Book3 Chapter8.
“When did you find out?” he asked finally, his voice barely a whisper.
“The day before our wedding,” I said, taking a sip of my now–cold coffee. “In a box you were about to throw away. That’s how I found out about your little secret.”
“Anya, I’m so sorry,” he pleaded, his eyes filled with what looked like genuine remorse. “It was a mistake, I swear! Chloe and I, it was a moment of weakness, we weren’t thinking straight.” He reached for my hand, but I pulled away. “I’ve been going crazy these past few weeks, wanting to tell you, but I didn’t know how. You’re the one I love, Anya, you have to believe me!”
His words washed over me, each one a slap in the face. “You love me? After all this, you have the audacity to say you love me?” I laughed, a harsh, humorless sound. “I thought we could at least have a civilized break–up, but I guess I expected too much.”
“Why didn’t you just talk to me?” he asked, his voice rising in desperation. “We could’ve worked this out!”
“Worked it out? You married someone else, Ethan! While we were planning our own wedding!” The cafe was filling up, people were staring, but I didn’t care. I’d been humiliated enough.
“You said it yourself, Anya! We weren’t going to get legally married! So what’s the difference?”
I stared at him, my mouth hanging open. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “So, you’re saying that because we weren’t going to sign a piece of paper, it was okay for you to marry someone else behind my back? That I should just be okay with being the other woman?”
“Anya, I…”
Book Chapters.
“Save it, Èthan,” I said, standing up, knocking my chair over in the process. “I loved you, once. But that love died the moment I saw that marriage certificate. We’re over. And I want you to tell everyone the truth. Tell them you cheated, that you lied, that you married another woman while you were with me. Or I will.”
And with that, I turned and walked out, ignoring his pleas, his apologies, his desperate attempts to get me to stay.
Book3 Chapter9.
Ethan didn’t listen. He continued to play the victim, and I was left to deal with the
fallout. Finally, I snapped. I sent the wedding photos to everyone, the ones I’d found on his computer, the ones that proved Chloe’s and his betrayal. The silence that followed was deafening. Suddenly, everyone understood. The accusations stopped, replaced with apologies and outrage on my behalf.
But I was done. “It’s over,” I told them. “Let’s just move on.”
Even Ethan’s own mother tried to intervene. “Anya, dear,” she said, her voice. gentle, “I know Ethan made a mistake, but eight years is a long time. Don’t throw it all away.”
I looked at her, the woman I’d treated like a second mother for the past eight years. The woman who’d been more than happy to accept my lavish gifts, my constant attention. I understood her loyalty lay with her son, but I’d expected
better.
“Tell me, Aunty, who put in more effort with you, me or Chloe?” I asked, my voice calm but firm. “Don’t even try to deny it. I saw the wedding video. You were beaming when they kissed.”
Her face crumpled. “Anya, you have to understand, I’m his mother…”
“And I was supposed to be your daughter–in–law,” I countered. “I never expected you to tell me about the marriage, but you shouldn’t defend him now. What if your husband had hidden a wife and child from you all these years? Would you be so forgiving then?”
She fell silent, her gaze dropping to her lap. I didn’t need to hear any more. I stood up to leave, ignoring her pleas to give Ethan another chance.
To my surprise, Ethan finally backed off. The messages stopped, the calls went
Book3Chapter
unanswered. He sent me one last text: “Co
My reply was short and to the point: “Thro
