Chapter 1

This was my eighteenth wedding rehearsal with Damian Blackwood,and once again,the spotlight was stolen by my adopted sister,Seraphina.

My parents called,their voices tight with anxiety.

“Aurora,Sera's having an anxiety attack.We have to take her to the retreat in the Hamptons.You handle the wedding stuff.You’re experienced with this,seeing as it’s been postponed so many times.”

My childhood best friend,Hollywood superstar Giselle,clicked her tongue as if watching a soap opera.

“Darling,is your wedding more important than Seraphina's health?She was about to pass out from the pain,and you wouldn't even let us help her.When did you become so cold-hearted?”

And my fiancé,the Wall Street tech giant,couldn't even be bothered to call.

He just sent a cold text:【Wedding's off.We'll talk later.】

Talk later.

He'd dismissed me like an unimportant subordinate with those words eighteen times.

Suddenly,the whole situation felt absurd.

“Guardian Spirit,”I called out in my mind,“sever the blessing contracts between me and them.All of them.”

A familiar,ethereal voice echoed in my head:“Command received.All connections to the Darling of Fate,Aurora Sterling,have been severed.”

“Countdown:72 hours.They will lose everything they gained through you,including their lives.”

…

Watching the countdown timer appear in my mind's eye,I grabbed a microphone and walked onto the wedding stage,which was covered in purple irises.

My wedding,decorated with Seraphina’s favorite flower.The irony was perfect.

“I'm very sorry,everyone,but today's wedding is canceled.”

The socialites in the audience exchanged knowing glances.No one was surprised.

“I knew it.A Sterling wedding never actually happens.If I were her,I'd hide my face in shame.”

“The whole Sterling family dotes on the adopted one.If I were Aurora,I'd just give up.Let the sister have him.At least she'd look graceful instead of being the laughingstock of New York.”

“You don't get it.This heiress is something else.They say if Damian Blackwood even slightly upsets her,the Blackwood Group's stock plummets the next day.He tried a few times,lost billions,and finally agreed to the engagement.”

I turned and walked away,feeling their pity and scorn on my back.

Hearing their whispers,a cold smirk touched my lips.

This time,it would be much more than just a stock plunge…