Chapter 1
The lavender swayed in the golden evening light, and I felt like I was living in a fairy tale.
This was it. The moment I'd dreamed of since Phoenix first took my hand six months ago.
He knelt on one knee, the small velvet box catching the sunset's glow. The handcrafted silver ring inside bore delicate lavender engravings - every curve told the story of his devotion.
"Luna, you're my root system. With you, I can grow anywhere."
His voice was deep, resonating from somewhere profound within him. My heart swelled as tears blurred my vision.
"Phoenix, you taught me that healing grows in the most unexpected soil."
The ring slid onto my finger with perfect precision. It felt warm, solid, real.
Applause erupted around us like a gentle symphony. As we kissed among the lavender blooms, I knew this was just the beginning of our healing garden dream.
I'm a therapist. He's a horticulturist. Together, we would create a sanctuary for broken souls.
"Oh my God, this is like something out of a movie!" My friend Sarah gushed, rushing forward with the others.
"Luna, when's the wedding?"
"Phoenix, did you make that ring yourself? It's absolutely gorgeous!"
Laughter and congratulations filled the twilight air. Champagne bubbles danced in crystal glasses, reflecting the last rays of sunlight.
Everything was perfect.
Until it wasn't.
The garden gate slammed open with a violence that cut through our celebration like a knife.
A woman in a sharp black business suit strode across the gravel path. Her gaze was laser-focused on Phoenix, cutting through the crowd of startled guests.
I watched Phoenix's face drain of all color.
The champagne flute in his hand trembled.
"Sierra?" The name escaped his lips like a prayer - or a curse.
Every conversation stopped. The only sound was her approaching footsteps and my thundering heartbeat.
She stopped directly in front of Phoenix, completely ignoring the fifty pairs of shocked eyes staring at her.
"Phoenix Winters, you still owe me $500,000. The divorce settlement doesn't just disappear because you found someone new."
Divorce? Five hundred thousand dollars?
My legs felt weak. "Divorce? Phoenix, what is she talking about?"
Phoenix stumbled over his words, sweat beading on his forehead. "Sierra, this isn't... we can discuss this later..."
"There's nothing to discuss." Sierra pulled a thick stack of legal documents from her briefcase. "The court order is clear. You have thirty days to pay up, or we'll see you in court."
She dropped the papers at his feet like they were garbage.
Then she turned to me, and for just a moment, I saw something that might have been pity in her cold eyes.
"Be careful, sweetheart. This man is very good at hiding the truth."
Her heels clicked away, leaving behind a graveyard of silence.
Whispers began to ripple through our guests.
"Phoenix was married?"
"Five hundred thousand dollars? Jesus Christ."
"Did Luna know about this?"
I looked down at my engagement ring. The silver that had felt so warm just moments before now felt cold and heavy against my skin.
My fairy tale had just shattered into a million pieces.
Midnight in our Vancouver apartment.
City lights streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting shadows across the bed where I sat alone. Phoenix was in the living room, speaking in hushed tones on the phone.
My phone exploded with notifications.
Mom's face appeared on the screen, followed by a barrage of text messages and photos.
I opened the first image and gasped.
Medical letterhead: Vancouver General Hospital - Psychiatric Department.
Diagnosis: Severe Depression with Suicidal Ideation.
Recommendation: Immediate Hospitalization.
Estimated Cost: $50,000.
My hands shook as her voice message played:
"Luna, honey, I don't want to burden you on your special day, but... I can't fight this darkness anymore. The doctor says I need immediate treatment."
Her sobs tore through the speaker. "I've already bought the sleeping pills. If I can't get the money for treatment, I... I don't know how much longer I can hold on."
My heart hammered against my ribs as I opened our banking app.
Fifty thousand dollars. Exactly what Phoenix and I had saved for our healing garden.
Two years of careful planning. Two years of dreams.
But Mom's life was more important than dreams.
"God, how did I miss this? She seemed fine at the engagement..."
I remembered her laughing with guests just hours ago, showing no signs of the depression described in this devastating report.
But medical documents don't lie, right?
I was about to confirm the transfer when Phoenix ended his call and walked into the bedroom.
He saw my phone screen and gently took it from my hands.
His frown deepened as he studied the medical report.
"Luna, I understand you're scared, but look at this timestamp. How could she get diagnosed yesterday and seem fine at our engagement?"
He pointed to the date on the report, his voice gentle but firm.
Rage flared in my chest. I snatched the phone back. "Are you seriously suggesting my mother would fake a suicide diagnosis? Right after your mysterious ex-wife shows up demanding half a million dollars?"
"My mother is fighting for her life, and you're standing here questioning her illness?"
Phoenix reached out to comfort me, but I recoiled. He continued, "I know how this looks, but something doesn't add up here..."
"Don't touch me!" I snapped. "You have no right to talk about things being 'suspicious.' You never even told me you were married!"
"I can explain about Sierra..."
"Explain?" I laughed bitterly. "How exactly do you plan to explain half a million dollars in debt? Or those late-night lawyer calls?"
Phoenix froze. "You went through my phone records?"
"How else would I find out my fiancé is a complete fraud?"
We stared at each other across an ocean of broken trust.
That magical night in the lavender field felt like a lifetime ago.
Phoenix sighed heavily. "I'll sleep on the couch."
Alone in the bedroom, tears streamed down my face as I stared at the banking app.
I texted Mom: [Money's sent. Please go to the hospital.]
I twisted the engagement ring around my finger, its weight suddenly unbearable.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed.
Caller ID: Kamloops General Hospital Emergency Department.
In the space of twelve hours, my perfect life had become a house of cards collapsing around me.
What news would this call bring?
I stared at the screen, my finger hovering over the answer button.