Chapter 1 Congratulations

Could anyone have been happier? Nicole radiated joy wherever she went, all because her father had just shared news that, for her, felt like a dream come true.

The Matthew and Gibson families had struck an agreement to merge their companies and form a powerful corporation, arranging a marriage between their firstborn children, Nicole and Walter.

Most people might dread the idea of an arranged marriage, but for Nicole, it meant her greatest wish had finally come true.

Walter Gibson, her future husband, was not only her best friend-the only man who had shown her consistent kindness since childhood-but also the one Nicole had secretly loved for as long as she could remember.

No sooner had she heard the news than Nicole, anxious yet brimming with excitement, hurried over to the Gibson mansion to speak with her future husband. Surely, he wouldn't be expecting this either, but as such close friends, maybe Walter would be pleased with their parents' decision.

Wasn't it worse to be forced to marry a stranger?

The Gibson family maid opened the door and greeted Nicole with warm courtesy. Nicole's visits were common-she was close not only to Walter, but to his younger sister Amanda Gibson as well.

"Good day, are they..." Nicole began, but the maid answered before she could finish, bowing slightly.

"Both siblings are in the study. Please, go in..."

"Thank you," Nicole said as she took a steadying breath, heart pounding. How would Walter react when he saw her?

"And Miss Matthew... Congratulations on your engagement," the maid added with a friendly smile.

"Th... Thank you very much." Nicole lowered her gaze, cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Her hands trembled, her palms cold and clammy, and her heart beat so wildly she thought it might burst right out of her chest. She made her way toward the study, struggling to steady her breathing, when she heard Amanda's voice inside.

"Congratulations, brother... Dad just told me..."

"And you're congratulating me?" Walter's voice carried a sharp edge, the anger unmistakable.

Nicole froze at the threshold of the study. She knew him too well-noticing the tension in his tone, she immediately sensed that Walter was upset.

"Well... Yes... I'm congratulating you... I don't understand, I just thought you'd be happy, or at least okay with it." Amanda faltered, clearly confused.

"Happy? About an arranged marriage?" Walter shot back. "Why should I be happy? Why should I be satisfied? Just because I know Nicole, just because we're close? That only makes it worse, Amanda. It means I'll never be able to feel anything more for her..."

"But... but you get along with her. You're always kind and..."

"But I don't love her. I'm not in love with her, and I never will be..." Walter's words were unwavering.

Nicole felt something tear inside, a raw ache burning deep within her. In an instant, all her joy vanished-every ounce of hope crushed beneath his words.

"Walter..." Amanda let out a gasp, shock and disbelief in her voice. "Nicole is our friend."

"Our friend?" Walter's tone turned cold. "Honestly, right now, I'm not so sure about that..."

A chill ran through Nicole at those words. Did Walter really doubt their friendship?

"What are you talking about?" Amanda pressed, still lost in confusion.

Walter hesitated for a moment before replying, "I've thought a lot about it, Amanda. I think... it was Nicole who asked her father to arrange this marriage. I've always known she had feelings for me, but I never imagined she'd go this far..."

Nicole lingered outside the study, listening to every painful word from the man she loved. With each sentence, her chest tightened. Did he really know she loved him? The thought filled her with shame. Nicole squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could vanish.

But how could he possibly know? She had never told a soul-her feelings were always her own, locked away deep inside.

Why would she ever confess to Walter? That would only destroy their friendship. He had never shown the slightest hint of interest beyond being friends, and besides, she... She wasn't anything like the women Walter usually dated: all of them stunning, slender, seemingly perfect.

Nicole had never let herself hope for anything more with Walter. She was curvier than most, a woman with soft edges and more than a few extra pounds. Pressing herself against the wall, she felt a tear slip down her cheek.

Now, to make things worse, Walter believed she had arranged this marriage herself-forcing him into it. How could he think that of her?

"Of course not! How can you say something like that?" Amanda's voice rose, filled with outrage. "Do you even realize what you're accusing Nicole of? She's always been good to you, always kind and honest..."

"I don't know anymore," Walter interrupted. "Feelings and ambition can change people, Amanda... Don't forget that."

"Even so... Nicole isn't that kind of person. I'm really shocked you'd even consider it," Amanda continued.

"Oh, really? Then tell me, Amanda, what other reason would my father have to push this marriage so suddenly? To merge the companies? Please. Both businesses have been thriving-profits have been up for months," Walter continued.

"I..." Amanda started, but her words faded as she suddenly caught sight of someone at the door. "Nicole?!"

Amanda's face crumpled as Nicole quietly stepped into the study. She couldn't stand hiding in the hallway any longer; she needed to face Walter and hear the truth from him directly.

Walter was standing by the window, lost in the view outside. But as soon as Amanda spoke Nicole's name, he turned, curiosity flickering in his eyes as he looked at the woman who was now-by arrangement-his fiancée.

Nicole looked shaken. Her pale face was slightly lowered, dark eyes shimmering, her hands trembling despite her efforts to steady them. Had she overheard everything? Walter wondered. The answer was painfully obvious.

"Nicole..." Amanda's voice softened with guilt. "I'm so sorry. You heard us, didn't you?"

Amanda stepped forward and gently took Nicole's hands. Walter stayed where he was, watching in tense silence, waiting for Nicole to speak.

Nicole slowly lifted her gaze and fixed it on Walter. She seemed to be holding herself together by sheer will, struggling to hide the pain clawing at her chest. It was useless. Walter knew her too well.

"I..." Nicole's lips quivered. She drew in a shaky breath before continuing. "I had nothing to do with our parents' decision, Walter. I... I didn't know about it either." Her brow tightened as she tried to remain composed, but her eyebrows trembled. "I came here because I wanted to know what you thought. Now I do..."

"Nicole, sweetheart..." Amanda whispered, her voice breaking.

The resolve Nicole had been clinging to finally crumbled. A sad, brittle smile crossed her lips as she lowered her eyes and gently pulled her hands free from Amanda's grasp.

"I'll ask my father to call off the marriage..."

Nicole turned and fled the room, Amanda's voice calling after her in panic.

But even if she had wanted to stop, she couldn't. She couldn't turn around. She couldn't go back. She couldn't endure another second of it. Nicole broke into tears as she ran, her chest burning, her breath coming in ragged gasps, as though the air itself was slipping away.

All her dreams had shattered.