"Clara... you look so beautiful today~."

"Thanks, Julie."

"I can't believe it. Clara, our symbol of innocence, getting married before any of us..."

"Did you see the groom? He's gorgeous! If it weren't Clara... I'd want to be the bride!"

"He's French nobility, right?"

"Clara, I knew you'd land something big."

"Thanks..."

In her pure white dress, Clara smiled for her friends.

College friends who'd come all the way to Hong Kong to be her bridesmaids.

Her friends envied Clara endlessly.

Anyone could see the groom was a catch.

"I heard the bank president's here too?"

"Not just him—almost every senior executive from group headquarters came, apparently."

"Oh my gosh..."

Her former colleagues from the bank whispered among themselves too.

Surrounded by more than ten women guests, Clara was having the most glamorous, beautiful time of her life.

But the smiling Clara was no flower in full bloom.

From today, she'd be someone's wife.

The husband-to-be she'd met in France was a groom anyone would covet.

Tall, with soft blond hair, blue eyes and a kind, charming smile.

Educated in America, and good at nearly every sport.

He was always gentle with Clara.

So far, they'd only held hands.

But Clara's heart hadn't opened to her husband yet.

Something was missing; it didn't feel like love.

Her mother's life kept coming back to her.

Her mother had sacrificed herself for the family and lived out her life in Hong Kong, a foreign land.

Clara would have to live the same way in France.

"Haah."

A short sigh escaped her.

She was marrying young compared to her friends.

She hadn't slept a wink last night, but today her skin glowed even whiter.

Even to Clara, the woman in the mirror was beautiful.

She thought of the cartoon about the princess dragged off to the castle where the beast lived.

As a girl, she'd never once dreamed of a wedding like this.

She'd dreamed of a future in the arms of the man she loved, watching the sunset over the sea together.

Daniel... goodbye, for real.

The ceremony was getting closer.

The…