My Last Shot After Seven Canceled Weddings

My fiance, Marcus Benton, has canceled our wedding seven times now because of his childhood friend's depression. The first time, she cut her finger and needed him to comfort her. The second time, her depression flared up, and she threatened to kill herself. Every single time something happens to her, he drops everything and abandons me. This time, he is finally supposed to keep his promise and fly me to Solaviera for our wedding. Yet on the day of our flight, he shows up with his childhood friend, Bianca Warner, in tow. "Bianca's biggest dream in life is to see the ocean in Solaviera. Let's put the wedding on hold. I'll take her to see the sea first, and I'll take you there for our wedding next time." Marcus assumes I'll just wait for him like I always do. What he doesn't know is that to be with him, I made a bet with Papa. If we fail to get married this time, I have to return to my mafia family and accept an arranged marriage. So this time, I am leaving him for good. Chapter 1 Cecilia's POV I looked up toward the airport entrance, where two figures were chatting and laughing. My fiance, Marcus Benton, was casually helping his childhood friend, Bianca Warner, with her luggage. Bianca put on a frail expression. "I only said I wanted to visit Solaviera, and you left Cecilia behind like that. Won't she be mad?" Marcus glanced back at me and dropped his voice. "Don't say that, Bianca. Cecilia understands your situation." "Still, she looks upset. I feel terrible seeing her like that," Bianca said, her eyes welling up. "What does she have to be upset about?" Marcus paused, then offered a soft word of comfort. "You haven't been well these past two years, so it's only natural I look after you. She's never made a fuss. I'll just say a few sweet words to reassure her. Don't worry about any of that. Just focus on enjoying the trip." It was true. In Marcus' eyes, I was always reasonable and easygoing. Even if I got upset, a little effort on his part was all it took to smooth things over. Never mind that when he made breakfast, mine was just a plain sandwich, while Bianca got homemade chicken broth tailored for her sensitive stomach. Never mind that his gifts to Bianca were always far more expensive than whatever he gave me. As long as he coaxed me a little, I was expected to move past it. I used to let it go because I cared about Marcus and didn't want to make things difficult for him. But that was no excuse for him to keep pushing me aside. I stared at him quietly. "Marcus, if we don't get married this time, there won't be another chance." Marcus didn't take my words seriously at all. He brushed me off with the tone of an adult soothing a child. "Why are you acting out like this? There will be plenty of chances to get married. There's no need to pick a fight over this. "I'm taking Bianca to Solaviera this time, but I'll make it up to you twice over when I get back. Just stay home and wait for me. Our wedding isn't going anywhere." Before he could finish, Bianca wrapped her arms around his again. "Marcus, being able to travel with you like this is enough to make me happy for the rest of my life." Then, turning to me, she added, "Don't worry, Cecilia! I'll be sure to take good care of Marcus!" Marcus turned back to me. "Head home first, Cecilia. I'll text you when we land." I watched their retreating figures without making a move to stop them. Instead, I let out a faint smile and dialed Papa's number. "Papa, I lost the bet. I'll return to the family like you asked. Before I leave, I'd like to borrow your private helicopter for a few days. I want to visit Solaviera." Shortly after hanging up, a text from Marcus popped up. "You did great today. Thanks for not making a scene. Be good, and I'll bring you back some souvenirs." I stared at the message for a few seconds before a Facebook notification from Bianca flashed on my screen. It was a photo of her flashing a peace sign, beaming beside Marcus. The caption read, "The final trip of my life! So grateful to have the most important person by my side to watch the sea." Someone commented, "Where's Cecilia? Her fiance is traveling with you. Didn't she make a fuss?" Bianca replied with an emoji, "She's busy with work. She didn't have time to join." I scrolled past the post and exited the app without any expression. Another message came in from Marcus. "Did you see Bianca's Facebook post? She's been trying to get 999 likes. She said she wants to see how many people support her before she leaves. Go give her a like too, Cecilia. It'll make her happy." I ignored it. Five minutes later, he sent several more messages. "Why aren't you replying? Did you fall asleep?" "Alright, get some rest early tonight." "Since I'm not there to tuck you in, don't kick off the blankets. Don't catch a cold." Looking at these texts, I found them utterly laughable. Back when he actually mattered to me, I used to reply instantly. This time, not only did I leave him on read, but I also muted his notifications. After all, I would be arriving in Solaviera by helicopter tomorrow. I was going to enjoy a trip entirely on my own. As for little things like having someone to tuck me in, I could handle that just fine on my own. Chapter 2 Cecilia's POV Solaviera had always been my favorite island. I used to dream about marrying the person I loved right there on its shores. That was why I had chosen Solaviera for our wedding destination in the first place. But just as the date was approaching, Bianca was diagnosed with depression. She would cling to Marcus day in and day out with idle threats of taking her own life. And time after time, he postponed our wedding for her sake. "Can't you show a little compassion? Bianca is sick. Shouldn't I be there to help her through it? "You're the only one I'm going to marry. A wedding is just a formality anyway. We have a whole lifetime ahead of us. It doesn't matter when we go to Solaviera." We fought over and over again because of Bianca. And today happened to be our five-year anniversary. I thought five years together would finally lead to a happy ending, never expecting he would choose Bianca yet again. This time, I was done waiting. As I unlocked my phone, a video message from Marcus popped up. It was recorded last night near a hotel in Solaviera, showing the ocean view at night. Bianca's voice came through loud and clear. "Wow! This is amazing! Marcus, come on, film it! Get me in the frame too…" Marcus chuckled. "I am, I am. Lower your voice a bit. Everyone's staring." "Let them stare! I'm just out having fun with a friend. It's not illegal." The camera jerked slightly, capturing Bianca in a soaked long dress, walking toward him with a wide smile. Then the video cut off abruptly. Right after, a text from Marcus followed. "Morning, Cecilia. Sharing the night view of Solaviera with you. Bianca picked this hotel. It's gorgeous. We should stay here next time." As I stared at the message, a sudden laugh escaped my lips. There wouldn't be a next time. At 4:10 pm, the private helicopter Papa arranged touched down on the VIP tarmac at Solaviera's Elavira Airport. The airport ground staff was already waiting, helping me and my assistant, Riccardo Lorenzi, clear customs. Riccardo asked, "Principessa, which hotel are you heading to? I'll drive you." "That won't be necessary," I replied politely, "I'll just grab a cab. Go get some rest, and I'll reach out if I need anything." He didn't push. He gave a respectful bow before taking his leave. Stepping out of the terminal, a wave of warm, humid air washed over me. Coconut trees, swaying palm leaves, and the scent of freedom filled the air. It was everything I had imagined. The suffocation and frustration that had weighed on me for years began to lift, leaving me feeling lighter than I had in a long time. I pulled out my phone, opened the map, and looked up nearby hotels. Just then, a voice spiked with surprise called out from behind me. "Cecilia? What are you doing in Solaviera?" Seeing me appear in Solaviera, the two people who had just walked back from the beach hand in hand were completely stunned. I stood my ground, completely unfazed. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just happened to have some business here." I wasn't traveling with them, nor was I looking for them. Wanting zero drama, I turned to walk away after giving my brief explanation. Marcus' face darkened instantly as he grabbed my wrist. "Cecilia, I told you Bianca wanted a trip with just the two of us. What are you trying to pull by showing up here? And what's with the attitude?" Before I could say a word, Bianca rushed forward, grasping my hand as tears streamed down her face. "Cecilia, I was just in a bad place and wanted Marcus to keep me company so I could recover faster. "I never meant to take him away from you. I just get so down that I want to die… Cecilia, do you hate me? Do you not want me to get better? Do you really want me dead that badly?" Then, she suddenly took half a step closer and dropped her voice to a whisper meant only for me. "Cecilia Caruso… I can't believe you're still clinging to Marcus. Want to make a bet? No matter what happens, he will always side with me. And you're nothing more than a joke." Chapter 3 Cecilia's POV Bianca flashed a swift, faint smile—one completely devoid of any trace of depression. Then, she pinched my arm with all her strength. Wincing in pain, I reflexively yanked my hand back. Bianca let out a sharp cry and immediately collapsed to the ground. "Ah!" Bianca curled up on the floor, clutching her knee, her face twisted in pain. "Cecilia!" Marcus rushed over and shoved me aside. Unsteady on my feet, I stumbled backward into a nearby beach umbrella. A glass on the table underneath toppled over, drenching me in ice-cold water. My elbow took the brunt of the fall, and a dull, agonizing pain burst straight from the bone, drawing a soft groan from my lips. Seeing me hit the ground, Marcus froze for a second and instinctively took a step toward me. But the next second, Bianca grabbed his sleeve. "Marcus, it hurts so bad…" Taking in Bianca's pathetic state, he forgot all about me and quickly helped her up. When he looked back at me, his eyes were filled with anger. "Stop acting, Cecilia. We've been together for five years. How did I never notice what a great actress you are? Bianca is sick! I can't believe you'd go after her, let alone push her on purpose!" I tried to explain, "I didn't push her. She did that on—" Before I could finish, Bianca cut me off with another agonizing shriek. "It hurts so much. Am I dying?" "I'm taking you to the hospital right now. Don't worry…" Without giving me another glance, Marcus scooped Bianca up into his arms and sped off. As I watched him carry Bianca toward the hospital, a cold stillness settled over my chest. After forcing myself up, I clutched my throbbing arm and called Riccardo, who rushed over and took me to the hospital. After an examination, the doctor confirmed a fracture in my elbow, put it in a cast, and told me to get plenty of rest. Bianca, however, had no intention of letting me rest. As I lay in the hospital bed, my phone began vibrating uncontrollably on the nightstand. A barrage of messages from her flooded the screen. First came a photo of Marcus peeling an apple for her with his head down. "Cecilia, has Marcus ever peeled an apple for you? I know you got hurt, but as long as I say you're faking it, he will believe me." "You actually think Marcus cares about you? Keep dreaming." "We grew up together. Did a woman like you, who relies on Marcus just to survive, really think you could come between us?" "Take my advice and get lost before I kick you out myself!" Just then, a text from Marcus popped up next, followed by a location pin for the hospital. "We're in Room 307. Bianca is in a bad mood, so you'd better come apologize to her. Once her depression is cured, we can still have our wedding." I couldn't help but laugh out loud. To think he considered our wedding a bargaining chip to force my submission. As my disappointment reached its peak, I sent Bianca a short reply. "I wish you two the best." With that, I blocked their numbers. Riccardo glanced at my expression tentatively. "Principessa, is there anything you'd like us to do?" "No need," I said calmly. "We'll leave Solaviera tonight." "Understood, Principessa." … Third-Person POV Meanwhile, at the hospital, the moment Bianca drifted off to sleep, Marcus anxiously pulled out his phone. He expected to see an apology text from Cecilia, but the lack of any message made him inexplicably uneasy. In their five years together, she had rarely ignored his messages like this. Instinctively, he dialed her number, but all he got was a busy tone on the other end. "Sorry, the number you have dialed cannot be reached at the moment. Please try again later…" He couldn't believe that she actually blocked him.