chapter 4

4.

Olivia lunged forward, hands bold, eyes glinting with mischief.

"So… your little dude finally grew up? How'd you manage to snag Amelia as your fiancée?"

Her tone dripped mockery. "She's way too high-maintenance. Wait until you're married next week—your real suffering begins."

Elijah didn't stop her. Didn't seem angry at all. Instinctively, he pulled her into his arms.

"Yeah," he murmured, low and rough, "she's nothing like you. You're far more fun…"

He hesitated, a flicker of bitter longing in his voice. "Shame we can't be together."

They clung to each other like star-crossed lovers—two souls bound by forbidden longing.

The room fell silent, except for their ragged breathing.

"My first time… I've still saved it," Olivia whispered, almost shyly.

Elijah tensed.

"I'll always be a lesbian… just for you," she breathed. "I don't need you to take responsibility…"

Their eyes locked—heat, guilt, and raw desire crashing silently between them.

I froze, trembling from head to toe, as if plunged into ice.

The truth lay bare—no masks, no lies.

On one side of the screen: me, hollow-eyed and trembling.

On the other: my fiancé tangled with another woman—kissing her fiercely, desperately… right beneath our wedding portrait.

"Will… will Amelia come back?" Olivia whispered, eyes heavy, glistening with longing.

"She'll crawl back tomorrow," Elijah said casually, almost bored—but the warning was clear: not that night.

He was right.

Every time we fought, I'd storm off—book a hotel, lock myself in a club booth, sobbing until my throat burned, swallowing my pain alone.

He always knew. That's why he never chased me. Never comforted me.

I used to think he was gentle, kind, dependable.

We'd co-founded the campus stray cat rescue, naming every kitten, keeping medical records, raising sterilization funds.

That's why I trusted him. That's why I followed him a thousand miles to Sterling City, ready to become his wife.

I learned to cook. To clean. To mold myself into the perfect, devoted partner.

That night... Holding my breath, I tapped the live feed.

There they were—entwined on our sofa, moving as one.

Olivia wept, shuddering with great, wrenching sobs.

In her hand: the glass jar of paper stars—the very ones Elijah had given me when he proposed.

Each tiny star, folded by his hands, held a handwritten wish for my happiness.

Olivia unfolded the stars one by one—as if tearing her own heart apart.

"I love you so damn much it's killing me," she sobbed. "I've been jealous of Amelia… consumed by it."

Elijah kissed her tears away like they were sacred, like she was the one he had promised forever to.

"I want to wear a wedding dress… and marry you."

"Okay."

"Let's get our marriage certificate together—and fake one with her."

"Okay."

"I want to sleep in your bed. The one you bought for her."

"Okay."

"Give me a child. Don't have one with her."

"Okay."

Boom—

Something detonated inside my skull. White noise. Blankness.

Five years of love—reduced to this: fragile, hollow, already rotting at the core.

With the last shred of my composure, I called Elijah.

His phone buzzed right beside him—but he didn't even glance at it.

"Elijah!" I screamed into the line, voice cracking, raw. "Turn it off! You're my groom today—I'm ordering you!"

He saw my name flash across the screen. Hesitated—just for a heartbeat—

Then Olivia hooked her fingers around his neck and dragged him back into the kiss.

"As you wish… my bride," he murmured against her lips.

A bitter laugh tore out of me. Tears streamed freely.

That was it.

My heart didn't just break—it turned to ash.

No more wedding.

No more him.

I walked out of the club, bought a new phone, and slipped it into my bag.

I'll make sure the whole world saw the truth about those two filthy, shameless lovers.