1 PROLOGUE

I WAS standing at the far end of the church. Tears stream down my face as I watch him walking down the aisle. His eyes are gleaming with happiness. He stopped near the altar with much excitement written on his handsome face.

'Am I too late?'

'Why? Was I wrong after all? For leaving him? But he promised! He promised to wait for me.'

All I ever wanted was to build myself first. I left in the hope he could wait for me, because I wanted to be the best woman for him, to be equal with him. That I can stand with him side by side not with awkwardness but with honor, be his number one supporter.

Yet, I am still in the middle of achieving it all.

The moment I heard a rumor that the heir of the de LonCreigh is getting married, I was shattered. Still I didn't immediately believed it so I immediately flew back to the country despite the desperate detention of my guardian, I still manage to escape. Now, here I am...

I noticed that the people stood up, all their heads are at the church door. Gently, the door opened, lo and behold, his blushing bride appeared. I painfully saw in his expression that his anticipation and impatience for her arrival all disappeared. I witnessed how he looked at her as though it's his first time he laid his eyes on her.

Pain caresses my heart. It seems I become deaf. The beautiful melody playing at the background as the bride walks down the aisle could no longer be registered in my ears as I was clinging prominently to the pain I am feeling at this moment. I cried silently. No one noticed me since all of those who attended are excited for him, for them.

In the middle of my anguish I raised my head and there my eyes caught the glimpse of the woman who bore my love into this world, his mother. I wailed soundlessly, as I remembered how she treated me. She has been so strict with me at first but at the same time kind to me. She's the mother figure I never had.

Oh! What a very beautiful family they have. I wanted to be part of that family, so desperately. So eagerly, that I sacrificed everything. With them I know I can feel loved and needed. With him, I know I belong without condition. They are, supposed to be, my future family. He is, supposed to be, my home.

But…

It is no longer possible.

My heart stops beating.

My best friend, my first love is now married. Is there any more painful than this? I think love is not enough.

'I love you, William and goodbye…'

When I'll come back, I will pretend that I've never been here. That I have no idea that you're married. I will pretend that I never loved you. I will pretend that i am happy for you.

I guess, it's my last cry. I guess, I'll just leave my heart here and start living without it. She slowly slipped away without looking back.

She did not notice that someone saw her.

"Grace…" whispered by a man in the hope that the air will deliver it to her hearing, but he thought, he is just imagining things. No way that she'll be here at this very moment.

It's impossible. Simply impossible.

..

Seven years ago…