All I Wanted was to Call Off the Wedding!
Synopsis
Little did they know, I was Serena Stuart, and all I wanted was to call off the wedding. Rumor swirled that Dylan Harper's fiancée was a country bumpkin, unattractive, uneducated - an unsophisticated bundle of hay. Oh, how wrong they were! When I stepped in the that banquet hall, jaws hit the floor in disbelief. “How could anyone call her ugly?” “Isn't she the movie star's big sister?” “Her father is the wealthiest man alive!” “Isn’t she the mysterious fashion designer LOE?” ... One by one, the secret identities of mine unraveled. But what did it matter? Dylan never held any affection for me. That fateful day, an official announcement was made by Harper Group, “Love is in the air as we prepare for the grand wedding!” The crowd gasped,”...!!!”
All I Wanted was to Call Off the Wedding! Free Chapters
Chapter 1: Arrival at Harper Mansion | All I Wanted was to Call Off the Wedding!
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ASHTON CITY, Ashton High-Speed Rail Station.
A woman clad in a white tee and jeans stepped out, luggage in hand.
Her striking beauty was evident with flowing, slightly curled hair cascading behind her. Beneath her delicate eyebrows lay a pair of luminous, almond-shaped eyes, accompanied by a prominent nose and cherry-like lips. Even without makeup, she had an ethereal glow about her.
"Hello, you must be Ms. Stuart? I'm your driver."
Serena Stuart nodded and wearily followed the driver to the car.
As they departed from Ashton High-Speed Rail Station, the driver couldn't help but steal glances at her through the rearview mirror.
So, this is Mr. Harper's fiancée.
Dylan Harper was a name known to all. The CEO of the Harper enterprise, at the mere age of twenty-one, he was a force to be reckoned with in the business world.
The absurdity of it all: Grandpa Harper had arranged a marriage for Dylan years ago, and the bride-to-be was Serena, a girl with no significant background, arriving by high-speed train from the countryside.
The driver looked at Serena's innocent face and tutted. It's no easy task for a Cinderella to marry into a noble house.
Unbeknownst to him, Serena opened her eyes, taking in the unfamiliar city with an unreadable expression.
Soon, they reached Harper Mansion, where the driver fetched Serena's luggage. No sooner had they arrived than Serena was halted at the entrance by a haughty lady.
"Mrs. Lee."
"Madam, she's here."
Mrs. Lee took out a bottle of disinfectant and drenched Serena from head to toe.
Beside her, Madeline Harper chimed in, "Don't forget the shoes and hair. Leave no spot untouched."
Overwhelmed by the pungent smell, Serena shielded her face and coldly retorted, "Are you people mad?"
On hearing that, Madeline Harper's face contorted in rage.
"You really do show your rustic roots! So uncouth. We're merely concerned about potential germs you might carry. What if it affects the Harper lineage?"
On any other day, Serena would've left without a word. But today, she responded, "Perhaps, ma'am, you should disinfect your mouth too. It reeks."
With that, she sauntered inside, leaving a fuming Madeline Harper behind, who was quickly comforted by Mrs. Lee.
Inside awaited another woman of Serena's age, dripping in designer labels, who gave Serena a disdainful once-over.
"So, you're Cousin Dylan's fiancée, Serena?" Diana Harper sneered, continuing, "Our grandfather must be losing his touch. I heard you came by train. We could've bought you a flight ticket, but I suppose there's no airport in your backwater town."
Serena regarded Diana Harper as if she were a curious spectacle.
Do all the Harpers carry such arrogance?
Yes, her hometown had no airport, but the old man had reserved an entire train just for her. If she'd asked, he would've sent a private jet.
Ignoring Diana Harper's taunts, Serena proceeded upstairs.
Following closely, Diana Harper spat out, "This is your room."
Before Serena could step inside, Diana Harper added, "You've probably never stayed in a room as grand as this. You'd best cherish your time in Harper Mansion. I'm Diana Harper, Dylan's cousin. It'll do you good to be in my good graces. If you ever..."
Serena cut her off by shutting the door in her face.
"Such audacity for a country bumpkin!" Diana Harper fumed. "What on earth was grandfather thinking?"
A servant whispered, "Madam, that's Harper Junior's room."
Diana Harper dismissed him with a wave, "It doesn't matter. Dylan hates others touching his things. We'll just say she wanted the room."
A sly glint appeared in Diana's eyes.
Chapter 2: In Dylan's Bed | All I Wanted was to Call Off the Wedding!
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Serena, in her disoriented state, hadn't realized she had ventured into another's chambers. Seeing men's toiletries in the bathroom, she naively assumed it was the Harper family's quirky sense of hospitality.
"What an eccentric mansion," she thought to herself.
She only needed to endure three months here as per her bet with her grandfather. If after three months at Harper Mansion, she felt nothing for Dylan, their engagement would be nullified.
After a rejuvenating bath and a dinner served by the house staff, a day's fatigue took over, and Serena drifted off to sleep.
Late into the night, Dylan returned home from a soiree. It was already midnight.
He was aware of Serena's arrival at the Harper Mansion. Grandpa Harper had intended for Dylan to greet her, but with work as his excuse, he declined. He had no particular interest in his betrothed, confident that their engagement would eventually be called off.
Upon returning to his chamber, Dylan took a quick bath and prepared to retire for the night.
Perhaps it was the liquor or sheer exhaustion, but it wasn't until he lay down that he noticed another presence in his bed—a woman.
Dylan froze. In the dim light, he couldn't discern her features. She murmured in her sleep, "Hush, Teddy, it's bedtime."
Her scent, so intimately familiar, mirrored that of another from his past.
Perhaps it was the alcohol clouding his judgment, but Dylan made no move to confront her. Instead, he laid down beside Serena and, for the first time in ages, slept soundly.
In his dreams, visions of a decade ago played out. In a dim room, a young girl hugged him, whispering comfortingly, "Fear not, I'm strong, and I'll protect you."
When dawn broke, Diana Harper, having risen early herself, was puzzled. She hadn't heard any news of Serena being thrown out of Dylan's room. Had her cousin not returned home? His car, after all, was in the driveway.
Could they possibly have... slept together?
Unable to contain her curiosity, Diana knocked, "Cousin, breakfast is ready. Don't you have an early meeting? Time to rise."
The sudden knock woke both occupants of the room. Serena, realizing she was nestled in someone's embrace, bolted upright, eyes wide with shock, "Who are you?"
Their eyes met, and the weight of realization dawned upon them both.
"Serena?" Dylan's voice held a trace of surprise.
Piecing together the events, Serena surmised this man was her rumored fiancé, Dylan. But why was he in her bed? Or had Diana tricked her?
Climbing out of bed, Serena's voice was icy, "Firstly, I didn't choose to sleep in your bed. Diana led me to believe this was my room. Mr. Harper, I have zero interest in you. And, given you embraced me throughout the night, perhaps the attraction isn't as one-sided as you'd like to believe?"
Dylan, memories of the previous night flooding back, was momentarily at a loss for words. He gazed deep into her eyes, so reminiscent of another's.
Seeing his hesitation, Serena smirked, "What's the matter, Mr. Harper? Enchanted by me, are we?"
Shaking off his stupor, Dylan's voice turned cold, "Leave. This room is off-limits to you."
Without another word, Serena gathered her belongings and left.
Their first encounter had left them both with feelings of mutual disdain.
Outside the room, Diana, still in shock, watched as Serena emerged, a smug grin on her face. "Morning! As you hoped, your dear cousin and I shared a rather intimate night. We're getting on quite well, wouldn't you say?"
"You're delusional," Diana shot back, her face ashen. In her mind, there was no way Dylan could ever fall for Serena.
Yet, the undeniable truth remained: Serena had spent the night in Dylan's arms.