Chapter 1

When we were madly in love, our friends swore that if we ever broke up, not a single one of them would attend our wedding.

Later, Chloe got married, but I wasn't the groom.

Sure enough, our friends skipped Chloe's wedding.

After the ceremony, Chloe tearfully demanded to know why.

Her best friend, Ashley, who’d always been wary of me, slapped Chloe across the face, tears streaming down her own cheeks.

"Chloe, those who betray true love deserve to die."

"But why was it Ethan who died?"

...

The night Chloe sent out her wedding invitations, I died in a forgotten corner.

She wore a head-to-toe expensive designer dress, carrying herself with effortless grace.

Beside her, the groom-to-be, Brandon, tenderly brushed a stray lock of hair from her temple, his eyes filled with undeniable love.

The reception was packed with guests, all prominent figures in the city.

It was even more extravagant than my engagement party with Chloe had been.

Brandon glanced around, asking casually, "Didn't you invite your closest friends? You guys are usually joined at the hip."

"For such an important day, and they're no-shows? Did you have a fight?"

He then added, with a smirk, "Or do they just have an issue with me?"

Chloe’s face darkened slightly, but she managed to force a smile. "I'll try them again."

She called them one by one, but they were either busy or their lines were tied up.

Brandon's smile slowly faded as well.

Those few friends were usually exclusive, but fiercely loyal.

On such a big day, he’d expected them to at least make an appearance, just for appearances' sake.

After all, Chloe had been their friend for over a decade.

And I stood right there beside Chloe, just like countless times before, her official boyfriend, but this time, no one could see me.

I looked up at the stage, only seeing the silhouette of a picture-perfect couple.

That was Chloe and Brandon.

I must have been so blind not to notice all the red flags Brandon had been waving since he first appeared.

Brandon smirked as he pulled out his phone, the screen showing his chat with me.

"Ethan, so what if it’s been ten years?"

"I always get the woman I want, without fail."

"Seven days from now is my wedding to Chloe. You think you can make it?"

I lowered my gaze, suddenly realizing this wasn't just a taunt.

The malice was clear as day, right there for everyone to see.

But by the time I figured it out, it was already too late.

I could show up, but he wouldn't be able to see me.

Because I was dead.