The first time, Ashley snatched my diamond ring and put it on during the engagement party. I forced her to give it back, and Peyton said I couldn't take a joke, so he called off the wedding.

The second time, when the pastor asked Peyton if he was willing, Ashley playfully shouted "no". I cursed her out in public, and Peyton took off his jacket and said he didn't want to get married.

He said: "Whether I get married or not, she is my sister. If my bride makes her feel wronged, I would rather be single forever."

"Peyton, three strikes and you're out." My tone was cold.

His arm around me stiffened. Peyton seemed like he was about to blow up again, but he lowered his head and met my cold eyes.

He paused for a moment.

"Hailey, I know you're angry about the wedding dress."

He gripped my shoulders, his usual carefree gaze turning serious: "I'll order you a new one."

He ignored my protests, grabbed his phone, and posted a message to our group chat that there was something wrong with my wedding dress and the wedding was postponed.

"Peyton, don't..."

I frowned, trying to stop him, but he'd already sent the message. He grabbed my outstretched hand and scooped me up in his arms. "Let's go, take my wife to choose a wedding dress."

"Peyton, put me down!"

I struggled, but he just laughed, carrying me downstairs effortlessly and settling me in the passenger seat.

I was about to run, but I saw a photo of Ashley stuck on the dashboard.

She was pouting, pointing to my side, with a note typed in Comic Sans: "Princess's Exclusive Vehicle, Keep Out!"

A hand reached over and ripped off the sticker. "Ashley thought it would be fun to put it there, I'll take it off if you don't like it."

He really threw the sticker away, but his tone was casual, like it was nothing.

He was always like this.

He always addressed Ashley's inappropriate behavior, but thought it wasn't a big deal.

Then, when I made a big fuss, he would get impatient: "Do you have to get so worked up over every little thing!"

"Oh, it's cute, you didn't have to tear it off."

No sooner had I said that then Peyton looked at me with disbelief.

After all, in this situation, I must make him clarify.

A chuckle rang out, and he turned the steering wheel: "I know you're angry, it's okay, honey. I'll help you pick the most beautiful wedding dress, and we'll get married this time."

This time?

But we can't get married.

I said lightly: "Peyton, you don't have to."

He paused, and ruffled my hair roughly. "Don't talk nonsense."

Of the three weddings, this was the first time Peyton had accompanied me to choose a wedding dress.

Listening to him take the initiative to talk to the clerk about our requirements, I interrupted him: "Not a wedding dress, I would like to ask about returning the old one."

The clerk was stunned: "But this gentleman said you wanted to order..."

"She means, the last size wasn't right!" Peyton quickly took over.

It might have been my imagination, but I saw a hint of panic in his movements.

He turned to look at me, like he needed to confirm something: "Right, babe?"

The clerk also looked at me: "Do you want to change the size, ma'am?"

Size...

I remembered Ashley's post on Instagram, wearing the wedding dress, and looked at the clerk: "Can I talk about the wedding dress alone?"

While the clerk and I walked into the room, Peyton seemed to sigh with relief: "You want a custom one?"

I nodded.

The clerk laughed: "It seems that this lady wants to give her husband a surprise."

He smiled and ruffled my hair: "I'll wait for you."

I pushed his hand away and closed the door.

But when I came out, he wasn't outside.

When I found him, he was on the phone in the car.

When he saw me, he waved and told me to get in.