The wedding march echoed through the church as Eleanor Smith walked down the aisle towards Nathaniel Carter, who stood at the altar. Dressed in a pristine white gown, her face beneath the veil radiated pure joy. Nathaniel, in his tailored white suit, looked dazzling under the golden lights. His gentle demeanor reminded her of the young man she had fallen for at first sight. After three years of courtship, they were finally tying the knot. Despite her family's objections, Eleanor had chosen him without hesitation. When Nathaniel handed her the bouquet, Eleanor's eyes welled up with tears. The priest's kind voice filled the air, "Do you, Nathaniel, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" Eleanor held her breath, her hopeful gaze fixed on Nathaniel. But his expression turned grave, and he remained silent. "Brother!" A desperate cry shattered the church's tranquility. Sophia Stewart stumbled in, tears streaming down her face. "Isabella... she..." Eleanor's heart clenched. Isabella Morgan. The name was like a thorn in her heart. She was Nathaniel's first love, the one he could never forget. When the Carter family went bankrupt, Isabella had abandoned Nathaniel to pursue her studies abroad. In his anger, Nathaniel had chosen Eleanor as a substitute. Isabella had returned unexpectedly a month ago. "What happened to Isabella?" Nathaniel's voice was laced with panic. "She was in a car accident. She's lost a lot of blood. The doctors say... they might not be able to save her..." Sophia sobbed uncontrollably. Nathaniel abruptly released Eleanor's hand and turned to leave. "Don't go!" Eleanor clutched his sleeve, her voice trembling. "Today is our wedding. Are you really going to leave?" Whispers filled the church, and mocking gazes cut through her like knives. Tears welled in Eleanor's eyes as she pleaded, "Please, just finish the ceremony first, okay?" "Isabella got hurt trying to save me. I can't just abandon her," Nathaniel said coldly, trying to pull away. But Eleanor held on tighter. "Nathaniel, you know this isn't just a transaction between us!" Nathaniel let out a bitter laugh, his eyes darkening. "Eleanor, stop deluding yourself. We both know this marriage is nothing more than a transaction. Just play your role as Mrs. Carter and stay out of my business." A transaction? Eleanor felt as if she had been struck by lightning, staring at the man who now seemed both familiar and a stranger. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. "So, in your eyes, our relationship was just a transaction?" "Yes," Nathaniel replied without hesitation. Eleanor felt as if her heart had been torn apart, the pain so intense she could barely breathe.",