10
My boyfriend, Lucas Evans, was kidnapped, and the ransom they demanded was astronomical.
I sold everything I owned and became so poor I couldn’t even afford to eat. When I had nothing left, I finally rescued him and helped him rebuild his career.
During that time, I got pregnant several times, but Lucas kept finding excuses to make me terminate the pregnancies. In the end, it damaged my ability to have children.
And yet, on the wedding day I had dreamed of for years, he married his secretary.
“Emily Carter is pregnant. I want to marry her. My mother has always wanted a grandson. I’ll make it up to you for the rest of my life.”
I watched Lucas slip the engagement ring he had designed for me onto another woman’s finger.”
I turned away, heartbroken, but collapsed the moment I stepped out.
When I arrived, the doctor told me I was two months pregnant.
Lucas’s impatient voice rang out from just outside the door.
“Zoe Bennett was just a stand–in. When she was kidnapped, she raised that much money–I don’t know what shady things she did. She disgusts me. I’ll give you the company after you give birth. Don’t cry, Emily. I’m coming now.“>
He left without even glancing at me.
I stopped the doctor from telling him about pregnancy.
Watching his retreating figure, I let go completely.
If he didn’t value me, he didn’t deserve to be the father of my child.
I called my father.
“Dad, keep the overseas slot for me. I’ll come to you in a week.”}
…@
After finalizing my plans to go abroad with my father, I ended the call.§
My phone buzzed repeatedly. A message came in from a friend.”
“Zoe! Didn’t you say I should attend your wedding? Why didn’t I see you there? And why was Emily the bride?”
My chest tightened. I opened the video she sent.
In the video, Emily confessed everything.
She had stalked Lucas back in school, followed him when he moved cities, became his secretary, and now–his wife.}}
“I’ve loved you secretly for ten years. Now, I’m finally your wife.“}
Lucas, moved to tears, embraced her and kissed her deeply.
“Emily, thank you for loving me all these years. It’s my turn now to cherish you for the rest of my life.”}]
I felt cold all over, and my mind went blank.”
Lucas pursued me at the beginning. Today–our tenth anniversary–we were supposed to get married.”
But he chose someone else.
Only now did I realize he had never loved me.
In the video, my friend tried to defend me, accusing Emily of interfering in our relationship.
Lucas’s younger brother, who used to call me sister–in–law, stood with Emily and threw my friend out.
“Interfering? Emily has always loved Lucas, and Lucas’s been tired of Zoe for ages! If she had just broken up with him, they would’ve been married long ago!“}
The video ended. I smiled bitterly.
“It’s over. Lucas and I are done. I don’t want him anymore.”>
It was already late when I left the hospital and returned home.
As I opened the door, I saw Lucas and Emily rolling around madly on the big sofa had chosen myself.”
Their wedding clothes were tangled together on the floor.”
Three days ago, the wedding dress Lucas had specially ordered for me had arrived–but the size didn’t fit.”
Today, that same dress fits Emily perfectly.
I stood silently in the doorway. Emily noticed me first.
“Ah! Lucas, stop for a bit. Someone’s here.“}
With a playful pout, she pushed his head away from her chest.
Luca’s looked up, clearly annoyed–until he saw me.}]
His face stiffened in embarrassment.
He hurried to pick up clothes off the floor and cover Emily.
“Zoe, why are you back? I just wanted to check if the baby was okay. You know you’re the one I love most.”}
Lignored his pathetic excuse, walked to my room, and shut the door.
8:56 AM
On the bedside table were unfinished wedding invitations.
When I opened them, the words inside pierced my heart.”
Just a week ago, I had been planning the wedding room and finalizing the invites. Lucas had called Emily to help me.
She was careless at work and never managed tasks properly.
When I found she’d written her own name as the bride on one of the invitations, I was furious.
I scolded her a little, and she immediately burst into tears.
Lucas smiled and hugged me.§
“Zoe, it’s her first time doing this. She made a mistake, that’s all. If you’re mad, just punish her by having her finish the wedding decorations and the rest of the invites. You can relax.”
He gently pushed me out of the room, brought me fruit, and turned on my favorite drama.
Back then, I felt touched by his thoughtfulness.
Even when Emily decorated the whole wedding room in her favorite colors, I didn’t get mad again–for his sake.
But looking back, those were all signs.
I should’ve seen Lucas’s betrayal coming.
But when you love someone, you keep making excuses for them.
walked out and hurled the invitation I’d been clutching toward them.
Lucas, I bought this house. Get out–take her with you!”
