Laughter and conversations of the guests filled the banquet hall adorned with soft white flowers and warm lights.
Noona Pantawan stood near the entrance, dressed in a pure white wedding gown, her eyes full of hope and dreams of the new day about to begin.
"Today... will be the best day of my life," she whispered to herself with confidence.
But just a few hours before the ceremony started, the atmosphere changed completely.
Her phone vibrated with an incoming message.
"The groom... disappeared with that woman." A short message but as heavy as thunder.
Noona's heart seemed to stop beating. For a moment, the whole world turned silent.
She looked around; the lively guests suddenly blurred before her eyes.
"Could he really do this to me?" Her inner voice trembled.
Chaos erupted instantly.
Whispers, murmurs spreading far and wide, and many eyes stared at her with confusion.
"Should she just call off the wedding?" a close friend whispered softly.
But the elders wouldn't allow this event to ruin the hopes of hundreds of guests.
And then…
"I will be the groom instead," a firm voice declared from across the room.
All eyes turned to Phat — Noona's coworker, whom she never knew had secretly loved her for so long.
He stepped forward with a serious face, yet warmth glimmered in his eyes.
"I'm ready to stand by your side," he said calmly.
Noona stood stunned and confused, her heart aching from the unexpected event.
But in Phat's gaze, she saw a sincerity she had never received from anyone else.
"This isn't just a replacement," he added with a firmer tone. "For me… this is a chance to love you openly."
That night, the sudden marriage became the turning point of a new life.
A married life beginning with wounds and pain.
But Phat never intended to be just a stand-in groom.
He chose to love Noona… with all his heart.
So, will Noona choose to trust and open her heart to someone when her own heart still aches?
Amid lingering pasts, temptations from a returning ex-lover, and secrets that could destroy everything,
Will this marriage survive or fall apart?
---
Flashback — Five years ago
The exam hall in the city was filled with tension. Noona had just finished her exam when her wallet was stolen.
Until a stranger's hand returned it to her with kindness…