtle nods to Sunny’s name. Every piece, every detail, was infused with his love for her.

As I stared at “Endless Sunshine”, I always had a nagging feeling that I had seen someone wearing it somewhere.

I had a hunch, so I opened Instagram and clicked on Sunny’s Instagram Story. There it was. Two days ago, she posted a photo of her hand.

Her slender finger was adorned with the exact same “Endless Sunshine” ring. It was not a prototype, but the finished piece, encrusted with genuine diamonds.

It was accompanied by a caption. [He’s kept his promise once again. Every time he released a new one, I’m always the first to have it.]

A cold tear slid down my cheek.

So, Sunny had always been the hand model for Charm Jewelry and over the past two years, the inspiration for every design that Sebastian claimed was for me had actually come from Sunny, whether her birthmark, her new manicure, or even the flush on her cheeks after drinking.

A gust of cold wind swept through the open study window, chilling the tears on my face.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and read the message that my aunt sent me. [Carrie, your immigration paperwork for New Zealand is nearly done. You’ll be able to leave in three days.]

It was so happened that a press conference for “Endless Sunshine” would be held in three days.

The next morning, I began packing my belongings.

Seeing me pull out a suitcase, Sebastian looked confused. “Why are you suddenly packing?”

“My university professor’s jewelry design was shortlisted for Paris Design Week,” I lied smoothly. “She’s invited me to attend in person. I’m leaving in a few days.”

When he heard that Sebastian looked a bit tense as he asked, “It’s not on the day we registered our marriage, right?”

I forced a casual smile as I said, “Of course not.”

Relieved, he kissed my forehead. “I’ll take you to the airport then.”

If I hadn’t uncovered the truth, I might have savored that tender moment. However, knowing what I knew, I felt like the main character in The Truman Show. We were both desperate to exit the stage and reclaim reality.

Three days later, Alegre City buzzed with excitement as Charm Jewelry’s launch event approached its climax. Rumors of a surprise finale kept everyone on edge.

Before heading to the airport, I decided to stop by the press conference to say a final goodbye to Sebastian and take a look.

On the way there, I noticed Sunny had just posted on her Instagram Story.

At that time, the internet was already ablaze with stories of my fairytale romance with Sebastian and countless people were praising our love.

When I arrived at the location, I saw Sunny. She was wearing the same haute couture dress that she wore on her Instagram Story’s post. It was at the moment I realized that she was not just attending but she was the star of the event.

With ease and confidence, she linked arms with Sebastian. She toasted guests like a perfect hostess.

The crowd marveled at her.

“I had no idea the longtime hand model for Charm Jewelry was Sunny, the renowned jewelry designer! Such a talented and multitalented woman. Mr. North is truly lucky to have found her.”

“Mr. Hall, you’re flattering me. This new collection is a collaboration between Mr. North and me. Without his diamond ring design, no matter how exquisite my necklace may look, it would merely be a decoration,” said Sunny.

So, the so-called “surprise” turned out to be a necklace designed by Sunny.

At this press conference, not only was the “Endless Sunshine” ring put on the mark, but also its matching necklace, “The North.”

With a glass of wine in my hand, I walked toward them.

The moment Sebastian saw me, a flicker of panic flashed in his eyes. He asked, “Carrie, didn’t you say you don’t like crowded places? Why are you here ….?”

“What’s wrong?” I asked calmly. “Are you afraid I’ll see something I shouldn’t?”

Sebastian forced an awkward smile. “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m thrilled you could make it.”

He moved as if to hug me, but his assistant, who just arrived, interrupted. He reminded him it was time for his closing remarks.

“Have a drink first; I’ll come find you later,” he said before leaving with his assistant.

When I was drinking the wine alone, Sunny approached me. She carried herself with the pride of a peacock, her head held high as she flaunted the necklace around her neck.

She greeted me, “Carrie, long time no see. The last time we met was three years ago at your wedding with Kevin, wasn’t it?”

Then she said again, “What a twist of fate, huh? Today is the day you and Sebastian got your marriage certificate, right? However, you don’t have to worry, I wouldn’t dream of intruding.”

She sneered. “It’s almost funny, isn’t it? The men around you always seem to fall for me. Even the wedding ring he designed for you was inspired by the birthmark on my body. He said he couldn’t stop thinking about me.”

As I looked at her smug expression, it was hard to reconcile this version of Sunny with the person I once knew. There was a time when she was my best friend. We attended the same high school, enrolled in the same university and even majored in the same field.

However, ever since she and my ex-husband, Kevin, betrayed me, I severed ties with both of them. After that, it was Sebastian who pulled me out of the depths of despair and helped me heal.

A year into our relationship, I was preparing to enter an Asian jewelry design competition. I had already completed my design sketches and was ready to submit them. However, Sebastian suddenly stopped me. “Carrie, I don’t want you overworking yourself. Didn’t you always dream of opening your own jewelry store? Let me help you make that dream come true. You can pick the location.”

Perhaps when a woman fell in love, it clouded her judgment. In the end, I agreed and withdrew from the competition, to focus on establishing my store.

Meanwhile, Sunny went on to win the championship of that very competition and earned the title of “Expert.”

Turned out Sebastian had gone to great lengths to make Sunny the shining star she is today. He even did it at the expense of betraying someone close to him.

As Sunny continued to toy with her necklace, I noticed its intricate details and felt a pang of familiarity.

Dormant memories stirred and suddenly, then it hit me that her necklace was identical to the design I had planned to submit for that competition years ago.

“Sunny! You …!” I shouted.

Then I stepped forward to reach her necklace. Unexpectedly, she grabbed my hand and yanked it hard.

The next moment, she let out a piercing scream. Along with it, blood splattered from her neck onto my face.

“Ah! It hurts! Carrie, why would you do this to me?” Her shriek turned every head at the press conference toward us.

Before I could react, Sebastian rushed over and slapped me across the face.

Stunned, I clutched my cheek, unable to believe he would treat me like this for Sunny’s sake. The force was so great that not only it snapped Sunny’s necklace and it caused the diamond ring to fall to the floor along with it.

Blood streamed steadily from Sunny’s neck at this time.

“What are you standing there for? Call an ambulance!” Sebastian who usually composed brows furrowed his brows tightly as he barked orders at his assistant.

Some of the guests who knew me as Sebastian’s fiancée looked at me with pity but they did not dare to do anything.

Sebastian did not look at me at all, at least not until the paramedic brought Sunny away. However, there was no love in his gaze at all. Instead, they were full of hatred.

“Do you have any idea how important Sunny’s neck and hands are to her as a model? By hurting her so recklessly not only you are turning yourself into her enemy but you’re also becoming me and the whole Charm Corporation!”

As I stared at him, the last sliver of affection I had for him crumbled into ashes. Ignoring his accusation, I forced my body to stop trembling and asked coldly, “The necklace Sunny designed … tell me, why does it look exactly like the one I submitted for the jewelry competition years ago?”

Then I inquired again, “Don’t tell me it is just a coincidence. The only one who knows my computer’s password is you!”

A flicker of guilt flashed across his face. However, he quickly retorted sharply, “What are you implying? Are you saying that I stole your design and gave it to Sunny?”

“Is that how little you think of me, Carrie?” he asked indignantly. “Do you really see me as such a despicable person? Or are you so jealous of Sunny that you’d make up such a lie to discredit her?”

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Noticing the murmurs around us, Sebastian softened his expression and took my hand, then he said, “Carrie, let me explain. That’s not what I meant. Sunny is my company’s model and designer. I was just trying to prevent major losses for the company. That’s why I acted so anxious.”

He added, “I was too rash earlier. I shouldn’t have lost my temper with you. Forgive me.”

When he saw I kept my silence, he pulled me into his arms and patted my back gently, then said gently, “Go home and rest first. Once I’ve taken care of everything, we’ll go to the City Hall, okay?”

“Hmm,” I murmured vaguely while thinking that this moment would be the last time we ever saw each other.

Shortly after Sebastian left, Sunny eagerly sent me a message. When I opened the photo that she sent, I saw a photo of Sebastian holding a plate of desserts. He was feeding Sunny piece by piece.

[Do you see this? Even though you two are about to get married, the person Sebastian cares about the most is me.]

[Carrie, you may excel in academics and have a great social circle, I can’t beat you on those things but when it comes to stealing men, you’ll never beat me!]

I did not reply to her message but Sunny took my silence as she had won and continued sending me updates about her and Sebastian. However, I would never expect that Sebastian would put the family heirloom that my grandmother had given me on her wrist.

[This thing is so outdated. I don’t know where Sebastian got this, but he insisted on giving it to me.]

At this very moment, I was so in rage. She could insult me all she wanted, but mocking my grandmother’s cherished heirloom? That was unforgivable.

Before I boarded my plane, I opened the booking page for the honeymoon suite Sebastian and I had reserved then I transferred the reservation to Sunny. Then I texted her. [Since you love robbing my men so much, I’ll give you this suit for you to play with him.]

In our two years of dating, Sebastian had never once touched me. We had planned to consummate our marriage on the night of our wedding registration.

Once the transfer was successful, I sent Sebastian a picture. I purposely sent a provocative one. In the picture, there it was, on the bed, under dim, romantic lighting, lay a black lace lingerie set.

Then after I sent the message to my ex-husband, I removed my SIM card and tossed both it and my phone into the trash.

Sebastian would never expect what he would find when he opened the couple’s suit door. He would be stunned for sure.